The purpose of this paper is to report a summary of the results of a study which examined the appropriateness of using business school students as surrogates for IT professionals by comparing cognitive styles, physiological characteristics, and basic demographic data among the two groups. Cognitive style refers to the way individuals think, perceive and remember information. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Kolb's Learning Style Inventory (LSI), and Human Information Processing Survey (HIPS) tests were used to examine cognitive style. Physiological characteristics examined include dichotic (different ear) listening and visual perception speed, both with laterality (right/leftness). This study identifies important differences between the students and IT professionals. The results have implications for both researchers and designers of future information systems.