Careers and Employability Service

Short Guide to Psychometric Tests - Aptitude Tests

Aptitude or ability tests are designed to give an objective assessment of a
candidate's abilities in, say, verbal understanding, numeracy or diagrammatic
reasoning skills.

Test results are usually compared to those of a norm group, whose results have
been plotted on a scale. Employers decide where on the scale the cut-off point
will be. For example, they may decide that only those candidates in the top 60%
of scores, compared to the norm group, will go through to the next stage of the
selection process.

Normally these tests are timed, with time pressure often being a crucial factor in
the effectiveness of performance in the tests.

Furthermore, most aptitude tests are undertaken online, though be aware that
you may be asked to re-sit a test you did at home in order to verify that you
completed the test in the first instance, so do NOT ask someone else to take the
test on your behalf.


Why do employers use aptitude tests and how can they help them, and
you?

Employers use aptitude tests to decide if someone has the abilities needed to do
the job. These tests are considered as reliable and valid predictors of success, as
well as measuring skill levels.

Psychometric tests are also less subjective than other methods of selection and
are increasingly being used at the start of the selection process to reduce a high
volume of applications.

Aptitude tests can be helpful to you by demonstrating to the employer (and
yourself) where your strengths and limitations lie, and hence can be useful in
helping to find a job which suits you.

Tests are normally scored electronically and are likely to be more objective than,
for example, an interview. They also require fewer resources from the
employers point of view. Some candidates do complain, however, that if only
they were able to meet the employer face to face they would be able to
persuade the employer of their suitability.






Types of Aptitude Tests

Verbal reasoning tests

The most basic types of verbal test may involve spelling, or giving synonyms
(words with the same meaning) or antonyms (opposites), or finding the odd one
out in a set of words.

More complicated are analogy tests, where you need to recognise the
relationship that exists between the words in a word pair and then identify a
word pair which displays a parallel relationship. Other tests involve filling in
words to complete sentences, or interchanging two words in order to make a
sentence read sensibly.

Many verbal tests are used to assess logical reasoning, for example, determining
the correct sequence of a set of sentences, or identifying from a number of
pieces of information those that are needed to solve a problem. In order to test
verbal analysis and comprehension, you may be asked to answer questions
which relate to a given passage.

Examples of verbal reasoning test questions:

1. The relationship between WORD and SENTENCE is best expressed similarly
by which of the following pairs of words? A. ENGINE and CAR B. BIBLE and
BOOK C. CELL and ORGANISM D. SONNET and TEXT E. STEM and FLOWER
2. Which two words if swapped would make the following sentence sensible:
Although food production linked to career is partly a question of lifestyle, an
active interest in this could form the basis of an alternative diet. (Answers at
the end of this document)

Numerical reasoning tests

These tests appear in a wide range of different forms, but are all designed to
measure numeracy and logical thought.

A popular form of test involves completing a series of numbers, or a series of
letters of the alphabet, or a row of dominoes. Simple arithmetic calculations,
with or without the use of a calculator, are common. Related tests involve
estimating the answers to arithmetic problems when there is insufficient time to
calculate exact answers.

Many employers' tests now include interpretation and utilisation of data from
tables, charts or graphs.

Examples of numerical test questions:

You should not use a calculator for either of these examples.
1. A diagram on a sheet of paper is increased in size to 120% of its original size,
and this copy is then reduced by 40%. What percentage of the size of the
original diagram is the final copy?

Careers and Employability Service

A. 28 B. 36 C. 48 D. 72 E. 80
2. What is the following approximately equal to? 5/9 + 3/4 + 5/7 = A. 1 B. 2 C.
3 D. 4 E. 5 (answers at the end of this document)

Diagrammatical Reasoning Tests

These are particularly used in selection processes for posts, such as in
engineering, as the ability to interpret flow charts and diagrams is an essential
job requirement, but these have also crept into the recruitment and selection
processes of other occupations, such as accountancy.

What can you do to give your best performance?

You can prepare for these tests in several different ways depending on the type
of test (as discussed below). In general it has been shown that, up to a point, if
you practise aptitude tests in the first instance, you will obtain a higher score
thereafter. This may be because you are able to familiarise yourself with the
types of questions, or plan your time more effectively after practice.

For verbal tests, in addition to practicing a test, prepare by doing crosswords
and verbal puzzles, and by playing word games.

For numerical tests, practise doing arithmetical calculations without using a
calculator. Try number puzzles and study data presented in tables, charts and
graphs. If you are very rusty with arithmetic, try re-learning the times tables up
to 12 and practise multiplication, division and percentage calculations. Don't be
afraid of enrolling on a basic numeracy course if you think that would help.

To prepare for diagrammatic tests, practise with as many examples as possible.
Look at flow charts and diagrams.

Practice can improve your test scores for all types of aptitude tests, so try as
many examples as you can.

Free online practice of a verbal and numerical reasoning tests is
available via the Careers and Employability Service. Contact us with the e-
mail address you want to use, and we shall register you for the tests, and, once
completed, you will receive personal feedback on your performance from the
test publisher, Kenexa, via the e-mail address you gave us.

If you find difficulty in understanding the answers to some of the questions, then
have a look at sets of examples which include explanations of the answers (e.g.
the books by Eysenck and Pelshenke) or work through the Graduate Record
Examinations booklet, which gives strategies for answering a range of verbal and
numerical questions.




Been invited to take a test?

Make sure you get a good night's sleep the night before and find somewhere
quiet where you will not be disturbed for the entire duration of the test.

Read any instructions very carefully, including information on time limits, and do
exactly as instructed.

At the start of the test, there are usually some example questions. Make sure
you can do these before commencing the timed test.

Find out whether or not marks are deducted for incorrect answers. If so, you do
not want to attempt every question unless confident of your answer being
correct.

If you have time, check your answers and change any that are incorrect.

Don't panic if the test appears to be very difficult; some tests have relatively low
'pass' marks - you may be doing well. Other tests are adaptive i.e. they have
various layers so if you are getting many questions right, the difficulty of the
test increases.

What if you have dyslexia?

Some employers will allow you extra time to complete online tests if you inform
them that you have dyslexia or any other disability which may affect your ability
to undertake tests.
What next?
Contact the Careers and Employability Service to register for practice
online tests T. 01482 465096. E-mail: careers@hull.ac.uk
Go to our website for further information www.hull.ac.uk/careers

Go to Savile and Holdsworth website to practice aptitude tests
www.shldirect.com
Go to the BPS psychometric test publishing website www.bps.org.uk

Answers to examples. Verbal test questions: 1. C 2. career, diet. Numerical test questions:
1. D 2. B.
Last updated by Julia Goodall 3/4/13