Mastering Online Assessments
Learning outcomes:
- Understanding psychometric, logic and skills assessments
- How to prepare for your online assessment
- Mastering the assessment stage - examples and useful tips
Show future employers what you're made of! You can complete these tests in the comfort of your own home, but these sophisticated platforms will detect any cheating, so make sure you revise and prepare sufficiently so you can go into the test with confidence. If you score highly, it can help you stand out from the crowd, especially in today's saturated market - so take as much time as you can to prepare.
Top tips:
- Stay focused and have a good mind space going into the test
- This is nothing you haven't done before, so take your time and answer each question honestly and to the best of your ability
- Plan ahead! Don't let silly distractions stop you getting the best possible result you can
- Save your results and add them to your CV for your next application
Planning and preparation is key to test success
Warm up
- Warm up your brain with the JobFlare® App
- JobFlare® consists of brain games that test the same abilities measured by aptitude tests like the CCAT: math skills, verbal ability, attention to detail, and spatial reasoning. JobFlare® is pre-employment test prep made fun!
Compose and relax
- Keep in mind that pre-employment test results are just one of many factors companies use to figure out if you’re suitable for the job. You didn’t craft that stellar CV for nothing!
Set the stage
- If you are taking a test remotely, not at an employer’s place of business, figure out how long it will take you to complete the tests and then limit all distractions during that time.
- If you live with family or in a house share, let them know in good time when you will be sitting the test.
- Turn off your phone and other tech distractions to ensure you are 100% focused
Read the instructions
- The most common mistake test-takers make is rushing through instructions.
- You can take as much time as you want to read and understand them! The instructions will often give you hints about optimal test strategy: for example, if there is no penalty for wrong answers, don’t be afraid to guess and move on if you’re stuck on a tough question.
Test types
Personality Tests
- Personality tests are designed to measure traits that are associated with successful performance of a certain role.
- They evaluate behavioural traits that don't tend to change much over time.
- There are no right or wrong answers on these tests, but in specific jobs certain traits are known to predict "job fit" and whether you possess traits linked to success in that role.
- These tests help employers determine if you'd be happy and comfortable in a position. So don't fake it!
- You can't change your personality and you shouldn't have to for a job. You could wind up in a role that isn't a good match for you and end up where you are now: looking for a new job.
Aptitude Tests
- Cognitive aptitude tests measure your critical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, and ability to learn and use new information.
Skill Tests
- Skill tests let employers figure out what you already know. Some tests check your basic maths and verbal skills while others confirm that you know how to use a computer, how fast you type, or how well you know a particular Microsoft Office programme.
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