Top 10 frequently asked questions about psychometric tests

1. What is a psychometric test? of an assessment centre such as presentations, case studies and interviews. Tests can help A psychometric test is a standard ways of you in your assessing particular aspects of human Tests are also used in guidance to help people career search behaviour. Broadly there are two types of to understand more about their abilities, test: those which measure maximum personality, and interests and so help them to by helping you performance or how well you can do some­ identify suitable careers. to understand thing; and those which measure 'typical' 5. Can you prepare for tests? more about performance or how you tend to react to particular situations. The first type covers It is difficult to prepare for a test where you your own most ability tests, the second inventories or need to deal with information provided as questionnaires, which measure personality, strengths and part of the test. However, you can practice motivation, values, attitudes and interests. weaknesses technique, which will make you feel more and to select a 2. How do psychometric tests work? confident. There are numerous books containing practice material and it is also career that is Tests are carefully designed so that each possible to access example tests through the a close match person who completes a particular test has Internet. with your the same experience, i.e. they are presented See http://www.amazingpeople.co.uk/tests.htm with the same questions and have the same abilities, amount of time in which to answer them. For numerical tests you will often need to be personality The raw score (usually the number of able to calculate percentages and deal with and interests. correct answers) is then converted to a ratios. You may want to practice doing these standard score by comparison with a type of calculations to ensure you can do representative sample of people who have them on the day. completed the test in the past. It is then 6. Will I get details on tests when I apply possible to say whether a person has scored for a job? above or below average, and how much above or below. If you apply for a job and you are invited to a test session you should receive details on the 3. What sort of things can be tested? tests and some practice information. If you There are more than 30 human abilities that don't, I recommend you ask for some as it is can be tested, such as general intelligence, good practice for employers to provide it. verbal, numerical and spatial reasoning, and 7. How are tests used to select people mechanical aptitude, speed & accuracy of for jobs? information processing; and well over 30 aspects of personality, ranging from Tests are often the first part of an emotional sensitivity and warmth to assessment centre and are used to measure dominance and tension. Tests can also people against key abilities identified as being measure colour vision and reaction times. important in a job. They are crucial in reducing the number of applicants to form a 4. Who uses tests? short list. On other occasions they are part of Employers are increasingly incorporating the selection procedure along with other aptitude tests into assessment procedures – elements, for example, the interview, both for selection of staff and for presentation and group discussion. development and counselling purposes. 8. How can tests help me? Tests which are professionally constructed and measured can provide objective, reliable © Denise Taylor Tests can help you in your career search by and relevant information concerning the helping you to understand more about your likelihood of job success and satisfaction. own strengths and weaknesses and to select Amazing People Assessment centres typically combine the 3 Brook House Barns, a career that is a close match with your information gained from aptitude tests with Aston on Carrant, abilities, personality and interests. that obtained from other questionnaires and Tewkesbury GL20 8HL 01684 772888 exercises such as those measuring In selection, tests can ensure that you are www.amazingpeople.co.uk personality and emotional intelligence. assessed fairly in a competitive situation [email protected] These are used in addition to other elements where your results are treated objectively. .

Personality questionnaires can help increase What clients say: your self knowledge which can make you more effective with other people and in the “The best careers counselling I have come way you work. Interest inventories can across, a much more personal approach and frankly, well ahead of all the others. Well The outcome expand your career possibilities by providing worth the money.” Andy Richards details on jobs that tie in with your interests. of most “I have been recommending you to lots of assessment When used in career guidance, the results people, I wish I had taken this step a long help you to understand more about your self, time ago”. Fiona O’Connor centres is so you know that you have strengths in one based on the area but not in another. However, when they “This programme can really help you to find combination are used for selection a cut off point will be out who you are: It will confirm some of your created, either an absolute one, you need a thoughts about what you might be good at, of data from minimum score to be acceptable, or the top but will also present you with new different x number of people go through to the next possibilities. I felt reassured and inspired by the sessions”. Frances Clemson. sources. Even round. if you don't “I am always apprehensive when engaging 9. Can I fail a test? other providers to work with my valued feel confident clients but any concerns were unnecessary about your Tests are not thought of as pass/fail as with Denise. Indeed, I was proud to be scores are usually presented as percentiles. associated with her. Denise is very helpful, performance So a score at the 60 th percentile does not flexible and professional. She responds very in the tests, mean a score of 60%, it means you scored quickly to requests and goes out of her way to better than 60% of a comparable group. be helpful. She fully understood the you may have sensitivities of the situation and kept me other You cannot fail a personality questionnaire suitably informed of progress throughout, and should always to given an opportunity to which I greatly appreciated. I would have no strengths, discuss your results with a qualified hesitation in working with Denise again and I which will be member of staff, this will enable you to would highly recommend her to others”. Phil taken into provide examples to support the responses Gott account. you gave. 10. How are decisions made? Brought to you by Denise Taylor, Chartered Occupational Psychologist and Director of The outcome of most assessment centres is based on the combination of data from Amazing People. Denise is a careers expert who different sources. Even if you don't feel specialises in helping individuals achieve career confident about your performance in the tests, you may have other strengths, which satisfaction and to take a systematic approach will be taken into account. Employers often to job search. offer the opportunity to obtain feedback on test performance. This may help you to Do you need help with job search—whether it’s understand your own abilities and may aid you in career thinking. Sometimes you CV preparation, interview practice, increasing Produced by Denise need to ask, so do be proactive. your profile or self marketing, let Denise guide Taylor, Chartered Occupational Results obtained from professionally used you though the maze so you get a job quicker, tests will be kept confidential. Psychologist and make more money and have fun while you do it. Director of Amazing Good luck and for more hints and tips read: People. Denise is a careers expert who specialises in helping http://snipurl.com/z4he To receive regular tips, direct to your inbox individuals achieve career satisfaction and each month, sign up at in working with amazingpeople­[email protected] organisations who want to have a www.amazingpeople.co.uk motivated and productive workforce. www.amazingpeople.biz