testing times! what you need to know about psychometric testing amanda gartshore c.psychol
TRANSCRIPT
Testing Times!
What you need to know about
psychometric testingAmanda Gartshore C.Psychol
Why is this important?
Psychometric Tests fall into two types:
They are different to other tests
• Research
• Accuracy of measurement
• Standardised administration
• Administrators are trained and licensed
• Access is controlled
• Results are compared
Personality: what are you like?
What is personality?
Personality assessment:
• ‘Typical performance’• Describes your personality in terms of ‘traits’ or
‘types’• Not about right or wrong• You can’t fail the personality test• Your results are compared to a large
comparison group• Not normally timed• Often completed on-line
Recommended reading:
Prepare for Tests at Interview for
Graduates and Managers
by Robert Williams /ASE
Personality FROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE
• I often like to watch team games:
a. True b. ? C. False
• I am anxious when meeting new people:
a. True b. ? C. False
• I prefer friends who are:
a. Quiet b. ? C. Lively
• I like to try new ways of doing things:
a. True b. ? False
Personality FROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE
• I enjoy talking to new people
• I usually keep things tidy
• I am an optimistic person
• I enjoy organising meetings
• I like to examine problems in detail before making up my mind
1: Strongly disagree
2: Disagree
3: Unsure
4: Agree
5: Strongly
Agree
Top Tips for Personality Assessments
• Finish it
• Answer honestly
• Don’t worry about how you answer individual
questions
• Make sure you are undisturbed and have enough
time
• Ask for feedback
Ability: what can you do?
Ability assessment:
• ‘Maximum performance’• Numerical, verbal and spatial ability• Timed tests with correct answers• Administered under controlled conditions• Your results are compared to a large
comparison group• Some tests get progressively harder• Sometimes completed online
Verbal TestsFROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE
My brother’s complacency has always irritated his friends,
neighbours and colleagues
• A: nosiness
• B: ostentation
• C: neglect
• D: cockiness
• E: smugness
Verbal TestsFROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE
Numerical TestsFROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE
What is the next number in this series?
1664 824 404 194 ?
A: 89 B: 365 C: 44 D: 45 E: 46
Numerical TestsFROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE
What is the missing number in this series?
3 9 36 ? 1080
A: 130 B: 131 C: 180 D: 181 E: 360
Newwill Building Society Shares
FROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE
FROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE
If a trader bought 100 Newwill shares on Wednesday
and sold all these shares on Friday. How much had
the investment changed?
A: Lost £250
B: Lost £30
C: Gained
£20
D: Gained
£25
E: Lost £20
Abstract Tests FROM: Prepare for tests at interviews, Robert Williams/ASE
A B C
Top Tips for Ability Tests
• Listen carefully to the administrator
• Read written instructions carefully
• Answer the example questions
• Work as quickly and accurately as you can
• Aim to answer as many questions as you can
• Don’t expect to finish the test
• If in doubt, make your best guess and move on
You have a right to expect...• To feel part of the process
• To have feedback on your results
• To feel fully briefed
• To be given adequate notice
• To be tested in a suitable environment
• To have consideration for any disabilities or conditions that might affect your results
Reduce uncertainty through preparation
Be Prepared for test sessions
• Ask for practice questions
• Arrive on time and relaxed
• Ask questions about tests, location,
timings, logistics
• Don’t forget your spectacles
• Mention any conditions or disabilities that
could affect the results
Be Prepared for online tests
• Ask about any special computing
requirements
• Try to complete tests at a quiet, uninterrupted
session
• Don’t leave them until the last minute
• Mention any conditions or disabilities that
could affect the results
Further info:
www.psychtesting.org.uk
www.chromis-consulting.com
Testing Times!
Amanda Gartshore C.Psychol
www.chromis-consulting.com
07887 990674