Final answer:
A recruiter uses cutoff scores to determine if candidate's test answers meet the established minimum criteria for correctness during the job selection process. Cutoff scores are essential for fair and efficient recruitment, exemplified by cases like the Wonderlic Personnel Test used in police force selections.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Cutoff Scores in Job Selection
When a recruiter scores the test given after an interview, they are using cutoff scores to mark answers correct or incorrect. Cutoff scores are predetermined values established by an organization to assess whether a candidate has passed a particular stage of the selection process. This method is similar to assigning letter grades based on numerical scores; it simplifies categorizing applicants based on their test results.
For instance, in the case of Robert Jordan who took the Wonderlic Personnel Test as part of the police force selection process, a specific cutoff score would determine if his results are adequate for moving forward in the recruitment process. Similarly, self-report inventories that use Likert scales for personality assessment can have cutoff scores to help gauge the social desirability or bias in responses, which could influence an applicant's perceived suitability for the job.
Cutoff scores serve as a crucial tool for recruiters to ensure that only the most qualified candidates advance, minimizing subjectivity and enhancing the fairness and efficiency of the job selection process.