What Are Aptitude Tests?
If you’re in the market for a new job, the chances are that sooner or later you’ll be required to complete an aptitude test. You might not think much of it at first, but after filling out answers to a couple of tricky questions you might begin to wonder, “What exactly am I being tested for here?”
It’s easy to feel suspicious or maligned when being assessed in such a distanced manner, but it really is the case that aptitude tests are good news for employers and prospective employees alike. After all, you wouldn’t want to land a job you weren’t suitable for nor miss out on a job for which you were a perfect fit. Aptitude tests help to ensure the employment process runs as smoothly as possible.
Still, it’s not hard to wonder what’s going on behind the scenes of these tests. To help aid you in your quest for a new job, here’s an in-depth introduction to everything you ever wanted to know about the world of aptitude tests.
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What Even Is “Aptitude” Anyway?
Unlike an IQ test, which measures general intelligence, an aptitude test measures a variety of specific cognitive skills in order to help determine your strengths as a candidate. Verbal, numerical, or spatial reasoning are all examples of specific aptitudes. Whilst there is some evidence that IQ and aptitude are related, they are separate quotients and should be treated as such.
The most common aptitudes tested for include Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Situational Judgement, and Diagrammatic Reasoning—though there are many more. An employer may use any or all of these tests to help determine the best candidate for the role, so be prepared and practice in advance!
Why Do Employers Use Aptitude Tests?
Employers are faced with the difficult task of sorting through dozens or even hundreds of applications for a single role. Many applicants will have similar qualifications and experience, so differentiating between them can be tricky especially if the employer doesn’t have the time or resources to interview every single candidate. An aptitude test allows employers to find out more about the person behind the application, thereby helping to ensure that the job goes to the right person.
What Does An Aptitude Test Look Like?
Aptitude tests come in a variety of different styles, depending on the skills being tested for. Typically when completing an aptitude test, you will be required to analyze a piece of information and provide answers to questions about what you have learned. This information might be a detailed paragraph of text, a graph or set of data, or a described situation—it all depends on what the test is designed to measure. Most aptitude tests will be timed and in a multiple-choice format.
How Are My Results Measured?
Different tests will measure different things; however, it’s generally the case that there are correct and incorrect answers to each question in the test. Your performance is analyzed by comparing your score to an average group—an average performance is typically all that is required to pass an aptitude test.
One important thing to keep in mind is that many aptitude tests employ negative scoring, meaning that any wrong answers will result in marks being deducted from your final score. If this is the case, think carefully before rushing through the test as you might do more harm than good.
I Don’t Feel Very Well Prepared For All This...
The good news is, you can be! Rather than going in blind, it’s a good idea to get hold of some practice aptitude tests and see what it’s all about. Try and tailor your choice of practice tests to your own line of work, but remember that a well-rounded candidate with a wide variety of skills is often at an advantage. And remember, just like any other skill set, practice makes perfect.
Author Profile: Nikki Pham
Nikki Pham is currently studying an MA in Creative Enterprise in Cardiff. She works as a copywriter, particularly in the space of higher education, early career, and business. She is also developing her own creative startup using her skills in social media, communication, illustration, and design.
