Suitability Screening Test for Marine Corps Air Traffic Controllers Phase 3: Non-cognitive Test Validation and Cognitive Test Prototype

A previous technical report detailed the validation process in the Operating Forces (Phase 1) and the ATC Schoolhouse (Phase II); The current Phase III of the project aims to validate the Marine Air Traffic Controller -Suitability Test (MATC-ST) in predicting successful Air Traffic Controllers from the schoolhouse through 7257 Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) qualification and to develop a cognitive test prototype. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses suggest that two variations of the MATC-ST accounts for 17% and 8% of the variance, respectively, in passing overall and 7257 qualification; and provide incremental validity above and beyond the use of the ASVAB score in selection for success in the ATC Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) school and Operating Forces. A suitability profile which can predict success at the ATC MOS school and the Operating Forces greatly increases the efficiency of the personnel pipeline and relieves the burden of unproductive training by providing early detection of Marines who are and are not likely to graduate or perform satisfactorily as ATCs. Further analyses are recommended to validate the cognitive test prototype to determine the approach that will yield the most productive and efficient selection process for the Marine ATC MOS. The original document contains color images.