If At First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again: Understanding Race, Age, and Gender Differences in Retesting Score Improvement

Deidra J. Schleicher; Chad H. Van Iddekinge; Frederick P. Morgeson; Michael A. Campion

doi:10.1037/a0018920

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If At First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again: Understanding Race, Age, and Gender Differences in Retesting Score Improvement

Journal article

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If At First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again: Understanding Race, Age, and Gender Differences in Retesting Score Improvement

Deidra J. Schleicher, Chad H. Van Iddekinge, Frederick P. Morgeson and Michael A. Campion

Journal of applied psychology, Vol.95(4), pp.603-617

07/01/2010

DOI: 10.1037/a0018920

PMID: 20604584

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Abstract

This article explores the intersection of 2 critical and timely concerns in personnel selection-applicant retesting and subgroup differences-by exploring demographic differences in retest effects across multiple assessments. Results from large samples of applicants taking 3 written tests (N = 7,031) and 5 performance tests (N = 2,060) revealed that Whites showed larger retest score improvements than Blacks or Hispanics on several of the assessments. However, the differential improvement of Whites was greater on the written tests than on the performance tests. In addition, women and applicants under 40 years of age showed larger improvements with retesting than did men and applicants over 40. We offer some preliminary theoretical explanations for these demographic differences in retesting gains, including differences in ability, testing attitudes and motivation, and receptivity to feedback. In terms of practical implications, the results suggest that allowing applicants to retake selection tests may, in some cases, exacerbate levels of adverse impact, which can have distinct implications for retesting policy and practices in organizations.

Business & Economics

Management

Psychology

Psychology, Applied

Social Sciences

Details

Title: Subtitle: If At First You Don't Succeed, Try, Try Again: Understanding Race, Age, and Gender Differences in Retesting Score Improvement
Creators: Deidra J. Schleicher - Purdue University West Lafayette
Chad H. Van Iddekinge - Florida State University College of Business
Frederick P. Morgeson - Michigan State University
Michael A. Campion - Purdue University West Lafayette
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of applied psychology, Vol.95(4), pp.603-617
Publisher: Amer Psychological Assoc
DOI: 10.1037/a0018920
PMID: 20604584
ISSN: 0021-9010
eISSN: 1939-1854
Number of pages: 15
Language: English
Date published: 07/01/2010
Academic Unit: Management and Entrepreneurship
Record Identifier: 9984380473602771

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