Psychometrics-Tests-HR

PSYCHOMETRIC TESTS
Introduction:
Psychometric tests have been used since the early part of the 20th century and were
originally developed for use in educational psychology. These days, outside of
education, you are most likely to encounter psychometric testing as part of the
recruitment or selection process. Tests of this sort are devised by occupational
psychologists and their aim is to provide employers with a reliable method of
selecting the most suitable job applicants or candidates for promotion.
Psychometric tests aim to measure attributes like intelligence, aptitude and
personality. They provide a potential employer with an insight into how well you
work with other people, how well you handle stress, and whether you will be able to
cope with the intellectual demands of the job.
Most of the established psychometric tests used in recruitment and selection make
no attempt to analyze your emotional or psychological stability and should not be
confused with tests used in clinical psychology. However, in recent years there has
been rapid growth (particularly in the US) of tests that claim to measure your
integrity or honesty and your predisposition to anger. These tests have attracted a
lot of controversy, because of questions about their validity, but their popularity with
employers has continued to increase.
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Psychometric testing is now used by over 80% of the Fortune 500 companies in the
USA and by over 75% of the Times Top 100 companies in the UK. Information
technology companies, financial institutions, management consultancies, local
authorities, the civil service, police forces, fire services and the armed forces all
make extensive use of use psychometric testing.
As an indicator of your personality, preferences and abilities, psychometric tests can
help prospective employers to find the best match of individual to occupation and
working environment. As a recruitment and selection tool, these tests can be applied
in a straightforward way at the early stages of selection to screen-out candidates
who are likely to be unsuitable for the job. They can also provide management with
guidance on career progression for existing employees.
Because of their importance in making personnel decisions it is vital that the tests
themselves are known to produce accurate results based on standardized methods
and statistical principles.
A psychometric test must be:





Objective: The score must not affected by the testers’ beliefs or values
Standardized: It must be administered under controlled conditions
Reliable: It must minimize and quantify any intrinsic errors
Predictive: It must make an accurate prediction of performance
Non Discriminatory: It must not disadvantage any group on the basis of
gender, culture, ethnicity, etc.
Psychometric tests fall into two main categories. Personality Questionnaires, which
try to measure aspects of your personality, and Aptitude and Ability tests which try
to measure your intellectual and reasoning abilities.
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Personality Questionnaires
Personality has a significant role to play in deciding whether you have the
enthusiasm and motivation that the employer is looking for. It also determines how
well you are going to fit in to the organization, in terms of your personality, attitude
and general work style? In most working situations it’s the personalities of the
people involved that affect the day-to-day success of the organization. If a manager
can’t motivate their staff or the team doesn't work well together, then quality of
service and productivity will suffer.
There have also been significant changes in the past 20 years in the way that
organizations operate. For example, management styles tend to be less autocratic
and there are usually fewer levels of management than there were. The move
towards more knowledge based and customer focused jobs means that individuals
have more autonomy even at fairly low levels within organizations. In addition, most
organizations expect to undergo frequent changes in the way that they operate in
order to remain competitive. All of these factors have contributed to your personality
being seen as more important now than it was in the past.
The companies that produce personality tests and the human resources staff who
use them invariably refer to these tests as personality ‘questionnaires’ rather than
‘tests’. This is done to avoid giving the impression that there are right and wrong
answers and that the test can be either passed or failed. Obviously, no one type of
personality is necessarily better or worse than any other. However, remember that
you are being given this test for a reason, the employer is plainly looking for
something otherwise they would not be investing time and money on the testing
process.
How is Personality Measured
Psychologists define personality as:
“The particular pattern of behavior and thinking that prevails across time and
contexts, and differentiates one person from another.”
In trying to understand these behavior patterns, psychologists attempt to identify
and measure individual personality characteristics, often called personality traits.
A personality trait is assumed to be some enduring characteristic that is relatively
constant. This is opposed to the present temperament of that person which is not
necessarily a stable characteristic. Consequently, trait theories are specifically
focused on explaining the more permanent personality characteristics that
differentiate one individual from another. For example, things like being;
dependable, trustworthy, friendly, cheerful, etc.
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Modern personality theory is a relatively new field and really began in the 1920’s.
There have been many attempts to define personality traits and some psychologists
have developed models with hundreds of traits. Whilst others believe that there are
as few as three. In 1990, the psychologists Costa & McCrae published details of a '5
trait' model. This has received significant support from other research and is now
widely accepted among psychologists. These 5 aspects of personality are referred to
as the 5-factors or sometimes just ‘the Big 5’.
Each of these 5 personality traits describes, relative to other people, the frequency
or intensity of a person's feelings, thoughts, or behaviors. Everyone possesses all 5
of these traits to a greater or lesser degree. For example, two individuals could be
described as ‘agreeable’ (agreeable people value getting along with others). But
there could be significant variation in the degree to which they are both agreeable.
These 5 traits/factors are:
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Extraversion
How
“energetic”
one
is.
People who score high on this factor like to work in cooperation with others,
are talkative, enthusiastic and seek excitement. People who score low on this
factor prefer to work alone, and can be perceived as cold, difficult to
understand, even a bit eccentric.
Agreeableness - One’s level of orientation towards other people.
Those who score high on this factor are usually co-operative, can be
submissive, and are concerned with the well-being of others. People who
score low on this factor may be challenging, competitive, sometimes even
argumentative.
Conscientiousness
How
“structured”
one
is.
People who score high on this factor are usually productive and disciplined
and “single tasking”. People who score low on this factor are often less
structured, less productive, but can be more flexible, inventive, and capable
of multitasking.
Neuroticism
Tendency
to
worry.
People who score low on this factor are usually calm, relaxed and rational.
They may sometimes be perceived as lazy and incapable of taking things
seriously. People who score high on this factor are alert, anxious, sometimes
worried.
Openness to Experience - Tendency to be speculative and
imaginative.
People who score high on this factor are neophile and curious and sometimes
unrealistic. People who score low on this factor are down-to-earth and
practical and sometimes obstructive of change.
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All 5 personality traits exist on a continuum rather than as attributes that a person
does or does not have. Each of these 5 traits is made up 6 facets, which can be
measured independently.
Personality Factor
Facets
Extraversion
Friendliness
Gregariousness
Assertiveness
Activity Level
Excitement-Seeking
Cheerfulness
Agreeableness
Trust
Morality
Altruism
Cooperation
Modesty
Sympathy
Conscientiousness
Self-Efficacy
Orderliness
Dutifulness
Achievement-Striving
Self-Discipline
Cautiousness
Neuroticism
Anxiety
Anger
Depression
Self-Consciousness
Immoderation
Vulnerability
Openness to experience
Imagination
Artistic Interests
Emotionality
Adventurousness
Intellect
Liberalism
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When thinking about personality traits it is important to ignore the positive or
negative associations that these words have in everyday language. For example,
Agreeableness is obviously advantageous for achieving and maintaining popularity.
Agreeable people are better liked than disagreeable people. On the other hand,
agreeableness is not useful in situations that require tough or totally objective
decisions. Disagreeable people can make excellent scientists, critics, or soldiers.
How Personality Profiles are Used
It is quite possible to come up with slightly different definitions of the big 5 traits and
to attach more importance to some of the facets than to others. This is an area that
lends itself to endless debate and keeps many academic psychologists in work. As
well as providing lively academic argument, it also enables companies in the
personality testing field to differentiate their products from those of their
competitors.
For example, you may come across personality tests like the ‘16 Personality Factor
Questionnaire’ or the ‘Occupational Personality Inventory’ which measures 32
personality traits. These tests do not measure the big 5 traits plus others. They are
simply measuring facets or sub-traits of the big 5 and according them more or less
emphasis, depending on the particular viewpoint of the test designer.
An example personality profile is shown below.
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It is important to remember that low, average, and high scores on a personality trait
questionnaire are neither intrinsically good nor bad. A particular level on any trait will
probably be neutral or irrelevant for most activities, helpful for accomplishing some
things, and detrimental for accomplishing others. As with any personality inventory,
scores and descriptions can only approximate your actual personality. Whilst all of
this may be true, in the real world your test results will have a significant influence
on your chances of being employed.
Your profile is no use to employers unless they have some way of knowing how your
profile compares to the requirements of performing well in a particular role. Before
the results can be used to select suitable candidates for a particular job, results of
similar questionnaires must be produced in the population as a whole and also for
those people already working successfully in the relevant job.
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Testing for Honesty, Integrity, Stress and Anger
In addition to the Big 5, there are other personality traits that are of particular
interest to employers. People applying for jobs in retail, banking, or the security
services industries are often asked to take an integrity test which claims to predict if
they will lie, cheat, or steal on the job. These tests are administered by an estimated
6,000 US organizations and taken by as many as 5 million people each year. These
tests may be either self-contained or the questions may form part of a general
personality questionnaire.
Stress is often defined as ‘anger turned inwards’ and is implicated in a long list of
medical conditions from migraines to heart attacks. It is also a precursor to
‘workplace rage’ which along with ‘road rage’ and ‘air rage’ is rapidly increasing.
Employee illness and violence are very expensive from an employer’s point of view
and questions aimed at screening out stressed or angry candidates are finding their
way into personality questionnaires.
Personality Questionnaires and Diversity
The modern workforce is made up of people from a diverse array of ethnic and
cultural groups, including many persons for whom English is not the primary
language. Some of these individuals may experience difficulty on standardized tests
due to cultural differences or lack of mastery of the English language. Depending on
the nature of the job for which they are applying, this could mean that their test
scores will not accurately predict their true job potential.
Testing People with Disabilities
These situations must be handled with professionalism and sensitivity. Properly
handled, this can be accomplished without compromising the integrity of the
assessment process. Accommodation may involve ensuring physical accessibility to
the test site, modifying test equipment or tests, or providing other forms of
assistance. Giving extra time for certain kinds of tests to test takers with dyslexia or
other learning disabilities and administering a braille version of a test for the blind
may be examples of reasonable accommodation.
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Aptitude and Ability Tests
Aptitude and ability tests are designed to assess your logical reasoning or thinking
capabilities. They consist of a number of multiple choice questions and are strictly
timed.
You may be asked to answer the questions either on paper or online. The advantages
of online testing include immediate availability of results and the test can be taken at
an employment agency or even at home. This makes online testing particularly
suitable for initial screening as it is very cost-effective.
Aptitude and ability tests can be classified as speed tests or power tests. In speed
tests the questions are relatively straightforward and the test is concerned with how
many questions you can answer correctly in the allotted time. These tests tend to be
used in selection at the administrative and clerical level. A power test on the other
hand will present a smaller number of more complex questions and tend to be used
more at the graduate, professional or managerial level.
There are at least 5000 aptitude and ability tests on the market and every year new
tests are devised and added to the already huge number of tests available. Every
company that produces tests needs to differentiate their own test from those of
other companies. This has produced a bewildering range of test names and
acronyms. However, all of the tests you are likely to come across can be clasified
into six basic types:
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Verbal Ability Tests
These include questions which test your ability to spell words correctly, use correct
grammar, understand analogies and follow detailed written instructions. These tests
are widely used since most jobs require you either to understand and make decisions
based on verbal or written information or to pass this type of information to others.
In practice, the more straightforward types of question (spelling, grammar and
instructions) tend to be more applicable to administrative roles and the reasoning
and deduction type of questions to management roles.
Numeric Ability Tests
These include questions on basic arithmetic, number sequences and simple
mathematics. This type of test is used to determine your basic numeracy. These
tests are directly applicable to many administrative and clerical jobs but can also
appear as a component of graduate and managerial tests. In more complex data
interpretation and numerical critical reasoning questions, blocks of information are
provided that require manipulation and interpretation. Sometimes these questions
are designed to approximate the type of reasoning required in the workplace.
Abstract Reasoning Tests
These tests are based on diagrams and measure your ability to identify the
underlying logic of a pattern and then determine the solution. Abstract reasoning
tests are thought to give the best indication of your general intelligence and are very
widely used. These tests are of particular value when selecting people for technical
jobs which involve working with abstract ideas or concepts. However, as they also
provide the best measure of your general intellectual ability, you will usually find
some questions of this type whichever particular tests you are given.
Spatial Reasoning Tests
These tests measure your ability to manipulate shapes in two dimensions or to
visualize three-dimensional objects presented as two-dimensional pictures. Spatial
ability is required in production, technical and design jobs where plans and drawings
are used, for example; engineering, architecture, surveying and design. It is also
important in some branches of science where the ability to envisage the interactions
of 3 dimensional components is essential.
Spatial ability questions often involve the visual assembly and the disassembly of
objects that have been rotated or which are viewed from different angles or objects
that have different markings on their surfaces.
Mechanical Reasoning Tests
These tests are designed to assess your knowledge of physical and mechanical
principles. For example, pulleys, levers, simple electrical circuits etc. Questions are in
the form of a question and a diagram and you will need to determine which
mechanical principle is being illustrated. No specialist knowledge is required to
answer these questions, only an understanding of the principles. Mechanical
reasoning tests are used to select for a wide range of apprentice and engineering
occupations.
Data Checking Tests
These tests present you with number of tables of information which must be checked
against each other. This type of test is used to measure how quickly and accurately
errors can be detected in data. It is used to select candidates for clerical and data
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input jobs, particularly where accuracy is important, for example, accounting and
banking. In these tests you will usually be given two columns of data to check for
consistency and you will be asked to mark up any differences.
Aptitude & Ability Tests - Speed versus Power
Aptitude and ability tests are classified as maximum performance tests as they test
what you can achieve when you are making maximum effort. The types of question
you can expect will depend on which aptitudes and abilities are needed in the job
you are applying for. There are two different styles of maximum performance test.
In a speed test the scope of the questions is limited and the methods you need to
use to answer them is clear from the form of the question. Taken individually, the
questions appear relatively straightforward. These tests are concerned with how
many questions you can answer correctly in the allotted time. A power test on the
other hand will present a smaller number of more complex questions. The methods
you need to use to answer these questions are not obvious, and working out how to
answer the question is the difficult part. Once you have determined this, arriving at
the correct answer is usually relatively straightforward.
These speed and power definitions apply only to maximum performance tests like
aptitude and ability tests and not to personality questionnaires. In general, if you do
well in speed tests then you will do well in power tests as well.
How Your Aptitude Test Results are Interpreted
There are two distinct methods that employers use to interpret your scores.
In criterion-referenced tests, your test score is not compared to that of other
candidates but relates solely to your degree of competence in the specific area
assessed. This type of assessment is generally associated with achievement testing
and certification.
In norm-referenced test interpretation, your scores are compared with an
appropriate norm group. This is done by comparing the educational level,
occupation, language cultural background and other demographic characteristics of
the individuals making up the test group and the norm group to ensure their
similarity.
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Whenever you take a psychometric test either as part of the selection process or as a
practice exercise you will usually see your results presented in terms of numerical
scores.
These may be; raw scores, standard scores, percentile scores, Z-scores, T-scores or
stens and in order to interpret your scores properly, you need to understand what
these mean and how they are derived.
The most important concept to grasp is that of the percentile score. This is the score
most often used by organizations when comparing your score with that of other
candidates. It has the advantage of being easily understood and percentiles are very
widely used when reporting results to managers.
To calculate your percentile score, your raw score is converted to a number
indicating the percentage of the test group who scored below you. For example, a
score at the 60th percentile means that your score is the same as or higher than the
scores of 60% of those who took the test.
Aptitude tests have relatively few questions and the people sitting a particular test
tend to be from a similar group in terms of their education and background. As a
result, the scores tend to cluster quite tightly around the average. This combination
of few questions, clustering and the use of percentiles has important implications for
you as a job candidate. A small improvement in your actual score will result in a big
improvement to your percentile score.
To illustrate this point, consider a typical aptitude test consisting of 50 questions.
Most of the candidates, who are a fairly similar group in terms of their educational
background and achievements, will score around 40. Some will score a few less and
some a few more. It is very unlikely that any of them will score less than 35 or more
than 45.
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Looking at these results in terms of percentiles is a very poor way of analyzing them
and no experienced statistician would ever use percentiles on this type of data.
However, nine times out of ten this is exactly what happens to these test results and
a difference of three or four extra marks can take you from the 30th to the 70th
percentile. This is why preparing for these tests is so worthwhile as even small
improvements in your results can make you appear a far superior candidate.
The Assessment Center
An 'Assessment Center' does not refer to a location, but to a process which is being
increasingly used by organizations to assess staff, either as part of the recruitment
process or for internal promotion. The Assessment Center involves a set of varied
exercises which are designed to simulate different aspects of the work environment.
It can be usefully defined as ‘A method for assessing aptitude and performance;
applied to a group of participants by trained assessors using various aptitude
diagnostic processes in order to obtain information about applicants' abilities or
development potential.’
Assessment Centers are usually used after the initial stages of the selection process,
because of the large amount of time and expense in conducting them, and usually
follow the initial job interview. Other measurements such as psychological tests may
complement the selection process. They are commonly held either on employers’
premises or in a hotel and are considered by many organizations to be the fairest
and most accurate method of selecting staff. This is because a number of different
selectors get to see you over a longer period of time and have the chance to see
what you can do, rather than what you say you can do.
Assessment Centers are seen as one of the most effective ways of identifying top
candidates who'll get on well with others and fit in with the organizations culture.
According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's ‘Recruitment,
Retention and Turnover 2004 Survey’, 34 per cent of employers now use assessment
Centers when recruiting managers, professionals and graduates. This figure will
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inevitably grow as organizations seek to make more accurate selection and
promotion decisions.
The most common type of Assessment Center exercises include:
During each exercise, a group of observers will rate you on a range of set indicators,
using a prescribed performance scale. Results are then cross compared against the
same indicators, which are measured in other tests. Following test completion,
observers meet to discuss the test results and reach a group consensus about your
ratings.
Assessment Centers may be conducted by HR personnel within the employer
company or by outside consultants. They are highly structured in their design,
application, and assessment procedure and are specifically adapted to assess factors
such as your level of skills, aptitude and compatibility with the organization's culture.
Each test measures a range of indicators within these factors.
In Tray Exercises
If you are asked to do an in-tray exercise, you may be asked to assume a particular
role as an employee of a fictitious company and work through a pile of
correspondence in your in-tray. These tests commonly measure job skills such as:
ability to organize and prioritize work; analytical skills; communication with team
members and customers; written communication skills; and delegation.
You will be judged on how well you can: handle complex information, determine
priorities, make decisions within time limits, display sensitivity to potential problems
and communicate clearly. Try to imagine that you are at work doing the described
duties, rather than just completing a test, but make sure that the reasons for your
actions are clear and documented - even if this is just a note in the margin.
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Presentations
These presentations need to be kept fairly short as the same assessors will usually
observe all of the candidates in order to make sure that the assessment is fair.
You will usually be given a topic or possibly a choice of topics in advance and will
also be told the duration of the presentation, usually around ten minutes with five
minutes at the end for questions. You can also expect to receive a list of the
presentation equipment that is available, usually an OHP.
Group Discussion Exercises
Group exercises involve candidates working together as a team, to resolve a
presented issue.
These exercises commonly measure interpersonal skills such as group leadership,
teamwork, negotiation, and group problem solving skills. Group exercises may range
from 'leaderless group discussion' formats to problem solving scenarios.
Panel Interview
This may be either a panel or with one interviewer, or sometimes a series of
interviews with different assessors. Interviews at this stage are likely to be more indepth than those you experienced during the first stages of selection and could be
with someone from the department to which you are applying or even with a
potential future colleague. Questions may refer back to your first interview, to
assessment center activities or to aptitude or personality test results.
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Role Play Exercise
You will usually be asked to assume a fictitious role and handle a particular work
situation. Role Plays usually use professional actors who are clearly briefed about
their role and how to respond when you take a particular approach. A role play
exercise allows the assessors to see if you can play the role that is necessary to
address the situation they have created.
You may need to make a conscious effort to overcome your natural responses in
these exercises. For example, the assessors are looking to see whether you can
exhibit sensitivity or toughness in those situations that require it, not whether you
are a naturally sensitive or tough person.
The Assessment Center Experience
While the Assessment Center process is intensive and commonly viewed as stressful,
it does provides additional opportunities for those who feel that they are not able to
demonstrate their abilities fully during an interview. Assessment centers also enable
you to obtain a first-hand idea of what the employer expects, and will provide
opportunities for you to interact with other participants during group exercises.
Many candidates underachieve on the day as they are unsure of what to expect. At
the very least you need to have good background knowledge of the sector, the
organization and its products and services. Creating the right impression when
everyone else is attempting to do the same can be difficult. Just remember that the
observers are usually looking for candidates who show evidence of being team
players and fully commit to the tasks they are set. Be adaptable in your thinking and
recognize other candidates' good ideas but remember that talking people round to
your point of view will demonstrate good communication skills provided that it is
done in a positive and inclusive way. Above all, remain positive, team oriented and
focused on the task.
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Why are Selection Tests So Widely Used?
The recruitment process is extremely expensive and time-consuming. If an
organization selects the wrong candidate then the potential costs are extremely
high. No matter how unsuitable a person may be, once they have been employed
employment legislation makes it both expensive and risky for organizations to fire
people. Employee rights and the real risk of expensive litigation make it a vital to
choose the right candidate at the outset.
Resume’s and application forms show a work history, and whilst the places and dates
of employment are usually accurate, there is a strong motivation to exaggerate
responsibilities and achievements. The exact details of which are difficult for the
potential employer to check. There is also the problem of a growing industry in both
books and online businesses which offer ‘help’ in writing the perfect resume. Whilst
candidates who have gone too far in talking-up their achievements and abilities will
usually be caught out at the interview stage, this is a very expensive and time
consuming process for the organization which is recruiting.
There is some debate as to whether educational achievements have become debased
in the past few years. However, even if this argument is ignored, the number of
courses and qualifications has grown rapidly in recent years and it is not always clear
what a particular qualification means in terms of abilities.
The interview process has shortcomings since the candidate needs only to prepare
for a short and relatively predictable series of questions. It is also fairly easy for a
candidate to appear good-natured, motivated and interested for the duration of the
interview. There has also been a significant amount of research over recent years,
which has shown clearly that interviews alone are an unreliable way of selecting the
best candidates. Interviewer bias can act against the interests of the recruiting
organization by excluding the most capable candidate on entirely spurious grounds.
If the bias involves gender, ethnicity, or sexual-orientation and this can be
demonstrated, then the organization will suffer adverse publicity and possibly legal
penalties.
References are notoriously unreliable as previous employers have nothing to gain by
warning a potential employer of an unsuitable candidate. They may be both pleased
to lose the individual from their own organization and afraid of legal redress if they
provide an honest appraisal.
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The Cost of Selection Errors
The costs of selection errors can be broken down under a high number of different
headings. Poor selection for example, more often means high turnover which in turn
increases recruitment costs. Recruitment costs can vary between 10% of salary for
more junior members of staff to 40% for senior managers.
Training of staff is becoming increasingly costly: the cost of training just one air
traffic controller nears $200,000. In certain jobs like fighter pilots, costs have been
estimated at over a million dollars to train each one.
Poor selection will also lead to costs caused by incompetence and lost opportunity.
Incompetence produces pressure and stress on the individual as well as on work
colleagues, loss of profits and loss of future business clients. The overall cost of poor
selection is incalculable but almost certainly equals on average, the annual salary of
the job incumbent – and in many jobs where severance pay is given it will be far
greater than this.
Against the enormous costs of poor selection, the costs of a professionally delivered
testing or assessment service is relatively inexpensive with occupational tests given
individually or to groups of 20 or more candidates, at one ‘sitting’.
The Growth of Psychometric Testing
There is growing evidence indicating that the use of psychometric tests for selection
purposes has increased in recent years. All types of organizations are using tests and
are using more of them. The results of a survey conducted in 2004 across a wide
range of organizations are shown below.
Main
Reason
Additional
Reason
To predict candidates performance
41%
73%
To assess whether candidate will fit-in
34%
67%
To obtain information prior to interview
25%
48%
There are several reasons for the increase in the number of organizations using
tests:
Increased Regulation and Legislation
Increased test use can be seen as a defensive strategy, adopted in response to
regulation and legislation. The single most frequently given reason for increases in
testing was the need to have a selection process which would withstand legal
challenges. Tests offer two advantages in this situation. They can be seen to be
objective measures of how a candidate’s skills align with the ‘competency profile’ for
the job in question. These competency profiles are themselves seen as promoting
access and equality of opportunity as well as reflecting the organizations skill
requirements. Most if not all of the widely used tests have been proven not have
adverse impact on minority groups, and are therefore fully compatible with equal
opportunity policies.
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Test Results Are More Useful Now Than Previously
It is important to understand that the tests themselves have not changed very much
over the past few years. In fact, some widely used personality questionnaires have
been in use for over 30 years. However, the political and cultural environment in
which organizations operate has changed significantly. The difficulty of dismissing
staff means that decisions to hire are seen as increasingly high risk, and the placing
of low-paid staff in customer facing jobs, or with health and safety responsibilities, is
treated with increasing seriousness. In addition, some organizations have expressed
concerns that using qualifications as a criterion for selection may create barriers to
access and be viewed as contravening equal opportunity policies.
Increased Costs of Training Staff
Changes in the economy have raised the cost of training and developing staff. It is a
fact that organizations with larger training expenditures use psychometric testing
more than those with smaller training expenditure. This may be because the cost of
staff development increases the value of all relevant selection information, and in
particular justifies the additional cost of testing.
Testing Costs Have Decreased
Increased test use is a response to the decreasing cost of testing relative to other
methods of selection. In the past few years the cost of ‘buying in’ to psychometric
testing has fallen. This is due to more providers entering the market and to the
increased use of technology, particularly the internet, in administering tests and
assessing the results. Computer-based tests provide more or less instantaneous
scoring and feedback which reduces the need to have sufficient trained assessors
available for results to be fed back into the selection process quickly enough to be
useful.
The Result of More Formal HR Policies
The increase in employment related litigation has encouraged many organizations to
recruit more highly qualified human resources personnel. Who, for reasons of
professional conviction and departmental self-interest, tend to promote more
formalized methods of selection. In addition, HR professionals are familiar with
psychometric tests and tend to believe in their value which further encourages the
use of testing. Psychometric testing also offers some ‘scientific’ credibility and
objectivity to the recruitment process which otherwise can be seen as highly
subjective. Tests also give the interviewer an indication of areas to discuss in detail
at the interview. This can make for more interesting and productive discussions
within interviews concentrating on areas which have been identified.
Loss of confidence in Academic Qualifications
There is strong evidence for of a loss of confidence in school-based formal
qualifications and/or the standard of degrees. This is particularly true among senior
managers in organizations and has been widely reported in the press over the past
ten years or so. Many managers now accept tests as providing up-to-date
information on skills such as quantitative reasoning which complement qualificationbased evidence. Tests are also seen as providing data on a variety of skills which are
not suited to formal certification.
19
Screening Large Numbers of Candidates
Psychometric tests are used so extensively by large organizations because they are a
quick and relatively cheap way of eliminating large numbers of unsuitable candidates
in very early in the recruitment process. Screening out these candidates as soon as
possible, means that the organization can then concentrate more time and effort on
the remainder. From the perspective of human resources, psychometric testing can
reduce the workload considerably as it can replace initial screening interviews which
were traditionally used to shortlist candidates for a more rigorous second interview.
The Future of Psychometric Testing
All of the above factors are likely to encourage further growth in psychometric
testing in the immediate future. No further changes in the external environment are
needed for this to happen: simply the continuing influence of HR departments in a
highly regulated labor market coupled with an increasing number of managers who
are comfortable with tests.
One point of interest is that there remains a significant difference in test usage
between large and small organizations. This was shown clearly by the results of the
Workplace Employee Relations Study (1998) but it is likely that the decreasing costs
associated with administering psychometric tests will see this difference eroded.
10+ Employees
100+
Employees
Personality Questionnaires
19.4%
47.9%
Aptitude/Ability Tests
39.2%
63.2%
All of the surveys of psychometric testing produced over the past 5 years are
consistent in indicating that use has been growing steadily and that test use for
recruitment is now very common and supports a substantial commercial sector of
test creation and processing. This has led directly to more and more specific tests
being produced for use within particular organizations or for particular jobs. As more
of these tests gain recognition and acceptance it is inevitable that psychometric
testing will continue to increase.
What You Can Expect on the Day
Tests usually take place in a dedicated room with desks are laid out in rows and
there may be up to 25 other candidates. You will be provided with all of the materials
you need including pencils and pocket calculators. Increasing you will find yourself in
front of a PC and taking the tests on screen. This is obviously more cost effective for
the employer as the results are available immediately and can be presented along
with a computer generated analysis
Before the test begins you can expect the test administrator to provide a thorough
explanation of what you will be required to do. For example you will be told the type
of tests you will be taking and the duration of each. You will also be given the
opportunity to ask any questions you have before the test begins.
20
The test administrator is will try and make the test as fair as possible for all of the
candidates. For example, if you mark your answers on the wrong answer sheet then
this will be taken into account and you will not lose any marks. You must of course
tell the administrator what has happened at the end of the test.
When the Test Begins





Listen carefully to the instructions and if you don’t understand something then
ask.
If the test is on a PC then make sure that it is working properly.
Read the instructions for each question carefully.
If you are going miss a question then either guess (if you don’t plan to return
to it) or make a mark next to it that you can easily find it later of you have
time.
Pay no attention to how any other candidate is progressing, you have nothing
to gain by knowing whether they are ahead of you and you will undermine
your confidence if they are.
If you have practiced tests in a structured way you will have developed a feel for
your optimum speed through the questions. This is the speed at which you are
making the best compromise between progress and accuracy. This is something that
you will have learned from experience and that is unique to you. Use this knowledge
and do not change your pace even if you feel that you cannot finish the test in the
allotted time.
If you realize partway through the test that you will not finish: Don’t panic, some
tests are designed to be impossible to finish and you will only under-perform if you
deviate from your optimum pace. The only change that you should make is to guess
at questions that you know from experience that you find difficult, as this will give
you more time for those that you are more comfortable with.
If you realize partway through the test that you will finish with time to spare: Do not
deviate from your optimum pace but be sure to mark clearly any questions that you
want to return to in the final minutes of the test, either to check or to attempt to
answer. There is nothing more frustrating than failing to find these questions at the
last minute when taking a second to mark them up at the time would make it easy to
find them.
Preparing Yourself for Selection Tests
Psychometric testing can take place at any stage in the recruitment process.
Although it is usually used to screen candidates prior to the first interview, it can be
used later in the process, for example prior to a second interview.
Some organizations apply psychometric testing in ways that are directly relevant to
the job. For example, you may only have to take numerical reasoning tests if the job
you're applying for requires good numerical skills. However, many organizations use
verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests as a matter of routine irrespective of
the precise demands of the job.
After they have received candidates resume’s the organization will screen them
against the job specification, discarding those where the qualifications or experience
are judged to be insufficient. The remaining candidates will each be sent a letter
21
telling them when and where the psychometric testing will take place and what form
it will take.
The test date is usually set one to two weeks after all of the resumes have been
processed. You will usually receive sample questions, so that you have an idea of the
type of questions used in the test. This is to ensure that everyone has the
opportunity to prepare for the test and that nobody is going to be upset or surprised
when they see the test paper.
You will usually be told the date, time and place of the test. The format, duration and
whether there are any breaks scheduled. The types of test you will be given, any
materials that will be supplied and whether the test is paper based or uses a PC or
palm-top computer.
When you receive this letter, if you have any special requirements you must notify
the test center immediately. This would include disabled access and any eyesight or
hearing disability you may have. Large text versions of the test should be available
for anyone who is visually impaired and provision for written instructions should be
made for anyone with a hearing disability.
In addition, if you are asked to sit a psychometric test as part of the recruitment
process, you should:



Be briefed about the purpose of the test before taking it
Have the results of the test provided to you in a private feedback session
Be informed of organizational policy about distribution and storage of the
results
It is perfectly normal to feel some stress and nervousness when you are told that
you need to take psychometric tests as part of the selection process. This can be a
particular problem if you haven’t taken this type of test before. Most of the
nervousness is simply a fear of the unknown and a feeling that you will ‘let yourself
down’ and that the test will not be a fair reflection of your strengths and abilities.
If you do not act immediately to tackle this stress then its effects will become more
corrosive as the test date gets closer. You may experience physical symptoms such
as a lack of ability to get to sleep and psychological symptoms such as loss of
concentration and mild depression.
The job selection process will always involve an element of stressfulness which is
mostly due to confronting a situation over which you do not have total control. For
example, you cannot predict or influence the personality or behavior of the
interviewer or know in advance which questions you will be asked.
However you can, and probably have already, prepared for the most likely questions.
You can also make educated guesses as to which areas of your resume the
interviewer will concentrate on.
With regard to the psychometric test component of the selection process, your
preparation can and should be far more straightforward. You can influence your
scores in these tests significantly by understanding the question types and practicing
22
them. Not only will this improve your test scores and increase the chance of you
getting to the next stage of the selection process, but by taking positive action you
will tackle the cause of the stress directly.
You will hear a lot of advice for coping with the symptoms of stress and anxiety,
including: relaxation, exercise and visualization. While all of these things can help,
the most effective solution is to take direct action and spend your time practicing
these tests in the most systematic and efficient way possible.
Psychometric Tests and Aptitude Tests - Expert Help & Advice
There are two main types of psychometric tests used by employers as part of their
selection processes; aptitude tests and personality questionnaires.
Aptitude tests measure abilities such as verbal, numerical, or abstract reasoning.
They are always presented in a multiple-choice format and the questions have
definite right and wrong answers. They are strictly-timed and to be successful you
need to work through them as quickly and accurately as possible.
There are at least 5000 aptitude tests which employers can use in the selection process
and new tests are continually being developed and added to the already huge number of
tests available. The companies that sell aptitude tests need to differentiate their own test
from those of their competitors and this has produced a bewildering range of test names
and acronyms. However, all of the tests you are likely to come across when applying for
a job can be classified into six types:
23
Verbal ability: These questions appear in most job selection tests because employers
usually want to know how well you can communicate. The test may include questions on
spelling and word meanings as well as those that require you to understand analogies and
follow detailed written instructions.
These tests usually involve grammar, analogies and following detailed written
instructions. They can also include spelling, sentence completion and comprehension.
Because they depend on understanding the precise meaning of words, idioms and
the structure of the language they discriminate very heavily towards native speakers
of the language in which the test has been developed. If you speak English as a
second language, even if this is at a high standard, you will be significantly
disadvantaged.
You will usually find questions on all of the following:








Spelling
Grammar
Sentence Completion
Analogies
Word Groups
Instructions
Critical Reasoning
Verbal Deductions
These tests are widely used since most jobs require you either to understand and
make decisions based on verbal or written information or to pass this type of
information to others. In practice, the more straightforward types of question
(spelling, grammar and instructions) tend to be more applicable to administrative
roles and the reasoning and deduction type of questions to management roles.
Spelling Questions
Questions where you have to identify incorrectly spelt words are common in all levels
of verbal ability tests. The test designer needs to choose words which are fairly
common and in regular usage but which are often spelt incorrectly. There would be
little point in using obscure words which only a small percentage of candidates could
be expected to know. This means that you will almost certainly have heard of the
word and know its meaning. This requirement to use words which are in everyday
use but which are commonly miss-spelt means that the test designer has a relatively
restricted list of words to choose from.
This makes improving your performance on these spelling questions relatively
straightforward. The free downloadable spelling test on this web site contains the
500 most commonly used words for this type of test. It will take you about an hour
to work through it. This will give you a list of words that you need to learn to spell
correctly. Most people end up with a list of 50 to 100 words to learn.
24
Example Questions
1. Which of the following words are incorrectly spelt?
A) separate B) ordnance C) obviously D) sucess E) none of these
2. Choose the pair of words that best completes the sentence
The -------- of the timetable caused some ---------A) rivision
A) inconvenience
B) revision
B) inconvenince
C) revission
C) inconveneince
D) revition
D)inconvenience
3. The following list of 20 words contains 10 that are incorrectly spelt. Write the
letter that corresponds to each incorrectly spelt word in the answer box
A) occurence
B) dissipate
C) weird
D) accommodate
E) embarassment
F) ecstacy
G) repetition
H) batallion
I) dispair
J) irritable
K) accidently
L) liaison
M) memento
N) millenium
O) yield
P) existance
Q) independent
R) insistant
S) excede
T) privilege
Answers
1. D
2. B A
3. A E F H I K N P R S
In most cases the longer that you have been out of the education system the more
your spelling will have deteriorated. Most people now use word processors with
inbuilt spell-checking software and it is very easy to forget how words are spelt as
we don’t physically write them down and often rely on the software to correct them
for us. Many people find it quite embarrassing when they realize how much their
spelling has deteriorated – this is one area where remedial action is straightforward
and is guaranteed to produce positive results.
25
Missing Word Questions
These questions are designed to measure your vocabulary, specifically your
understanding of precise word meanings. You will usually be offered a choice of four
or five words, any of which could complete the sentence. These questions are
relatively straightforward but because more than one of the options will complete the
sentence satisfactorily you must read it carefully and choose the best word.
Example Questions
4. Which of these words completes the sentence in the way that makes most sense?
A spirit-level should be used to ensure that the surface is ----------A) straight
B) flat
C) horizontal
D) parallel
E) aligned
5. Which of these words completes the sentence in the way that makes most sense?
He avoided --------- because he was -----------A) redundency
B) indispensable
C) redundancy
D) indispensible
6. Which of these words completes the sentence in the way that makes most sense?
The plan must be --------- to make the project -----------A) feasible
B) revised
C) rivised
D) feasable
Answers
4. C
5. C B
6. B A
Related Word Questions
To answer these word relationship questions you need to understanding of precise
meaning of the words in the question and establish what exactly the relationship is
between them. You should then look at the answer options and decide which one is
the most appropriate. These questions test your reasoning ability as well as your
vocabulary.
Example Questions
7. Which of these is the missing word?
kick, -----------, walk
A) throw
B) toes
C) shin
D) feet
E) hand
26
8. Which of these is the missing word?
key, -----------, walk
A) lock
B) stand
C) board
D) fob
E) stone
9. Which of these is the missing word?
water, -----------, over
A) ice
B) drive
C) wet
D) flow
E) fall
Answers
7. D – Feet are used for both kicking and walking.
8. C – Board forms the words ‘keyboard’ and ‘boardwalk’
9. E – Fall forms ‘waterfall’ and ‘fall over’
There will usually be more than one possible answer, so it is important to read the
question carefully and pick the best option.
Synonym and Antonym Questions
These are words which have either the same or opposite meanings. Once again,
these word meaning questions test your vocabulary – you need to know the precise
meaning of the words given in order to select the appropriate synonym (same
meaning) or antonym (opposite meaning).
Example Questions
10. Which of two of these words are opposite in meaning?
A) lose
B) winner
C) victor
D) loser
E) vanquish
11. Which of these words is the odd one out?
A) swindle B) harass
C) provoke
D) annoy
E) pester
12. Which of these words is the odd one out?
A) verify
B) authenticate C) confirm
D) ask
E) substantiate
Answers
10. B D – are exact opposites.
11. A – The others are synonyms
12. D – The others are synonyms
27
Word Pair Questions
Firstly, you need to establish the relationship between the ‘X is to Y’ words before
you can arrive at the answer. Some people find it helpful to mentally express the
relationship before they look at the answer options. This can short circuit the process
of considering and rejecting each option because you know in advance exactly what
you are looking for.
Example Questions
13. Dog is to canine as wolf is to --------A) vulpine
B) ursine
C) piscine
D) bovine
E) lupine
14. Sadness is to happiness as defeat is to --------A) joy
B) victory
C) tears
D) victor
E) none of these
D) animal
E) leather
15. Paper is to timber as --------- is to hide
A) tree
B) seek
C) ox
Answers
13. E – lupine means ‘relating to the characteristics of wolves’
14. B – The word pairs are opposites
15. E – Paper is made from timber, leather is made from hide
Comprehension Questions
These questions consist of a short passage and some related questions. They will
often be about a topic which is unfamiliar to you, but this is an advantage rather
than a disadvantage because you need to answer the questions based only on the
information that you are given – not using any knowledge that you already have.
Most people find that the best way to tackle these verbal comprehension questions is
to scan the text fairly quickly to get the general idea and then to attempt each
question in turn, referring back to the appropriate part of the text.
Example Question
16. Read the following short passage and say whether or not the statements are
true.
There are seven species of deer living wild in Britain. The Red Deer and the Roe Deer
are native species. Fallow Deer were introduced by the Romans and, since the
seventeenth century, have been joined by three other non-native species: Sika,
Muntjac and Chinese Water Deer which have escaped from parks. In addition, a herd
of Reindeer was established in Scotland in 1952. Most of the Red Deer in Britain are
found in Scotland, but there are significant wild populations in south-west and northwest England, East Anglia and the north Midlands. Red deer can interbreed with the
introduced Japanese Sika deer and in some areas, hybrids are common.
28
16a. All of the Red Deer in Britain are found in Scotland.
A) true
B) false
C) can’t say
16b. Red Deer can interbreed with Fallow Deer.
A) true
B) false
C) can’t say
16c. The Fallow Deer is not native to Britain.
A) true
B) false
C) can’t say
16d. There are no Reindeer in England.
A) true
B) false
C) can’t say
Answers
16a. B
16b. C*
16c. A
16d. C
*Note that you must answer these verbal comprehension questions using only the
information supplied. Red Deer cannot interbreed with Fallow Deer but, because this
is not stated in the text, you must answer ‘can’t say’ even if you know that the
statement is technically false.
Reasoning Questions
These questions are not concerned with measuring your facility with English. They
are designed to test your ability to take a series of facts expressed in words and to
understand and manipulate the information to solve a specific problem. Verbal
reasoning questions are usually restricted to graduate and management level tests.
Example Question
17. Working together, Tom, Dick and Harry need 9 hours to paint a 400 meter long
fence. Working alone, Tom could complete the task in 18 hours. Dick can not work as
fast and needs 36 hours to paint the fence by himself. If Tom and Dick take the day
off, how long will it take Harry to paint the fence by himself?
A) 9
B) 12
C) 18
D) 36
Answer
17. D – In 9 hours Tom would have painted half of the fence and Dick would have
painted one quarter of it. This leaves one quarter to be painted by Harry who must
therefore work at the same speed as Dick.
29
Summary
Verbal ability tests can be divided into tests of simple verbal ability, for example;
spelling, grammar, synonyms and antonyms etc. These tests usually consist of 30 to
40 questions which need to be completed in 15 to 20 minutes. They are speed tests
in that they don’t require very much reasoning ability. You either know the answer or
you don’t.
Verbal reasoning tests, on the other hand, are designed to measure your problem
solving abilities. These questions may take the form of comprehension exercises,
which are straightforward (as long as you remember to read the relevant part of the
text carefully) or more complex statements where the best tactic is to make notes
about what you can deduce from each part of the text. These tests usually consist of
10 to 15 questions which need to be completed in 20 to 30 minutes and are designed
to test your reasoning ability rather than your facility with the language.
Verbal critical reasoning questions assess your ability to use words in a logical way.
The questions measure your understanding of vocabulary, class membership and the
relationships between words. Some questions measure your ability to perceive and
understand concepts and ideas expressed verbally. While these questions are
designed to measure reasoning ability rather than educational achievement, it is
generally recognized that verbal reasoning test scores are influenced by educational
and cultural background.
Sample Spelling Questions
Sample spelling questions where you have to identify incorrectly spelt words are
common in all levels of verbal ability tests. The test designer needs to choose
commonly misspelled words which are in regular use, as it would be unfair to use
obscure words which only a small percentage of candidates could be expected to
know. This means that the test designer has a relatively restricted list of words to
choose from and you will find that the same words tend to appear in many different
suppliers tests.
30
Sample Spelling Questions
1)
A
missile
B
misile
C
missille
D
misille
2)
A
undoubtedley
B
undoubtedlly
C
undoutedly
D
undoubtedly
3)
A
severly
B
severeley
C
severely
D
severley
4)
A
permisible
B
permissible
C
permissable
D
permisable
5)
A
occasionially
B
occasionally
C
occationally
D
occasionaly
6)
A
guarentee
B
garuantee
C
guarantee
D
garanttee
7)
A
easiley
B
easely
C
easaly
D
easily
8)
A
committee
B
comittee
C
commitee
D
comitee
9)
A
amater
B
amateur
C
amatueur
D
amatuer
10)
A
waether
B
whaether
C
wether
D
weather
11)
A
likely
B
likley
C
likelly
D
likeley
12)
A
impliment
B
implament
C
implement
D
implemment
13)
A
cemetery
B
cemetary
C
cemmetery
D
cemettery
14)
A
miselaneous
B
misellaneous
C
miscelaneous
D
miscellaneous
15)
A
suficient
B
sufficient
C
suffisient
D
sufficeint
31
16)
A
recieve
B
recceive
C
receive
D
resieve
17)
A
opportunity
B
opporttunity
C
oportunity
D
opportunety
18)
A
necessety
B
neccessity
C
necessity
D
necesety
19)
A
collectible
B
collectabel
C
collecteble
D
colectable
20)
A
defendent
B
defendant
C
deffendant
D
deffendent
Answers to sample spelling questions.
Please note that many test suppliers frame their spelling questions in a different way
to those in this practice test. For example:
Choose the pair of words that best completes the sentence.
The -------- of the timetable caused some ----------.
A) rivision
A) inconvenience
B) revision
B) inconvenince
C) revission
C) inconveneince
D) revition
D)inconvenience
However, what is being tested here is your ability to spell these words correctly
rather than anything else. Improving your performance on these spelling questions is
straightforward. The free tests below contain the 300 most commonly used words for
this type of test.
Work through these test papers methodically and make a note of the ones you get
wrong. This will give you a list of words that you need to learn to spell correctly.
32
Sample Word Relationship Questions: Analogies
These questions assess your ability to identify the relationship between words and to then apply
this verbal analogy. For example, you may be given a group of words and asked to identify the
relationship between the words in this group. You can then select the word from the answer
option which best fits with the group.
1)
capital, arch, column
A
pilaster
B
edifice
C
bridge
D
temple
In the example above, capital, arch, column are all architectural features which can be found on
buildings. Answer A is obviously the only word in the answer group which shares these
characteristics.
These types of question appear in nearly all levels of verbal ability tests.
Sample Word Relationship Questions
1)
medicine is to illness as law is to ------A
anarchy
2)
D
etiquette
B
ball
C
pi
D
sphere
C
court
D
trial
C
focus
D
telescope
king is to throne as judge is to ------A
lawyer
4)
C
treason
square is to cube as circle is to ------A
round
3)
B
discipline
B
bench
nib is to pen as lens is to ------A
seeing
B
glass
33
5)
settlement is to injury as pension is to ------A
pensioner
B
maturity
C
retirement
D
age
Instruction: Identify the relationship between the word pair in the question.
Circle the answer where the word pair shown has the most similar relationship.
6)
levee : flood
A
dam : lake
7)
D
water : tide
B
tone : scale
C
noise : waves
D
waves : sound
B
steal : borrow
C
explode : ignite
D
pilfer : steal
B
hand : palm
C
stern : boat
D
cruiser : vessel
B
sound : noise
C
time : lateness
D
blind : light
extort : obtain
A
purify : strain
9)
C
helmet : injury
color : spectrum
A
verse : rhyme
8)
B
armour : helmet
heel : foot
A
beam : ship
10) slight : hurt
A
lag : tardiness
Instruction: Identify the relationship between the word group in the question.
Circle the answer which fits best with the group.
11) barber, florist, draper
A
flower
B
cloth
C
milliner
D
hair
C
urals
D
himalayas
12) alps, pennines, pyrenees
A
rockies
B
dolomites
34
13) throw, volley, sling
A
hurl
B
grab
C
seize
D
catch
B
oak
C
spruce
D
teak
B
nylon
C
linen
D
fur
14) pine, fir, cypress
A
mahogany
15) wool, silk, leather
A
cotton
Answers to Verbal Ability - Word Relationship
1)
4)
7)
10)
13)
A
D
D
A
A
2)
5)
8)
11)
14)
D
C
B
C
C
3)
6)
9)
12)
15)
B
C
C
B
D
Sample Word Meaning Questions
These questions are designed to measure your vocabulary, specifically your understanding of word
meanings. To achieve this, the questions focus on the relationships between words and the
questions are phrased such that you need to know the precise meaning of the words given, in
order to select the correct answer. These types of question appear in all levels of verbal ability
tests.
These questions often use synonyms and antonyms (words which have either the same or
opposite meanings), dictionary definitions and word pairs. Another type of word meaning question
uses words which sound similar but have different meanings. These are called homophones and
an example would be the words 'allude’ and ‘elude’. ‘Allude’ means ‘referred’ and ‘elude’ means
‘escaped from’. Once again, the test designer needs to choose common homophones which are in
regular use and this leaves a relatively restricted list to choose from.
35
Sample Word Meaning Questions
1)
Which word does not have a similar meaning to - outcome
A
affect
2)
C
enervate
D
uplift
B
packed
C
populous
D
populace
B
disparage
C
criticize
D
censure
B
harmonious
C
saturated
D
lucid
B
transitory
C
disconsolate
D
ardent
Which word means - to accumulate; to gather
A
abjure
9)
B
strengthen
Which word means - with passionate or intense feelings
A
temperamental
8)
D
encompass
Which word means - tuneful; compatible; marked by agreement
A
inclusive
7)
C
contain
Which word does not have a similar meaning to - condemn
A
critique
6)
B
cover
Which word does not have a similar meaning to - populated
A
crowded
5)
D
effect
Which word does not have a similar meaning to - energize
A
rejuvenate
4)
C
upshot
Which word does not have a similar meaning to - comprise
A
Compose
3)
B
result
B
assess
C
amass
D
deliberate
Which word means - unjustifiably malicious; immoral; unmanageable
A
wanton
B
diffident
C
barren
D
trite
36
10) Which word means - continuous; eternal; never ceasing
A
indistinct
B
perpetual
C
vigilant
D
imperturbable
11) Choose the word most similar in meaning to - perplex
A
dither
B
affiliate
C
discomfit
D
reiterate
12) Choose the word most similar in meaning to - contradict
A
gainsay
B
oppose
C
disparage
D
tarnish
13) Choose the word most similar in meaning to - argumentative
A
strident
B
confrontational
C
irreverent
D
vociferous
14) Choose the word most similar in meaning to - expedite
A
beckon
B
exterminate
C
disrespect
D
facilitate
15) Choose the word most similar in meaning to - condescend
A
criticize
B
usurp
C
patronize
D
contribute
16) Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to - fecund
A
productive
B
abundant
C
barren
D
unfriendly
17) Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to - tawdry
A
prosperous
B
clean
C
privileged
D
tasteful
18) Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to - pragmatic
A
irrational
B
impractical
C
exuberant
D
realistic
37
19) Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to - absolve
A
condemn
B
pardon
C
free
D
exonerate
20) Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to - exigent
A
strenuous
B
light
C
easy
D
difficult
Answers to Verbal Ability - Word Meaning
1)
4)
7)
10)
13)
16)
19)
A
D
D
B
B
C
A
2)
5)
8)
11)
14)
17)
20)
A
A
C
C
D
D
C
3)
6)
9)
12)
15)
18)
C
B
A
A
C
B
Sample Verbal Comprehension Questions : Instructions
These questions consist of a short passage of text and some related questions. They will often be
about a topic which is unfamiliar to you, but this is an advantage rather than a disadvantage
because you need to answer the questions based only on the information that you are given – not
using any knowledge that you already have.
You should read through each passage and evaluate the statements which follow it according to
these rules below. Remember to answer the questions based only on the information that you are
given.
True - The statement is true given the information in the passage.
False - The statement is false given the information in the passage.
Can’t Say - There is insufficient information to say whether the statement is true or false.
38
These types of question appear in all levels of verbal ability tests but may be more detailed and
technical in graduate and management level tests.
Sample Comprehension Questions
Glaciers begin to form where snow remains year-round and enough of it accumulates to transform
into ice. New layers of snow compress the previous layers and this compression forces the icy
snow to re-crystallize, forming grains similar in size and shape to cane sugar. Gradually the grains
grow larger and the air pockets between the grains get smaller, meaning that the snow slowly
becomes more dense. After about two winters, the snow turns into firn, an intermediate state
between snow and ice. Over time the larger ice crystals become more compressed and even
denser, this is known as glacial ice. Glacial ice, because of its density and ice crystals, often takes
a bluish or even green hue.
1)
Glaciers cannot form where snow does not remain all year round.
A
True
2)
C
Can’t Say
B
False
C
Can’t Say
Snow falls every year in areas where glaciers form.
A
True
5)
B
False
Glacial ice is always greenish or bluish in color.
A
True
4)
C
Can’t Say
Firn is less dense than snow but more dense than ice.
A
True
3)
B
False
B
False
C
Can’t Say
The increase in density is caused by the grains becoming smaller.
A
True
B
False
C
Can’t Say
A power of attorney or letter of attorney in common law systems or mandate in civil law systems
is an authorization to act on someone else's behalf in a legal or business matter. The person
authorizing the other to act is the "principal" or "grantor", and the one authorized to act is the
"agent" or "attorney-in-fact". The attorney-in-fact acts "in the principal's name," signing the
principal's name to documents and filing suit with the principal's name as plaintiff, for example.
As one kind of agent, an attorney-in-fact is a fiduciary for the principal, so the law requires an
attorney-in-fact to be completely honest with and loyal to the principal in their dealings with each
other. If the attorney-in-fact is being paid to act for the principal, the contract is a separate
matter from the power of attorney itself, so if that contract is in writing, it is a separate
document, kept private between them, whereas the power of attorney is intended to be shown to
39
various other people.
The power of attorney may be oral, such as asking someone else to sign your name on a cheque
because your arm is broken, or may be in writing. Many institutions, such as hospitals, banks, and
the I.R.S., require a power of attorney to be in writing before they will honor it, and they usually
want to keep an original for their records.
6) The agent grants the principal the power to act on behalf of
the grantor.
A
True
B
False
C
Can’t Say
7) All contracts between the principal and the agent must be
made public.
A
True
B
False
C
Can’t Say
8) The power of attorney may be granted verbally.
A
True
9)
B
False
Only a legal professional can be granted the power of attorney.
A
True
10)
C
Can’t Say
B
False
C
Can’t Say
In civil law systems the power of attorney is referred to as a mandate.
A
True
B
False
C
Can’t Say
Answers to Verbal Ability - Comprehension
1)
4)
7)
10)
A
C
B
A
2)
5)
8)
B
B
A
3)
6)
9)
B
B
C
40
Sample Verbal Reasoning Questions
Verbal reasoning questions are not designed to measure your facility with the English. They are
designed to test your ability to take a series of facts expressed in words and to understand and
manipulate the information to solve a specific problem.
Employers use verbal reasoning questions to gain an insight into whether you have the key intellectual
skills that are the foundation for success in a managerial position. Consequently, these questions are
usually restricted to graduate and management level tests.
Sample Verbal Reasoning Questions
1)
Pedro goes either hunting or fishing every day. If it is snowing & windy then Pedro
goes hunting. If it is sunny and not windy then Pedro goes fishing. Sometimes it
can be snowing and sunny.
Which of the following statements must be true:
A
B
C
D
E
2)
If
If
If
If
If
it
it
it
it
it
is
is
is
is
is
not sunny and it is snowing then Pedro goes hunting.
windy and Pedro does not go hunting then it is not snowing.
windy and not sunny then Pedro goes hunting.
windy and sunny then Pedro goes hunting.
snowing and sunny then Pedro goes hunting.
The cost of manufacturing tractors in Korea is twenty percent less than the cost of
manufacturing tractors in Germany. Even after transportation fees and import
taxes are added, it is still cheaper to import tractors from Korea to Germany than
to produce tractors in Germany.
Which of the following assertions is best supported by this information?
A
B
C
D
Labor costs in Korea are twenty percent below those in Germany.
Importing tractors into Germany will eliminate twenty percent of the
manufacturing jobs in Germany.
The costs of transporting a tractor from Korea to Germany is more than twenty
percent of the cost of manufacturing the tractor in Korea.
The import taxes on a tractor imported from Korea to Germany is less than
41
E
3)
twenty percent of the cost of manufacturing the tractor in Germany.
It takes twenty percent less time to make a tractor in Korea than it does in
Germany.
In 1695 about 11,400 doctors who had treated plague sufferers died and about
23,670 doctors who had not treated plague sufferers died. On the basis of these
figures, it can be concluded that it was more dangerous for doctors not to
participate in the treatment of plague sufferers than it was for them to participate
in it.
Which of the following statements would cast most doubt on the conclusion
above?
A
B
C
D
E
4)
Expressing the difference between the numbers of deaths among doctors who had
treated plague sufferers and doctors who had not treated plague suffers as a
percentage of the total number of deaths.
Examining the death rates for doctors in the years before and after 1695.
Separating deaths due to natural causes during the treatment of plague suffers
from deaths caused by other causes.
Comparing death rates per thousand members of each group rather than
comparing total numbers of deaths.
The figures quoted may vary by plus or minus ten percent from the actual figures.
There are 900 bottles to be filled. Jim and Molly working independently but at the
same time take 30 minutes to fill the bottles. How long should it take Molly
working by herself to fill the bottles?
Statement 1 - Molly fills half as many bottles as Jim.
Statement 2 - Jim would take 45 minutes by himself.
Which of the statements above make it possible to answer the question.
A
B
C
D
E
5)
Statement 1 alone is sufficient, but statement 2 alone is not sufficient.
Statement 2 alone is sufficient, but statement 1 alone is not sufficient.
Both statements together are sufficient, but neither statement alone is
sufficient.
Each statement alone is sufficient.
Statements 1 and 2 together are not sufficient.
Of the teams competing in the world archery championships, twenty percent are
from Europe. Half as many are from the United States and one twentieth are from
Africa. What fraction of teams are from neither Europe, the US or Africa.
A
B
C
13/20
15/20
13/15
42
D
E
17/20
13/17
Answers to Verbal Ability - Critical Reasoning
1)
4)
B
D
2)
5)
D
A
3)
D
Sample Verbal Reasoning Questions: Verbal Deduction
Verbal reasoning questions are not designed to measure your facility with the
English. They are designed to test your ability to take a series of facts expressed in
words and to understand and manipulate the information to solve a specific problem.
Employers use verbal reasoning questions to gain an insight into whether you have
the key intellectual skills that are the foundation for success in a managerial position.
Consequently, these questions are usually restricted to graduate and management
level tests.
Sample Verbal Reasoning Questions
1)
Pedro goes either hunting or fishing every day. If it is snowing & windy then Pedro
goes hunting. If it is sunny and not windy then Pedro goes fishing. Sometimes it
can be snowing and sunny.
Which of the following statements must be true:
A
B
C
D
E
2)
If
If
If
If
If
it
it
it
it
it
is
is
is
is
is
not sunny and it is snowing then Pedro goes hunting.
windy and Pedro does not go hunting then it is not snowing.
windy and not sunny then Pedro goes hunting.
windy and sunny then Pedro goes hunting.
snowing and sunny then Pedro goes hunting.
The cost of manufacturing tractors in Korea is twenty percent less than the cost of
manufacturing tractors in Germany. Even after transportation fees and import
taxes are added, it is still cheaper to import tractors from Korea to Germany than
to produce tractors in Germany.
43
Which of the following assertions is best supported by this information?
A
B
C
D
E
3)
Labor costs in Korea are twenty percent below those in Germany.
Importing tractors into Germany will eliminate twenty percent of the
manufacturing jobs in Germany.
The costs of transporting a tractor from Korea to Germany is more than twenty
percent of the cost of manufacturing the tractor in Korea.
The import taxes on a tractor imported from Korea to Germany is less than
twenty percent of the cost of manufacturing the tractor in Germany.
It takes twenty percent less time to make a tractor in Korea than it does in
Germany.
In 1695 about 11,400 doctors who had treated plague sufferers died and about
23,670 doctors who had not treated plague sufferers died. On the basis of these
figures, it can be concluded that it was more dangerous for doctors not to
participate in the treatment of plague sufferers than it was for them to participate
in it.
Which of the following statements would cast most doubt on the conclusion
above?
A
B
C
D
E
4)
Expressing the difference between the numbers of deaths among doctors who had
treated plague sufferers and doctors who had not treated plague suffers as a
percentage of the total number of deaths.
Examining the death rates for doctors in the years before and after 1695.
Separating deaths due to natural causes during the treatment of plague suffers
from deaths caused by other causes.
Comparing death rates per thousand members of each group rather than
comparing total numbers of deaths.
The figures quoted may vary by plus or minus ten percent from the actual figures.
There are 900 bottles to be filled. Jim and Molly working independently but at the
same time take 30 minutes to fill the bottles. How long should it take Molly
working by herself to fill the bottles?
Statement 1 - Molly fills half as many bottles as Jim.
Statement 2 - Jim would take 45 minutes by himself.
Which of the statements above make it possible to answer the question.
A
B
C
D
E
Statement 1 alone is sufficient, but statement 2 alone is not sufficient.
Statement 2 alone is sufficient, but statement 1 alone is not sufficient.
Both statements together are sufficient, but neither statement alone is
sufficient.
Each statement alone is sufficient.
Statements 1 and 2 together are not sufficient.
44
5)
Of the teams competing in the world archery championships, twenty percent are
from Europe. Half as many are from the United States and one twentieth are from
Africa. What fraction of teams are from neither Europe, the US or Africa.
A
B
C
D
E
13/20
15/20
13/15
17/20
13/17
Answers to Abstract Reasoning Questions
1)
4)
A
C
2)
5)
C
A
3)
A
Numerical Ability Tests
The first type of numerical ability test covers basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction
multiplication and division), number sequences and simple mathematics
(percentages, powers, fractions, etc). This type of test can be categorized as a speed
test and is used to determine your basic numeracy. Obviously you will not be allowed
to use a calculator.
45
Arithmetic Questions
1. 139 + 235 =
A) 372
B) 374
C) 376
D) 437
B) 96
C) 98
D) -96
B) 86
C) 88
D) 78
B) 4
C) 5
D) 6
C) 40
D) 35
C) 9/16
D) 3/4
2. 139 - 235 =
A) -69
3. 5 x 16 =
A) 80
4. 45 / 9 =
A) 4.5
5. 15% of 300 =
A) 20
B) 45
6. ½ + ¼ x 3/4 =
A) 3/8
B) 13/8
Answers
1. B
2. D
3. A
4. C
5. B
6. C
These questions are directly applicable to many administrative and clerical jobs but
can also appear as a component of graduate and managerial tests. The speed at
which you can answer these questions is the critical measure, as most people could
achieve a very high score given unlimited time in which to answer. You can therefore
expect 25-35 questions in 20-30 minutes.
46
Number Sequences
These questions require you to find the missing number in a sequence of numbers.
This missing number may be at the beginning or middle but is usually at the end.
7. Find the next number in the series
4
8
A) 48
16
32
B) 64
-C) 40
D) 46
8. Find the next number in the series
4
8
A) 32
12
20
B) 34
-C) 36
D) 38
9. Find the missing number in the series
54
49
A) 47
--
39
B) 44
34
C) 45
D) 46
10. Find the first number in the series
--
19
A) 12
23
29
B) 15
31
C) 16
D) 17
These number sequences can be quite simple like the examples above. However, you
will often see more complex questions where it is the interval between the numbers
that is the key to the sequence.
11. Find the next number in the series
3
6
A) 30
11
18
B) 22
-C) 27
D) 29
12. Find the next number in the series
48
A) 32
46
42
B) 30
38
-C) 33
D) 34
These number sequences usually consist of four visible numbers plus one missing
number. This is because the test designer needs to produce a sequence into which
only one number will fit. The need to avoid any ambiguity means that if the number
47
sequence relies on a more complex pattern then there will need to be more visible
numbers. For example;
13. Find the missing number in the series
4
3
A) 32
5
9
B) 30
12
17
C) 24
-D) 26
14. Find the missing numbers in the series
5
6
A) 19
7
8
B) 17
10
11
C) 15
14
--
--
9
--
D) 16
15. Find the missing numbers in the series
1
A) 6
--
4
B) 3
7
7
C) 11
8
10
D) 13
Answers
7. B – The numbers double each time
8. A – Each number is the sum of the previous two numbers
9. B – The numbers decrease by 5 each time
10. D – The numbers are primes (divisible only by 1 and themselves)
11. C – The interval, beginning with 3, increases by 2 each time
12. B – The interval, beginning with 2, increases by 2 and is subtracted each time
13. D – Each number is the sum of the previous and the number 3 places to the left
14. C A – There are 2 simple interleaved sequences 5,7,10,14,19 and 6,8,11,15
15. A D – There are 2 simple interleaved sequences 1,4,7,10,13 and 6,7,8,9
To solve these number sequence questions efficiently, you should first check the
relationship between the numbers themselves looking for some simple arithmetic
relationship. Then look at the intervals between the numbers and see if there is a
relationship there. If not, and particularly if there are more than 4 numbers visible,
then there may be two number sequences interleaved.
You will occasionally find multiplication, division, or powers used in these sequences,
but test designers tend to avoid them as these operations soon lead to large
numbers which are difficult to work out without a calculator.
48
Letter of the Alphabet as Numbers
Another type of sequence question which appears in these tests involves the
substitution of letters of the alphabet for numbers. For example A=1, B=2 etc. It
may seem strange to consider these as numerical reasoning questions but they
actually work in the same way once you have changed them back into numbers.
16. Find the next letter in the series
B
E
i) L
H
K
ii) M
-iii) N
iv) O
17. Find the next letter in the series
A
Z
i) C
B
Y
ii) X
-iii) D
iv) Y
18. Find the next letter in the series
T
i) Y
V
X
ii) B
Z
-iii) A
iv) W
Answers
16. iii – There are two letters missing between each one, so N is next
17. i – There are 2 interleaved sequences A,B,C and Z,Y, so C is next
18. ii – Miss a letter each time and ‘loop’ back, so B is next
Because arithmetic operations cannot be performed on letters there is less room for
ambiguity in these questions. This means that interleaved sequences can be used
with fewer visible letters than in questions that use numbers. Question 17 for
example can use 2 interleaved sequences even though only four letters are visible.
This would be very difficult to achieve with numbers.
It is implicit in these ‘alphabetic sequence’ questions that the sequence ‘loops’ back
around and starts again. See question 18. It is important to recognize this as it is not
usually stated explicitly – you are just expected to know it.
If you see more than one of these questions in a test then it is almost certainly worth
taking the time to write out the letters of the alphabet with their ordinal numbers
underneath. You can then treat these questions in a similar way to number sequence
questions. This can save a lot of time overall and avoid simple mistakes.
49
Data Interpretation
Information is provided that requires you to interpret it and then apply the
appropriate logic to answer the questions. Sometimes the questions are designed to
approximate the type of reasoning required in the workplace. These data
interpretation questions will often use very specific illustrations, for example the
question may present financial data or use information technology jargon. However,
an understanding of these areas is not required to answer the question.
19. Below are the sales figures for 3 different types of network server over 3
months.
19a. In which month was the sales value highest?
A) January
B) February
C) March
19b. What is the unit cost of server type ZXC53?
A) 12
B) 13
C) 14
19c. How many ZXC43 units could be expected to sell in April?
A) 56
B) 58
C) 60
19d. Which server had its unit price changed in March?
A) ZXC43
B) ZXC53
C) ZXC63
20. Below are some figures for agricultural imports. Answer the following questions
using the data provided. You may use a calculator for this question.
50
20a. Which month showed the largest total decrease in imports over the previous
month?
A) March
B) April
C) May
20b. What percentage of rice was imported in April?
A) 17%
B) 19%
C) 21%
20c. What was the total cost of wheat imports in the 5 month period?
A) 27,500
B) 25,000
C) 22,000
Answers
19a. C
19b. B
19c. A
19d. C
20a. B – April, 12 tons
20b. C - 21%, 30 tons out of a total of 141
20c. A - $27,456 made up of 176 tons at an average of $156/ton
Summary
Numerical ability tests can be divided into tests of simple numeracy, where you are
told which arithmetic operations to apply, and numerical reasoning tests where you
are presented with some data and questions but the methods required to answer the
questions are not specified. In all cases you need to prepare by practicing your
mental arithmetic until you are both quick and confident. Your score in the simple
speed tests will be very much influenced by your ability to add, subtract, multiply
and divide quickly and accurately.
51
Even though you will need to do fewer arithmetic operations in the reasoning tests,
there is no point in working out how to arrive at the answer if you make a simple
mistake when calculating it. Although you are allowed to use a calculator for some
questions, you should make a habit of mentally estimating your answers as a way of
checking them.
Numerical Reasoning questions assess your ability to use numbers in a logical and
rational way. The questions require a basic level of education in order to successfully
complete and are therefore measuring numerical ability rather than educational
achievement. The questions measure your understanding of such things as number
series, numerical transformations, the relationships between numbers and your
ability to perform numerical calculation.
Abstract Reasoning Tests
The aptitudes and abilities measured by verbal and numeric reasoning tests can
easily be related to real world tasks and jobs, as many jobs require some degree of
skill with words and numbers. Abstract reasoning tests on the other hand, seem to
consist of questions which have little or no application in the real world. Yet these
types of question appear in most graduate and management aptitude tests. Why is
this?
Abstract reasoning tests date back to the research done by the psychologist Charles
Spearman in the 1920’s. Spearman used a statistical technique called factor analysis
to examine relationships between people’s scores on different tests or sub-tests of
intelligence. He concluded that people who do well on some intelligence tests also do
well on others (e.g. vocabulary, mathematics, spatial abilities). Conversely, if people
do poorly on an intelligence test, they also tended to do poorly on other intellectual
tests. This led him to believe that there are one or more factors that are common to
all intellectual tasks.
As a result of this research Spearman developed a two-factor theory of intelligence.
52
As the diagram shows, Spearman said that intelligence is mainly made up of ‘g’, with
bright people having a lot, and dull people having less. People may also vary
according to their specific abilities, ‘s’, i.e. one person might be better at maths,
while another would be very good verbally. However, Spearman placed much more
importance on ‘g’ and believed that the most important information about someone’s
intellectual ability is an estimate or measurement of ‘g’. Even though Spearman’s
research was done many years ago, his theory of ‘g’ is still widely accepted by
psychologists and a great deal of research has supported it.
Spearman defined ‘g’ as:
“the innate ability to perceive relationships and educe co-relationships”
If we replace the word ‘educe’ with ‘work out’ then you can see why abstract
reasoning questions are seen to be a good measure of general intelligence, as they
test your ability to perceive relationships and then to work out any co-relationships
without you requiring any knowledge of language or mathematics.
Example Questions
1. Which symbol in the Answer Figure completes the sequence in the Problem Figure
?
2. Which of the Answer Figures belongs in neither group?
53
3. Which of the Answer Figures belongs in neither group?
4. Which of the Answer Figures fits the missing space in the Question Figure?
Answers
1. C - The question figure is rotated clockwise through 90 degrees each time.
2. D & E - Group 1 shapes are all straight lines, group 2 shapes are all curved.
3. A, B & D - Same color shapes are diagonally opposite (Group1) or above/below
(Group 2).
4. D - Each row and column contains one line of each type.
These tests are of particular value when the job involves dealing with abstract ideas
or concepts as many technical jobs do. However, as they also provide the best
measure of your general intellectual ability they are very widely used and you will
usually find some questions of this type whichever particular tests you are given.
54
These tests are particularly valued where the job you are applying for involves:




A high degree of problem solving
Dealing with complex data or concepts
Developing strategies or policies
Performing non-routine tasks where initiative is required
Abstract Reasoning assesses your ability to understand complex concepts and
assimilate new information beyond previous experience. The questions consist of
items which require you to recognize patterns and similarities between shapes and
figures. As a measure of reasoning, it is independent of educational and cultural
background and can be used to provide an indication of intellectual potential.
Diagrammatic Reasoning Tests
The term diagrammatic reasoning is often used interchangeably with abstract
reasoning. Some of the companies who produce psychometric tests refer to abstract
reasoning tests as diagrammatic reasoning tests. This is presumably because
abstract tests use diagrams or pictures rather than words or numbers. If you are told
that you need to sit a diagrammatic reasoning test then it may be just another name
for an abstract reasoning test. Or it may not.
If you are applying for a job in information technology then you may be faced with
questions which test your abstract reasoning ability in a very specific way. These are
referred to on this web site as diagrammatic reasoning tests to differentiate them
from 'normal' abstract reasoning tests.
These diagrammatic reasoning tests measure your ability to infer a set of rules from
a flowchart or similar diagram and then to apply those rules to new situation. These
questions are often found in tests aimed at selecting information technology
specialists who need to work through complex problems in an analytical way.
Example Questions
1) The functions 'M' and 'S' transform the input shapes in a certain way. You need to
use the diagram to determine what effect each of these functions has. Apply them to
the input shape in the question to arrive at the correct output.
55
Another type of question that appears in these tests measures your ability to follow a
set of logical instructions. In the next example, the operators are defined in the first
diagram. Each operator acts on the figure that it is attached to. The sequence of
operations is from top to bottom. Use this information to answer the questions.
2) Which figure results from the operations shown?
3) Which figure results from the operations shown?
56
Answers
1) B - Function 'M' inverts color (black > white and white > black). Function 'S'
rotates shape anticlockwise through 90 degrees.
2) B - work from top to bottom, making a note of the effect of each operator at each
stage.
3) D - Remember some of the operations involve changing the relative position of
figures.
Remember, you are unlikely to be asked questions if this type unless the job calls for
a high level of analytical abstract reasoning skills. These types of question are
usually restricted to technical jobs in information technology but may also be used to
select for technical jobs in the finance industry.
If the employer has made any mention of diagrammatic reasoning then you should
ask them to clarify exactly what they mean, and if possible to supply some example
questions.
Spatial Ability Tests
Spatial Ability can be defined as ‘The ability to interpret and make drawings, form
mental images, and visualize movement or change in those images.’ Spatial ability
tests measure your ability to manipulate shapes in two dimensions or to visualize
three-dimensional objects presented as two-dimensional pictures. These tests are
usually of 20-40 minutes duration and contain 20-30 questions.
Spatial ability tests often involve the visual assembly and the disassembly of objects
that have been rotated or which are viewed from different angles or objects that
have different markings on their surfaces.
Shape Matching: In these types of question you will be presented with a number of
objects only two of which are identical. These are speed questions and you will need to
work quickly and attempt to answer as many as possible in the given time. Generally
speaking, if the questions involve the manipulation of 2 dimensional objects then they are
probably fairly straightforward, but you will be challenged to answer them all in the time
you are given.
Spatial ability questions may test either speed or power. Generally speaking, if the
questions involve the manipulation of 2 dimensional objects then they are probably
fairly straightforward, but you will be challenged to answer them all in the time you
are given.
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Example Shape Matching Questions
In this example, you are asked to look at two groups of simple, flat objects and find
pairs that are exactly the same size and shape. Each group has about 25 small
drawings of these 2-dimensional objects. The objects in the first group are labeled
with numbers and are in numerical order. The objects in the second group are
labeled with letters and are in random order. Each drawing in the first group is
exactly the same as a drawing in the second group. The objects in the second group
have been moved and some have been rotated.
1. Which shape in Group 2 corresponds to the shape in Group 1?
Answers
1. X
2. P
3. M
4. V
5. G
6. A
7. D
8. T
9. C
10. B
11. W
12. E
13. U
14. Y
15. F
16. S
17. H
18. K
19. J
20. L
21. O
22. N
23. Q
24. R
25. I
This is very much a speed test as you will be given far more of these questions than
you can comfortably answer in the given time. These questions use a large number
of shapes that are presented close together. Some people find this very distracting
and find it easier to work through the shapes in the second group systematically.
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In some questions of this type there may not be a one-to-one match and some of
the shapes in the first group may not appear in the second. The way that the
question is worded will make this clear. If this is the case then you should be
especially careful to look out for reflections in the second group. These are often put
in by the test designers to trap the unsuspecting. For example:
The shapes in Group A are rotations of each other. The shapes in Group B are also
rotations of each other. However none of the shapes in group A are rotations of
those in Group B.
Visual Comparison – Two Dimensional
In these types of question you will be presented with a number of objects only two of
which are identical. Once again these are speed questions and you will need to work
quickly and attempt to answer as many as possible in the given time
Example Question
26. Which two pictures are identical?
Answer
26. C and E are the only two pictures which are identical
The best strategy for these types of question is to begin with the shape on the left
and work through the shapes to the right of it systematically looking for an exact
match. If there isn’t one then move on to the second shape and repeat the process.
It can be quite difficult to discipline yourself to adopt this systematic approach to
these types of question, as you may think that it is quicker just to look at all of the
shapes until the answer’ jumps out’ at you. The problem with this is that if the
answer doesn’t ‘jump out’ fairly quickly then panic sets in and you usually resort to
the systematic approach anyway.
When you are confronted with a large number of similar types of question on a single
page, the questions other than the one you are trying to answer can be distracting.
You may find that it helps to cover them and concentrate only on the two shapes you
are comparing.
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Spatial Ability Tests > Group Rotation
These are questions where a group of five or six two dimensional shapes or elements
are presented and you need to determine which groups are rotations of each other.
This is slightly more complex than the rotations in the two-dimensional shape
matching questions.
1) Which of the Answer Figures is a rotation of the Question Figure?
Answer
1) C
You need to be careful that you don’t identify reflections. The best strategy is to
choose the most asymmetrical shape in the group – in this case the arrow. Then
determine the shapes ‘clockwise’ and ‘anticlockwise’ and opposite. Thinking in these
terms is more logical than ‘right’, ‘left’ ‘above’ or ‘below’ as ‘clockwise’ etc are
constant even when the figures are rotated.
In the example above, the white square is clockwise from the arrow. This means that
A, B and D cannot be rotations of the Question Figure. This leaves only C as a
possibility which can quickly be checked element by element.
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Spatial Ability Tests > Combining Shapes
These questions involve 2-dimensional shapes that have been cut-up into pieces. You
are asked to match the pieces to the shape that they came from.
Example Question
1) Which of the complete shapes can be made from the components shown?
Answer
1) B – is the only shape that can be made from the components shown.
The best strategy for answering these questions is to look at the Complete Shapes
and see if there are any distinct features that would make it impossible to construct
such a shape from the components. In the example above, this is not very obvious
but sometimes there are one or two shapes that can be immediately discounted on
the basis of size alone.
One thing to remember is that if the Complete Shapes don’t have any bits ‘sticking
out’ (they usually don’t) then the components must fit together so that sides of the
same length are together. This reduces the number of combinations considerably.
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Spatial Ability Tests > Cubes
These questions show you several (usually 3) views of a 3-dimensional cube with
unique symbols or markings on each face and then asks you a question about it. For
example, which symbol is on the opposite face?
Example Question
1) Three views of the same cube are shown above. Which symbol is opposite the X?
Answer
1) D
Some people seem to have a natural talent for imagining objects in 3 dimensions
and find these questions straightforward. However, if you’re not one of them and you
find thinking in three dimensions difficult, there are other ways to get the answer. In
the question above for example, you can simply use a process of elimination. If you
can see a symbol on the same illustration as the ‘X’ then it cannot be opposite. The
second and third cubes eliminate A, B and C. This leaves only D and ‘other’ as
possibilities. D has edges shared with A and B which would be consistent with the
third cube illustrated. Therefore D is correct.
Although it is not usually specified in the instructions, it is almost always true that in
these questions each symbol is used only once. This means that even in cases where
elimination is not possible, it is sometimes quite easy to see the solution without
mentally manipulating the cube too much. In the example above, you can simply
compare the first and third illustrations. The third illustration shows a 90 degree
clockwise rotation (looking at the cube from above) of the first illustration. Therefore
D must be opposite the ‘X’.
Cubes in 2 and 3 Dimensions
These questions show a flat (2-dimensional) pattern which can be folded to make a
cube and a number of 3-dimensional cubes (usually 4). The pattern and the cubes
have symbols or marking on each face. You need to look at the pattern and decide
which of the cubes, if any could be made from it.
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Example Questions
2) Which of the cubes shown could be made from the pattern?
Answer
2) A - The key to these questions is to remember that only three faces of the cube
can be shown in the illustration, this means that you need only to consider the
relationship between the three visible elements on each cube and see if the same
relationship exists in the pattern.
The best strategy for this type of question is to call one face of the cube the ‘front’
and then to name the other faces of the cube in relation to it. For example:
This is obviously an arbitrary decision as you could look at a cube from any side.
However, thinking of the problem this way makes it much easier to ‘see’ the
relationship between the faces of the cube. You can then: look at the front of the
cube, find that face on the pattern, use the pattern to identify the ‘top’ and eliminate
any options that do not match, use the pattern to identify the other face that touches
the ‘front’ (in this example LHS) and eliminate any options that do not match.
Another type of question poses the problem the other way around. Here you have a
single 3-dimensional cube and a number of 2-dimensional patterns, only one of
which when folded, will make the cube.
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3) Which of the patterns when folded will make the cube shown?
Answer
3) B - The same strategy can be used to solve these questions, remember don’t be
intimidated by these problems even if imagining things in 3 dimensions does not
come easily to you. The problem can always be reduced to the relationship between
three elements, which you can then try to locate in the answer figures.
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Spatial Ability Tests > Solid Shapes
These questions are similar to the cube questions above, but rather than cubes they
use other solid shapes which may be irregular. In some respects, these questions are
easier than the cube questions as there are more relationships to work with. In other
words, each face of the solid shape has a shape of its own rather than just being
square.
Example Question
1) Which of the solid shapes shown could be made from the pattern?
Answer
1) D is correct. Shape A can be eliminated because is shows an un-shaded face
below a triangular face, both of these faces (below the triangular face) are shaded on
the pattern. Shape B can be eliminated as it has a shaded roof above the shaded
side, which does not appear on the pattern. Shape C can be eliminated because is
shows an un-shaded face below a triangular face, both of these faces (below the
triangular face) are shaded on the pattern.
Once again, you can reduce these problems to the relationship between the visible
elements on the 3-dimensional picture. This makes thinks easier because even
though the solid shape may have more faces than a cube, it is unusual for more than
four faces to be shown. This means that you need to consider the relationship
between the four visible faces, paying particular attention to shading or other
patterns on them.
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Spatial Ability Tests > Maps & Plans
This type of question often appears in tests for military, police and emergency
services jobs where the ability to follow or give directions based on a map or street
plan is a day-to-day part of the job. You will usually see an arrow showing which way
is north. By convention this is towards the top of the page. For example:
Sometimes all four directions will be given (North, South, East and West) sometimes
just North. If only North is given, you can work out the others if you remember the
saying "Never Eat Sour Wheat" as this gives you all of the compass points reading
clockwise from North.
You may also need to know the intermediate compass points as shown below:
As well as knowing the points of the compass you may also need to pay attention to
traffic regulations if the question shows a city or town plan. It is very common for
these to show one-way streets which you can only drive down in the direction of the
arrow. You can of course walk in either direction and the question should make it
clear whether you are walking or driving.
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In the street plan above, for example, Shakespeare Road is one-way between Cole
Street and Trenchtown Road. This means that if you were driving south on
Trenchtown Road you could not turn right into Shakespeare Street.
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Example Map Questions
1) Officer Wilkinson is in Depp St and can see the Town Hall to her right. What
direction is she facing?
A
North
B
South
C
East
D
West
2) She turns and walks to the junction with Main St. She turns left and proceeds two
blocks before turning right, then taking the next right, and walking half a block.
Which location is nearest to her current position?
A
M
B
N
C
R
D
P
3) Officer Garcia starts from location ‘N’ and proceeds as follows: right onto West St
- heading East, fourth left - heading North, first right - heading East, first right heading South, third right – heading West. He proceeds West for one block. Where is
location ‘P’ in relation to his current position?
A
North
B
South East
C
North East
D
North West
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Answers to Questions
1) B
2) A
3) A
All spatial ability tests rely on you being able to imagine what would happen in your
mind's eye. Unfortunately, about 5% of the adult population find it impossible to
imagine two-dimensional shapes being moved through a third dimension. This is
thought to be because there is a genetic factor involved in spatial reasoning ability.
Spatial ability is required in production, technical and design jobs where plans and
drawings are used, for example; engineering, architecture, surveying and design.
However, it is also important in some branches of science where the ability to
envisage the interactions of 3 dimensional components is essential.
Mechanical Reasoning Tests
Mechanical reasoning tests measure your knowledge of straightforward mechanical
and physical concepts. They do not measure your underlying mechanical aptitude in
the same way that abstract reasoning questions measure your underlying intellectual
ability. For example, you could sit an abstract reasoning test without having seen
one before and still get a reasonable score. The same is not usually true of
mechanical reasoning where your score will depend significantly on your knowledge
of:







Levers
Pulleys
Gears
Springs
Simple Electrical Circuits
Tools
Shop Arithmetic
You may have come across: levers, pulleys, gears, springs and simple circuits in
elementary science and the questions on these topics are fairly straightforward. If
elementary science classes seem like a long time ago then you may need to refresh
your memory.
Mechanical Reasoning for Emergency Services and Military Jobs
If you are taking a mechanical reasoning test as part of the selection process for the
emergency services or the military then the questions you can expect will tend to
concentrate on principles rather than on making calculations. For example, you may
be shown 3 diagrams of a lever and asked which one is the most efficient. This is
very different from craft and technical tests where you will usually be expected to
make calculations.
Mechanical Reasoning for Craft and Technical Jobs
If you are taking a test as part of the selection for a craft or apprenticeship job, then
you may be asked some questions about tools and how they are used. You should
also expect some shop arithmetic questions. These questions approximate the type
of reasoning and maths that are needed to estimate materials costs etc.
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Mechanical Reasoning - Remember, the scenario is incidental
Many of the questions in mechanical reasoning tests are ‘industry’ specific. For
example, tests used by the fire service tend to frame the questions in terms of firefighting whereas tests used to select for an aircraft maintenance job would tend to
frame the questions in aviation industry terms. It doesn’t matter if the questions you
practice on aren’t specific to the industry you are applying for. It is the substance of
the question that is important – the scenario is incidental.
Work Sample Tests
Personality Tests > Introduction
There are only three questions the employer really has to answer during the
selection process: Firstly, do you have the right skills and experience? Secondly, do
you have the required enthusiasm and motivation? Finally, are you going to fit in, in
terms of your personality, attitude and general work style?
Personality has a significant role to play in providing answers to the second and third
of these questions. In most working situations it’s the personality of your co-workers
and managers that affect the day-to-day success of the organization. If the team
doesn't work well together or a manager can’t motivate their staff, then productivity
and quality of service will suffer.
The way that most organizations operate has also changed in the last 30 years.
There are usually fewer levels of management than there were and management
styles tend to be less autocratic. In addition, the move in the western world at least,
towards more knowledge based and customer focused jobs means that individuals
have more autonomy even at fairly low levels within organizations. The effects of
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these changes means that your personality is seen by a potential employer as more
important now than it was in the past.
Widely Used But Still Controversial
In 2006, personality testing is $450 million industry which has been expanding by
about 10% per year. There are currently well over 2,500 personality questionnaires
on the market and each year dozens of new companies appear with their own ‘new’
products. Some of these products are broad-spectrum tests designed to classify
basic personality types, some are designed to test candidates for suitability for a
particular job and some are designed to test for particular traits – for example,
honesty and integrity.
There is a historical association with academic and occupational psychology which
gives the personality testing industry a degree of credibility that it does not always
deserve. Many of the well established companies who provide personality tests do
operate to the highest ethical and professional standards. However, it is inevitable
that such a growth industry with low barriers to entry and little official regulation has
attracted entrants with varying degrees of competence and integrity.
This situation is made more difficult since most of the companies that produce
personality tests are very secretive about their methodologies and refuse to make
public crucial information about how their tests were developed or how well they
work, claiming that this information is ‘proprietary’. The usefulness and accuracy of
even the most well established tests, (for example, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
- first published in 1962 and the subject of thousands of research papers), remain
highly controversial among psychologists. For more information on this topic see Personality Tests - Understanding the Industry .
Why Test Use is Increasing
Despite the controversy surrounding some of these personality tests, there has been
a dramatic increase in the use of personality tests over the past ten years or so. The
single most frequently given reason for increases in testing is the need to have a
selection process which can withstand legal challenges. Increased test use can
therefore be seen in part as a defensive strategy, adopted in response to regulation
and legislation. Another factor is the ease with which these tests can now be
delivered online. This approach has distinct advantages over paper-and-pencil tests:
1. There is no need to print and distribute printed material. This has dramatically
lowered the cost of test administration.
2. Results can be processed immediately with no human input. The test
administration software can produce very detailed and impressive looking
reports. See Example.
3. There has been a growing acceptance of personality testing among the
general public. Many people quite happily complete online personality profiles
in their own time outside of the recruitment process.
4. There are now more suppliers producing a greater variety of tests. This has
driven costs down even further and increased the choice of tests available to
recruiting organizations.
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Understanding the Personality Test Industry
In 2006, personality testing is $450 million industry which has been expanding by
about 10% per year. There are currently well over 2,500 personality questionnaires
on the market and each year dozens of new companies appear with new products.
Some of these products are broad-spectrum tests designed to classify basic
personality types, some are designed to test candidates for suitability for a particular
job and some are designed to test for particular traits – for example, honesty and
integrity.
Many of the well established companies who provide tests do operate to the highest
ethical and professional standards. However, in 2006 this market should be seen for
what it is. One with low barriers to entry and that is very poorly regulated. Anyone
can set up a company to develop and sells these tests and can make whatever
claims they feel like, secure in the knowledge that they are very unlikely to be
challenged.
Some of the companies that produce psychometric test are very secretive about their
methodologies and do not make public crucial information about how their tests were
developed or how well they work, claiming that this information is ''proprietary."
For some personality tests, ''almost no evidence at all is available beyond assurances
that evidence exists," reported a task force appointed by the American Psychological
Association.
Cheating or Faking is Easy
Despite the claims of test producers, it is very easy to cheat. Certainly, most tests
contain some so-called ‘impression control’ questions, designed to catch out
candidates who are trying to give an overly good impression. This is one of the areas
where the claims of the test producers and common sense are at odds. After all how
difficult can it be with a little practice, to spot these questions when most tests
consist of less than 150 questions in total.
This is supported by a study conducted by the American Psychological Association
which found that over 80% of job applicants actually hired after taking a widely used
personality test had intentionally manipulated their answers to make themselves look
better. Critics of personality tests would argue that they present people with an
unpleasant choice: Lie a little, or lose a career opportunity to someone who's willing
to do so.
Are HR Departments Skeptical Enough?
The following is not meant to disparage the many dedicated and professional people
who work in HR. It is simply an attempt to understand why so many HR people buy
into the accuracy of personality questionnaires on the basis of such poor evidence.
One reason may be that HR personnel tend to see their role as lacking much
scientific or technical credibility at a time when these things are perceived to be
increasingly important. This is insecurity is made worse by the following factors:
Firstly, almost all CEO's and senior board members have a background in finance,
technology or marketing. It is unusual to find someone who has risen to this level
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from within human resources. This means that HR rarely has powerful advocates at
the top level within organizations.
Secondly, most of the jobs in HR, or personnel departments as they were known
until the mid 1980s, are at the administrative level. Few HR staff have university
degrees compared with IT for example, where very few staff are not university
graduates.
Thirdly, despite platitudes like ‘people are our most important asset’, companies
invariably see HR as a cost center rather than a profit center.
These factors mean that HR has traditionally been the first department to feel the
effects of cost-cutting when times get tough. Jobs within HR are almost always the
first to go. This is partly because the company is no longer recruiting, but also
crucially because HR people are, probably unfairly, seen as relatively easy to replace.
Unsurprisingly, many HR people have been keen to latch onto something that gives a
scientific or technical aspect to the HR function. Personality questionnaires do this
very well as they are seen to give the notoriously subjective selection process some
objective and scientific credibility.
Even the most purely motivated HR people probably don’t have a background in
psychology, which means that very few are qualified to make objective judgments
about how personality questionnaires should be used. Most will be relying on the
salesmen employed by the companies who produce the tests to tell them.
Testing for Honesty and Integrity
In addition to the Big 5, there are other specific aspects of your character that are of
particular interest to employers. People applying for jobs in retail, banking, or the
security services industries are often asked to take an integrity test which claims to
predict if they will lie, cheat, or steal on the job. These tests are administered by an
estimated 6,000 US organizations and taken by as many as 5 million people each
year. These tests may be either self-contained or the questions may form part of a
general personality questionnaire.
There is concern in the testing industry regarding some of the companies who have
recently entered this particular sector of the psychometric test market. The American
Psychological Association found that more than half of integrity-test publishers do
not require any training or other qualifications of people who administer their tests
and many of these tests simply aren't valid. A review conducted by the US federal
government's 'Office of Technology Assessment' found that over 95% of people who
fail integrity tests are incorrectly classified as dishonest.
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In addition, these tests may also invade your privacy, inquiring into your beliefs
about politics, law enforcement, drug use, and corporate ethics. Such tests are not
seeking to understand your personality so much as to enforce conformity, and while
test takers are told that ''there are no right or wrong answers" to these questions,
this is obviously untrue.
In addition, some companies selling these tests have opted to use sales messages
which cultivate distrust and suspicion. Some of the marketing material is extremely
inflammatory and it is disturbing that these companies can actually find a market for
their product. Many of these same companies have put minimal effort into the
development of their tests, most of which are not based on any worthwhile
psychological research. Unsurprisingly, these two factors have made many people
suspicious of and hostile to this type of test and some of this negative feeling has
unfortunately and unfairly transferred itself to personality questionnaires generally.
The increasing use of integrity tests begs the question, are employees more likely to
be dishonest nowadays than in the past? Unfortunately, the answer to this question
is probably ‘yes’. The reasons are not hard to fathom, organizational loyalty has
largely disappeared as a result of companies’ willingness to restructure or downsize
at home and move jobs offshore where labor costs are cheaper. The increase in socalled ‘McJobs’, where investment in staff training and development are minimal and
the job itself is unrewarding and stressful have further eroded employee’s loyalty to
their employer.
In some jobs the results of employee dishonesty, whether it involves the theft of
goods or time, may go unnoticed for long enough to be very costly. Organizations
are therefore likely to err on the side of caution and reject you if there is any doubt
about your integrity, however unfounded this doubt may be. It is therefore vital that
you recognize these integrity questions and respond to them appropriately.
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Testing for Workplace Stress
Stress is regarded as a bad thing by employers. Stress is often defined as ‘anger
turned inwards’ and is implicated in a long list of medical conditions from migraines
to heart attacks. It is also a precursor to ‘workplace rage’ (known in the US as ‘going
postal’) which along with ‘road rage’ and ‘air rage’ is a recent and rapidly increasing
occurrence. Both of these outcomes, illness and violence, are very expensive from an
employer’s point of view and questions aimed at screening out stressed or angry
candidates are finding their way into personality questionnaires.
As is the case with integrity, organizations are likely to err on the side of caution and
reject you if there is any doubt about your stress level, however unfounded this may
be. It is therefore vital that you recognize these stress questions and respond to
them appropriately.
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