Kinds of Psychometric Testing

Psychometric testing is a means of testing cognitive abilities, aptitudes, as well as personality and behaviour traits of an individual. The results are objective and scientific, and based on answers provided by the individual, without any outside influences.

Aptitude or ability tests are focused on ascertaining you level of level of competence on an intellectual basis. Your analytical and logical reasoning abilities are measured. These tests are usually designed and aimed at specific areas which are closely related to the career field you wish to pursue, or the course for which you are applying.

Verbal reasoning is usually tested making use of your reading and analytical skills. A passage is provided for you to read, after which you will need to provide the best answer for each question, from the options provided. These questions are multiple choice in nature. This may lead you to think that they are easy, however, you will be surprised at how correct each answer sounds. Your reasoning and analytical skills are required in order to select the appropriate answer.

Numerical reasoning is put in place to test your ability to understand provided problems, analyze them, and provide the best possible answer from the list provided. The problems may be presented as charts, graphs, or numerical problems which need to be calculated.

These kinds of aptitude tests are usually carried out using paper and pencil, where calculations must be carried out. There are instances where the tests my be computerized. They are always presented under time constraints. Results are standardized in this way. Results are measured against the results of others who have taken the tests under the same conditions. Your results are compatibly measured in order to ascertain your level of ability.

The personality or behavior section of the psychometric test are in place to measure a number of things. The results will enable the evaluator to explore the way in which you do things, your attitude, and your behavior patterns in certain situations. Your ability to cope with stress is tested under certain circumstances. Your values and work ethics are measured, as well as how motivated you are to meet your targets and goals.

These paper and pencil based tests are such that there are no right and wrong answers to the questions.

Questions are usually based on a particular work or career type, and related to the environment in which you may have to work or study . It needs to be ascertained whether you will fit into the existing student group of students or employees, and how well you will cope on a psychological level, with obstacles or tasks the resulting job may require you to work with.

If you are unsure of what career path you should follow, these tests will help you to be guided in the right direction. By realizing your dreams, values, ethics, and interests, your results can be evaluated and you will be offered an insight into which areas you could pursue and the reasoning behind it. If you have your mind set elsewhere, the results can help you to understand which areas you need to work on improving, in order to be successful in the field of your choice.

When it comes to personality tests, it is best to always be completely honest in your answers. Trying to answer what you think they want to hear, will only render results that reveal your little white lies. Obtaining a job through results that are obtained through dishonest answers, may land you on a career path that leaves you far from happy and successful.

The ability and aptitude section of the test is a little easier to navigate and prepare for. There are things you can do to improve your results before actually undertaking the official test. By simply doing tests online as a means of practice, you become accustomed to the type of questions asked, and how to answer them. You, yourself can improve your results through practice, and other small tasks undertaken such as reading, or doing crosswords and number puzzles.

As daunting as psychometric testing can be, it is something you can master by preparing. Eat correctly, get your rest, exercise, master anxiety and stress management techniques, and most of all, be honest.

What you need to understand is that being an all round, candidate is far better than being perhaps intellectually right for the position, but your social and personality skills are lacking. Many positions, or careers, need you to have both qualities, equally. Find the perfect fit for you. The last thing anybody wants is to be stuck in a career that you have no passion for, gives you no happiness, and in which you have no hope of progressing or advancing.

Psychrometric testing often reveals things to those taking the test, that they were not even aware of. Perhaps you have a talent or skill that you have buried deep within, while in pursuit of something you thought was the perfect path for you. If you undergo such psychometric testing, it is best to do so with an open-mind, and be prepared to embrace whatever the results may reveal. Don’t fight what is determine, use it to your advantage, and grow from it. The evaluators are not there to instruct you on what path you should follow, they are there to offer you guidance according to the results presented. They will make suggestions, and give valid reasoning, according to your results, as to why they are making those suggestions.

Take full advantage if the opportunity presents itself. Psychometric testing has the ability to make or break your career, if you use the information provided, wisely. Nobody can tell you that you can’t do something, if you have passion for it. The tests can definitely help you to grow in areas where you show weakness, and assist you in achieving that for which you feel true passion.

You are the master of your own destiny, but nobody said accepting help along the way wasn’t an option. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Psychometric Testing

1.  Psychometric tests are specialized tests, aimed to achieve successful recruitment of personnel by conducting series of personality and ability tests designed as per the organizational needs. These tests are company specific, task/ job oriented, dynamic and flexible, and are conducted in controlled environment by a certified clinical psychologist. Psychometric tests are considered to be of paramount importance in selection process to meet the desired needs and standards of HR department. There are many recruiting firms which are providing a wide range of psychometric testing services specially designed to match client’s job description and job specification.

2.  If a company wants to conduct a psychometric test for a manager role it would be design to test cognitive abilities, personality trait assessment and assessment of desired skills required by the firm to be present in the applicant to fulfill that job description. Since these tests are focused to test the knowledge area that is not imparted in educational institutions. To succeed in psychometric test is a challenging task as it takes a lot of preparation and practice to train your brain accordingly. Psychometric tests generally comprise of two types i.e. cognitive ability tests and personality trait tests.

3.  Psychometric tests are not only used for job selection or recruitment purposes but it also has a pivotal role in assisting young students in a challenging task of career path selection. These tests are also useful in assisting current employees, who are looking for a job switch at a higher management level. Moreover, it also helps those applicants who are entering into the job market for the first time. Following are the astonishing features that these tests provide to variety of users i.e. students, fresh candidates and already employed personnel.

• Career Path Selection.  Career path selection is very critical decision and it is difficult for a student or teacher to have complete knowledge about the skills, interests and abilities required to make right decision. It is therefore necessary for a student to undergo a controlled psychometric test to make correct decision about professional studies that matches his / her aptitude that keeps him / her motivated to excel in his / her field of interest.

• Job Seekers.   Finding a right job at right organization where an applicant can utilize his/ her skills in an effective and efficient manner is a difficult task, therefore, it is mandatory for a job seeker to go through a series of psychoertic tests that enables him/ her to have his/ her own assessment about what really is desired skill set and job requirements which are to be performed by that applicant. When a fresh job seeker goes through a process of psychometric testing, it helps him find a job he would love to do. It allows him to avoid job that makes his life miserable.

• Uses of Psychometric Testing for Career Counselors. These tests makes it easier for career counselors to find out candidates abilities, skills and personality traits and relate these personality features with demands of a job, to find out which job best fits his/ her true potential and personality. Psychometric testing helps candidates to gain insight into their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and strengths in job environment to make informed decisions on their future career and path selection process.

• Psychometric test results provide insight into an employee’s role in the organization.

• Psychometric tests have the capability to predict how a candidate is likely to perform and whether the individual will fit into the organizations culture.

• On part of the candidates appearing in psychometric tests, it provides an equal opportunity to all candidates to be tested in a standardized environment.

4. Psychometric testing is an important assessment tool for HR department engaged in finding right person for the organization.

• These tests are very constructive for HR personnel of any organization as it provides assistance not only in hiring right people for right job but also aids in ascertaining, whether the person assigned with a particular position matches his/ her skills, abilities and temperament.

• HR personnel can use psychometric tests to explore causes of under-performing employees and can suggest suitable remedy either by replacement or job rotation to bring efficiency and effectiveness in a particular department.

• Psychometric testing also provides objective assessments about which/ when an employee needs training, development or motivation to perform better.

• Psychometric tests also provide insight into the personality traits an employee carries and results of these tests are useful in ascertaining whether which employee is best suited for which type of job. Moreover, these useful assessments also bring forth the inefficiencies of employees and how to reduce/ overcome those inefficiencies.

• Psychometric tests helps in assessing organization’s training and development needs, explore job specific inefficiencies, job rotation and enrichment needs and development of HR policies.

• Psychometric testing is not only cost beneficial but it also provides a long term benefit in the form of providing best suited person to the organization.

• Psychometric testing provides objective preview of a prospective employee, whereas, other type of tests are more off subjective in nature. This all-round assessment process measuring attributes including knowledge, critical reasoning, enthusiasm and personality profile provides objective data about suitability of a candidate.

• In today’s competitive environment where HR specific organizations are highly dependent on high performing employees, psychometric tests extraordinary benefit in making correct HR decisions.

5.   There are many pros and cons of psychometric tests but in the nutshell it is the most reliable and valid testing method, which can be implemented in many different scenarios. To conclude above discussion we may reach a consensus that there are many types of psychometric tests that can be applied to many different situations and when it comes to dealing with HR, it is not wise to stick to any one type of method but an array of tools both psychometric and traditional approaches customized, to fulfil a given situation is a perfect remedy.

Importance of Psychometric Testing

Psychometric test is most important and influential field of testing that helps students in a very supportive way to make decisions or choices for the most difficult area of their life i.e. career path selection. It also helps those individuals who are currently doing job but they seemed unhappy for their job or they lack motivation that is essential to excel in their field. Thus this testing helps them to easily switch over without any hustle or hesitation. Moreover this testing also helps those employees who have completed their education and are entering into the field of market and are searching for employment. Given below are the most important characteristics of testing that help, students, professional as well as laymen to move confidently and successfully in their profession.

• Psychometric testing helps all the students who are thinking to choosing some right profession for themselves. These tests help them to assess their attitude, skills, abilities, talent, capabilities, resilience and other social and development skills that will help them to choose field according to own will and choice so that they keep themselves motivated and keep their morale high.

• Similarly when some laymen go in professional life or choose some field for themselves this testing helps them to choose those profession in whom they love to spend their time and also helps them to avoid those job that are source of tension and frustration. Therefore this testing helps them to do a healthy and wise decision.

• Psychometric testing not only help students but it also helps counselors and psychologists to find out which personality is more demanding for a particular job and to find out potential candidate that is required for the job.

• Moreover this testing also helps counselors to find out what are the abilities or characteristics of an individual that are required for this job. Thus it helps in both ways. Firstly it helps to find out what characteristics or abilities of an individual are important to do this job and secondly it helps to find out the individual who has those abilities and characteristics

• Testing also helps individuals to find out what are the positive or negative aspects of their personality. They help them to find out their strengths, weaknesses, de-motivating factors of their personality, things that satisfy their professional needs, their level of understanding to the given tasks etc. thus it helps them to go easier in their filed with composed and poised personality and to work with full dedication and enthusiasm.

• Another important fact about this testing is that it helps to predict if the employee serving in any organization is fit for the job or not. If he is having some social or behavioral issues then how one can deal with them or how he can handle these issues in most effective and useful manner. Thus testing helps to identify problems as well as finding solutions for them too.

• Another most important use of this type of testing is that it helps organization to do job rotation of employee’s i.e. to move employee from one position to another to rule out his abilities and capabilities.

Therefore these tests are more usable due to its reliability and validity which enhances the efficiency of an organization as well as and leads to better HR practices. The main important thing is that this testing gives a complete information about an individual thus no fake work or guess work can be done in HR processes. These processes involves hiring of an individual, recruitment and selection of an employee, team building processes, training and development, career counseling and progression of an individual in particular field. In large organizations these testing procedures gives a very smooth functioning as these are easy to rely upon and are with proper procedure to administer and implement for the required purpose. These tests can provide better environment and unity among employee because once these tests are used to find out weak areas more work can be easily done to bridge the gaps and to create harmony among organizational members. This is one of the biggest reason that creates strong relationship and sense of bonding among employee and they compete with each other in positive direction with positive attitude.

Moreover as per needs of the organization these tests are customized for example if an organization have flexible environment these tests are utilized as per organizational demand. If an organization wants to conduction this test on systems then these tests can be administer online. However if there are organizations who do not have enough resources to conduct these tests online then may administer them through pen-paper method. Thus it gives wide number of choices to organizations. These tests also contains facility for individuals to provide feedback related to testing services, their procedures, facilities and roles. Thus it can be applied to all types of organizational environment.Testing is low in cost and gives long term advantage to the organization by enhancing and activating the organizational benefits and profit. It helps in reducing the expenditure of organization by catering large number of population. Testing delivers unbiased screening of a potential member. This outstanding valuation progress of gauging characteristics comprising knowledge, critical reasoning, and enthusiasm and personality profile provides objective data about suitability of a candidate.

In today’s competitive environment where organizations are highly dependent on high performing employees, these tests have unusual assistance of bringing competence in making correct HR decisions.It is pertinent to note that these tests are organized by certified psychologists who manage the complete testing process and provide expert advice to the management during selection process as to whether the candidate is suitable for that specific job.Therefore, in light of above discussion we can conclude that psychometric test provides customized solutions in a dynamic situation not only in selection and recruitment process but also in career progression, training and development and growth process, building workplace relationship in organizational setting.