The construct validity of biographical items in the Individual Achievement Record (IAR) was assessed in an attempt to develop a confirmatory factor model. This first phase of a two-phase study focused on the IAR's use as a predictor of job performance. The IAR is an empirically keyed biodata inventory containing 112 multiple-choice items. Item content deals with educational background, work-related skills and abilities, and achievements in interpersonal endeavors. All items: deal with an event under the individual's control; have an apparent relevance to job performance; are verifiable; avoid invasion of the individual's privacy; and avoid stereotypes associated with race, sex, or national origin. An exploratory factor analysis was performed on 6,300 job incumbents. The analysis identified four factors: work competency, scholastic achievement, academic achievement, and leadership skills. Composites consisting of individual IAR items were used as observed indicators of the factors. Twelve composites, three per factor, were formed using 63 items. A specification search was conducted using four models to improve fit and meaning. The fit of one model was cross validated using a sample of 1,600 additional job incumbents. Results indicate that the derived model portrays the underlying content of the IAR model well. Phase II will compare factors and other measurement domains. A 54-item list of references, 7 tables, and 2 figures are included. (TJH)