Aim:

The primary aim of this practical is to assess the vocational interests of an individual using the Career
Preference Record (CPR) developed by Dr. Vivek Bhargava and Rajshree Bhargava.

Introduction:

Concept of Career Preference

Career preference refers to the inclination or interest a person shows towards certain types of
occupations or vocational domains. Career preference is a significant predictor of future job
satisfaction, motivation, and performance. According to career development theories such as those
proposed by Holland (1997) and Super (1990), individuals tend to choose careers that align with their
personality traits, values, and skills.

Theoretical Background

Holland's RIASEC model categorizes people and work environments into six types: Realistic,
Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. He posited that career satisfaction is
highest when an individual's personality type matches the work environment. Super, on the other
hand, emphasized a lifespan approach, suggesting that career development is a lifelong process
influenced by self-concept and life roles.

The Career Preference Record was developed keeping in mind the Indian socio-cultural context and
provides a broader set of vocational categories. It evaluates interest in ten occupational areas,
offering a nuanced understanding of vocational choices beyond the standard Western models.

Need for Career Assessment Tools

With the proliferation of career options and increasing specialization in job roles, traditional ways of
selecting careers (based on peer/family advice) often lead to dissatisfaction or underemployment.
Career assessments like the CPR offer empirical evidence to guide decision-making, reduce
confusion, and align students’ career paths with their strengths and interests (Gati & Saka, 2001).

Description of the Test

The Career Preference Record (CPR) is a vocational interest inventory developed by Dr. Vivek
Bhargava and Rajshree Bhargava, published by the National Psychological Corporation, Agra. It is
specifically designed to assess an individual's preferences across different occupational domains,
with a special focus on applicability within the Indian socio-cultural and educational context. The tool
aims to facilitate informed career decision-making by identifying the vocational areas toward which
an individual is naturally inclined.

The CPR consists of 90 items, each presenting an occupational activity or a vocationally relevant
interest. The test uses a dichotomous response format (Yes/No) where participants indicate their
interest in each item without overthinking or assessing their abilities. Each affirmative response is
scored as “1,” while a “No” response is scored as “0.” The total score for each vocational domain is
calculated by summing the number of "Yes" responses corresponding to that domain. The ten
vocational fields measured by this tool include:

 MMJ – Manual and Mechanical Jobs

 ScT – Scientific and Technical

 AG – Agricultural

 CM – Commercial

 M – Medical

 D – Defence

 TH – Teaching and Helping

 LO – Law

 E – Executive

The administration time typically ranges from 30 to 35 minutes, making it feasible for both individual
and group settings. The test is self-administered and easily comprehensible for individuals aged 14
years and above. Its ease of use, broad coverage of occupational domains, and relevance to the
Indian context make it an appropriate tool for students, career counselors, and psychologists.

Reliability

The Career Preference Record demonstrates acceptable psychometric reliability. According to the
test manual, the test-retest reliability coefficient is 0.72, indicating that the test yields consistent
results over time. This level of reliability suggests that an individual’s preferences as measured by the
CPR remain stable across administrations, assuming no significant life changes in the interim. Such
consistency is important in ensuring that the tool reflects enduring interests rather than temporary
states or moods.

Validity

The content validity of the Career Preference Record was ensured through extensive expert
consultation and review during the development phase. Experts in vocational guidance, education,
and psychology helped in curating items that accurately represent real-world job roles and interest
areas. The items were selected to reflect common occupations and sectors prevalent in India, making
the test contextually appropriate.

Additionally, the test has demonstrated criterion-related validity, as it has been positively correlated
with other standardized vocational interest measures like the Differential Aptitude Test (DAT).

Materials Required

Career Preference Record Test Booklet, Answer Sheet, Pencil and Eraser, Manual and Scoring Key

Participant’s Profile

 Name: AA

 Age: 25 years
  Gender: Female

 Educational Qualification: Undergraduate

 Occupation: Full-time student

 Language Proficiency: English and Hindi

 Relevant Background: The participant is considering options for higher education and career
planning, making her a suitable candidate for this assessment.

Procedure and Administration

Preparation

All materials were arranged in advance, including the test booklet, scoring sheet, manual, and
answer sheet. The testing environment was quiet, with minimal distractions.

Rapport

The examiner introduced herself and established rapport with the participant. The purpose and
benefits of the test were explained in a friendly yet professional tone. It was ensured that the
participant was comfortable and motivated to take the test.

Instructions

The participant was instructed to go through each of the 90 items and respond with "Yes" if the
activity described interested her or "No" if it did not. The participant was advised to avoid
overthinking and respond based on spontaneous interest.

Precautions Taken

 No external help or interruption was allowed.

 The participant was asked to respond honestly.

 Adequate lighting and ventilation were ensured.

 No time pressure was enforced although completion time was monitored.

Introspective Report

“I enjoyed taking the test because it made me think about careers I hadn't consciously considered
before. Some questions were very clear, but for a few, I was unsure because I don’t have enough
exposure to those job roles. It helped me reflect on what I enjoy doing and gave me some clarity
about what I don’t like. I think this test is very helpful for students like me who are still exploring.”

Scoring and Interpretation

Vocational Area Abbreviation Score

Manual and Mechanical Jobs MMJ 7

Artistic and Drawing AD 2

Scientific and Technical ScT 5

Agricultural AG 2

Commercial CM 5

Medical M 16

Defence D 11

Teaching and Helping TH 2

Law LO 10

Executive E 14

Interpretation:

 The Medical field received the highest score (16), indicating a strong preference for
healthcare-related careers, which require empathy, precision, scientific understanding, and
resilience.

 High scores in the Executive (14) and Defence (11) areas suggest strong leadership abilities,
interest in organized and authoritative settings, and possibly a disciplined personality.

 The participant also shows above-average interest in Law (10), suggesting a potential interest
in justice, debate, or legal professions.

 Low scores in Teaching and Helping, Artistic, and Agricultural domains suggest limited
inclination toward those fields.

 Moderate interest is reflected in Scientific/Technical and Commercial areas.

Discussion

The participant’s high scores in medical, executive, and defence domains align with career paths that
require responsibility, structure, and a blend of intellectual and interpersonal skills. This triad of
interests may reflect a personality type with strong cognitive functioning, assertiveness, and a desire
to contribute to society in structured environments.

The introspective report supports these interpretations, as the participant found the test reflective
and acknowledged her indecision regarding some fields. The absence of interest in creative,
agricultural, and social work domains may stem from limited exposure or a natural disinterest.

These findings echo Holland’s (1997) Investigative and Enterprising personality types and may help
the participant shortlist options such as:

 Medicine or healthcare (MBBS, BDS, Clinical Psychology)

 Government or Armed Forces roles

 Corporate management (via MBA)

The Career Preference Record proved effective in giving empirical insight into latent interests and
validating the participant’s self-perception.

Conclusion

The Career Preference Record served as a useful psychometric tool for exploring the participant’s
career inclinations. Results revealed strong preferences in the fields of medical sciences, executive
management, and defence services. This test can serve as a valuable guide in academic and career
planning, helping young adults make informed and fulfilling vocational choices.

References

Bhargava, V., & Bhargava, R. (2011). Career Preference Record Manual. Agra: National Psychological
Corporation.
Gati, I., & Saka, N. (2001). High school students’ career decision-making difficulties. Journal of
Counseling & Development, 79(3), 331–340. [Link]

Holland, J. L. (1997). Making vocational choices: A theory of vocational personalities and work
environments (3rd ed.). Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources.

Super, D. E. (1990). A life-span, life-space approach to career development. In D. Brown, L. Brooks, &
Associates (Eds.), Career choice and development (2nd ed., pp. 197–261). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.