Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) Practice Exam

The candidate with the highest score on a selection assessment was hired, but was ultimately unsuccessful on the job. What type of error likely occurred in the selection assessment?

1. False negative

2. False positive

3. Wrongful hiring

4. Negligent hiring

The correct answer is: False positive

The selection assessment's highest scoring candidate being hired but later proving unsuccessful on the job indicates a false positive error. A false positive occurs when an assessment suggests a candidate has the necessary skills or qualities for a position, but in reality, they do not perform effectively. This often happens when the assessment fails to accurately predict future job performance or does not adequately measure the specific competencies required for the role. In this case, despite achieving the highest score, the candidate may have demonstrated strengths in assessment areas that do not correlate with on-the-job success. Consequently, this emphasizes the importance of ensuring that selection assessments are valid and reliable measures of the actual job performance required, rather than relying solely on aggregate scores or general competencies.