Psychometric Tests

Why are they used?

Psychometric tests are an important part of the graduate recruitment selection process that are increasingly being used by employers alongside application forms, interviews and assessment centres to test applicants.

Used by employers to measure applicant skill levels or to confirm that applicants have the personal qualities required to succeed in the job.

Psychometric Tests

Sample Deloitte

Sample Graduate Recruitment Process

Types of Test

Aptitude tests

Designed to measure your numeracy, verbal reasoning and diagrammatic spatial awareness abilities.

These are normally timed but it is important to get the balance between speed and accuracy as negative marking can be used so don’t guess answers under pressure.

Personality questionnaires

Ask you about how you would handle certain situations. There is no right or wrong answer but these should always be answered honestly in order to give a true representation of yourself.

Critical thinking tests

Assess your ability to achieve conclusions based on your analysis and evaluation of the information provided. Such tests can be common for eg legal graduate recruitment.

Be aware

Tests are normally timed and you are required to attain a certain score to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.

Applicants with a disability are advised to contact the recruiting organisation if they require additional support in advance of completing a selection test. If you feel your disability would not allow you to complete the test on an equal basis to a non disabled candidate please contact the recruiter to see if adjustments could be made eg extra time or adjustment of passmark.

Practice

You would normally be informed in advance of the test and given examples of the type of test so that you can practice.

It is important to familiarise yourself with these and practice these in advance of the real thing.

Further Examples can be found on the Careers website and

Profiling for Success – specifically for QUB students (login codes required) For codes email careers@qub.ac.uk

Critical Thinking tests free to download on Apple to Iphone/pad ‘Think –O-Meter’

Employer Specific Examples

PWC

Civil Service Faststream

Hogan Lovells

If you are concerned about your numerical or literature ability the Learning Development Service at QUB can help. Practice tests to improve these skills can be accessed at http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/learning/

Careers, Employability and Skills can help you to plan andprepare for any stages of the Graduate RecruitmentProcess.

Book an appointment with your School Careers Adviser orlook out for further workshops at www.qub.ac.uk/careers