These tests
- Assess your verbal, numerical and diagrammatic reasoning abilities.
- Generally take the form of multiple-choice questions which have right or wrong answers.
- Are administered under exam conditions with strict time limits.
- 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.
Verbal tests measure your understanding of written text, not (usually)
your vocabulary, grammar or spelling.
Any useful tips?
- Do online practice tests at sites such as www.shldirect.com and www.psychometric.com. You’ll learn about
the types of questions you will encounter and find out how the tests are structured.
- Practice extracting the main points from passages of information and summarising
their meaning. Read friends’ textbooks or unfamiliar novels.
- Word games and mathematical teasers are good practice
for aptitude tests.
- If you have a disability and require special provisions or adjustments, such
as extra time, contact the employer about this well in advance.
What happens during the test?
- The test will have some practice questions at the start. Make sure you understand
these thoroughly before the test begins and, if you do not, ask the administrator
to explain them properly.
- Keep calm!
- On many tests, the questions get harder as you work through them, so don’t
worry if the later questions take longer to answer. More advice is at www.prospects.ac.uk/links/tests
How do Personality Questionnaires work?
These tests have no right or wrong answers. Selectors use them to identify
characteristics that are appropriate to a specific job role, not to look for one
ideal type. They explore the way you tend to react to, or deal with, different
situations.
- Be yourself. Put down your first reaction to the questions rather than spend
time pondering their meaning.
- Employers will not usually give these questionnaires a lot of weight, as they
are not as reliable as some other selection methods. However, recruiters may
use your profile to structure your interview questions.