Which of the following is a legal basis for selecting employees?

• A. Education
• B. Experience
• C. Age
• D. Race

Answer: (A)

Education provides a legal basis for selecting employees because it is a verifiable, job-related qualification that directly reflects the candidate’s ability to perform the required tasks. Employers can rely on education to ensure applicants meet the foundational knowledge or credentialing necessary for the role, as long as the requirement is relevant and applied consistently. In contrast, age and race are protected characteristics, and using them to decide who to hire is illegal in most jurisdictions. Experience is also a common and permissible criterion, but this item highlights education as the clear example of a defensible hiring basis.