CODESP - Cooperative Organization for the Development of Employee Selection Procedures Making Final Selection Decisions Questions and Answers

Question 1

A public agency uses a weighted application blank, a written exam, and a structured interview to assess candidates. To create a final ranked list, the agency multiplies the score on each component by its assigned weight and sums them to get a total score. A candidate who performs exceptionally well in the interview can potentially overcome a slightly lower score on the written exam. Which selection decision model is the agency using?

Accepted Answer

C. Compensatory

Answer

The compensatory model allows a candidate's high score on one selection tool to compensate for a lower score on another. By weighting and summing the scores, the agency creates a composite score where strengths can offset weaknesses, which is the defining characteristic of this approach.

Question 2

A city is hiring a groundskeeper for its Parks Department, a position that involves operating city vehicles. The selected candidate has a valid driver's license, but a post-offer background check, which the city failed to conduct, would have revealed a history of reckless driving convictions. If the employee causes a serious accident while on duty, the city could be vulnerable to a lawsuit based on what legal principle?

Accepted Answer

A. Negligent hiring

Answer

Negligent hiring is a legal claim made against an employer when an employee harms someone, and the employer knew or should have known about the employee's potential risk through reasonable background checks. Failing to check the driving record for a position that requires driving constitutes a breach of the employer's duty of care.

Question 3

To enhance fairness and potentially increase diversity in its hiring outcomes, a personnel department decides to group candidates whose test scores are not statistically different from one another. The hiring manager may then select any candidate from the highest group, using secondary criteria such as bilingual skills or specific experience. This method of certifying candidates for final selection is known as:

Accepted Answer

B. Banding

Answer

Banding is the practice of grouping applicants with statistically similar scores on a selection test into a single 'band.' All scores within a band are treated as equivalent, allowing the employer more flexibility to consider other job-related factors (like diversity or specific skills) when choosing from among the candidates in that band.

Question 4

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), when is it permissible for an employer to require a candidate to undergo a medical examination as part of the selection process?

Accepted Answer

B. Only after a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Answer

The ADA prohibits employers from requiring medical examinations or asking disability-related questions before making a job offer. However, after a conditional offer of employment is extended, an employer may require an exam, provided it is required for all entering employees in the same job category and the results are kept confidential.

Question 5

Which of the following represents the most critical and legally defensible purpose of conducting pre-employment reference checks during the final selection stage?

Accepted Answer

D. To verify job-relevant information and identify potential safety or performance risks.

Answer

The primary defensible purpose of reference checks is to verify factual information provided by the candidate (e.g., dates of employment, job titles) and to gather job-related evidence about past performance and conduct. This helps the employer make an informed decision and exercise due diligence to avoid issues like negligent hiring.

CODESP - Cooperative Organization for the Development of Employee Selection Procedures Practice Test

CODESP - Cooperative Organization for the Development of Employee Selection Procedures Practice Test

CODESP - Cooperative Organization for the Development of Employee Selection Procedures Making Final Selection Decisions Questions and Answers