Letter: Putting applicants to the aptitude test

Sir: Your article 'Aptitude testing by employers 'deeply flawed' ' (5 January) about our presentation on test orientation practice at the British Psychological Society occupational psychology conference might have misled some readers to the conclusion that the use of tests was questionable.

What we emphasised throughout the talk was that ability tests have been consistently shown to be one of the fairest and most valid aids for selection and development in a wide range of occupations, but that their value can be enhanced further by giving candidates the opportunity to practise under controlled conditions.

Yours sincerely,

RAINER KURZ

BABLI LODH

DAVE BARTRAM

Thames Ditton,

Surrey

7 January