PSYCHOMETRIC TESTING
Many organisations include psychometric (aptitude and personality) testing in their selection process.
These are generally completed online. The results are used with other information gathered during the
interview and the Assessment Centre.
Types of tests
Cognitive ability
Verbal reasoning
Non-verbal/abstract reasoning
Numerical reasoning
Clerical speed and accuracy
Spatial Reasoning
Mechanical reasoning
Personality preferences
These test your 'aptitudes' e.g. technical skills and abilities,
analytical skills, problem solving, mathematical skills, pattern
recognition and information processing. There may be
questions about logic, or about evaluating information and
making decisions based on the available data. They are
generally timed, and there are right and wrong answers.
Assesses your understanding of word meanings, sentences
and grammar and your ability to determine logical
relationships; may also include spelling and grammar.
Includes numbers or groups of patterns where you need to
choose the next pattern in the series; you are required to
work out a rule or principle and relate it to another set of
patterns.
From simple arithmetic to reasoning tests, these require you
to draw inferences from some numerical data and use this to
solve another problem.
Measures speed and accuracy in checking for errors in data,
editing mistakes and/or classification of sets of data.
Looks at your ability to rotate shapes in space.
Diagrammatic mechanical problems for you to solve
These questions evaluate things such as the values and
interests that drive your behaviour. Understanding your
personal attributes will help an employer assess whether
you are a good match for the role. For example, if you are
very social, like working with groups of people and have a lot
going on, you are unlikely to be happy working alone or in a
very subdued environment.
These 'self report questionnaires' look at tendencies or past
behaviours, to predict how you might behave in the future.
The results give a profile of your strengths, your values, your
working style, your preferences, maybe even how you
respond to conflict or stress.
How can I do my best?
To ensure that you do your best in the test, you can access online simulations. But remember that it is
important to give your first natural response to the questions. That way, you can be sure that it gives a true
reflection of your likes and dislikes.

It is important that you do not try to guess what answer the employer may be looking for, as this can make
the test invalid.

Useful websites
Numeric

eFinancialcareers.com.au
http://www.efinancialcareers.com.au/numerical_test.htm

Maths Centre
http://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/

Verbal and Numeric Reasoning

SHL Practice Test

http://www.shldirect.com/en/practice-tests/

ACER
http://www.acer.edu.au/tests/gsa/test-reports

Kenexa (timed test)

https://www.kenexa.com/Solutions/Assessments

Personality Questionnaire

SHL
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JobRatings