Self-Assessment System: A Preparation Tool for Promotion

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Self-Assessment System A Preparation Tool for
Promotion

• Patricia A. Keenan
• Roy C. Campbell

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Self-Assessment System

• Prototype for a system to accompany the
  operational core knowledge assessment
• Soldiers can use feedback to help gauge their
  readiness for promotion
• Learn about the requirements for promotion
• Learn about the level of KSAs they possess

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Goals of the SAS

• Familiarize Soldiers with testing procedures,
  question format, breadth of core test
• Provide information about the semi-centralized
  promotion system
• Promotion Point Worksheet (PPW)
• Familiarize E4 Soldiers with NCO duties and
  responsibilities

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Design of the SAS

• Best practices in test preparation
• Education and training
• Other Armed Services
• Commercial testing and test preparation programs
• Components
• Advice Information
• Knowledge
• Feedback

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Advice Information

• Specifics about the core knowledge test
• Basics about the program (e.g., goals,
  eligibility)
• Testing environment
• Testing process
• Type of feedback
• General test preparation strategies
• Time management, stress-relieving activities
• Semi-centralized promotion system
• How system works
• How can I improve my score?

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Knowledge

• Test bank of items
• multiple-choice and variants open-ended
• Open-ended application (story) problems
• A Day in the Life
• Situational judgment items

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Feedback Component

• Factual knowledge items
• Right/wrong, correct answer, reference
• Application of principles or knowledge
• Explain why an answer is right or wrong
• Identify the most important factors
• Situational judgment test
• Rationale for why one action is better than
  another
• General strategies for thinking about problems
• Use as basis for discussion with SGT or unit

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Constraints Limitations

• SAS is test preparation, not practice
• Item bank reflects breadth of core test, not
  weight
• Feedback provided after each item
• Timing most helpful to Soldiers, but not like
  actual test
• Direct Soldiers to their manuals, to learn
  doctrine
• Cannot provide individual scoring or responses
• Provide correct answers for comparison
• Point out important factors in situations

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Operational SAS

• Unrestricted access 24/7
• Help Soldiers see how well they know the
  requirements of NCO jobs
• Should have same proponent as core test
• Maintenance required
• Item development, ensure up-to-date
• Ways to reduce need for resources
• Use open-ended, short answer items instead of
  multiple-choice
• SJT items for discussion