What are psychometric tests?
Psychometric tests can be used as part of the recruitment and selection process by employers to assess your ability in specific skills (eg, verbal, numerical and diagrammatical reasoning) or to find out about your personal qualities by using personality questionnaires.
Ability or aptitude tests
Practicing tests can be helpful, to familiarise yourself with the types of questions as well as getting feedback on your performance.
Personality questionnaires
Personality questionnaires assess different aspects of your personality, and they explore the way you react in different situations. There are no right or wrong answers, and they are not usually timed. They are used to see whether you would 'fit in' with the culture of the organisation and suit the role applied for. You should answer questions honestly and not try to second-guess what the employer is looking for.
When do employers use them?
Sometimes they are used in conjunction with a face-to-face interview and are often carried out at an Assessment Centre, along with other tests. They are sometimes used as a 'first sift' of applicants (i.e. only candidates with a certain mark proceed to the next stage).
The following is a range of sites where you can practice ability/aptitude tests and personality questionnaires:
SHL Talent Measurement
Timed verbal and numerical tests with feedback on how you compare with other applicants.
Morrisby
View examples of the ability tests found in the Morrisby Profile. Advice and information about taking psychometric tests.
Kenexa
Provides general information about employee assessment techniques and practice tests.
Psychometric tests and questionnaires
Contains a list of online practice psychometric tests and questionnaires.
Prospects
For more detailed information on psychometric testing.
What are assessment centers?
They normally form the final part of the selection process so, if you have reached this stage, you are doing well.
Along with the formal interview stage, candidates are set a number of exercises designed to assess whether they possess the competencies and personal qualities sought by the employer for that particular role and their suitability for the organisation.
Exercises will assess competencies such as the following: leadership skills, analytical skills, oral and written communication, numerical skills, ability to work under pressure, and team working skills.
Employers will also want to see how you work with other people and how you react in social situations.
Tasks may include a range of activities including the following:
- Psychometric tests and/or personality questionnaires
- Interviews – with one or more interviewers
- Individual and/or group presentations
- Group exercises – such as a teambuilding task or business case study
- In-tray or e-tray exercises
- Social events
- Written exercises or case studies
