Job Sample vs. Paper‐and‐pencil Trades and Technical Tests: Adverse Impact and Examinee Attitudes1

The adverse impact of a content‐valid job sample test of metal trades skills was compared to that of a well‐constructed content‐valid written achievement test for the same technical area. The adverse impact of the former was considerably less. In addition, both minority and majority examinees saw the job sample tests as significantly fairer, clearer, and more appropriate in difficulty level. These differences were not only statistically significant but also quite large. These were no significant differences between minority and majority attitudes toward either test. In light of these results, it is suggested that industrial psychologists should explore more fully the potential of performance testing.