The Undergraduate Situational Judgment Test: An Active Learning Project for Teaching Selection Tool Effectiveness

Abstract

This article outlines an active learning project that gives students hands-on experience in developing an undergraduate situational judgment test. The five-part activity models the process for constructing a situational judgment test—a tool commonly used for employee selection in organizations. The project is designed to help students assimilate concepts associated with the development of and decision to use different selection tools. Student reactions indicate that the exercise promotes student attention and engagement, stimulates learning about employee selection tools and concepts, and helps students understand the process of constructing and validating selection methods. Student development is a positive side effect of the exercise as constructing undergraduate situational judgment test items requires participants to explore and evaluate solutions to the problems faced by the typical undergraduate.