Have you ever been requested to take a psychometric exam as part of a hiring process and had anxiety about it? May be, you might have approached it with ease but a majority of strong candidates fear psychometric tests due to various reasons. As you may know, many employers favour psychometric testing because of their objectivity and ability to predict employee performance. They are an excellent instrument that can produce an extremely accurate representation of a person’s traits, skills, and method of functioning because they will evaluate you on a deeper level than a mere knowledge test.
Even if the majority of these examinations don’t have ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers, there are ways to get accustomed to the format and question types. It’s actually fairly easy to get ready for a psychometric test; all you need to do is make sure your abilities, personality, and skills are appropriately displayed. It’s not about attempting to figure out the correct way to respond to a test. Instead, it’s about providing employers with a truthful view of who you are as a person and what qualifies you for a certain position. Below, you will find some important tips to master psychometric tests with confidence.
Knowing the test
Psychometric testing can assist a prospective employer in better understanding your knowledge, talents, and personality as they relate to the position they are hiring for. There are still some more traditional paper-based techniques utilised, but the majority are timed online submissions. They are typically employed in the initial stages of candidate screening to make sure you fit the essential criteria of the organisation before moving on to the next step of recruitment. You should keep in mind that there are no actual “bad” answers on these tests; rather, they serve as a recruitment tool to help companies find candidates who are the best fit for the open position.
Understanding the test categories
Verbal reasoning, situational judgement, numerical reasoning, and diagrammatical reasoning are just a few of the aptitude-based skill sets that are covered in the first category, aptitude testing. The second method, behavioural testing, looks into your predisposition for specific behaviours in social encounters. Since we alter our behaviour to fit the demands of various roles or situations, it is more malleable than personality. Your ability to comprehend and control emotion is measured in the final category of testing, called emotional intelligence. The four pillars of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management are often its foundation.
Learning about your employer’s test
Now that you are more knowledgeable about psychometric exams, your first step should be to learn which ones your prospective company uses. For instance, it makes little sense to practise your diagrammatic reasoning if the test will focus on numerical reasoning. After that, think about how the employer might be evaluating you. Is it your personality and how that aligns with the values of the company? Your capacity for quick learning? Your analysis of the circumstances? By being aware of this, you can prepare yourself for success on test day.
Getting accustomed with the test
Your verbal reasoning, logical thinking, or numerical skills are tested on aptitude exams, and with these, practise really does make perfect. You can raise your score by practising these kinds of exams. The preparation process for personality and emotional intelligence exams is a little more difficult. However, you can practise with them to get more accustomed to them and practise answering the kinds of questions you might be asked. Whatever the test type, practising is always advisable. Learning common questions and formats can give you an advantage over your rivals. More significantly, it will support you in achieving a calmer, more certain condition so that you may present your best self.
Setting a clear frame of mind
It’s crucial to enter the exam room with a clear, peaceful, and open frame of mind. On the surface, staying up late the night before a practise session could seem like a smart idea. But you’ll probably end up exhausted and ill-equipped to showcase your abilities. Not to mention, it could make you anxious and question if you’ve done enough to pass the test. Try to practise instead ahead of time. Next, get to bed early and eat healthily before the test. Make a peaceful setting for yourself so that you can prepare for the test by being well-rested and at ease.
Managing your time prudently
Every psychometric exam has a time limit and is made to be nearly impossible to complete. Be at ease, though! The easy questions on the test are graded just as highly as the difficult ones, so you don’t have to answer them all to achieve a good score. Work your way through, completing all the simple questions you can, keeping in mind how far along you need to be at various times in time. You can always go back and finish the more challenging questions if you have time.
Requesting reasonable adjustments
You can request reasonable adjustments if you have a disability that would impair your ability to perform on the test. This ensures the testing procedure is impartial. Adaptations may involve having screen reading software available, having additional time to finish the test etc. As soon as the company asks you to take a test, get in touch with them to make sure these improvements are completed.
In conclusion, getting ready for your psychometric test in advance can help a lot. Be aware of the position you are looking for, the kind of testing you may encounter, and allow adequate time for preparation. If you show up composed, you’ve done everything in your power to offer the best “you” for the job.