Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) Practice Exam

Which assessment technique focuses on past experiences to evaluate potential leadership?

1. Behavioral-based interview

2. Situational judgment test

3. Cognitive ability test

4. Performance review

The correct answer is: Behavioral-based interview

The behavioral-based interview is designed specifically to assess candidates by exploring their past experiences and how those experiences relate to their potential for leadership. This assessment technique is grounded in the idea that past behavior is often a strong predictor of future behavior. By asking candidates to provide specific examples of how they handled situations in the past—particularly those involving leadership challenges—interviewers can gain insight into the candidates' problem-solving abilities, decision-making processes, and interpersonal skills. The questions typically prompt candidates to describe situations where they demonstrated leadership qualities, how they responded to challenges, and the outcomes of their actions. This method allows interviewers to evaluate not just what candidates say they would do theoretically, but what they have actually done in practice, making it a valuable tool for identifying potential leaders. Other options like the situational judgment test focus on hypothetical scenarios rather than past experiences, cognitive ability tests measure mental abilities and skills, and performance reviews are evaluations of current or past job performance without an explicit focus on leadership potential based on past experiences.