The OSAB provides a standardized measure of skills and attitudes necessary for successful performance in office positions.  The OSAB-Skills measures language skills, openness to learning further skills, and career development.  The OSAB-Attitudes measures orientations and attitudes that are related to performance in an office position.  The OSAB is appropriate for a wide variety of administrative support and clerical positions including entry level secretaries, mail clerks, data entry operators, word processors, and proofreaders.

Normative data is based on relevant groups.

The OSAB has been shown to be predictive of clerical skills, training readiness, work quality, and positive work attitudes.  Validation studies are available upon request.

Multi-page OSAB reports include a graphical depiction of scores as well as positive and negative behavioral indicators and interview questions.

Dimensions of Measurement

Attitudes Inventory Section

• Work Conduct - conscientiousness and dependability; willingness to follow policies, rules, and regulations.
• Work Accountability  - assuming responsibility for and taking control of work performance and chances for advancement
• Work Performance - being industrious, self-controlled, productive, and reliable.
• Office Practices - understanding office practices and basic clerical common sense.
• Tenure - likelihood that a candidate will not quit the job within a short time period.
• Energy Level - work pace, energy level, and work endurance.
• Stress Tolerance - ability to handle pressure, conflict, and frustration.
• Career Interests - interest in typical office activities and in career tracks.
• Background, Education and Work Experience - office-related education, training, and experience.
• Office Attitudes Index - overall indicator of suitability for employment in terms of attitudes and behavioral tendencies.
• Validity/Candidness - assesses the degree to which a candidate responded to the assessment questions openly.
• Validity/Accuracy - measures the degree to which a candidate understood and carefully completed the inventory
  

Skill Inventory Section

• Number Comparison - accuracy when comparing pairs of numbers.
• Checking - accuracy and attention to detail.
• Filing - ability to alphabetize rapidly and knowledge of standard filing practices.
• Grammar - basic knowledge of English grammar including pronoun usage, subject-verb agreement, and word forms.
• Office Vocabulary - general verbal ability as well as knowledge of common business terms and office procedures.
• Spelling - ability to determine the correct spelling of common business-related words.
• Punctuation/Capitalization - ability to recognize errors in punctuation and capitalization.
• Career Development - interest in activities that would assist in learning new job skills.
• Office Skills Index - overall indicator of suitability for employment in terms of required skills and abilities.