Game-Based Assessments: Fad or Sound Psychometric Measures?

Despite game-based assessments (GBAs) being increasingly employed in selection practice, there is limited discussion of design principles for these innovative assessments. Furthermore, evidence regarding their psychometric properties is lacking. There is a need for more rigorous investigation of what GBAs measure, what they do not measure, and how reliable they are. Does this assessment format disadvantage particular groups of testers, such as older candidates or those without video game experience? We will split the session into two parts. We will spend the first half of the session discussing best practices in terms of design and validation principles for these innovative assessments, and illustrate these with data on a variety of game-based assessments for both cognitive and non-cognitive constructs. In the second half of the session, we will present a detailed case study in partnership with one of our clients, Heidrick & Struggles, on the development of a game-based leadership assessment to illustrate how these innovative formats are being used in practice.