Psychometric Tests

Some recruiters use psychometric tests as part of the selection process to assess your suitability for graduate positions.

Tests generally take place online early in the recruitment process. This is usually after your completed application has been reviewed by the employer.

You have to pass the tests to proceed to the next stage of selection, either an interview or an assessment centre. Employers may check your test scores by retesting you at the assessment centre.

There are 3 main types:

Aptitude/Ability
Situational Judgement & Critical Thinking
Personality

Aptitude/Ability

These test a range of skills and abilities that are needed to effectively undertake a particular job role. There are many different types of psychometric test. Different tests are used depending on the job role.

Tests are generally multiple choice, have definite true/false answers and are strictly timed. Your scores will be compared to a suitable ‘normal’ group such as previously successful candidates.

Examples

Numerical Reasoning - Interpreting data, graphs or statistics.
Verbal Reasoning - Understanding of written information, evaluation of arguments often using comprehension exercises.
Abstract Reasoning / Inductive Reasoning - Commonly used for IT / Engineering posts – test ability to quickly identify patterns and follow diagrammatic instructions.

A longer list of aptitude test types can be found on the
Assessment Day Website.

Situational Judgement & Critical Thinking

These tests can be used to assess candidates’ ability to make appropriate judgements when solving typical work problems.
Often, there is not a right or wrong answer. The employer is looking for candidates who are a good ‘fit’ for the role and company.
You will need to research the job requirements to answer questions effectively. This will give you clues as to how they would like you to behave when faced with a particular set of circumstances.

Personality Questionnaires

Personality questionnaires have no right or wrong answers and they are not timed. They seek to establish your preferred style of working; e.g. Are you happiest working in a team or independently? What is it that motivates you? How do you relate to others?
Whilst there are certain characteristics that are more or less suitable for a particular job role, most employers won’t look for one rigid personality profile.
Questions usually ask you to look at several statements and choose the one that best describes you.
The best approach is to be honest and not to overthink your answers. There is no point in pretending you are somebody you are not. If you are not selected due to the answers you have given to the personality questionnaire it probably means it wasn’t the right job role for you.

Tips on doing well

Aptitude Tests in General

Be both quick and accurate.
Work steadily and answer as many questions as you can in the time available.
Don’t worry if you do not have time to answer all of the questions – it is the number of correct answers that count.
Practice can really help you improve your performance. Make use of the range of practice tests provided in this resource.

Numeracy Tests

Brush up your basic arithmetic with and without a calculator. Numerical tests are not purely arithmetical but knowledge of this will help.
You need to be comfortable working out percentages, exchange rates, time differences, time/speed/distance calculations, reading charts, graphs and tables.
Try also revising your GCSE Maths content.
Number puzzles such as Sudoku can help you recognise numerical patterns.

Students with Disabilities & Dyslexia

If you have dyslexia or a disability that may affect your performance in these tests, make sure you alert the recruiter so that they can award extra time or make suitable adjustments to the test conditions.
Test publishers should be able to advise employers about the appropriate adjustments they should make.
The British Psychological Society (BPS) provides some
useful guidance.
EmployAbilty is an organisation who can provide support – they have advisers who can help with your questions.

Practice Tests

Surrey Pathfinder

Practice Aptitude Tests - including verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning and situational judgement tests.

Profiling For Success

Profiling For Success is a free package we offer.
It includes Numerical, Verbal, and Abstract Reasoning tests, a Situational Judgement Test, and a Type Dynamics Indicator (similar to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator).
Students can access the tests by creating an account, an email verification is sent upon registration.
Graduates should email careers@surrey.ac.uk for access.
The Type Dynamics Indicator can help individuals gain self-awareness for better career decisions.

Additional Practice Materials & Guides

PwC E-learn Resource
Useful practice whichever career or recruiter you are interested in and covers the following types of aptitude test – Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning and Inductive/Logical Reasoning (also described as diagrammatic or abstract reasoning).
The PwC Psychometric e-learn resource also includes a free Work Style Preference Questionnaire which is a type of personality questionnaire.
Try all the tests and questionnaires

The University library Careers Reading List has books on verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, psychometric tests and aptitude tests.

Commercial Providers

Many practice tests are from commercial publishers, offering advice and a limited number of free practice questions.
They may encourage purchasing additional materials for more practice.
Use the free tests we provide first and try free questions from publishers before deciding whether to buy extra materials.

The Complete Guide to Psychometric Tests will help you understand of the range of tests used by graduate recruiters.

Test type booklets

The website Practiceaptitudetests.com have provided a series of FREE downloadable booklets to explain the different types of tests with practice questions to try:

Explore the practice aptitude tests website for useful additional resources.

Free Practice Tests

Test Partnership provide graduate assessments for a wide range of employers and provide some free preparation tests for students.

Included is a Gamified Assessment Test, something that is becoming more commonly used by employers.

Wikijob articles

Numerical Reasoning

Situational Judgement & Critical Thinking

Helpful guidelines provided by the University of Sheffield (links to example tests).
Useful Blog by Employability and Careers
Advice and some free practice tests from Assessment Day
Some practice test questions from Talogy
JobTest Prep provides useful advice and free practice material
Practice Aptitude Tests
Psychometric Tests

Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test

Law Firms often use the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking test. You should prepare thoroughly for this test.

Here are some helpful resources. Make full use of all the free materials before deciding whether you wish to purchase any additional practice questions .

Try practice test provided by Pearson View.
Free practice questions and study guide available from Job Test Prep
Advice on the test and free practice questions from Assessment Day

Additional Useful Resources

TargetJobs and Prospects link to free example tests
SHL - Example tests from a leading test publisher
Assessment Day - a range of practice tests.
Talogy - Tips and practice tests
Psychometric Success - free tests
Job Test Prep - free tests
University of Kent CES - Useful advice and practice tests
Test Taker’s Guide provided by the British Psychological Society.

Finally

Don’t forget we are always happy to help you with every aspect of your career planning and development, wherever you are in your journey. If you are unclear about where to start or what to focus on first, just make an appointment with a Careers Consultant via Surrey Pathfinder and we can help you develop a plan for moving forward.

Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion careers resources to find out more about diversity initiatives, employer perspectives and support at Surrey.

If you would like more information, visit MySurrey Help to find answers to the most common questions and details on how to ask us a question if you require more support.