SummaryThisstudy reports on the effects of non‐applicant ratings of the favorableness of statements to be included in an experimental forced‐choice test for screening life insurance agent applicants. A comparison of the favorableness ratings of applicants with non‐applicants revealed differences in the perceived favorableness of statements in the middle range of favorableness. It is suggested that the choice of raters may, in certain situations, be more important than previously rep