Psychometric Test Categories (Types) and Formats

Psychometric tests are used to measure suitability of a candidate for a specific job or academic course. Some organizations also use them for transparency and accountability in decision-making on various aspects of career development for example in promoting individuals to a higher job rung or assessing training needs. The leading companies in financial, transport, energy and engineering businesses employ these tests in searching for talent, underscoring the prominence that these tests have assumed globally. Examples of these groups include Deutsche bank, Deloitte, Fidelity, EDF Energy, HSBC, Goldman Sachs, Jaguar Land Rover, ICAP, Kimberly Clark, Johnson and Johnson, and KPMG, to name a few big employers.

Since these candidates are usually considered for specialized skills, the aptitude tests are tailored to the job requirements. The most common abilities measured are the verbal, numerical, and abstract reasoning abilities or aptitudes.

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Verbal tests

It measures candidate’s ability to understand verbal description or arguments according to their meaning and draw conclusions. The examination involves reading a passage, and then answering a series of multiple choice questions with “True”, “False”, or “Don’t Know”, based on the information contained in the passage. “Don’t Know” implies that further information is needed to choose the correct answer. A verbal comprehension test (http://www.verbalreasoningtest.org/) focuses more on spelling, grammar, and syntax. It is therefore important that a candidate understands the language in which, a verbal test is offered.

Numerical reasoning tests

It evaluates a candidate’s numerical acumen using facts and figures presented in data tables or graphs. Candidates are assessed for their knowledge of ratios, percentage, costs analyses, trends, currency conversion, etc. Their focus is anchored on the fact that organizations always monitor their performance and need timely decisions as to whether they should change tact through increasing, decreasing or maintaining current practices for optimum productivity, efficiency and minimal losses. What do these graphs tell us? What is the logic behind some number series? Speed and accuracy are important in all the psychometric tests, most users identify numerical reasoning as particularly demanding. Developers of aptitude tests preparation packages such as Graduate Monkey with their premium Aptutorial technique- have therefore identified various strategies, tips and shortcuts that candidates can employ to do the real tests in the shortest time. A key advantage of numerical tests is that unlike the Verbal tests which require deeper comprehension of language, mathematical symbols are universal and can be done with basic understanding of test instructions.

Abstract reasoning tests (Available at: http://www.psychometricinstitute.com.au/Free-Aptitude-Tests.asp)

It is also known as the conceptual reasoning test where, it only needs one to observe a range of diagrams/symbols, identify an emergent pattern and based on this, predict what the next pattern would be. It is based on logic and does not exert language demands on the candidates.

Abstract reasoning test offered by Graduate Monkey is really a good source to strengthen your skills because it uses different diagrams, shapes and symbols to enable test takers determine their intelligence. They have to compare different images in order to find the logic behind their creation and then have to give their solution. Just because of these features, Abstract reasoning test is also named as Non-verbal reasoning, logical reasoning or inductive reasoning test.

FORMATS OF APTITUDE TESTS

Aptitude tests come with different levels of difficulty depending on the education/knowledge of an individual in the organization e.g. a senior management level would have to take more advanced test compared to a junior, clerical officer.  Common formats are SHL, Kenexa, Saville, TalentLens, Cubiks and TalentQ. The key difference in the formats is based on the fact that some test for only one ability e.g. numeric while other combine the tests.

A document providing an overview of SHL tests summarizes the range of tests according to organizational roles (http://ceb.shl.com/assets/SHL_Overview_of_Ability_Tests.pdf). These tests are offered to (in ascending order) Semi-skilled, Technical staff, Administrative and clerical staff, information technology, sales, customer and call centre, Junior managers and supervisors, managers, professionals and graduates and finally, directors and senior managers. The tests offered include Work Skills series- (Transport and production, manual dexterity and finger dexterity); applied technology series, personnel test battery, Customer Contact Aptitude, Critical Reasoning, Management and Graduate item bank and Advanced managerial tests. SHL offers all the aforementioned abilities (verbal, abstract and numerical reasoning abilities). Different tests may combine evaluation of these abilities, so for example, the Advanced Managerial Test (senior managers) evaluates only verbal and numerical skills, and is offered only online. On the other hand, the Critical Reasoning Test Battery (junior managers and supervisors) test is used for all the 3 abilities. Semi-skilled workers do have some tests offered as pencil and paper formats. Kenexa tests also evaluate verbal, cognitive and inductive reasoning skills.

Saville reasoning test

This is a package developed by Saville consultants (such as Graduate Monkey), containing different tests that broadly measure comprehension and technical analysis. In addition to the tests highlighted in SHL, Saville also includes a technical aptitude test package that contains spatial, mechanical and diagrammatic reasoning. 

TalentLens test

It measures an individual’s capabilities using 4 key dimensions which are crucial to improve organizational performance. These are critical thinking, problem-solving, collaborator and team playing.  Critical thinking is appraised using the RED model. A critical thinker will therefore Recognize assumptions in any situation, Evaluate arguments, and Draw solutions (the bold letters form RED). Critical thinking (http://us.talentlens.com/online-testing) is one of the strongest predictors of job success and overall performance.  Problem solving skills are analyzed using Raven’s Progressive Matrices (http://www.raventest.net/). They assess professionals abilities of individuals, “including advanced observation and clear-thinking skills, efficient problem solving, abstract reasoning, and the ability to learn”. Collaborator and team playing skills measure one’s personality and key motivation aspects that enable individuals to fit into their job roles as well as organization’s culture.

Cubiks test

It is an international assessment and development consultancy (http://www.cubiks.com/), with great importance throughout Europe, the United Arabs Emirates, Malaysia and the USA. They pride themselves in offering “culturally sensitive, competency-driven business psychological solutions in over 30 languages”.  Here, three broad test formats are offered: Reasoning for Business ability tests (RfB series) these test Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, and Diagrammatic Reasoning and assessments have been designed for two key levels of applications; Managerial & Graduate and Business Support. The RfB suite includes supervised and unsupervised versions and assessments are available in many languages.

The Problem-Solving test series has been designed to assess how quickly and accurately an individual can solve new problems. It, however, only tests one’s ability to solve numerical and verbal problems. Verbal questions assess knowledge Antonyms (candidates have to choose which word from a group of five has the opposite meaning to another word); Deviation from category (one must decide which one of five words has a different meaning from the others); pair of concepts (Do two words considered have the same meaning, the opposite meaning, or neither the same nor the opposite meaning?); Verbal analogy (the candidate has to decide whether the underlying meaning or idea in two statements is the same, the opposite, or neither the same nor the opposite). Finally, Logical reasoning involves the participant deciding whether three considered statements have correct/incorrect logics).

Numerical problems on the other hand cover a series of numbers, simple calculations and complex calculations. In some situations, companies will choose to test clients more than once, and for this reason,

The last test, Logiks General, is an online test that measures an individual’s general cognitive ability. This twelve minute assessment measures a participant’s ability to solve verbal, numerical and abstract problems.

Talent Q is yet another consultancy firm that prides itself with over 50 countries’ coverage and has a huge network of clientele companies such as Virgin Atlantic, Royal Mail Groupo, JT Global, Lloyds Banking Group, Ford, and AstraZeneca. Graduate Monkey can even help you in successfully applying for any of such companies. All you have to do is to take this exam.

TalentQ tests

It focuses on 4 key broad aspects: “personality and motivation”; “Ability”; “Competency-based sifting” and “360-degree feedback”. Personality and motivation tests (https://www.trytalentq.com/) measure an individual’s behavioral preference at work, with a focus on “how staff prefer to manage relationships with others, their approach to work and their sources of energy and motivation”. This is captured through “Dimensions”. Drives, on the other hand, is an online questionnaire focusing on individual’s values and motivations in the work place, and focuses on factors that “stimulate and energize individuals in their daily working lives” (https://www.talentqgroup.com/assessments/).

Ability is measured with the help of two tests: “Aspects ability” and “Elements”. Aspects ability measures verbal, numerical and checking skills and is useful for recruiting frontline, customer service and sales staff. On the other hand, “Elements” measure verbal, numerical and logical reasoning and is suitable primarily for graduate, professional, managerial and executive level roles.

Competency-based sifting measures behavioral preferences at work in relation to the most relevant competencies for the job, through “aspects styles”. Lastly, 360-degree feedback is a “MultiView (http://m.mcn.com.au/multiview/)”, competency-based feedback questionnaire that identifies strengths and development needs of employees. It aims to facilitate performance improvement. 

Psychometric interviews can be done in different ways, depending on how the tests are designed.  Some tests can only be done online while others are pen and paper based. This, therefore, means that in some instances, one can get instant feedback on performance while in others, candidates have to wait for their results. Requirements differ too- whereas some tests allow use of tools such as calculators, in others, these are prohibited. Since they are primarily meant to objectively identify the most suitable candidates from many competitors, these tests usually give lesser time to answer all of the questions and some candidates complained about this factor. Optimum conditions for gauging one’s prowess are set during this examination- quiet, well lighted rooms and clear instructions to avoid ambiguity. Overall it is assumed that candidates sitting in these tests are in good health.  The evaluators have the discretion to define a pass mark, and in some instances, use other criteria when none of the candidates achieve the set threshold. Numerous sites such as Graduate Monkey, SHL online and Psychometric institute have developed resources that applicants of aptitude tests can use to prepare for the real test.  Some packages are accessed at a fee e.g. £19 while others are offered free of charge.

 Aptitude Test– What does it Evaluate?

If you’re a graduate looking for work after university, chances are that many of your employers require you to take an aptitude career test. You’ve probably, at some point, wondered why so many employers require these tests and what they all mean.

Well, many employers use a variety of different exams to test you on various skills they expect you to have mastered before you take on a job in the position they’re hiring for. Depending on the kind of job you’re applying for, employers use aptitude career tests to help determine if you’re a competent, well rounded candidate.

For example, the Cubiks test, which is a common test many businesses you might be applying for expect you to take, tests one’s problem solving skills, especially when it comes to numerical and verbal literacy. Many of the verbal problem solving questions you’ll be expected to answer concern how well you’ve got a handle on the English language- for example, you might be asked about antonyms or how to use deduction and reasoning. When you’re being quizzed on your numerical reasoning, you might be expected to complete a variety of simple and complex equations to ensure you’ve got a good handle on basic, mathematical skills and concepts.

Often times, many numerical reasoning tests will have you interpret information in graphs and charts to see if you’ve got a good handle on how to interpret data and statistics. These are important skills you’ll have to use on a daily basis in many of the jobs you’ll be applying for.

Abstract reasoning test, which is a common component of many aptitude tests you’ll be expected to take, involve testing your ability to analyze information and solve problems with complex thought processes. You’ll have to be able to make deductions, form theories, and understand the various relationships between verbal and non-verbal concepts.

The OneTest cognitive ability test relates to how well you’re able to reason and utilize various thinking styles in order to answer a variety of different questions. You’ll be tested on numerical, verbal, and nonverbal reasoning as well as your English proficiency and your deductive reasoning skills. And often times, you’ll only be given 23 seconds to answer each question, so quick that thinking is key.

A very important skill many employers will test you on is how well you’ve got a handle on mechanical reasoning. If you’re applying to become an engineer or are entering a technical field, you’ll probably be expected to take a mechanical reasoning test. During this test, you’ll be expected to utilize your knowledge of simple machines and physics in order to solve a variety of mechanical scenarios. And if you’re entering a mechanically inclined field, your employers want to know you’ll have the right skills and tools to be able to handle complex machinery and physical applications.

The TalentLens test is designed to test how well you can utilize various critical thinking strategies. For example, you’ll be tested on how well you can clarify your understanding of a subject, whether you can analyze and interpret the processes you took to reach a logical conclusion, and if you can make logical decisions based on the evidence you’re provided with.

Another common type of test you may be expected to take is the SHL aptitude test, which many employers use to test prospective employees. Some of the sections the SHL aptitude test covers include sections on numerical, verbal, or logical reasoning. Some employers such as PwC may even require a SHL personality questionnaire which is a type of psychometric assessment.

The Kenexa reasoning test also involves sections on numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning. Many employers will have prospective recruits take the logical reasoning portion, which involves using inductive reasoning to complete patterns and answer questions logically. Kenexa verbal testsare often tailored for individual positions and not only question how well you can utilize your verbal reasoning skills but can give your prospective employer a good idea on your managerial skills. Kenexa format is popular in investment banking and fund management industry.

And last but not least, one of the other tests you may be expected to take is the Saville reasoning test, which covers how well you’ll be able to use abstract critical reasoning in order to make a decision in various situations.

In order to pass any ability test or aptitude test you may be expected to take, it is important that you’re well prepared and know what to expect so you’re not caught off guard on test day.

Whether that means seeing aptitude test tutorials (aptutorials) or studying the different types of questions you may be expected to tackle during actual tests your employers are having you take, being prepared will give you a better chance to receive the highest aptitude test marksand be able to ace any aptitude exam. After all, many employers rely on the percentage of candidates who are efficient enough to pass aptitude tests to know whether they’re right for the job and it is their responsibility to prove that they are – before they give them a chance for an interview!

Make your preparation effective with aptitude test tutorials or Aptutorials! 

Graduate monkey - aptitude test tutorial

      So, you have been invited to this job interview whereby you have been informed that you will be subjected through an SHL reasoning test. Don’t panic, for so long as you have qualified, we can help you get through the test successfully through our competitive aptutorial package.  SHL aptitude test is just a type of aptitude test whereby an individual is tested to find out whether he has the capability to solve statistical problems and he has got good verbal skills.  This kind of test is given by employers so as to ensure that they get the best candidate fit for a managerial position.

Most individuals are only aware of aptitude online tests where they go to test themselves if they have got the required skills. However, the problem comes in where an individual after taking the test, finds out that he is lacking the skills that will be required during a proposed job interview. It is useless to confirm a problem without prescribing a cure. Some people also have a myth that it’s either one has a given skill or he doesn’t as one cannot develop a skill that he was not born with. The issue here is that most people are usually born with the capability of having a lot of skills. It’s just that some of them are usually either not aware that they have the skills or they rarely use them and so they have grown dormant with time. This is where an aptitude test tutorial comes in handy to polish and help rejuvenate the skills in an individual.

It is basically a session where you are guided by experts on how to develop skills which will come in handy and enable you to pass any type of aptitude test including the complex ones such as the Saville reasoning test and the Kenexa reasoning test. These tests require an individual who can be able to see things in three dimensions as well as be able to imagine how the end result will be even before a task has been done. The tutorials help to open up an individual’s mind and enable him to reason whole-roundly and openly. They also enable him to interlink knowledge from various fields which is so important for decision-making and problem-solving. Each session is unique and especially suited for each individual depending on his personality so as to be able to bring out the best out of the person.

We impart our candidates with various skills including decision making and innovative skills, which are vital and help someone develop the SHL abstract reasoning. This skill is pertinent as it enables one to reason systematically and interlink various situations. This enables one to pass the spatial aptitude test which is usually offered by some employers who require someone who can take up the position of a supervisor. We also ensure that they do acquire more skills than the ones which they will be tested for during the aptitude test. Most employers concentrate on specific types of tests, such as the numerical tests and technical aptitude test.

We usually work to ensure that through our sessions, an individual gains the skills that will not only pull him through the employment test, but will also enable him to handle day-to-day activities. Some of the tests that we subject our candidates to and make them capable of passing them are such as the psychometric tests. This kind of test is usually used to test for a number of skills and capabilities in an individual. This includes verbal skills, numerical skills, decision making skills as well as abilities to deal with hard circumstances or make tough choices. This test comes handy as it eliminates the need to be passed through many aptitude test as in itself it covers many others.

On completion of the session, our candidates are passed through various online aptitude tests for employment which will assess them and ensure that they are in good position to take any aptitude tests for employment. It is important to note that some types of tests require someone with specific background skills. This is such as the operational or mechanical reasoning test which may require someone to have the ability to operate a given type of machine, software or computer program. Attending a tutorial session while having the background skills will enable us provide you with reasoning skills which you can combine with the skills that you already have and be in an advantaged position to pass the test.

It can really be so disheartening to qualify for a job interview and fail to get the job just because one didn’t pass the aptitude test. It’s for this reason that we advise you to take a tutorial session such as the one that we offer at graduatemonkey.com so as to prepare yourself for the interview fully and enable you secure the job. Visit www.graduatemonkey.com

Is Aptitude a Myth?

The fact that one can prepare and improve their score on almost all types of aptitude tests raises an important question. Does what they call aptitude tests really measure your aptitude level? Let’s review the definition of what aptitude is.

An aptitude test is, generally, any test designed to measure one’s potential for achievement. The word aptitude is sometimes misused to mean ‘ability’ or ‘achievement’; however, there is a subtle difference between the three words aptitude, ability and achievement, which can be distinguished as follows:
• aptitude – how quickly or easily you will be able to learn in the future;
• ability – what you are able to demonstrate in the present;
• achievement – what you have accomplished in the past.
There are nine different types of aptitude, which may be summarized
as follows:
• General learning: learning and understanding, reasoning and making judgements. Example: how well we achieve at school.
• Verbal aptitude: general lexical skills – understanding words and using them effectively.
• Numerical aptitude: general mathematical skills – working with numbers quickly and accurately.
• Spatial aptitude: understanding geometric forms, and the understanding and identification of patterns and their meaning. Example: understanding how to construct a flatpack piece of furniture from a set of instructions.
• Form perception: inspecting and perceiving details in objects, and making visual comparisons between shapes. Examples:
studying an object under a microscope, and quality inspection of goods.
• Clerical perception: reading, analysing and obtaining details from written data or tabulated material. Examples: proofreading,
analysing reports and understanding graphs.
• Motor coordination: eye and hand coordination, and making quick and accurate rapid movement responses. Examples: actually being able to assemble the flat-pack piece of furniture once you have understood how it should be done, being able
to operate a computer keyboard quickly and accurately, and sporting skills.
• Finger dexterity: manipulating small objects quickly and accurately. Examples: playing a musical instrument, and sewing.
• Manual dexterity: the skill of being able to work with your hands. Examples: painting and decorating, building things
and operating machinery.

In the case of most aptitude tests there is usually a set time limit, which must be strictly adhered to in order for the test to be valid,
and there is usually an average score that has been standardized in comparison with the scores of a group of people who have
taken the same test.

In sum, either aptitude itself a fluid concept and it can be influenced through learning and practice OR no one really has a pure aptitude but what we have is hybrid form of constantly evolving ability combined with only minimal innate abilities.

Regardless of which one of the above is really true, you can always improve your test by using one or more of our aptutorials (aptitude test tutorials).

http://www.graduatemonkey.com

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What is Abstract (aka Logical or Inductive) Reasoning Test?

The aptitudes and abilities assessed by verbal and numerical reasoning tests can readily be applied to real world jobs and positions, as many professional and even some non-professional tasks demand some skill with numbers and text. However, abstract reasoning tests, also known as logical or inductive reasoning assessment, appear to be made up of questions which  have little to do with applications in the real world. Yet these types of question come up in most graduate and management aptitude tests. So what is the use of these AR tests?

Abstract reasoning tests date back to the research done by the psychologist Charles Spearman in the 1920’s. Spearman used a statistical technique called factor analysis to examine relationships between people’s scores on different types of intelligence (IQ) tests.

He concluded that people who do well on some intelligence tests also do well on others (e.g. vocabulary, mathematics, spatial abilities, etc). Similarly, if people did poorly on one intelligence test, they also tended to do poorly on other intellectual tests. This led him to believe that there are one or more factors that are common to all intellectual tasks. As a result of this research, Spearman developed a two-factor theory of intelligence.

As the diagram above illustrates, Spearman said that intelligence mainly consists of “g” with bright people having a lot, and dull people having less. Spearman defined “g” as:

“the innate ability to perceive relationships and educe co-relationships”

If we replace the word “educe” with “determine” then you can understand why abstract reasoning questions are viewed to be a good measure of general intelligence, as they test your ability to perceive relationships and then to work out any co-relationships without you requiring any knowledge of language or mathematics.

Abstract reasoning tests use diagrams, symbols or shapes instead of words or numbers. They involve identifying the underlying logic of a pattern and then determining the solution. Because they are visual questions and are independent of language and mathematical abilities, they have come to be considered as an accurate indicator of one’s general intellectual ability as well as being “fairer” than many other aptitude test methods.

If you would like to learn more about Abstract reasoning test and to master the skills to get a top score on this test, then visitwww.graduatemonkey.com. Look for Logical (Abstract) Reasoning Test Tutorial pack.

Aptutorial is an aptitude test tutorial

Aptutorial is an abbreviation produced from ‘aptitude test tutorial’ or ‘aptitude tutorial‘.

Aptitude test tutorials or aptutorials are designed to help those who have to take such tests to improve their performance and score results.

Aptitude tests are used by a variety of entities such as businesses (banks, consulting firms, etc) and universities (see CAT). There are many forms of aptitude tests available. Aptitude tests have been used for thousands of years. For example, in ancient China, chancery workers were selected by checking their basic numeracy skills.   One of the modern aptitude test formats was developed during the World War I by a man named Carl Brigham who had adapted an IQ test into a more specific aptitude test format(see SAT). Also, see this source for more information (SAT)   According to Britannica (see Aptitude test definition Britannica), an aptitude test is examination that attempts to determine and measure a person’s ability to acquire, through future training, some specific set of skills (intellectual, motor, and so on).

The tests assume that people differ in their special abilities and that these differences can be useful in predicting future achievements.   General, or multiple, aptitude tests are similar to intelligence tests in that they measure a broad spectrum of abilities (e.g., verbal comprehension, general reasoning, numerical operations, perceptual speed, or mechanical knowledge). The Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and the American College Testing Exam (ACT) are examples of group tests commonly used in the United States to gauge general academic ability; in France the International Baccalaureate exam (le bac) is taken by secondary-school students. Such tests yield a profile of scores rather than a single IQ and are widely used in educational and vocational counseling. Aptitude tests also have been developed to measure professional potential (e.g., legal or medical) and special abilities (e.g., clerical or mechanical). The Differential Aptitude Test (DAT) measures specific abilities such as clerical speed and mechanical reasoning as well as general academic ability.

While aptitude tests are designed to objectively assess one’s innate ability, the fact that they are developed by other humans exposes them to bias and subjectivity. In addition, certain data contexts used in such tests can be readily memorized by those who can access similar questions, become familiar with test format and prepare accordingly.   Therefore, it may be possible to achieve a better score by preparing for the aptitude, which means it may be possible for a test candidate to demonstrate a higher aptitude score than he might obtain if he does not prepare in advance.Aptutorial providers such as GraduateMonkey.com rely on the idea that all aptitude tests have some degree of subjectivity and bias; thus some otherwise well-qualified candidates are disadvantaged in relation to others. Therefore, the use of aptutorials by test-takers can be justified for the purpose of creating an even playing field for all test candidates.