Selection tests for firefighters: A comprehensive review and meta-analysis

This study reviewed and summarized the literature on the use of written tes ts in the selection of firefighters using a sample of 13,418 individuals dr awn from 101 samples. For the prediction of job performance, cognitive test s showed substantial validity (.42), although mechanical comprehension test s showed even higher validity (.54). However, the best prediction was obtai ned by tests which were composites of cognitive and mechanical predictors ( .56). Training criteria was best predicted by cognitive measures (.77), alt hough mechanical comprehension predictors also showed substantial predictio n value (.62). Tests which were composites of cognitive and mechanical meas ures showed validities equal to that of cognitive measures (.77).