Psychometric Tests
Psychometric tests are structured exercises used to measure various aspects of aptitude, competence, skill, sensitivity, memory, intelligence and personality.
Some employers use these tests as part of their recruitment and selection methods. You may also use such tests on a personal level to help with career decision-making. There are two main types of test:
- aptitude tests, which assess your abilities in specific areas such as numeracy
- personality questionnaires, which give a profile of you as an individual.
These may be used at different points in the selection process. Some employers deploy them early on, perhaps interviewing only those who achieve a certain score in an aptitude test. Others use them towards the final stages of the process.
APTITUDE OR ABILITY TESTS
Aptitude tests calculate your potential, rather than your knowledge. For example, numerical tests are not necessarily about how accurately you can do algebra or quadratic equations, but are an indication of mental agility and accuracy; to see how quickly your mind is able to understand numbers. Similarly, verbal tests measure your understanding of written text, not (usually) your vocabulary, grammar or spelling.
There is not usually a pass mark as such. Your score is compared to how other people have performed in the test in the past - what is called a norm group of, for example, other graduates or people successfully doing the job for which you have applied. You are usually expected to do as well as, or better than, the average scores within the norm group.
Some tips for online tests
- Make sure you understand the instructions; you will have some practice questions to complete before you start on the real thing.
- Avoid someone interrupting you. Make sure you are in a quiet room and will not be disturbed. This might mean informing others around you that you will be taking an online test and you would appreciate their support.
- Sit in a comfortable chair with a well-positioned table and adopt a relaxed posture.
- It is also very important to make sure your computer connection is a good one.
If you have not studied maths for some time, it is a good idea to spend some time refreshing your memory. You are often not allowed to use a calculator, so brushing up on your mental arithmetic can save you time and give you confidence. You may want to glance at Maths books aimed at school pupils just to check the basics.
- Go over your times tables.
- Remind yourself of some fundamental calculations such as percentages and fractions.
- Check that you can do long multiplication.
- Practise estimating answers; even with a calculator this can help make sure you are on the right track.
- Questions are often based on your ability to interpret data presented in tables - get hold of a copy of the Financial Times, or a similar journal, and spend time becoming familiar with reading tables of information.
- Do not worry about more advanced maths such as algebra or equations. These will not be tested unless the employer tells you explicitly that this is the case
Practice Tests
These are more difficult to improve easily but you could get some practice reading complicated texts about subjects you do not understand.
Try extracting the main points from passages of information and summarising their meaning.
You could read friends’ textbooks, magazines such as The Economist (for non-economists!) or some unfamiliar novelists such as James Joyce or Dickens.
Practice Tests
The Careers Group, University of London has a contract with Kenexa to provide test psychometric tests. All current Royal Holloway students can get access to Kenexa by emailing the Careers Service.
Reources
Books
The following books can be borrowed from the Careers Service for a £10 deposit. There is no need to purchase them. Links are provided for information only.
Full list
