What is psychometric testing?

The most likely place that you will encounter psychometric testing is as part of the recruitment process when applying for a job.

This type of testing is generally used as a part of a much larger process.  The usual recruitment process is still adhered to, however after the job is advertised, your curriculum vitae has been submitted and you have been successfully selected from this part of the vetting process, only then may you be asked to carry out a psychometric test.

The test is carried out to measure aspects of your mental ability or personality.  It outlines to the potential employer a range of attributes that can include intelligence, aptitude and personality.  It can also give an outline of how well you work with others, how you cope with stress and if you will be able to deal with the general demands of the job.

The test are divided into two main areas:

Personality and Interest Tests

These tests are in the form of a questionnaire that is used to evaluate your way of doing things and how you interact with your environment and the people within it.

The questionnaire will present you with between 50 to 500 questions describing ways of feeling or acting which you will be asked to answer on a  varying scale.  The results of the questionnaire will give an outline of you attitude to work, how you will fit in with the team as well as give an insight into your levels of enthusiasm and motivation.

Aptitude and Ability Tests

These tests measure your aptitude to perform a variety of tasks.  They are formulated to analyse your logical reasoning and thought patterns.  The test is usually in the format of around 30 multiple choice questions which is carried out in time restricted exam conditions.

The test broken down into areas on questions that assess your verbal ability, numerical ability and reasoning skills.  The scores are then compared to a benchmark to gauge if your levels show an adequate skill level to carry out the tasks required by the position.

Few people will be able to finish all of the questions in the test due to the test being designed this way.  The questions also become more comprehensive as closer the end of the test too.  The results are generally based on the number of correct answers.

Psychometric testing is used by 75% of the Top 100 countries in the UK and is a recruitment strategy that  is only going to get used more frequently to select the right person for the job.

 

 

Have you experienced Psychometric Testing?  Do you think that this is a fair selection process?  Leave us a comment and tell us about your highlights or horrors.