Advice and Tips on Aptitude Tests

Aptitude Tests

What are Aptitude tests?

Psychometric tests are designed to measure whether you have specific abilities or appropriate personal qualities in relation to a job specification. In the case of aptitude tests, they measure the ability to acquire the knowledge or skills, which the employer feels are necessary to do the job well. These skills should have been identified as part of the job analysis process before the vacancy was advertised. The tests are not to measure what you already know and are especially designed so that questions do not rely on specific prior knowledge.

Why are tests used?

Tests are seen to be a fair method of recruitment since they are objective in a way that interviews cannot be. Often different interviewers can reach contrasting opinions of the same candidate due to social interactions during the interview. Test results can be used to challenge stereotyping and make the selection process more objective than interviewing alone.

Interviews have been found to be relatively poor predictors of future job performance. When employers choose a test to use in their selection process they pick one where a high score on the test has previously been linked to a good performance in that role. When the right tests are chosen, aptitude tests have been shown to be a far better indicator of future job performance than other selection tools.

Different types of aptitude test

• Verbal - verbal critical reasoning
• Numerical -numerical critical reasoning tests where inferences need to be drawn from business data
• Diagrammatic - tests of logical reasoning ability presented in the form of shapes and diagrams
• Mechanical - a series of mechanical problems, usually in pictorial form
• Spatial -assesses the ability to imagine the rotation of shapes in space
• Clerical - measuring speed and accuracy in checking errors in lists, computer printouts etc.
• Dexterity - measures hand speed and fine precision skills or co-ordination
• Sensory - measures near or far visual acuity, sound or colour discrimination.

You are unlikely to do all of these tests. Some are only relevant to specific job areas. If you are invited to sit an aptitude test you should be told in advance which type of tests to expect. Within each type of test there are many tests measuring different skills at different levels. The types and level of tests you sit will depend upon the level and content of the job applied for.

What form will the test take?

To ensure everyone is treated fairly all tests have to be administered under standard conditions (increasingly they are all online - see below). You will be given exactly the same instructions as everyone else who has sat this test, regardless of where or when they took it. Before starting any test you are given the chance to complete examples. These let you get used to the type of question. If you get the answers to any of these wrong, the test administrator will assist you until you understand what the correct answer is. Only when everyone is ready will the test begin.

Usually the tests are in the form of multiple choice questions where you fill in a circle with a tick to indicate your choice of answer. The best advice here is that you should work quickly and accurately and avoid wild guesses. You will be judged on your accuracy as well as your overall score. Tests are strictly timed and often designed so that few people have time to complete all questions.

How can I prepare for the test?

Aptitude tests are designed to measure your natural ability in a particular skill; therefore it is difficult to greatly improve your score through prior work. There are several things you can do to make sure you give your best performance however:

• Websites - there are several websites where you can try out entire tests notably http://www.shldirect.com/practice_tests.html ; http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/aptitudetests_verbal.htm ; http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/aptitudetests_numerical.htm ; http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/inductive_reasoning.htm ; http://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_pp_williams_numeracy_1/ ; http://wps.pearsoned.co.uk/ema_uk_pp_williams_verbalreas_1/: http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/resources/Refresher%20Booklets/numeracy%20refresher/mathcentreNumeracy1.pdf
• TARGETJobs Careers Report includes a full range of optional tests: http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-report
• Puzzles - word games, mathematical teasers, puzzles with diagrams etc. may help to get you into a logical & analytical frame of mind
• Brush up your Maths - practice basic mental arithmetic with and without a calculator. Reading financial reports and studying data in charts can also be useful practice or by going on the web - if you type "how to do percentages or ratios" into Google, you will get a lot of useful help.
• Verbal Reasoning Skills - practice extracting the main points from passages of information and summarising their meaning
• Books with Test questions - available in the Careers Library reference section
• Sit a practice aptitude test -sessions are held each autumn and spring term, open to students of any department. Ask at the Careers Service reception for details and dates. These are also part of the academic units in Career Planning that any student can register for at the start of each semester.

What happens to my results?

Once you have completed your test someone qualified in psychometric testing will score it. They will compare your results against a relevant group of people e.g. people already employed in the role you have applied for or university graduates. This information will then be considered along with performance in other selection exercises such as group work, presentations, interview etc. Some tests may be weighted i.e. the score in one of the tests you sat may be twice as important as the other tests, since it has been identified as the major skill required for the position.

Whether or not you have been offered a position with the company, you should have the opportunity to receive feedback on your test results. This does not always happen however. Once the selection process is over your results should either be destroyed or kept in a secure place where confidentiality is assured. Only those qualified to do so should interpret your results.

Any Further Questions?

A Careers Adviser is normally on duty ever week day for quick queries. Check our website for the Duty Adviser Timetable. You can drop in at any point during these times. It is always advisable to check times beforehand through Reception 01382 384017, especially if you are travelling any distance.

Good Luck!

Updated: Summer 2011