Psychometric Tests

Psychometric tests are one measure by which employers can discriminate between individuals in the selection process. Sometimes, online tests are used at the start of the process to pre-select suitable candidates. However, in most cases the results will form only part of the selection process and will be interpreted together with all the other information collected about you.

Applications talks and DVDs

We have a number of talks and DVDs to help you prepare for psychometric tests.

Information Resources - Applications and interviews

We have a large number of books in the Careers Service to help you. Most of them are available to borrow for a week at a time.

There are two types of psychometric test.

• Aptitude/skills tests. Depending on the type of job you are applying for, these tests can include numerical or verbal reasoning, spatial awareness and diagrammatical reasoning. They are often taken under timed conditions and the examiner will expect you to attain a certain score as part of the selection process.
• Personality questionaire. The employer will be looking for certain personal qualities required for the job. There are no right or wrong answers here, what may suit one job will not necesarily suit another.

Some employers value their use highly and use them regularly - others use them rarely, or never. Any employer who is likely to use them should give you notice, and prior to any testing session will probably send you practice examples.

Generally speaking, organisations use them to:

• measure a talent/skill or the potential to acquire it.
• establish or confirm an applicant's competence for a job.
• measure the intellectual capacity for logical thinking and reasoning.
• compare objectively one candidate's performance with norm levels for a similar population.
• reliably predict how well an individual is likely to perform in the job.
• check an applicants personality is compatible with the job.

Profiling for success

The Careers Service provides University of Sheffield students and graduates with free access to `Profiling for Success´, an online assessment package, comprising three practice aptitude tests (abstract, numerical and verbal reasoning), and two personality type indicators. For each assessment you take, you receive an email with information on your results and helpful feedback. Go to Profiling for Success via the right-hand menu.

If you think that you are likely to encounter some form of psychometric testing when you are job hunting it is wise to be as prepared as possible. You may wish to try the following websites; many of them contain practice tests.

• British Psychological Society - Access a range of tests by clicking on "Test Takers" and the "Work".
• Cubiks Online Assessment - for practice questions on numeracy & verbal tests.
• Civil Service Faststream - guidance for candidates taking the Civil Service test.
• Keirsey Temperament Sorter - personality tests. Not really aptitude tests but useful insight into work styles etc.
• SHL Direct - Practice Aptitude Tests, covering verbal, numerical and diagrammatic reasoning.
• Targetjobs Careers Report - free to use careers resources, including practice aptitude tests with feedback.
• Team Focus - a free sample set of Numerical, Verbal and Abstract Reasoning questions with a report on your results.