GROUP-DIFFERENCES ON US AIR-FORCE PILOT SELECTION TESTS

Sex and ethnic group differences were examined on the operational comp osites and tests used to select applicants for US Air Force officer co mmissioning programmes and for pilot training. Results showed that lar ge mean score differences in applicant samples were substantially redu ced among the pilot trainees. Despite differences in test performance, there was no evidence of differential validity for groups. When group differences in predicted pilot training completion rate were observed , performance was overestimated for the minority group relative to the majority group. When regression equations were adjusted for unreliabi lity of the predictors, the observed differences in intercepts were re duced or eliminated. No prediction bias was observed against the minor ity groups.