PERSONALITY AND TEST-TAKING MOTIVATION

The ability test is an instrument frequently used in personnel assessm ent, but the motivation of the subjects for test-taking (TTM) is hypot hesized so that it can affect its validity. Previous research on this topic has shown that it is related to some personal variables, such as abilities, performance factors, race and so on. However, personality was not studied as an explanatory factor of the TTM. In this research the relation of TTM with personality and motivational distortion was o bserved. Personality was conceptualized using the five-factor model, W e hypothesized that Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness and Conscienti ousness would be correlated with negative and positive attitudes to te st-taking. Concerning to the relation between TTM and motivational dis tortion, we hypothesized that positive attitudes for test-taking will be correlated with motivational distortion. Two samples of subjects we re used. Sample A is composed of 145 students (unemployed) and Sample B has 187 subjects, all in employment, the majority in clerical jobs. The results show that personality factors are related to TTM in the wa y hypothesized. Furthermore, the labor situation of the subjects has n o effects over TTM and the motivational distortion does not appear rel ated to TTM. In the discussion comments are made on the implications o f these findings for personnel assessment.