Psychometric tests Situational judgement tests Online situational judgement tests (SJT) measure your behaviour and attitudes by asking you to select (from a list of options) what action you would be most (or least likely) to take when faced by a series of work-related scenarios. Think about the impact on clients or customers, and also colleagues, as well as the values of the organisation and the competencies they seek, when deciding what action to take.
Click to watch a short video Online psychometric tests are often used by employers. You may have to take one of these tests when you apply or later at an assessment centre. There are two types – aptitude tests and personality questionnaires. Aptitude tests are strictly timed and typically involve verbal, numerical and diagrammatic reasoning. In contrast, personality questionnaires are not timed and feel less like an exam. Remember that test results are just one part of the picture when decisions are made. Interviews are often used to follow up the results of a personality questionnaire. Why do employers use them? Employers like tests because they are objective; it is impossible to completely eliminate subjectivity and bias from interviews. In very popular areas, such as banking, tests offer a quick way to screen out candidates. How should I prepare for psychometric tests? Practice can help you know what to expect. If an employer sends you examples, make sure you do them. Percentages, pie charts, histograms and ratios figure strongly. It may help to remind yourself of ‘the basics’ again. Visit the psychometric tests webpage on the Careers Service website for examples of a range of psychometric tests.
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What if I am disabled or have a specific learning disability, e.g. dyslexia? If you let employers know in advance, they can make suitable arrangements for you. If you get extra time in College exams, and you mention this to employers, you may be entitled to get extra time for the tests. How should I approach personality tests? Be yourself, the best of yourself –do not try to reinvent your personality. Respond in a positive way that is true to you.
