Abstract
In 1942 the first War Office Selection Boards (WOSBs) were established to select potential officers. They employed psychometric tests, outdoor leaderless groups and other situational tests; interviews by a psychiatrist and the board president, usually of colonel rank, played an important part. Results of tests and interviews were brought together after three days at a case conference, and the candidates were graded. I was involved with the system from 1943 to 1946, first as a sergeant tester / psychological assistant, then as commissioned psychologist at HQ, at boards, and finally with a Regular Commission Board to assess emergency commission officers as regulars. This paper describes the reasons for the development of WOSBs, and the procedures they adopted, as well as providing vignettes of many of the psychological and psychiatric personnel involved, and an evaluation the success and impact of WOSBs.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
