Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine basic academic skills and preparational factors for the Skill Qualification Test to identify possible relationships to performance on this instrument of occupational evaluation. Previous research has indicated positive correlations between a servicemember's academic ability and successful training for a role in the armed services. In recent years, an accelerated emphasis has been placed on continual demonstration of job skills mastery in the Army. The Fort Sam Houston Educational Development Branch assumed the responsibility of examining basic skills competencies of servicemembers who did not meet the minimum required level when administered the SQT. The purpose was to determine if deficiencies existed and, if so, the probability that these deficiencies contributed to unsuccessful performance. A sample of 176 servicemembers from Fort Sam Houston units participated in this study. The Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) was administered to determine grade levels in reading, mathematics, mechanics and expression of language, and overall averages. In addition, participants completed the SQT Preparation Questionnaire (an instrument developed for this study) to ascertain involvement in SQT preparation activities. Analysis of hypotheses one through four was based on the categorization of the sample by qualifying or nonqualifying SQT scores. Two groups of 102 and 74 members respectively were formed. Hypotheses five and six required further categorization. In addition to SQT scores, TABE overall averages and scores on the SQT Preparation Questionnaire were considered. The analysis was conducted through the use of the Statistical and Operations Research Computer System. Appropriate research functions were employed to adequately scrutinize the data. The results of the analytical process provided the basis for concluding that basic academic skills deficiencies did not exist at a level that could be clearly identified as a primary factor contributing to non-qualifying scores on the SQT evaluation for the sample involved in this study. Preparational involvement was determined to be lower for those participants with non-qualifying SQT scores and, in this regard, can be considered a major element in SQT performance.
Holloway, G. Yvonn (1983). Skill Qualification Test (SQT) performance of Army personnel as related to basic academic skills and preparational review procedures. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -551160.