The role of general ability in prediction

Abstract Several data sets were analyzed to compare the prediction possible from a uniform general factor score with that produced by a separately tailored set of regression weights when those weights are applied to a new cross-validation sample. Double cross-validation designs were used. When regression weights were derived from large groups, they provided an increase of 10–15% in the prediction over that possible from a uniform general factor measure. However, with smaller samples, of the size typical of industrial personnel research, the uniform general factor score was clearly superior.