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The ICES Plus Assessment is, in fact, a test battery designed to assess
four mental abilities scales, three interest scales, twelve personality scales
and a social desirability scale.
The mental abilities scales are not an IQ test. They provide information about
an individual's ability to learn new information which can be an important
aspect in jobs that have to address changing circumstances and new information.
The four mental ability scales measured by the ICES Plus Assessment are:
- General Ability: measures a person's capacity to deal with ideas, to solve
problems and to assimilate new information. It is an indication of how well a
person thinks ahead to anticipate the effects of actions and decisions and how
quickly he or she learns.
- Working with Numbers: is an evaluation of numerical reasoning ability. It
shows how well an individual reasons with new information, data and numbers. It
indicates the ability to reason logically and solve problems.
- Working with Words: relates to reasoning with and using written language
effectively. It is an indication of written communication skills.
- Working with Shapes: has to do with spatial skills, or how well a
person is able to manipulate objects, both physically and visually. It is an
indication of a person's ability to think and reason in three dimensions.
Generally, people work more effectively in jobs that are aligned with their
interests. The ICES Plus Assessment measures interests in three scales
which are:
- Working with People: measures the extent to which an individual needs or
wants involvement with people. It also indicates whether a person wants to
mentor, negotiate, instruct, supervise, delegate, persuade, interact, serve
and help.
- Working with Data: measures how a person feels about working with statistics,
symbols, facts and figures. It is different from Working with Numbers because
it measures interests, not abilities. Working with Data indicates an interest
in synthesizing, co-ordination, analyzing, compiling, computing, copying and
comparing.
- Working with Things: measures an individual's interest in working with
inanimate objects such as machinery, tools and equipment. An interest in
Working with Things includes setting up, precision working,
operating-controlling, driving-operating, manipulating, tending,
feeding-unloading and handling.
The twelve personality scales in the ICES Plus Assessment are comprised
of four major scales, each of which is supported by two minor scales. The four
major scales are Independence, Conscientiousness, Extraversion and Stability
and are generally referred to as ICES (yes, that is where the assessment's name
comes from). Each of these major and minor scales measures a personality trait
in terms of two extremes. Thus, by way of example the opposite of Extrovert is
Introvert and the opposite of Competitive is Co-operative. A general
description of each of the major and minor scales follows:
| DIPLOMATIC: Diplomats are generally likable and good-natured.
They are considerate, cooperative and good at pulling people together through
persuasion. They sometimes choose to avoid conflict and controversy to
preserve relationships (i.e. tactful, want to satisfy) |
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INDEPENDENT: Independent people are single minded and
determined to win. They are confident, hardheaded and make autocratic leaders.
They take charge and get things done, although they can be insensitive to the
needs of those around them. (i.e. highly individualistic, dedicated to purpose)
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| Cooperative: Those who cooperate are non-competitive, desiring to make
their contributions to achievement as members of a team. They will forego
their own success to help others. (i.e. team players, helpful, sensitive to
needs of others) |
|
Competitive: Competitive people strive hard to reach their goals. They
are interested in personal achievements and play to win at any cost, sometimes
using others to get what they want. (i.e. goal oriented, do not accept
defeat easily) |
| Submissive: People who are submissive are tactful, seeking to
avoid controversy and diffuse aggression. They would rather avoid conflict
than confront it. (i.e. peacemakers, compliant) |
|
Assertive: Assertive people are outspoken because they know their
own minds and are not afraid to say so. They seek to be group leaders. They
can create conflict through their sometimes controversial and unpopular
opinions. (i.e. aggressive, prone to dominate) |
| SPONTANEOUS: People with spontaneity are flexible and unpredictable
and work well in changing, challenging situations. When problems arise, they
often adopt creative and unorthodox solutions. (i.e. look forward to change,
adapt easily) |
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CONSCIENTIOUS: Others will recognize conscientious individuals as
neat, tidy and detail-conscious. They follow rules and abide by standard
practices and procedures. They are always well prepared through careful
planning. (i.e. dedicated, dependable, honest) |
| Innovative: Innovators are not bound by rules and "the way things
have always been done." They would rather explore new routes than take the
well-traveled path, often viewing established rules, policies and procedures
as obstacles to progress. (i.e. casual attitude towards rules, like
fast-paced environment) |
|
Conventional: Those with conventional traits will do their work in
a meticulous and reliable manner. They are trustworthy, structured and intent
on doing things "the right way". (i.e. predictable, highly principled) |
| Reactive: People who are reactive seldom plan, choosing to react
to circumstances as they arise. They take a broad view of events and leave
details to others. Their work areas often appear disorganized. (i.e. expedient,
not detail-oriented) |
|
Organized: The mark of an organized person is a controlled and
carefully planned and arranged environment. They plan carefully to meet
deadlines, but dislike situations where they must improvise, "think on their
feet" or engage in unstructured debate. (i.e. orderly, systematic, consider
all options) |
| INTROVERT: An introvert prefers the company of a few close
friends and is content to be alone. They choose quiet, familiar surroundings.
(i.e. subdued, compliant, avoid group activity) |
|
EXTROVERT: An extrovert enjoys the stimulation of being with
people, especially if given the opportunity to be the center of attention.
They like exciting lively places. (i.e. sociable, talkative, impulsive) |
| Self-Sufficient: The ability to enjoy working alone for long
periods of time is the mark of a self-sufficient person. While they can
work with others, they have no need to do so. (i.e. enjoy quiet environments,
use own ideas) |
|
Group Oriented: A strong need for other people is the chief trait
of group oriented people. They depend on the support, encouragement and
social approval of others. While they want to be on the team or included in
the group, they may not be interested in standing out or serving in leadership
roles. (i.e. need involvement, seek approval) |
| Reserved: People described as reserved find everyday life
stimulating and feel no need to seek further excitement. They are not bored
by repetitive tasks and tend to live quiet, orderly lives. (i.e. conservative,
cautious, mild mannered) |
|
Outgoing: Outgoing people enjoy taking risks and accepting
challenges and doing stimulating things. They dislike repetitive tasks and
like being with other people for the stimulation they provide. (i.e. seek
spotlight, center of attention, not always good listeners) |
| EMOTIONAL: Emotional people are sensitive, mostly to their own
feelings of anxiety, suspicion, guilt and irritability. They are fearful of
new people and new situations. (i.e. easily upset, questioning) |
|
STABLE: Those who are described as stable are generally untroubled
and calm. They face problems and unforeseen circumstances without suffering
undue stress, remaining relaxed and secure. They are untroubled by criticism.
(i.e. secure, self-controlled, reliable, steady) |
| Restless: Restless people are easily upset, irritable and prone to
lose their temper. They view the world as basically hostile and threatening.
(i.e. unable to remain calm, handle rejection poorly) |
|
Poised: People with poise shrug off criticism and cope with most
adverse situations without becoming upset or irritated. They accept that few
things proceed in life without something going wrong. (i.e. realistic,
self-assured, dignified) |
| Excitable: Excitable people become tense and anxious in stressful
situations. They have trouble trusting and having confidence in their
colleagues, being suspicious of the motives of others. (i.e. emotional, tendency
to irritability) |
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Relaxed: Relaxed people are well prepared to cope with stressful
situations. They accept people at face value and are seldom bothered when
things go wrong. (i.e. calm, trusting, cope with pressure) |
Sten Graph Reliability Scale - the last dimension related in the graph
report is the social desirability scale. This scale is not a personality
measure; rather it is a reliability scale that serves as an indicator of
possible behavior. The scale provides insight into how a candidate has
completed the Prevue Assessment. Candidates with a (1,2) or (9,10)
score may have endeavored to manipulate the results of their Prevue test. The
extremes of the scale provide the following information:
- Social Desirability - Low: when people are overly frank, they have either
presented an overly negative picture of themselves or they are lacking in a
number of socially acceptable attributes.
- Social Desirability - High: when people try to present themselves as
overly socially acceptable, they exaggerate their finer qualities. However,
there is the possibility that a high social desirability rating can indicate
a truly "good person".
For even more information on the development and validation of the ICES
Plus Assessment, please contact us
for a hard copy of the ICES Plus Assessment
Technical Manual.
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