Assessment Testing:
Strong Interest Inventory

Although, in purpose and design, the current version of the Strong Interest
Inventory is remarkably similar to the one introduced over 50 years ago,
over the years it has taken on elements that relate it to recent theoretical developments. It is constantly updated, scientifically sound, thoroughly researched, and widely used.

The Strong Interest Inventory (SII) is a carefully constructed questionnaire that inquires about a respondent's level of interest in a wide range of familiar items (i.e. words or short phrases, describing occupations, occupational activities, hobbies, leisure activities, school subjects, and types of people). For each of the 317 items, the respondent is asked to indicate his or her preferences from among three response categories on an answer sheet. The answers are then analyzed by computer (the Strong cannot be scored by hand) to derive scores on measures of interest type, called scales. The results are printed on a report called a profile, which presents the scale scores in an organized format and offers interpretive information. Although the profile is largely self-explanatory, it is helpful to have a counselor guide the respondent to an understanding of the scales and an interpretation of the scores.

The Strong uses a person's responses to the items to compare his or her
pattern of responses to the patterns of responses of people of different
types and in different occupations. This combination of information from
the individual compared with information about other people allows us to
make assumptions about whether that individual is likely to find satisfaction in the work typically done in a given occupation. Although most people can easily answer the Strong's questions about what specific things they like and dislike, few understand how their individual patterns of likes and dislikes are related to the patterns of people working in various occupations. Neither do they understand specific occupations well enough to know how their likes and dislikes are related to the activities pursued in those occupations.

The power of the Strong thus rests on two assumptions:

1. That the day-to-day activities typical of a specific occupation are reflected in the interests of the people who are employed in it and
2. That those who have a similar pattern of interests will be satisfied in that occupation if they have compatible values and the necessary knowledge and abilities.

• Plan to take the Strong Interest Inventory before you graduate from
  Assumption College. Pick up a test booklet at the OCS when you visit
  your Career Counselor.
• It is constantly updated Scores received by an individual today compare that person's interests with those of people who have responded to the inventory recently and who may be in occupations that did not exist in Dr. Strong's day.Thus, in no way is the Strong limited by its evolutionary antiquity; it remains today the most scientifically sound, thoroughly researched, and widely used interest inventory.
• It is carefully constructed of questions that inquire about a respondent's level of interest in a wide range of familiar items words or short phrases describing occupations, occupational activities, hobbies, leisure activities, school subjects, and types of people).
• For each of the 317 items, the respondent is asked to indicate his or her preferences from among 3 response categories.
• The answers are then analyzed by computer
• Strong cannot be scored by hand) to derive scores on measures of interest type, called scales. The results are printed on a report called a Profile, which presents the scale scores in an organized format and offers interpretive information.
• Although the Profile is largely self-explanatory, it is helpful to
  have a counselor guide the respondent to an understanding of the scales and an interpretation of the scores.
• The Strong uses a person's responses to the items to compare her or his pattern of responses to the patterns of responses of people of different types and in different occupations. This combination of information from the individual compared with information about other people allows us to make assumptions about whether that individual is likely to find satisfaction in the work typically done in a given occupation.
• Although most people can easily answer the Strong's questions about what specific things they like and dislike, few understand how their individual patterns of likes and dislikes are related to the patterns of people working in various occupations.
• Neither do they understand specific occupations well enough to know how their likes and dislikes are related to the activities pursued in those occupations. The power of the Strong thus rests on two assumptions:
1. That the day-to-day activities typical of a specific occupation are  reflected in the interests of the people who are employed in it
2. that those who have a similar pattern of interests will be satisfied in that occupation if they have compatible values and necessary knowledge and abilities.

The Strong gives the respondent 5 main types of information:

1. Scores on 6 General Occupational Themes, which reflect the respondent's overall orientation to work.
2. Scores on 25 Basic Interest Scales which report consistency of interests or aversions in 25 specific areas, such as art, science, and public speaking.
3. Scores on 211 Occupational Scales representing 109 different occupations, which indicate degree of similarity between the respondent's interests and the characteristic interest of women and men working in those occupations.
4. Scores on 4 Personal Style Scales, which measure aspects of the style with which an individual likes to learn, work, assume leadership, and take risks
5. Three types of administrative indexes which help to identify invalid or unusual profiles for special attention.

Scores are arranged on the Profile in a format that encourages the respondent to note overall trends, to see how these trends are related to the world of work and to employ these findings in a program of career exploration. The emphasis is on organizing the information in a way that best helps the respondent develop a general strategy toward approaching educational and career decisions.

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