How do you prepare for tests?
What to do when you're invited for a psychometric test
Facing a psychometric test? Don’t panic! To get the most out of your assessment, you just need to be prepared. Find out what tests you’ll be doing, and do some practice questions. Even if there are no specific practice questions there are other ways of getting practice. Be prepared so that when you do the real test you’ll be cool, calm and collected.
Practice makes perfect
The best way to approach being tested is to practise. The lovely practice question links at the end of this article will let you familiarise yourself with the format, help you improve on speed and indicate any areas you need to work on. If targetjobs.co.uk doesn’t serve all your testing needs, your careers service will probably have books, and your invitation to the testing process may include some practice questions. Some people try to obtain the actual test papers from the publishers and are sorely disappointed. Test publishers do not sell to anyone without a testing qualification. You don’t need to practise for personality tests, though you might like to try some for your own interest. They are usually untimed, so don’t rush. There are no right or wrong answers. Don’t try to guess which answers the employer wants: there are built-in checks to guard against this. Answer the questions truthfully, but don’t over-think your answers as your initial response will be the most accurate representation of yourself. If you’re the perfect person for the job, you’ll get it.
On the clock
Timed tests can be difficult: when you know you have 30 minutes to do 40 questions, it's very easy to stare blankly at the paper like a rabbit trapped in car headlights. The key is to strike a balance between speed and accuracy. Don't go so fast that you start making mistakes but don't be so careful over each answer that you only get one third of the way through the test. Practice, and you’ll find the speed that works best for you. Some tests are designed to put you under pressure to see how well you cope: often the time limit is so tight that only Johnny 5 would manage to complete the test. Don’t be put off – just answer as many questions as you can. Listen carefully to instructions, and ask questions if you’re unsure about anything. It won’t hinder you, and is far better than doing the test wrong. Read each question carefully before answering it. You should be told whether marks are taken off for incorrect answers. Usually they are not, so it's worth making an educated guess at the answer. Don't forget you can always miss out a question and go back to it if you have time later.
All the time in the world
Some tests have no time limit – you can take as long as you want! In these tests you will find that the questions get harder as you go through. The aim is to see how far you get and stop when the questions get too difficult. As speed is not an issue, it is worth taking your time to think carefully over the questions. However, it may be harder to miss questions out and return to them later – the earlier questions are easier and may help 'build you up' to solve the later questions.
On the day…
Make sure you get a good night’s sleep before the test, and leave plenty of time to get to the test centre. Bring everything you might need, such as glasses or contacts, a hearing aid or an inhaler. Wear a watch so you can keep track of the time. If you have a disability, let the employer know ahead of time so they can make appropriate arrangements. Don’t judge yourself by what other people say after the test. There’s bound to be some know-it-all who claims to have answered everything right in half the time. They’re lying to make themselves feel better. Even if you’re certain you’ve done badly, don’t worry – the test is not the only thing you’re being assessed on. There are plenty of opportunities to let your stunning skills shine through.
Free practice tests
Follow these links for free practice psychometric tests:
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