Interpretive Guide
Conceptual Thinking is the ability to identify patterns or connections between situations that are not
obviously related, and to identify key or underlying issues in complex situations. It includes using creative,
conceptual or inductive reasoning or thought processes that are not necessarily categorized by linear thinking.
Behavioural Level
1. Uses Basic Rules:
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U s e s s i mp l e r u l e s , c o m m o n s e n s e , a n d
p a s t e x p e r i e n c e s t o i d e n t i f y p r o b l e ms .
Recognizes when a current situation is
exactly the same as a past situation.
2. Sees Patterns:
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W h e n l o o k i n g a t i n f o r ma t i o n , s e e s
p a t t e r n s , t r e n d s , o r mi s s i n g p i e c e s .
Notices when a current situation is
s i mi l a r t o a p a s t s i t u a t i o n , a n d i d e n t i f i e s
t h e s i mi l a r i t i e s .
3. Applies Complex Concepts:
-
-
-
Uses knowledge of theory or of different
past trends or situations to look at
current situations.
A p p l i e s a n d m o d i f i e s c o mp l e x l e a r n e d
c o n c e p t s o r m e t h o d s a p p r o p r i a t e l y; e . g . ,
statistical process control, TQM,
d e m o g r a p h i c a n a l ys i s , ma n a g e r i a l s t yl e s ,
o r g a n i z a t i o n a l c l i ma t e , h u m a n b e h a vi o u r ,
etc.
This is evidence of more sophisticated
pattern recogniti on.
4. Clarifies Complex Data or Situations:
-
-
M a k e s c o mp l e x i d e a s o r s i t u a t i o n s c l e a r ,
s i mp l e , a n d / o r u n d e r s t a n d a b l e .
A s s e mb l e s i d e a s , i s s u e s , a n d
observations into a clear and useful
explanation.
R e s t a t e s e x i s t i n g o b s e r va t i o n s o r
knowledge in a clearer fashion.
5. Creates New Concepts:
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Creates new concepts that are not
o b vi o u s t o o t h e r s a n d n o t l e a r n e d f r o m
p r e vi o u s e d u c a t i o n o r e x p e r i e n c e t o
e x p l a i n s i t u a t i o n s o r r e s o l v e p r o b l e ms .
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Interpretive Guide
Level
Observed
Did the candidate demonstrate the ability to use basic
concepts in identifying and solving problems? Did the
candidate use previous experience to understand a
situation?
Did the candidate use analogies to identify patterns or
problems? Did the candidate use past experience to
think through a current situation and see patterns?
Did the candidate provide evidence that a learned
concept was appropriately applied to solve a problem or
clarify a situation? Did the candidate apply an accepted
concept in a modified way to solve a problem?
Did the candidate demonstrate an ability to clearly
explain convoluted concepts to a lay person? This can
include explaining unfamiliar complex concepts to the
interviewer.
Did the candidate demonstrate a new method of doing
things in a truly new fashion. To score at this level, the
candidate must provide clear evidence of concept
creation (e.g. a new accounting principle). This level is
very rarely seen.
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