Chemical Reading Test
The Chemical Reading Test is a 40-minute timed paper assessment developed to verify the reading comprehension skills of entry-level job applicants. This 40-item multiple-choice exam requires candidates to read specialized text and answer precise questions to ensure they can process technical information accurately on the job.
About this Test
Use the Chemical Reading test to confirm the reading comprehension ability of your job applicants.
What It’s Best Used For
This test is best used during the initial pre-employment phase to confirm that applicants can safely read, understand, and follow complex technical guidelines before they are placed in a plant or industrial setting.
- Testing Technical Readability: It evaluates a candidate’s literacy under pressure by using 5 specific reading passages written at a 10.4 grade readability level.
- Targeting Operations Roles: It effectively screens individuals applying for entry-level positions in chemical processing, industrial manufacturing, and warehousing complexes.
- Ensuring Job-Site Safety: It protects company property and worker health by filtering out applicants who might struggle to interpret critical safety data sheets (SDS) or chemical handling instructions.
- Providing Defensible Vetting: It complies with EEOC Uniform Guidelines to ensure a highly objective, non-discriminatory, and job-related selection process that is fully legal for use in Canada.
Chemical Reading Test Description
This 40-item reading test contains 5 passages related to chemicals at a 10.4 readability level. This test is timed, and test takers have 40 minutes to finish the test.
Please contact us for pricing and more information. Sample questions are not available for this instrument. Sample copies are available for purchase only.
We recommend that test validation be conducted for an organization that meets any of the following criteria:
- Is a highly visible national or international company
- Has more than 200 employees
- Has a labor agreement
- Has a federal contract
- Has ever had an EEO charge
- Needs professional assistance for setting cutting scores on tests
The Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures (1978)1, developed by the EEOC, Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor and Department of Justice, are intended to establish a uniform Federal position in the area of prohibiting discrimination in employment practices. Regarding the use of tests and other selection procedures, the Guidelines state:
These guidelines apply to tests and other selection procedures which are used as a basis for any employment decision. Employment decisions include but are not limited to hiring, promotion, demotion, membership (for example, in a labor organization), referral, retention, and licensing and certification, to the extent that licensing and certification may be covered by Federal equal employment opportunity law. Other selection decisions, such as selection for training or transfer, may also be considered employment decisions if they lead to any of the decisions listed above. (Section 2B)
The Guidelines also state:
The use of any selection procedure which has an adverse impact on the hiring, promotion, or other employment or membership opportunities of members of any race, sex, or ethnic group will be considered to be discriminatory and inconsistent with these guidelines, unless the procedure has been validated in accordance with these guidelines. (Section 3A)
From the employer’s perspective, it is very useful to have a job-related test. When tests are job related, they have more credibility with the persons taking them, giving the test takers more confidence in their results and providing less likelihood of complaint or litigation. A validated test is usually the product of research by a psychologist. The resulting validation report is the documented evidence by a professional researcher of the validity of the selection procedure. In the event of complaint or litigation, the report would usually be entered into evidence. In addition, the author would provide testimony that the report reflects generally-accepted professional practice and is in conformance with the requirements of the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures.
1 Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Civil Service Commission, Department of Labor, and Department of Justice. (1978, August). Uniform guidelines on employee selection procedures. Federal Register, 43, 38290-38315.
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Additional information
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