Show HN: Testing career aptitude by measuring what information 'sticks' (anewaptitude.com)

3 points by imfinn ↗ HN
I built a platform that measures career aptitude through an unconventional approach: presenting technical scenarios from different professions and analyzing information retention patterns.

Here's an example from the job resonance test for Forensic Science Technician (there are 100 jobs currently available):

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Natalie, Forensic Science Technician

A crime scene investigation involves recovering trace evidence that could help solve a burglary case. Natalie is utilizing an electrostatic dust print lifter to capture footwear impressions left on the floor. At this time, she is carefully applying the film to ensure even contact with the surface, preserving the impression for analysis in the lab. This procedure aids in establishing the presence and movement of individuals at the scene of the crime. Story 1 of 15

And the question (for this story) asked after all the stories are presented:

How does using an electrostatic dust print lifter assist in a burglary investigation?

A. Preserving footwear impressions for lab analysis to show the movement of individuals.

B. Cleaning the floor of the crime scene to enhance the appearance for photographs.

C. Ensuring all evidence is well-preserved by using advanced surface-cleaning techniques.

D. Identifying the type of flooring material used by analyzing the impression depth.

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Rather than relying on self-reported preferences or personality traits, the system exposes users to authentic professional scenarios (including industry-specific terminology and processes), then tests which details naturally persist in memory.

The core insight: our brains tend to better retain information that aligns with our natural aptitudes, even on first exposure. By analyzing these retention patterns across various professional domains, we can identify potential career fits that traditional assessments might miss.

Try it: https://www.anewaptitude.com

Curious to hear HN's thoughts on using cognitive retention as a signal for aptitude measurement.

1 comment

[ 3.1 ms ] story [ 13.8 ms ] thread
I also think there is utility in reading the stories alone, kind of like virtual job shadowing...