THE VOCATIONAL VALUE OF TESTS 179 
take an individual over the most difficult obstacles. In 
one of the experiments already described was a girl whose 
performance in the most significant test proclaimed that 
she would most decidedly fail at the work she was trying 
to do. As a matter of fact this girl succeeded, but it took 
her about four times as long as the average success. How 
ever, due to her dominant ambition, she did finally succeed 
and became one of the most successful workers in the 
room. 
While it is highly advisable to recognize ambition and 
to give it its just deserts, it is just as desirable to detect 
l mpulse. Very many candidates apply for a certain kind 
°f work or a certain course of training, not because they 
ar e extremely ambitious in that direction, but because 
they have heard from some successful friend how pleasant 
the work is and how easy it is to make a high wage in a 
short time. The new candidate does not stop to consider 
that what is pleasant and profitable to his friend may not 
he equally pleasant and profitable for him. In cases of 
this kind—and every employment office and industry 
tfteets them in abundance—the verdict of the tests should 
he followed. If it is not, and the ill-adapted applicant is 
hired, the result is quite likely to be another turnover, 
hor as soon as the new worker discovers that the work is 
ttot quite as enjoyable and remunerative for him as it is for 
his friend, he will probably leave. The vocational value of 
tests is particularly great in this respect. Many useless 
an d costly vocational experiments can be eliminated by 
their application, and successful ones made possible in 
stead. ' 
When a candidate has a good training but poor natural 
a hility, the question of his vocation becomes a grave one. 
^ the individual has himself recognized his tempera