Employers often test graduate job applicants during the selection process. These tests are believed to offer greater objectivity, reliability and validity than interviews. Employers use a range of psychometric tests to assess personality, behavioural style, ability or aptitude.
These tests measure your potential to do certain types of tasks. They rely on your natural ability or aptitude rather than knowledge or experience. Ability tests are usually timed.
There are several types:
| Verbal reasoning | How well you analyse written information |
| Abstract reasoning | How well you analyse a problem presented visually |
| Perceptual ability | Your ability with diagrams and pictures |
| Numerical reasoning | How well you interpret numerical and statistical information |
| Spatial ability | Your ability with plans and 3D shapes |
| Mechanical ability | Knowing how things work and fit together |
These are designed to give a picture of how you will behave in certain situations, such as the way you approach and solve problems. Although employers will probably have an ideal profile in mind, this is not usually made public and is difficult to guess. These tests are not usually timed.
Sample tests
These websites offer a range of tests you can try:
Books and videos can be viewed at Employment and Career Development