Types of Assessment Tools There are two common types of assessment tools: Vocational aptitude tests Interest assessment tools 1. Vocational Aptitude Tests Vocational aptitude tests are used to test an individual's capacity to be trained for various occupations by testing various types of aptitude. Generally, they include batteries or groups of tests each designed to test a specific aptitude. After a test is scored, test administrators use accepted standards to determine which occupations are best-suited for an individual's various aptitudes. Examples of Vocational Aptitude Tests DAT-Differential Aptitude Test GATB-General Aptitude Test Battery ASVAB-Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Problems with Vocational Aptitude Tests Personal Experience Influences Scores—Vocational aptitude tests are biased by the personal experience of the test taker. Women and girls who are not exposed to experiences that develop math or special skills and may not test as well in these test areas even if they are interested or inclined to pursue related jobs (e.g., they were not encouraged to tinker with home appliances or take a shop class in high school). Career Counseling Based on Biased Test Scores—People—such as career counselors and apprenticeship coordinators—use these tests to provide career guidance. However, tests that contain gender biased language and questions often incorrectly assess women's aptitude. For example, if a woman does not demonstrate mathematical and spatial abilities on a test because it contains gender bias, a counselor may not encourage her to enter jobs requiring those abilities, such as trade and technical occupations. Return to Top 2. Interest Assessment Interest assessment tools are used to help an individual decide which occupation she would find most rewarding. Usually the individual reviews a list of activities and indicates which interest her. The test administrator then identifies which occupations are related to the selected activities. Examples Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII) Kuder Occupational Interest Survey (KOIS) Non-Sexist Vocational Card Search (VCS) Unisex Edition of the ACT Interest Inventory (UNIACT) Holland Self-Directed Search (SDS) Problems In part because of socialization, interest assessments often indicate that women prefer activities that involve people over those that involve things. Consequently, women are encouraged to enter people-oriented or "social" occupations such as receptionist, nurse, or childcare worker. These occupations are "pink collar" or women-dominated and low-paying with few benefits and opportunities for career advancement. Men often show no preference either way and are counseled to enter a broad range of occupations that relate to both people and things, often leading to a choice of higher-paying male-dominated occupations. Return to Top     | Home | Contact | Search/Sitemap | User Guides | Events | Internet Guide | Email Lists | Copyright © 1998, Wider Opportunities for Women, All Rights Reserved.