Assessment center

Assessment centers are a popular assessment instrument, consisting of several exercises that simulate job-related situations and that are evaluated by multiple trained assessors on job-related constructs. However, there is some doubt regarding the extent to which assessment centers are actually measuring these intended job-related constructs. Furthermore, although assessment centers have emerged as a valid predictor of job performance, they also show considerable ethnic group differences. In this entry, we provide an overview of current research on assessment centers’ predictive and construct-related validity, ethnic score differences, as well as two new developments: the use of assessment centers in cross-cultural contexts and the use of technology to increase assessment centers’ cost efficiency and standardization.