Meta-analytic validity of cognitive ability for hands-on military job proficiency

A meta-analysis of the criterion-related validity of U.S. military enlistment cognitive ability tests was conducted using hands-on performance tests (HOPTs) as the criterion. In a HOPT, incumbents perform a representative sample of the tasks for a position and are evaluated by trained raters. We found operational validities in the .40s to .50s. Our meta-analytic database allowed us to investigate concerns regarding overcorrections (via use of multivariate corrections with credible applicant covariances) and provides a direct measure of job proficiency.