Psychometric tests are a common part of the graduate application process. They are typically made up of two types of tests and help employers to determine who is the best fit for the job.
Aptitude tests: These measure an individuals intellect, and abilities such as numerical, verbal and reasoning to see if you have the desired skills for the job.
Personality tests: These help employers to decide whether your personality and characteristics are the right fit for the job.
While they might sound a little daunting, psychometric tests are here to stay so it’s a good time to brush up on your knowledge. We’ve put together a go to guide that will help you to best prepare for when they crop up on your graduate career hunt!
Psychometric tests might be used at different stages of the graduate selection process including:
At the first step: This will help employers to narrow down their candidate pipeline when there are high volumes of applicants. This could be in the form of an online application. If you do well in the tests, you be invited to an interview.
At an interview: You might also be asked to complete psychometric tests at an interview so the organisation can decide whether to progress your application through to the next stage of the selection process.
At a later stage: This could include after a second interview or event as part of the assessment centre.
Psychometric tests aren’t just beneficial to the employer but also to you too! If you don’t pass the tests then don’t let that get you down. See it as a positive, perhaps this wasn’t the right job for you and that’s perfectly ok. You should also get feedback as part of the psychometric tests, use this feedback as a stepping stone into a job that is right for you.
What to expect from a personality test
During a personality test, you will usually be given statements outlining ways of feeling and acting. You’ll then be asked to select how much you agree on a two, five or seven point scale. Generally, there will not be a time limit set but you’ll normally spend around 15-30 minutes answering 50-200 questions.
Personality tests are usually online and you can practise these tests beforehand to familiarise yourself with the format and the type of questions you’ve been asked. Make sure you you understand the job description and know what the employer is looking for before taking a personality test.
What to expect from an aptitude test
There are a wide range of aptitude tests that employers may use as part of their interview process. What is used will vary depending on the role you’re applying for but aptitude tests can include:
Diagrammatic Reasoning: These test your logical reasoning abilities by using diagrams and flowcharts.
Numerical Reasoning: This will assess your mathematical abilities by asking you questions about averages and percentages.
Verbal Reasoning: You will normally be asked to read a passage of text and answer statements afterwards and give your answer.
Inductive Reasoning: This will examine your ability to spot patterns and analyse data in a high pressured environment.
Situational Judgement: You’ll be given a scenario and presented with 4 or 5 actions that you could choose to manage the situation. This will test your problem solving abilities.
Logical Reasoning: This test measures your ability to think logically. You will need to extract rules, analogies and structures to find the correct answer out of all the possible options.
Abstract Reasoning: These are non-verbal tests and do not require you to analyse verbal or numerical information. You will be required to identify a pattern through a sequence of images and select the missing image that is most suitable to fill the pattern.
Preparing for a personality test
When preparing for a personality test, there isn’t much revision you can do. After all, you should never change who you are just to secure a job. If you have to do that then it’s likely the job isn’t the right fit for you so why would you want to work there anyway? During a personality test, the most important thing to do is just be yourself. However, we have got few tips up our sleeve to help you along the way!
1. Take your time
You aren’t timed during a personality test so you don’t have to worry about rushing and choosing the wrong time by mistake. Take your time to really think about the question and answer truthfully. Although you should take your time to think about the questions, try not to take too long as this could suggest that you find it difficult to handle stressful situations. Additionally, you might take so long that you overthink things and then become indecisive.
2. Be honest
When doing a personality test, honesty is always the best policy for both yourself and the employer. This ensures that you’re not wasting your time and the employers. Personality tests are designed to make sure that your personality aligns with the company that you are applying for.
3. Don’t guess
If you don’t know the answer, think about it carefully! Don’t just guess and remember to go with your gut instinct.
4. Keep your concentration levels up
Personality tests require high levels of focus. Even though they are much less stressful than aptitude tests they can be physically and mentally demanding. You need to answer all the questions, honestly and accurately. After all, why would you want to work for a company if they don’t match your vibe and personality?
Preparing for an aptitude test
The best advice for preparing for an aptitude test is to practice, practice, practice and then practice again. After all, practice makes perfect. Although you might be asked different questions throughout the testing process, it will at least make you familiar with the types of questions you will be asked as well as helping you to manage your time. Here are our top tips for nailing an aptitude test:
1. Practice the test daily
By practicing the tests often, you will become familiar with the questions and different subjects you might face. You will also be able to understand your strengths and weaknesses so you can improve your chances for the real test. Practicing will also enable you to get quicker at answering the tests and build your confidence.
2. Read the instructions carefully
This might sound like a no-brainer but you’d be surprised by how many people don’t follow the instructions. Make sure you understand how much time you have to complete the test in and if you’re unsure of anything ask the processor for support. By reading and following the instructions, you will significantly increase your chance of success!
3. Manage your time
Aptitude tests can be stressful and you might rush through to complete all the questions. Learn to pace yourself. Practice so you can better manage your time. Take a deep breath between sections and try to relax. No matter what the outcome, you’ve tried your best and that’s all anyone can ask of you.
4 Sit in a quiet location
You’ll need high level of concentration when sitting your aptitude test so make sure you choose a quiet location, where you won’t be distracted. It’s also a good idea to keep a drink nearby to keep you going as they can often be stressful.
Now you know all the hints and tips to successfully tackle psychometric tests. The team at Careermap wishes you good luck with your application!
