Getting Through the Psychometric Test

Many graduate employers use psychometric tests as part of the recruitment process. This is what you can expect.

Just when you think you’re fnished with tests and exams, out they come again on interview and assessment days in the form of psychometric tests!

Typically used to assess your abilites, apttudes and personality, psychometric tests may also be used alongside more subjectve feedback gained through presentatons. In fact, those aren’t the only reasons why employers value them – psychometric tests ofer vital level playing felds, and are seen as a fair way of comparing diferent candidates’ strengths regardless of their educatonal backgrounds.

However, as with any kind of test, you can improve your performance by knowing what to expect and by practsing.

When will I have to take a psychometric test?

Psychometric tests may be used at diferent stages of the graduate selecton process, namely: • Afer you submit your online applicaton form • Alongside a frst interview • At a later stage of the assessment, possibly with a second interview or as part of an assessment centre. You may be re-tested at this point to confrm the results of earlier tests

Types of tests

Ability tests

What are these?

Ability tests measure the general skills appropriate to your educaton and experience. Usually conducted under tmed, exam-like conditons, these are ofen combined with apttude tests. Examples

• Numerical:

Quizzes of this sort assess your basic arithmetc and ability to interpret data, graphs, charts, or statstcs

• Verbal reasoning:

These tests explore your ability to understand and evaluate writen informaton

• Non-verbal reasoning:

Assessments that are geared to reveal your spatal awareness and ability to spot paterns

• Logical reasoning:

Evaluatons show of your ability to draw conclusions from basic informaton

• Problem-solving:

These quizzes determine your ability to identfy mistakes accurately Aptitude tests

What are these?

Apttude tests examine your potental to learn a new skill that’s needed to do the job you’ve applied for. They’re typically conducted under the same conditons as ability tests, and most of these involve multple-choice or true/ false questons.

It’s important to note that apttude tests aren’t meant to pass or fail you, but to compare your ability levels to a “normal” expectaton as chosen by the employer or test provider. Examples

• If you’re considering a career in

IT, you may be asked to complete a programming apttude test • In sectors such as fnance, you may fnd that any numerical and verbal reasoning tests given tend to be focused on the kind of informaton you would come across in your daily work

Personality tests

What are these?

Personality tests assess your typical behaviour when presented with diferent situatons, as well as your preferred way of handling things.

They examine how likely you are to ft into your role and the broader company culture. Recruiters want to know if you have the characteristcs they need for a partcular job. For example, for a sales role, they may want someone who’s very forward, sociable and persuasive. Tip!

Don’t try to second-guess what you think the employer wants to see! Personality questonnaires assess consistency in responses, so just be honest. If you’re right for the job and the employer’s right for you, you’ll do fne.

However, if the job and employer aren’t looking for people with your personality, think about it this way – you may have just made a lucky escape!

Practise, practise, practise!

The best way to approach psychometric tests are to practse untl you become familiar with the typical formats they come in, and the way questons are asked. It’ll also help you to improve on speed and accuracy, and identfy areas in your ability tests that need work.

But don’t get over-confdent! While practce tests can improve your performance to some degree, remember that each employer’s tests will probably be slightly diferent.

These are where you can fnd practce tests: • Simply do a quick Google search along the lines of “free psychometric practce tests” • Drop by your school’s career services and ask if they have some available. They may even have a beter idea of the kinds of tests specifc employers use