Perceptions of Game‐Based Assessments: The Role of Test Takers' Occupational Background

ABSTRACT Game‐based assessments (GBAs) have become increasingly popular in personnel selection. However, research on perceptions of GBAs has yielded mixed results, highlighting the need to explore variables that may shape perceptions of GBAs. Therefore, we examined whether test takers' occupational background and other person‐related characteristics (i.e., gender, age, video game usage, openness to experience) are associated with their perceptions of GBAs. N = 179 individuals from technical and social occupational backgrounds rated their perceptions of GBAs and non‐gamified tests. We found that GBAs were generally rated more positively than non‐gamified tests in terms of organizational attractiveness, behavioral intentions toward the organization, enjoyment, and modernity. Furthermore, test takers' occupational background and several individual difference variables were related to perceptions of GBAs. These findings show the need to include individual difference variables as antecedents in applicant reaction models.