ASVAB Score as a Predictor of Academic Success in Sonar Technician A School

摘要

This correlational research examined the relationship between Armed ServicesVocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) scores and final grade point average (GPA) in the Navy's Sonar Technician surface (STG) and submarine (STS) 'A' Schools. ASVAB scores are currently used as the major selection criteria for these schools. Between October 1989 and October 1991 approximately 1500 students either graduated or were dropped for academic reasons from STG and STS 'A' School. They were all males and their ages at class convening time ranged from 19 to 36 years. For this study, 435 subjects were randomly selected from the graduates of each school. All academic drops for that time period were used as well (29 STG and 22 STS). Final GPAs were collected from the class rosters and ASVAB scores were retrieved from the Navy's Source Data System. Distribution data of ASVAB scores were compared for graduates and academic drops. The graduates' scores were also analyzed using the Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient and the t-statistic. The findings indicated that the composite ASVAB scores currently used are statistically significant predictors of academic success in ST 'A' School.