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Posted on: 20/02/2012 16:31.
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Psychometric Tests

Psychometric Tests

Personality Questionaires

What are Psychometric Tests?

Psychometric test is the proper terminology for tests of ability and tests of aptitude.  It is sometimes used to refer to behavioural, attitudinal or personality questionnaires – although these last three are not tests but measures (they do not test ability as there are no right and wrong answers).

An ability or aptitude test is something that has clear right or wrong answers, is taken under exam conditions and is strictly timed.  In graduate recruitment, psychometric tests are used by organisations at various stages of selection.

You often have to complete a test or series of tests before you get to interview (increasingly online), or it may come as part of an Assessment Centre (link to assessment centre pages).

There are many types of psychometric tests on the market, but those most commonly used tests for general graduate selection comprise of:

• Verbal Reasoning – the ability to interpret and understand the logic of written argument.
• Numerical Reasoning – the ability to interpret and understand complex data laid out in tables and charts
• Diagrammatical Reasoning – the ability to extract and apply logical rules from a series of diagrams and symbols. This test is particularly used for IT and engineering jobs.
• Other tests used (e.g. brainstorming, critical reasoning, project management, systems navigation, technical tests etc.) depend on the role for which you are applying.

What worries people most is not knowing what to expect and a fear that, unless they practise, (like revising for an exam), they will perform badly.  There is much debate about whether practise does affect results, and there is no definitive conclusion.

However, knowing what is required of you, anticipating a test conducted under examination conditions, in strictly timed situations, and mentally focusing yourself should help eliminate some of your fears.

How are tests of ability and aptitude used in the selection procedure?

The part that these tests play in getting you the job will vary greatly.  For some employers, test scores have major significance whilst others look at candidates’ test scores alongside other evidence (e.g. at Assessment Centres).

The earlier in the selection procedure you are asked to sit a test, the more influential it will be to your eventual selection.  Increasingly, employers are using online psychometric testing as a means of selecting candidates to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.  Before you get too excited about having the opportunity of asking someone to help you do the tests online, please remember that you WILL be asked to sit the same (or similar) tests in person at a later stage (e.g. at an Assessment Centre).  It is therefore advisable for you to be honest and do the online test on your own!

Your results (or number of correct scores) are compared to a norm group – a group of people who have similar educational attainment to you.   Depending on the number of correct scores you get, you may fall within 5 different groups of the norm – well above average, above average, average, below average and well below average (as per Kenexa Practice tests).

Some employers may use test scores to either select only the high scoring applicants (e.g. well above average) whilst for many others it may be enough for your scores to fall within, or slightly below, the average group.

What if I have a disability?

If you have a disability, you can make the employer aware of any needs you have so that appropriate adjustments can be made.  These could include extra time given to candidates with dyslexia to complete activities, adjustments to the physical environment, specialist equipment, materials in alternative formats (e.g. for the visually or hearing impaired, etc).

Contact the recruiter as soon as possible to discuss your individual requirements.

How can I prepare

Test administrators have to be professionally trained, operate to exacting standards and hold a licence to test.  A number of Career Development Advisers are qualified in the use of psychometric tests and so adhere to these professional standards.  We cannot therefore give you a real test to look at, but we do provide resources to help you prepare and practise.

Practice Tests Online

Kenexa online Practice Verbal and Numerical Tests with instant feedback, are available for students of the University of Bradford. This is an opportunity to try full-length numerical and verbal tests currently used by employers.  On completion of the tests you will receive a comprehensive feedback report on your performance via e-mail, with practical advice about how you might achieve better scores.

To request access to these online practice tests please contact Roy Christian, Career Development Adviser, email  r.christian@bradford.ac.uk. You will need to state your full name, gender, your full course title (and whether you are first / second / third year or postgrad) and your UoB number.

Check out our resources

We have a wide range of Assessment Centres and Psychometric Tests resources in our Information Room in Student Central including:

A wide range of books including:

• Verbal Reasoning Test Workbook – Mike Byron
• How to Pass Advanced Numeracy Tests – Mike Byron
• Ultimate Psychometric Tests – Mike Byron
• How to Pass the Civil Service Qualifying Tests - Mike Byron
• How to succeed in Psychometric Tests - David Cohen
• How to Master Psychometric Tests - Mark Parkinson
• Practice Psychometric Tests - Andrea Shavick
• Passing the UK Clinical Aptitude Test and BMAT - Felicity Walker-Buckton, Rosalie Hutton and Glen Hutton

DVDs/Online

• The Destinations website has a good section on psychometric testing but this is only available for University of Bradford students as you need to login to access it.
• Prospects.ac.uk ( has good information on tests and exercises)
• The British Psychological Society has a website which has a lot of useful information including answers to frequently asked questions about selection testing, go to http://www.psychtesting.org.uk/.
• Try some online tests.
• Try examples of ability tests found in the Morrisby Profile tests.
• Practice aptitude tests from one of the UK's largest test publishers shldirect.
• Try targetjobs.co.uk– click on ‘Careers advice’ then ‘Psychometric Tests’

Workshops

We regularly run workshops on a wide range of topics including Assessment Centres and Psychometric Testing.  You have to book to attend these, as space is limited, particularly for the test sessions. Check out our workshops list for details.

Appointment with Advisers

You can discuss your Assessment Centre and Psychometric Testing techniques at an appointment with a Career Development Adviser.  You need to book a few days in advance by telephoning the Information Desk on 01274 234991 or by calling into Career Development Services in Student Central.

Careers Advice Via Email

If you can't get in to see us you can use our Careers Advice Via Email service. It doesn't replace careers guidance appointments, but it does give you a useful way of getting relevant information and advice. We promise to reply within 3 working days, but we often beat this target!.

What are Personality Questionaires?

These really shouldn’t be called tests, because there are no right or wrong answers and they are not timed.  Personality questionnaires ask you a lot of questions about how you think you act, or may act, in particular situations.  They are trying to establish your preferred style of behaviour, to ensure that you would fit into the company culture and job role.

Many people think they should answer these questionnaires in the way they think the employer wants – and so may not be truthful.  You could answer questionnaires of this type in exactly the same way for different employers and be acceptable to one and not another, hence the thing to remember is not to try to anticipate the employer’s requirements.  There are built-in checks to ensure your answers are consistent.  Answer honestly – there are no right or wrong answers!

One of the most respected personality measures is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).

Can I try one?

The Careers Service occasionally runs workshops on the MBTI – check out our workshops list for details.

These sites have information on personality assessment questionnaires, including some you can try out:

• Practice personality assessment from one of the UK's largest test publishers at shldirect
• Complete the online personality questionnaires: Keirsey Character Sorter and Keirsey Temperament Sorter (very similar to MBTI) at keirsey.com
• Access a range of tests at psychometrixltd.com
• Access the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), a commonly used questionnaire to discover a personality type at www.teamtechnology.co.uk/myersbriggs.html
• The website peoplemaps.com provides a free personality report.

The Destinations website has a good section on personality but this is only available for University of Bradford students as you need to login to access it.

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