Psychometric tests are structured tests, usually online, which a large number of organisations use as part of their recruitment process. Students applying for placement positions are likely to be faced by such tests early in the process and are encouraged to use the material available from Royal Holloway Careers moodle page (psychometric test) to help prepare themselves:
https://app.graduatesfirst.com/ROYALHOLLOWAY/account/login
General Careers Tips:
- Understand the instructions. You will be given some practice questions to complete before you start on the real thing.
- Be prepared: Avoid interruptions, sit in a comfortable chair and make sure your computer connection is reliable.
- Work quickly and if you're unsure of the answer, make a decision and move on.
- Use the practice tests provided by Careers to increase your confidence for the real thing
1. Personality tests : These tests explore an individual's interests, values and motivations,
analysing how their character fits with the role and organisation.There are no “right” or “wrong” answers and candidates should answer honestly, giving their most natural answer rather than attempting to guess the “right” answer. Practice can help build confidence.
2. Ability/ Aptitude tests – normally verbal and numerical reasoning.
> Verbal reasoning tests – designed to assess your ability to understand, interpret and use written information. Careers tips are to:
- Practice reading complicated texts about subjects you do not understand and summarising the key points.
- Use the practice tests provided to increase your confidence for the real thing
> Numerical reasoning tests are designed to see how you make decisions from numerical data, presented in reports, graphs and tables. Careers tips are to:
- Brush up on your mental arithmetic
- Go over your times tables.
- Remind yourself of some fundamental calculations such as percentages and fractions and check that you can do long multiplication.
- Practise estimating answers; even with a calculator this can help make sure you are on the right track.
- Questions are often based on your ability to interpret data presented in tables
– get hold of a copy of the Financial Times, or a similar journal, and
spend time becoming familiar with reading tables of information. - Do not worry about more advanced maths such as algebra or equations. These will not be tested unless the employer tells you explicitly that this is the case.
- Use the practice tests below to increase your confidence for the real thing.
CEDAS run a series of workshops and 1:1 maths sessions throughout the term allowing Royal Holloway students to get help with numerical reasoning tests.
September – December 2022: Friday 2 – 4pm drop in Enterprise Hub (Davison building)
Other tests
> Logical reasoning Tests (Diagrammatic/ Abstract/ Inductive reasoning) which require you to work flexibly with unfamilar information and find solutions. Playing logical reasoning games (eg Sudoku) and online tests from Careers can help you prepare for such tests.
Additionally there are also many free resources on line.
> https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/interview-tips/psychometric-tests
This site includes advice,
information and free psychometric tests from the following organisations
- AssessmentDay
- Cubiks.com
- Graduates First
- Hogan Lovells
- Institute of Psychometric Coaching
- Job Test Prep
- Procter & Gamble
- Psychometric Success
- SHL Talent Measurement
> Other sites offering free online tests for students include:
- http://www.markparkinson.co.uk/psychometric_links.htm
- http://www.theonlinetestcentre.com/numerical-tests.html
- http://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/
- https://www.ksl-training.co.uk/free-resources/psychometric-testing/shl-test-preparation/
- http://www.graddiary.com/numerical-reasoning-tests/
