Careers

How to practise aptitude tests

Introduction
Aptitude tests have become a regular feature in the selection procedures of many employers, particularly
the larger graduate recruiters in computing, finance, management training and the public sector.
Tests attempt to measure whether you have the specific abilities and intellectual capabilities required for
the job they are not tests of general knowledge. The actual tests used by any employer will depend on
the skills required to do the job, but the majority of tests in current use cover the areas of verbal,
numerical and logical reasoning ability. (Aptitude tests should be clearly distinguished from personality
assessments, which are used in order to determine your typical reactions and attitudes to a range of
situations.) The first round of tests is usually online, often with a second round to be completed at an
assessment centre.
For some frequently asked questions about psychometric and aptitude tests have a look at the following
link: www.realisepotential.com/FAQTestTakers.html -

Preparing for aptitude tests

It is not possible to revise for aptitude tests, but you can do some preparation, for example by
completing practice tests, brushing up on your maths and doing logic puzzles. Such preparation should
help you work quickly, familiarise you with the demands made by aptitude tests and improve your
confidence in taking them.
Improving your score
As you have to aim for a balance of speed and accuracy, evidence shows some practice of similar
tests may improve your performance.
Try to answer as many questions as possible. Not everyone completes the test in time so dont
worry if you do not complete it and you are not always expected to finish the test anyway.
On-line practice tests
Careers offer practice aptitude tests via our website. These give you the opportunity to practise
graduate level tests and get feedback on your performance. These Profiling for Success tests are
on www.york.ac.uk/careers/tests (York University log-in required)
www.prospects.ac.uk/links/tests - general information and links to practice sites
www.shldirect.com SHLs free examples of ability test questions, personality questionnaires and
timed practice tests with feedback on how you compare to other applicants
http://www.talentlens.co.uk/practice-aptitude for numerical reasoning and critical thinking tests
www.markparkinson.co.uk/psychometric_links.htm - explanations about and links to practice tests
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/psychotests.htm for a variety of practice tests
http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/psychometric-tests for advice and links to online tests
www.numericalreasoningtest.org and www.verbalreasoningtest.org both give advice and tips, as
well as practice tests
www.testpartnership.com/numerical.html for tests on numerical, verbal and diagrammatic reasoning.
www.gre.org practice for the American university entrance tests verbal reasoning, quantitative
reasoning, critical thinking and analytical skills

http://europa.eu/epso/apply/sample_test/index_en.htm - EU Careers sample tests

www.ets.org/ The Educational Testing Service gives access to practice questions for GMAT, GRE
and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
http://careers.deloitte.com - click on University, then Apply now and Selection process for practice
psychometric tests
http://elearn.pwc.co.uk/psychometric/index.html - explains how PwC use psychometric tests, with
tips on preparing and some practice tests
www.AssessmentDay.co.uk - tests for numerical, verbal and inductive reasoning tests and other
useful advice. Also have a section on Situational Judgement tests
www.assessmentcentrehq.com/ - explanations of a variety of tests and exercises
www.practiceaptitudetests.com/psychometric-test/ includes practice tests and video tutorials
www.psychometric-success.com practice tests and FAQs
www.jobtestprep.co.uk/freeaptitude.aspx includes some free example tests and explanations of
types of tests, including the Watson-Glaser test
www.morrisby.com example practice questions covering a range of ability areas (not specifically
aimed at graduate recruitment), click on Other products, fee payable
http://practicetests.cubiks.com/ verbal, numerical and reasoning for business practice tests
www.intelligencetest.com/ 10 minute IQ test with practice questions covering a range of aptitudes
www.psychometricinstitute.co.uk some limited, free examples with information about tests in
relation to different types of jobs
www.pearsoned.co.uk/highereducation/booksby/robwilliams/ -the books Brilliant Numeracy Tests
and Brilliant Verbal Reasoning Tests have companion websites offering free tests.
http://www.graddiary.com/numeracy-tests/ - free practice numeracy tests from GradDiary.com

Reference Books and other information available in Careers

Further information on the types of test mentioned above, together with additional examples of test
material and a number of reference books may be found in our Job Hunting section of the Information
Room.
These include:
Psychometric Tests for Graduates
Book of IQ Tests
How to Pass Graduate Psychometric Tests
How to Pass Numeracy Tests
How to Pass Verbal Reasoning Tests
How to Pass Advanced Verbal Reasoning Tests
How to Pass Advanced Numeracy Tests
How to Pass Professional Level Psychometric Tests
Practise and Pass Professional Verbal Reasoning Tests
Youre Hired! Psychometric Tests
How to Pass the Civil Service Qualifying Tests
There are also some additional copies for loan in the University Library.

Please note: The websites listed here are not intended to represent a comprehensive list. Careers cannot be held
responsible for the content of external websites.

May 2014