psychometric testing

Psychometric tests are used widely by employers as a way of measuring a candidate's personality as well as knowledge and abilities. They include:

Aptitude Tests

These are generally times tasks in the form of multiple choice questions either online or as a written test. There are right and wrong answers and the scorer will be looking for positive answers (i.e. they will add up the number you get right rather than deduct the number you get wrong).

Many employers - and certainly graduate recruiters - use these tests as an early selection method to see whether they would like to interview a candidate face to face.

Tests most commonly used include:

Verbal tests - looking at verbal analysis and reasoning
Numerical tests - numerical analysis and sequential tasks
Logic tests - looking at spatial reasoning
Diagrammatic (abstract reasoning) tests - evaluating processes represented via diagrams.

All these tests are designed to assess logical reasoning and provide good measures of general intelligence.

Personality Tests

Test is the wrong word here as they are questionnaires designed to give the employer a profile of your working style and interests. As such there are no right or wrong answers. The best advice is to be open and honest and don't think too hard about trying to put down what you think the employer wants to hear.

Ways to Improve your Score

1. Practice - go onto Google and try some free practice tests, there are plenty out there. Also doing word and number puzzles can help

2. Read the instructions and follow them

3. Keep and eye on the time

4. Work quickly

5. Do not expect to finish - the tests are designed this way

6. Questions generally get harder as you go along - try not to get bogged down on one questions - move on and come back to it if you can

7. Mainly tests will be online but will be timed so make sure you are in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed

8. If the test is at an employer's premises dress appropriately, as if you were going for an interview and make sure you are on time

9. Take a calculator with you for numerical tests

Do not be afraid of these tests as they are only a part of the recruitment process along with a good CV, well completed application forms, good interview presentations skills and sound references.