Over a 10-month period, an experimental group of 268 disadvantaged applicants and a matched control group of 206 other disadvantaged applicants, were studied to assess the potential of a work-sample program for improving counseling and placement services for the disadvantaged. Data analyses supports the conclusions that the program (1) helped the counselor to better understand, relate to, and communicate with the disadvantaged, (2) facilitated the development of a counseling plan or vocational objective, (3) increased the likelihood that the disadvantaged would complete counseling, be referred to more jobs, obtain jobs on initial referrals, and hold and adjust to jobs and training, (4) helped counselors to identify applicants in need of rehabilitation and other services, (5) provided knowledge on the applicant's work readiness indices, and (6) enable the disadvantaged to better understand his vocational interests and abilities, learn about different jobs, and modify his personal appearance and behavior to meet expected standards. The findings also showed that the program improved the effectiveness of counseling and placement services for the disadvantaged. (Author/EK)