Issues of the Wonderlic Test series

by Andrew
(St Paul, Minnesota)

Having taken the Wonderlic, in addition to the US Military GT Test (1974-1975 series), the Standford-Binet set and various mental acuity examinations during my youth, I find the correlation of results to be impressive. As to issues of ethnic and racial unfairness, there are "culture fair" test series available. If an examiner does not take advantage of such "fair" tests, then he/she is deliberately skewing the norms in an unfair manner. Having said that, it also behooves the tested person to be prepared to deal with majority society and societal norms. There are basic word usages and mathematical issues that are standard for any person to get ahead. Standardized English is a given for any adult and should be the standard of performance in communication.

I've dealt with groups & the public for years as an instructor for the US Army,a speaker at seminars and as an elected officer of two groups. Any person, of any race or group, who wishes to be taken seriously as a speaker, a presenter, instructor, elected official, any public person, should be prepared to use a common tongue. An accent, regional or otherwise, is not necessarily an impediment to success. However if one cannot establish a rational discussion, maintain a coherent argument and, in general, operate at a certain level of performance, then it is not society's fault. We each have certain innate qualities and capabilities. It is not always someone else's fault if we fail. Sometimes it is simply us.