As part of the graduate recruitment process organisations often use psychometric testing. This helps employers gather objective information about whether or not an applicant is suitable for the job. These tests are often completed online, with often applicants being sent a link to a testing website. There are different types of tests that are used to assess personality, behavioural style, ability or aptitude.
Aptitude tests
These tests measure your potential to do certain types of tasks. They rely on your natural ability or aptitude rather than knowledge or experience. Aptitude tests are used to ascertain verbal and abstract reasoning, perceptual ability, numerical reasoning and spatial and mechanical ability. These tests are usually timed, so it is important that find the right balance between speed and accuracy.
Personality tests
Personality tests are used by employers to see how you will behave in certain situations. Employers often have a particular profile in mind and assess applicants based on these profiles. It is best not to try and guess what an employer is looking and answer as honestly as you can, this generally means going with your first answer!
Preparing for a psychometric test
To perform best at psychometric tests we suggest that you practice doing sample tests. We also recommend reading the newspaper, completing crosswords or Sudoku puzzles. Revise basic mathematical skills, such as calculating percentages and ratios. On the day make sure you read instructions carefully and remember you can ask if you are not sure. Review the information providing on Graduate Careers Australia to find out more about how you can prepare.
Sample Practice Tests
Practice tests are available on the following websites:
Institute of Psychometric Testing
Job Hunters Bible
Onetest
Personality Online
Personality Pathways (Myers Briggs)
Practice Aptitude Tests – Assessment Day
Practice tests
Psychometric Success
Psychometrics
Queendom: the land of tests
SHL: people performance
Similar Minds: personality test
Aptitude tests
These tests measure your potential to do certain types of tasks. They rely on your natural ability or aptitude rather than knowledge or experience. Aptitude tests are used to ascertain verbal and abstract reasoning, perceptual ability, numerical reasoning and spatial and mechanical ability. These tests are usually timed, so it is important that find the right balance between speed and accuracy.
Personality tests
Personality tests are used by employers to see how you will behave in certain situations. Employers often have a particular profile in mind and assess applicants based on these profiles. It is best not to try and guess what an employer is looking and answer as honestly as you can, this generally means going with your first answer!
Preparing for a psychometric test
To perform best at psychometric tests we suggest that you practice doing sample tests. We also recommend reading the newspaper, completing crosswords or Sudoku puzzles. Revise basic mathematical skills, such as calculating percentages and ratios. On the day make sure you read instructions carefully and remember you can ask if you are not sure. Review the information providing on Graduate Careers Australia to find out more about how you can prepare.
Sample Practice Tests
Practice tests are available on the following websites:
Institute of Psychometric Testing
Job Hunters Bible
Onetest
Personality Online
Personality Pathways (Myers Briggs)
Practice Aptitude Tests – Assessment Day
Practice tests
Psychometric Success
Psychometrics
Queendom: the land of tests
SHL: people performance
Similar Minds: personality test
