Criteria Mechanical Reasoning Assessment (CMRA)

Assessment

What is it?

The Criteria Mechanical Reasoning Assessment (CMRA) is a pre-employment test designed to measure a candidate’s mechanical aptitude and reasoning ability. It is specifically tailored for roles that involve the operation, maintenance, installation, and repair of machinery and equipment. The CMRA helps employers identify individuals with strong mechanical reasoning skills, which are crucial for success in technical and hands-on jobs like machine operation, field service, and maintenance.

The CMRA is a mobile-friendly and easy-to-administer test that is designed to be accessible on any device. It takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, featuring 30 questions that assess mechanical aptitude. The test's content is carefully developed to reduce bias and ensure fair outcomes for all candidates, making it an ideal tool for assessing mechanical ability in a wide range of industries.

Information

Provider:

Criteriacorp

What it measures:

•

Mechanical Aptitude

•

Problem-Solving in Mechanical Systems

•

Understanding Equipment and Machinery

Categories:

•

Intelligence

Measurement Objectives

The CMRA measures several key mechanical abilities, focusing on the skills necessary for success in technical roles:

  • Mechanical Aptitude: The ability to understand and apply mechanical concepts and principles.
  • Problem-Solving in Mechanical Contexts: The ability to analyze mechanical systems, troubleshoot issues, and develop effective solutions.
  • Understanding Equipment and Machinery: The capacity to comprehend how different types of equipment work and how to maintain and repair them.

These skills are vital for success in positions where working with machinery is a core responsibility. Candidates who score well on the CMRA are more likely to excel in roles that require mechanical reasoning and problem-solving abilities.

Use

The CMRA is recommended for roles that involve the operation, maintenance, and repair of tools, equipment, and machinery. Common positions that benefit from the CMRA include Machine Operators, Electricians, Construction Workers, Field Service Technicians, and Mechanics. By using the CMRA, employers can evaluate candidates early in the hiring process, providing insights into their mechanical aptitude and ensuring they have the necessary skills for success in hands-on, technical roles. This assessment allows employers to make informed decisions about which candidates are most likely to perform well in jobs that demand mechanical understanding and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, the mobile-friendly nature of the test ensures a positive candidate experience, reflecting well on the employer’s brand.

Results

The CMRA provides a raw score (number correct out of 30) and a percentile ranking, showing how candidates compare to others (e.g., a 65th percentile means better than 65% of test-takers). These scores help employers assess mechanical reasoning skills, enabling data-driven hiring for technical roles where mechanical aptitude is essential.

Development

The CMRA was developed with a focus on minimizing bias, ensuring that candidates from different backgrounds have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their mechanical abilities. The reading level of the assessment is set at the sixth-grade level, and the content has been carefully reviewed to minimize gender and racial/ethnic bias. The CMRA has been extensively validated, proving to be a reliable predictor of job performance in roles involving equipment operation and maintenance. The assessment has been shown to have less adverse impact compared to other mechanical aptitude tests, ensuring a fair and balanced evaluation for all candidates.

Reference Group

Key features

Development

The CMRA was developed with a focus on minimizing bias, ensuring that candidates from different backgrounds have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their mechanical abilities. The reading level of the assessment is set at the sixth-grade level, and the content has been carefully reviewed to minimize gender and racial/ethnic bias. The CMRA has been extensively validated, proving to be a reliable predictor of job performance in roles involving equipment operation and maintenance. The assessment has been shown to have less adverse impact compared to other mechanical aptitude tests, ensuring a fair and balanced evaluation for all candidates.

References

https://www.criteriacorp.com/files/Criteria-Overview-CMRA.pdf