So you've been invited to take a psychometric test as part of your job application. Don't panic; with some preparation, you've got this. Psychometric tests are used to evaluate your personality, mental abilities, and work-related skills; but, they don't define you. You're so much more than a test score.
This guide will walk you through what to expect from common psychometric tests and share some tips to help you feel confident and prepared. We'll look at verbal reasoning tests, numerical reasoning tests, diagrammatic reasoning tests, and personality questionnaires. You'll get an overview of the different types of questions to expect and learn some simple strategies to solve them.
While practice makes perfect, try not to stress too much about getting every single question right. Stay focused on demonstrating your abilities, trust in yourself, and keep a positive mindset. You've got the skills and talent; now all you need are the tools to showcase them. Let's get cracking!
1. Understanding the Different Types of Psychometric Tests
To crack psychometric tests, you first need to understand the different types you may face. There are three main categories:
Aptitude tests measure your reasoning abilities. These include verbal, numerical, and logical reasoning tests. Verbal tests assess your vocabulary and comprehension. Numerical tests evaluate your ability to analyze data and statistics. Logical reasoning tests determine how well you can think logically and systematically.
Personality tests analyze your traits, motivations, and work preferences. They aim to evaluate how well you would fit into a role or team.
Situational judgment tests present scenarios and ask how you would respond. They assess your decision-making and judgment in practical situations. You must determine the most and least effective courses of action.
The key is to familiarize yourself with the format and content of the different tests. You can find many free practice tests and sample questions online. Work through them to get comfortable with the style and learn strategies to answer efficiently.
Some other tips:
Read each question carefully. Pay attention to qualifiers like 'all', 'never," or 'always'.
Manage your time. Don't spend too long on any one question. Guess if needed.
Eliminate incorrect options. Even if you're unsure, you can improve your odds.
Don't overthink.
With diligent preparation and practice, you'll be ready to take on any psychometric test that comes your way. Believe in yourself—you've got this!
2. Learn the common patterns and question types
To crack a psychometric test, you need to become familiar with the typical patterns and question types. These tests often include:
Logical reasoning questions that assess your ability to think logically and systematically They present you with patterns of shapes, numbers, or letters and ask you to figure out the rule and apply it. The key is to look for sequences and relationships between the elements.
Verbal reasoning questions that evaluate your ability to comprehend and analyze written information They provide you with short passages of text and ask you to infer conclusions, determine implications, or identify flaws and assumptions. Read actively and critically.
Numerical reasoning questions that test your ability to understand and manipulate numbers They present you with graphs, tables, charts, and statistics and ask you to analyze the data, calculate percentages and ratios, estimate outcomes, and spot trends. Brush up on your math skills and learn common formulas.
Abstract reasoning questions that assess your ability to think conceptually and logically They show you a series of shapes, patterns, and symbols and ask you to determine the rule that connects them and choose the option that correctly continues the sequence. Look for relationships in size, position, shading, orientation, and more.
With practice, these types of questions will become second nature. Work through sample tests, learn the common patterns and sequences, read explanations for the answers, and time yourself to build up speed. You'll be solving logical conundrums in no time and ready to ace that psychometric test!
3. Practice timed tests to build up your speed
To get comfortable with the time constraints of psychometric tests, practice timed sample tests. This helps build up your speed and confidence, so you can think clearly under pressure.
Find free practice tests online: Search online for "free psychometric test practice," and you’ll find many resources with sample tests for verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, logical reasoning, and more. Set a timer for the recommended duration and work through the questions. Review the answers and explanations afterward to learn from your mistakes.
Start with shorter time periods: If you’re not used to timed tests, start with a shorter time limit, like 2/3 of the recommended time. As you get faster and more accurate, decrease the time. This gradual approach will make the full-length tests seem easy. You can also try setting a timer for just one section at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Repeat the same tests: Don’t just do a practice test once and move on. Repeating the same tests multiple times has benefits. You’ll recognize some questions and solutions, allowing you to answer faster and achieve a higher score. You’ll also continue learning new strategies and tips for solving problems. With repetition, the test format and style of questions become familiar.
Review your wrong answers: It’s not enough to simply complete the practice tests. Review the questions you answered incorrectly to fully learn from your mistakes. Try to understand why the right answer is right and why your choice was wrong. Look for any patterns in the types of questions you struggle with. Then you can focus your preparation on those areas.
With diligent practice of timed psychometric tests, your speed, accuracy, and confidence will improve significantly. You'll walk into the real assessment feeling ready to achieve your best possible score.
4. Develop a systematic approach to problem solving
To crack psychometric tests, you need to develop a systematic approach to solving the problems. This means having a step-by-step process you can apply to any question.
Identify the problem: Read the question carefully to determine exactly what is being asked. Look for keywords that indicate the type of problem, like calculate, determine, and evaluate. Make sure you understand what needs to be solved before moving on.
Break down the problem: Complex problems can often be broken down into a series of smaller steps. Look for ways to simplify the problem by identifying any sequences, patterns, or relationships. Write out the individual steps needed to solve the full problem. This makes the problem seem more achievable and helps avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Make an educated guess: For some questions, you may need to make an estimation or educated guess to get started. Look for clues in the question that point you to a logical guess. Don't get stuck if you don't know the exact answer right away. Start with a guess, and you can refine it as you work through the problem.
5. Work through the problem systematically
Follow the steps you outlined to methodically solve the problem. Be meticulous and check each individual step. Look for any information in the question that can help you at each stage. Refer back to your initial educated guess and revise as needed.
Double-check your work: Once you have an answer, double-check that it makes sense. Reread the original question and ensure your solution answers what was asked. Look for any obvious mistakes in your work. Check that calculations are correct and that values are realistic. It's easy to make simple errors, so take the time to verify your solution.
Developing a systematic approach is key to solving the variety of problems found in psychometric tests. With practice of these techniques, you'll gain speed and confidence in working through any question. Stay calm and stick to your process—that's the key to cracking these tests!
6. Stay calm and focused on the day of your actual test
Stay focused and avoid distractions: On the day of your psychometric test, it’s critical to remain focused and avoid distractions. Turn off your phone and any other electronics before starting the test. Let friends and family know that you do not want to be disturbed. Find a quiet, distraction-free place to take the test.
Read each question carefully: Take a few deep breaths to clear your mind. Then, read through each question slowly and carefully. Make sure you understand exactly what is being asked before answering. If needed, you can re-read the question again. Rushing through the questions can lead to silly mistakes and wrong answers.
Manage your time wisely: Keep an eye on the timer so you can pace yourself. Don’t spend too long on any single question. If you get stuck, make your best guess and move on. You can come back to that question later if you have time. It’s better to answer all questions, even if you have to guess on some, than leave questions blank.
Stay positive and believe in yourself: Try not to get discouraged if you find some questions challenging. Have confidence in yourself and stay optimistic. Getting stressed or anxious can impact your performance and cause you to second-guess yourself. You have prepared and practiced, so trust that you can achieve a high score. Take another deep breath to help shift your mindset to a positive one. You've got this!
Review and revise: If there is time at the end, go back and review any questions you were unsure about or had to guess on. See if another option now seems better or if your initial guess still seems like the best choice. Don't change an answer unless you're certain it's incorrect. Second-guessing yourself could lower your score.
Staying focused, managing your time, and maintaining a positive attitude are key to overcoming the challenges of a psychometric test. You have put in the work to prepare; now go in with confidence and trust in yourself. Following these tips will help ensure you can achieve your maximum potential on the day of the actual test.
Conclusion
Get assistance from DashHire: DashHire is a company that provides psychometric test preparation to help you feel more at ease and confident. They offer practice materials and tutorials for the most common tests like numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, logical reasoning, and situational judgment tests. Working through their resources will familiarize you with the format and experience of these tests.
Do your research: Learn as much as you can about the company and the role you’re applying for. The tests are designed to assess skills and traits that are important for success in that position. Understanding the key requirements will help you identify what the tests are evaluating. You may even find examples of the specific tests they use.
Practice, practice, practice: The only way to truly prepare for psychometric tests is to practice. Work through as many sample questions and practice tests as possible. Time yourself to get used to the timing pressure. Review the explanations for any questions you get wrong. Look for patterns in the types of questions and strategies to solve them. With regular practice, your speed, accuracy, and confidence will improve.
Remain calm and focused: On the day of the actual tests, make sure you are well rested and arrive a few minutes early. Take a few deep breaths to settle your nerves. Listen carefully to all instructions and ask clarifying questions if needed. Focus your full attention on one question at a time, avoiding distraction. Double-check your answers if there is time at the end. Staying calm and focused is key to achieving your best possible score.
With diligent preparation and the right mindset, you can master psychometric tests. Believe in your skills and abilities, concentrate on presenting them, and don't let a few mistakes discourage you. You've got this! If you follow these tips, you'll be well on your way to cracking your psychometric test.