Testing Times!

What you need to know about

psychometric testingAmanda Gartshore C.Psychol

Why is this important?

Psychometric Tests fall into two types:

They are different to other tests

• Research

• Accuracy of measurement

• Standardised administration

• Administrators are trained and licensed

• Access is controlled

• Results are compared

Personality: what are you like?

What is personality?

Personality assessment:

• ‘Typical performance’• Describes your personality in terms of ‘traits’ or

‘types’• Not about right or wrong• You can’t fail the personality test• Your results are compared to a large

comparison group• Not normally timed• Often completed on-line

Recommended reading:

Prepare for Tests at Interview for

Graduates and Managers

by Robert Williams /ASE

Personality FROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE

• I often like to watch team games:

a. True b. ? C. False

• I am anxious when meeting new people:

a. True b. ? C. False

• I prefer friends who are:

a. Quiet b. ? C. Lively

• I like to try new ways of doing things:

a. True b. ? False

Personality FROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE

• I enjoy talking to new people

• I usually keep things tidy

• I am an optimistic person

• I enjoy organising meetings

• I like to examine problems in detail before making up my mind

1: Strongly disagree

2: Disagree

3: Unsure

4: Agree

5: Strongly

Agree

Top Tips for Personality Assessments

• Finish it

• Answer honestly

• Don’t worry about how you answer individual

questions

• Make sure you are undisturbed and have enough

time

• Ask for feedback

Ability: what can you do?

Ability assessment:

• ‘Maximum performance’• Numerical, verbal and spatial ability• Timed tests with correct answers• Administered under controlled conditions• Your results are compared to a large

comparison group• Some tests get progressively harder• Sometimes completed online

Verbal TestsFROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE

My brother’s complacency has always irritated his friends,

neighbours and colleagues

• A: nosiness

• B: ostentation

• C: neglect

• D: cockiness

• E: smugness

Verbal TestsFROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE

Numerical TestsFROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE

What is the next number in this series?

1664 824 404 194 ?

A: 89 B: 365 C: 44 D: 45 E: 46

Numerical TestsFROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE

What is the missing number in this series?

3 9 36 ? 1080

A: 130 B: 131 C: 180 D: 181 E: 360

Newwill Building Society Shares

FROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE

FROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE

If a trader bought 100 Newwill shares on Wednesday

and sold all these shares on Friday. How much had

the investment changed?

A: Lost £250

B: Lost £30

C: Gained

£20

D: Gained

£25

E: Lost £20

Abstract Tests FROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE

A B C

Top Tips for Ability Tests

• Listen carefully to the administrator

• Read written instructions carefully

• Answer the example questions

• Work as quickly and accurately as you can

• Aim to answer as many questions as you can

• Don’t expect to finish the test

• If in doubt, make your best guess and move on

You have a right to expect...• To feel part of the process

• To have feedback on your results

• To feel fully briefed

• To be given adequate notice

• To be tested in a suitable environment

• To have consideration for any disabilities or conditions that might affect your results

Reduce uncertainty through preparation

Be Prepared for test sessions

• Ask for practice questions

• Arrive on time and relaxed

• Ask questions about tests, location,

timings, logistics

• Don’t forget your spectacles

• Mention any conditions or disabilities that

could affect the results

Be Prepared for online tests

• Ask about any special computing

requirements

• Try to complete tests at a quiet, uninterrupted

session

• Don’t leave them until the last minute

• Mention any conditions or disabilities that

could affect the results

Further info:

www.psychtesting.org.uk

www.chromis-consulting.com

amanda@chromis-consulting.com

Testing Times!

Amanda Gartshore C.Psychol

www.chromis-consulting.com

amanda@chromis-consulting.com

07887 990674