Intelligence tests are a weaker predictor of job performance than long believed, large study finds
A new synthesis of data from over 109,000 workers suggests that general intelligence tests are less than half as predictive of overall job performance as historical benchmarks claim.
A massive analysis of recent workplace data has revealed that general intelligence tests are less effective at predicting overall job performance than previously thought. Researchers combined data from over 109,000 workers across more than 200 contemporary samples, finding cognitive ability tests predict future success less than half as well as the historical benchmark widely cited in textbooks.
General mental ability refers to a person's capacity to learn, reason, process information, and solve unfamiliar problems, encompassing verbal comprehension, math skills, and spatial reasoning. These tests, often used in hiring, were once believed to be the single best predictor of job performance across all occupations. However, recent research suggests employers should consider a more diverse range of assessments to evaluate potential employees.
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