| Abstract: | From this evidence, it is clear that tutors do make assessments of personality during interview, and that this assessment determines selection. In general, their responses on the forms show that this is done with some care. Tutors try to put candidates at ease and give every opportunity for them to display their best; for example a number of forms make reference to initial nervousness of candidates, but this made no difference to the final outcome and ‘nervous’ is only included in the categories if it refers to a specific and persistent quality (e.g., ‘too nervous a disposition’). Although offset by unfavourable judgments and often qualified, all rejected candidates had something positive said about them. In general, the remarks about rejected candidates are fuller and more individual than those for accepted candidates.The expressions tutors record on the interview form may differ in detailed wording, but the kinds of qualities laid down by the DES are measured and the students selected are perceived to have those qualities to a greater degree than those rejected. The insights which can be gleaned from comparing the judgments made at interview with the outcomes of the course indicate that not only do interviewers take this responsibility seriously they also carry it out well in respect of subsequent performance in practical teaching. |
