Test of Supervisory Skills (TOSS)

Produced

• 2004

Key Features

The TOSS product is an assessment of supervisory skills. TOSS products include question booklets, answer sheets and an administration manual. All three of these components are required in order to successfully administer this assessment.

One complete TOSS Kit will enable you to administer up to 25 assessments. The Kit includes one administration manual, 10 TOSS question booklets, and 25 answer sheets.

The Test of Supervisory Skills (TOSS), formerly Elements of Supervision, is a 70-item, multiple-choice, untimed test that taps the knowledge required for successful supervision.

Based on careful, repeated factor analyses of supervisory behavior, TOSS provides norms that allows a comparison of scores with a large (1,000+) number of supervisory and non-supervisory profiles. TOSS is a paper-and-pencil administered profile.

The new version of this well-established screening instrument includes separate test booklets and self-scoring answer sheets and a revised, enhanced technical and administrative manual.  Please note that you must order each of the three TOSS products (question booklets, answer sheets and the administration manual) in order to successfully administer and score the assessment.

TOSS is a valid instrument for evaluating both applicants for supervisory positions and those being considered for promotion to such positions.

Effective first-line supervision is one of the keys to creating and maintaining an effective organization.  Understanding the roles and responsibilities of a first-line supervisor is an essential initial step to development of the skills and behaviors that characterize effective supervision.  The Test of Supervisory Skills (TOSS) is a reliable and valid measure of the understanding that people have of these roles and responsibilities.

The basic rationale underlying the development of TOSS is that an individual who understands what constitutes good supervisory practices can discriminate between effective and ineffective practices and will be more likely to be an effective supervisor.  On the other hand, persons lacking such understanding will be less likely to be an effective supervisor.

In the course of developing the TOSS seven factors--the essential components of supervisory behavior--emerged.  These factors, described in detail in the manual, are; management of performance quality, staffing and personnel actions, communications, interpersonal relations, problem analysis and resolution, project planning, and direct supervision.  This test is suitable for both applicants for entry-level supervisory positions to determine their readiness and for more experienced individuals.  For the latter group this test may be particularly useful for diagnostic and training purposes, to identify areas among the seven factors of strength and others needing additional development.