Is the Yardstick for Estimating Individual Engineering and Scientific Potential Reliable?

This paper is based on the case histories of twelve persons who were hired as B.S. degree graduates about twelve years ago to do electronic work at the Naval Research Laboratory. The potential value of the employees, based on information available at the time they were hired, is compared with their now established record. It is concluded that no reliable means existed for estimating the engineering and scientific potential of the individuals considered.