Psychometric Tests — Find Out What They Are and How to Prepare for One

Psychometric testing might sound daunting but it can actually be a useful method of getting to know yourself better. It has also become increasingly common for recruiters and businesses to ask job applicants to complete this kind of test. That’s because psychometric tests can assess the abilities and personality traits of a candidate. 

But what is a psychometric test — and how can you make sure that you’re prepared for one? In this guide, we’ll explore the different kinds of tests and what they measure. We’ll also offer practical tips for completing them.  

A psychometric test is a type of standardised assessment that measures various aspects of an individual. This can include intelligence, abilities, skills, critical thinking and personality traits. Although psychometric tests are usually done online from home, they can also take place in an assessment centre or recruitment agency. 

The benefit of these tests to employers and recruiters is that they can help to match the right person to the right role. Career and educational advisors can also find them useful in helping people figure out which path would suit them best. As these tests are objective and standardised, they also help to eliminate bias from decision-making.

Psychometric tests can also benefit you on an individual level by offering insights into your personality, preferences, behaviour, cognitive abilities and aptitudes. This means that they can be tools for self-knowledge and self-reflection.

︽

There are various kinds of psychometric tests and they generally measure one of three things:

Personality — traits, preferences and behaviours.
Cognitive abilities — logical reasoning, verbal skills and numerical skills.
Aptitude — specific abilities related to a job.

Now let’s look at two different types of commonly-used psychometric tests, the MBTI and the CAT.

︽

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is a personality test that places people into one of 16 types. These are assessed by measuring four personality dimensions, including your level of introversion or extroversion and how you make decisions.

The MBTI measures these traits by presenting you with various responses and then asking how much you agree or disagree with them on a 1 to 5 scale, for example, ‘I try not to draw attention to myself’. Typically, an MBTI will ask you around 165 questions (although this can vary). 

As well as being used as a recruitment tool, the MBTI can be used by managers to gain insights into things like team dynamics and the individual strengths of employees. 

︽

Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) measures intelligence and cognitive abilities. You take this test via computer under timed exam conditions and it adjusts the difficulty of questions based on your responses. This means that it will begin with a question of average difficulty and progress to questions of increased or decreased difficulty, depending on your answers. 

Computer Adaptive Testing can measure a variety of competencies, including verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning and numerical reasoning. These tests are very tailored to the individual and are considered to be an accurate reflection of abilities.

︽

Wondering how to pass a psychometric test? It’s worth bearing in mind that, unlike cognitive ability tests, there is no ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ for personality tests like the MBTI. That said, your responses in a personality test can be a factor in assessing your suitability for a job.

But whatever kind of assessment it is, there are steps you can take to make sure you perform at your best. Here are 10 psychometric test tips:

1. Research the test — familiarise yourself with the test format and typical questions asked.
2. Practise the test — do a few online practice tests if these are available.
3. Be alert and rested — avoid taking part in any tiring activities beforehand.
4. Aim to relax — if tests make you anxious then try to do stretching or breathing exercises (or any activities that you find relaxing) before you start.
5. Choose the right space — if you’re doing the test at home then find a quiet and comfortable place without any interruptions. Make sure to use headphones.
6. Have everything you need — if you’re going to a test centre then take a calculator, watch and spare pen.
7. Get the timing right — if the test has a time limit then make sure you know how many questions you will be asked in advance. This will give you an idea of how long to spend on each one.
8. Read the instructions — make sure you know exactly what’s expected of you before starting the test. For instance, can you go back and revise answers or do you only get one shot?
9. Don’t panic — if the test has a time limit and you get stuck on a question then move on to the next one.
10. Trust your gut — if you’re doing a personality test then it’s best to be honest. Follow your instincts rather than trying to second-guess the answer that the employer wants. 

With these tips, you can approach all kinds of psychometric testing with greater confidence.

︽

Psychometric tests might seem daunting but they can actually help match you to roles that complement your skills, personality and preferences. And by giving you insights into your strengths and preferences, they can also help you to grow personally.

Ultimately, they are tools for self-discovery that can both point you in the right career direction and help you to appreciate your individual gifts.

And if you’d like more tips on how to succeed in your job hunt, take a look at our Guide to Handling Personal Interview Questions and What Questions to Ask in an Interview.

︽

Did you know that City Lit has its own personality test that can help you to find your true passion? Our Personality Type Course Generator will ask you a few quick questions then give you a list of course recommendations. Why not give it a try? 

︽