Little Incremental Validity for a Special Test of Abstract Symbolic Reasoning in an Air Force Intelligence Career Field

Abstract

This study evaluated the predictive efficiency of the Radio Communication Aptitude Test (RCAT), a classification test used by the United States Air Force. Recruits are classified into two signals intelligence analyses jobs using this special test as well as scores from the general multiple aptitude test battery, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), given to all Air Force applicants. Using a sample of 776 students, linear models analyses were conducted to evaluate incremental validity the RCAT added to the ASVAB or added to psychometric g in the prediction of technical training performance. Although the inclusion of the RCAT resulted in a statistically significant increase to validity of .0165 beyond g, it was not significant in incrementing ASVAB.