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Comment by learc83 | Hacker News Reader

>like the SAT

I would love it if companies hired people like colleges select students.

I'm very good at interviews, but I still hate doing them. If would love it if I could write an essay and send them my SAT scores without going through that awful process.

It would probably also weed out people who are just inordinately good at interviews.

I don't overtly try to exaggerate, but a few times I've been offered a job where I thought in the back of the mind that I might not really be qualified. To wit, I thought my interview skills, not my coding skills got me the offer.

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I get what you mean, but colleges are probably the worst analogue for successful hiring practices given selection based on legacy status, wealth, minority status, athletic ability, etc

A note about the above. The article actually states that the best indicators of performance wasn't actually just a GMA (General Mental Aptitude) test or just a trial but in fact the combination of a GMA test and a integrity test or a GMA test and a structured interview. You're not off the hook by just testing well.

Of the combinations of predictors examined, two stand out as being both practical to use for most hiring and as having high composite validity: the combination of a GMA test and an integrity test (composite validity of .65); and the combination of a G M A test and a structured interview .(com posite validity of .63).

Resumes can be VERY misleading.

We just finished interviews last week and a few people who looked perfect on paper were not even considered after the interviews.

I was one of two interviewers and I only threw softballs.

But it wouldn't weed out the people who can do well on tests but can't apply their skills to real problems. Part of the interview process is getting a better look at the person behind the resume, and mailing in test scores defeats that.

Also, all the SAT does is see how well you can take a 4-hour test.

Some people are also really good at essays. It's also like talking to a wall, and it would filter out many effective immigrant workers.

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