by Alene Edson, Treetops Consultant and Intern Psychometrist
Part of preparation is knowing what to expect...
When going for psychometric testing as part of the selection process, you can never be 100% sure about what tests you may be given. It is however highly likely that you will be given a combination of ability tests complemented by a personality test, EQ test or a trait-specific test. Start by asking what kind of tests you will need to do when the company books you for testing and how long this will take. These days most testing is done on the computer, but you may be asked to do some pen-and-paper exercises as well.
Ability/cognitive tests often have a time limit. These types of tests are designed so that most people don’t finish every single question. That doesn’t mean you should take it easy, but don’t stress too much if you missed those last few questions. Before each test you will commonly be given a series of examples. Take these slowly and learn from your mistakes. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as it will definitely help you when you complete the actual test.
The best technique is to practise answering questions a day or two before starting the assessment process. Taking sample tests on the internet is a great way of gaining experience about what may be expected on the day. If you know you will be doing a test that measures numerical reasoning, even doing a couple of Sudoko puzzles will help to activate the brain! Practise also boosts your confidence. There are books available that help you prepare for assessments with sample questions etc. but this may just be overdoing it. You can simply practice doing sums in your head – ask a family member or friend to give you some basic calculations to do.
Most importantly, prepare for psychometric testing with a good night’s sleep and eating before the assessment to make sure your brain has fuel to think. Arrive early, not just in time. Having a couple of minutes to familiarise yourself with your environment will help calm your nerves while rushing headlong into the assessment normally has the opposite effect.
Interestingly, people perform better in reasoning tests in the morning. If HR gives you a choice of times, early in the morning is better than late in the afternoon when you are tired from a day’s work.
Personality tests are much harder to prepare for as they commonly assess relatively stable behavioural tendencies. The best technique is to be completely honest. Don't think about any one particular question for too long. With that said, your first response is your best response.
If, on the day, you feel a little bit of adrenalin it may help you perform but take care not to become too stressed. If you feel overwhelmed, ask for a quick bathroom break or take a couple of sips of water. Slow your breathing by focusing on your out-breath. Most importantly, maintain a positive attitude throughout the process. It's not the end of the world if you're finding a test difficult. Remember it is only one section of the entire recruitment process and a decision is never made solely one assessment criteria. You are being assessed against the needs of one organisation, which does not mean you are not suitable at all for this type of job or this organisation, should you not be successful in the application or promotion.
Remember to disclose andthing that may impact on your testing to the Psychometrist or Psychologist that is testing you. This includes things like diabetes, dyslexia or if you've recently been going through a particularly difficult time in your life. If they know where you are at, it helps them interpret the results. If you are asked what your home language is, also be honest. If you are not a first language English speaker being asked to do a test in English, there may be different norms that apply to you so being truthful will actually benefit you in terms of scoring.
And finally, remain calm and do your best.
Good luck!
No comments:
Post a Comment