Self-assessments of vocational skills in post-compulsory education and training

Abstract

ThiS paper outlines a comparison of self-assessments with results on tests of strength, dexterity, grip and reading in a post-compulsory education and training setting Comparisons were based on the performance of 24 adults underqoinp a vocational assessment in relation to their education and training potential. Self-rankings of performance on four work-relevant abilities (back-leg pull strength, grip strength, manual dexterrty and reading) were compared with the original results of the assessment and then With the ranking of the OIlginal results once they were converted to z scores. The self-assessments of reading and strength were more highly correlated with the results of tests than those for grrp strength and dexterity Results argued for a domain-specific ability to self-assess. There were no influences of age. gender or years of schooling on self-assessment but there was marked intenndividua' differences in the accuracy of self-assessment that may override any other factors. The results have implications for the use of self-assessment in an educational context.