College Major Choice: Impact on Job Aptitude Test Performance
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2014
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Haverford College. Department of Economics
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eng
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Bi-College users only
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Abstract
This paper considers the effectiveness of quantitative and non-quantitative majors in preparing students for screening tests routinely used in the job recruitment process. A sample of 209 students from Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges completed an online survey that consisted of a 17-minute aptitude test comprising of verbal, logical and numerical reasoning sections, and demographic survey questions. Logistic regression analysis confirms that the primary determinant of students' college major choice is academic interests. Other significant factors include students' self-perceived ability and SAT math scores. When considering the middle-range aptitude test scores, I found compelling evidence that most upperclassmen in quantitative majors perform better in the job aptitude test than other participants. This effect shows that quantitative majors provide average students with a nurturing learning experience and are effective in preparing average students for the transition from college to the workforce. The strong association between SAT scores and job aptitude test also reveals that better aptitude test performance may be attributed to well-develop test-taking skills.