Global Security and Intelligence Studies Volume 5, Number 1, Spring / Summer 2020 | Page 121

The Challenge of Evaluating and Testing Critical Thinking in Potential Intelligence Analysts
• Detailed analysis of strengths and weaknesses in each skill area
• Approximate test time: 1-1/2 hours depending on the test-taker
Weaknesses:
• Cost is higher than other tests: E-testing System Orientation - $190.00; 20
SE Prof Mindset & Defense Skills at $75.00 each = $1,690.00
• Does not provide any suggestions for follow-up to improve skills
• Does not provide any space for candidate
• Self-reflection
• Does not test for cognitive biases
Test C: Taken March 2019
This is a 20-question test that uses scenarios and asks you to pick assumptions,
facts, conclusions or validity scale answers.
Strengths:
• Easy to understand scenarios-simple and straightforward
• Quick (20-minute time frame)
• Test System Hardware - $116.88, Test System Software - $532.91, -
$146.10 = $795.89
Weaknesses
• Cost in Euros—price fluctuates
• Scenario questions are repetitive
• Questions do not seem to allow for higher-order thinking
• Too basic to be comprehensive
• Repetitive
• Interview questions to be completed by Syntelligent through an interview
with the employee. We must decide what we want to hear; they provide
examples of questions.
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