Personnel selection

Abstract

From the earliest times some kind of a test has always been used for selecting incumbents of certain posts. The oldest method of selection, known to us, was an examination in school or college subjects. When the number of candidates for any post was small the method employed was the viva voce examination. In this situation, the examiner combined the functions of testing the knowledge of the candidate in certain academic subjects and of assessing the traits of personality displayed by the individual during the examination. As the number of candidates increased the viva voce examination was found time-consuming and inadequate. Public examinations were, consequently, organized. Written question papers were distributed and the candidates were required to write answers in note-books. The answer-books were subsequently scrutinized by the examiner. The testing of the standard of achievement attained by a candidate in particular subject was thus accomplished, but the personal contact

between the examiner and the examinee was lost.