Psychometric Testing: Hints and Tips for Candidates

In the lead up to a test session make sure you learn as much as you can about the sort of tests or questionnaires you may be asked to complete. If you are sent a practice test make sure that you complete it; and read any other details very carefully.

Preparation for a testing session

The best thing to do in preparation for a psychometric test is to get a good nights sleep the night before and try to relax. It is also in your best interests to NOT do a psychological appraisal in the following circumstances:

• If you are tired

• If you are suffering from stress (whether personal or work related)

• If something happens (such as an accident) on the day or the day before the day of testing

• If you are sick (e.g. flu, viral infection)

Also, remember

• If you wear glasses or use a hearing aid, be sure to take them with you

• Give yourself plenty of time to get to the testing location so you do not rush

• Check how long the testing will take (so you know how long you will be there)

• Some tests require you to use a calculator so you may want to bring one with you

• Pens and pencils, etc will be provided by the testing organisation

The following suggestions may, over the longer term, help you to improve performance  

• Reading newspapers, reports, business journals will improve your verbal skills for verbal tests

• Reading financial reports in newspapers, studying tables of data, doing number calculations and puzzles without a calculator may help numerical skills

• Checking results in the paper could improve checking skills

• Solving crosswords may help verbal problem solving

• Looking at objects in various ways and angles could develop spatial skills

• Looking at flow charts and diagrams should improve diagramming skills

During the testing session  

• Keep as calm as you can. Remember that a certain amount of anxiety is perfectly normal.

• Make sure that you are comfortable. Loosen your collar and tie (if appropriate) and kick off your shoes if you need to.

• Listen carefully to the administrator's instructions. Ask questions if you need to.

• If you can't see or hear things properly tell the administrator.

• Read the test instructions carefully and do not assume that you know what to do.

• Put your answers in the right place on the answer sheet! (It's easy to make mistakes in the heat of the moment)

• Record you answers in the correct way. For example, do not tick boxes if you're expected to strike through them with short pencil lines.

• Read the questions properly before you attempt to answer them.

• Don't agonise over a question you can't do, but move on to the next one.

• Don't waste time double-checking questions with easy or obvious answers.

• Don't waste time looking for 'trick' questions, as there won't be any.

• If you can't work out an answer, make an informed guess.

• Work as quickly as you can, but don't race or you will make avoidable mistakes.

• Remember that the more questions you answer the greater your chances of getting a higher mark.

• Keep an eye on the time. If you have time left at the end of a test go back and check your answers.

• Don't stick to a certain amount of time for each question. Many tests are designed so that the questions get harder, and so need more time as you progress.

• Look around occasionally and take some deep breaths, it will help you relax.

• Don't be put off if the questions seem difficult, they may well be just as difficult for everybody else.

• Avoid extreme reactions, treat it like any run of the mill challenge but don't be too blasé because some tests will discriminate between the able and the extremely able.

• Some tests will place greater emphasis on accuracy and others on the number of questions attempted, always ask for it to be made clear before hand.

• Don't be alarmed if other people appear to be working more quickly. It doesn't mean that they are getting the answers right!

• Keep cool and, if you need help, ask for it.