An examination of the effectiveness of ability tests on employee selection process in the public sector in Tanzania: the case of Tanzania Revenue Authority

The study examines the effectiveness of Ability Tests in Employee Selection Process in the Public Sector in Tanzania, the case study being the Tanzania Revenue Authority. The study’s objectives were to examine how verbal reasoning relates to effective selection, numerical reasoning relates to effective selection, inductive reasoning relates to effective selection and to assess how mechanical comprehension relates to effective selection. This study involved 200 employees of Tanzania Revenue Authority. Primary data were collected by using questionnaires while secondary data were collected from journals and internet sources. Data were analyzed using simple statistical methods. The findings revealed that verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, inductive reasoning are effective on employees selection. However, it was revealed that there was mixed feelings on whether mechanical comprehension is effective on employee selection or not. It was concluded that ability tests attempt to determine and measure an individual ability and the possibility to develop through future training, as well as improving employment process by selecting potential candidates that will lead to job success. The tests assume that people differ in their special abilities and that these differences can be useful in predicting future performance and achievements. It was recommended that the tests should be objectively designed so that that they fairly identify potential candidates for the positions and candidates should be given the knowledge on the importance of ability tests so that they do the tests knowingly and comfortably.