Aptitude tests are a highly effective recruitment tool that allows employers to delve deeper into your psyche and see how well you respond to challenges under time pressure. They might sound alarming, but in reality, they’re beneficial for you too – if you put the time and effort into practicing mock tests before the big day, you’re giving yourself the best chance possible of being hired. To help you get started, we’ve put together a list of five different types of aptitude tests that you’re likely to face in 2020.
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Different Types of Aptitude Test
1. Numerical reasoning tests
Particularly popular with firms recruiting accountants and bankers, numerical reasoning tests showcase your aptitude for numbers and could see you answering questions on anything from graphs and data to equations and fractions. These tests are challenging for those who deal with numbers regularly, so practicing as many as you can before the big day is the best way possible to get used to the questions and the time pressure.
2. Verbal reasoning tests
Nearly all fields of work require decent comprehension and communication skills; whether customer-facing or not, so it’s highly likely you’ll come up against a verbal reasoning test at some point in your career. These tests require you to read through a passage of text, quickly process the information and then answer multiple-choice questions on what you’ve read. It may sound easy, but the format can take a bit of getting used to, so it’s always worth trying a few out first.
3. Diagrammatic reasoning tests
Logical thinking is a skill valued by all kinds of different employers – and they will put it to the test in a diagrammatic reasoning test. Rather than words or numbers, these tests use puzzles, shapes, and patterns to tease out your ability to get to grips with complex challenges. Finding the underlying logic to a problem quickly and accurately is an incredible skill to have on your side, so you want to ace this test to show you’d be a great addition to any workforce.
4. Situational judgment tests
Situational judgment tests include a series of scenarios or challenges you’re likely to face at work. The answers you give will paint a clearer picture of the kind of employee you’re likely to be and give recruiters a chance to see where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Competencies, including comprehension, communication, relationship building, and teamwork are just some of the things assessed, and practicing tests beforehand will give you a much clearer idea of the kinds of questions you’re likely to face.
5. Personality tests
Rather than testing your skills, the personality test aims to delve deeper into your mindset and give you the chance to show the kind of person you are. While it’s true these tests don’t have ‘right or wrong’ answers; employers will be looking for certain personality traits for the role they’re hiring for. Thinking about what they’re likely to value will help you get the most out of your test. For example, a sales role might be more suited to someone with extrovert qualities, while an employer hiring a new data analyst is probably looking for someone with an analytical mind. These tests may also help you define the kind of job you’re likely to be good at.
With an ever-increasing pool of candidates to choose from, more and more employers are turning to aptitude tests to ensure they make the right choice for their business. Preparing for your test by identifying the skills you’ll need for the role, and trying out some practice aptitude tests is the best way to show that you’re the candidate they’ve been looking for all along.
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