psychometric workshop cityu

7/29/2019 Psychometric Workshop Cityu

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Cass CareersPsychometric Tests



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Aim of the session

•What is psychometric testing?•Why do recruiters use psychometric tests?

•Types of Psychometrics•Improving Performance•Personality Questionnaires•Practice test under timed conditions



What is Psychometric Testing?

•An umbrella term which covers ability testing andpersonality profiling

•A range of exercises to assess an individual’sability or personality.

•A standard way of measuring an aspect of mentalperformance



Why do recruiters use psychometric tests?•Strong predictive relationship between tests/questionnaires and overall success and performance inrole

•A measure that employers can use to compare onecandidate to another

•Quick , cost effective and automated process•Employers use psychometrics to measure two broad

categories•Abilities•Preferences



Ability/Aptitude Tests•Making sense of numbers, words or diagrams•Absolute right and wrong answers•Usually timed

Examples Include:Numerical ReasoningVerbal ReasoningSpatial Awareness/Logical

Diagrammatic/Abstract ReasoningSituational J udgement Tests



Numerical Reasoning •Used to assess your understanding of tables of statistical and

numerical data and your ability to make logical deductions.

•Used to your measure ability to interpret number work youwould encounter in the role

•When faced with a numerical tests you may be required to- identify relevant facts from tables provided

- work out percentages- work out averages- use basic ratios, decimals and fractions- make multiple calculations to get to the answer



High-level Crit ical Reasoning •Graduate Tests are at the top of the numerical tree

•Difficulty lies in the complexity of the numerical data which

questions are based on, and the nature of the problems you willbe required to solve.

•Fundamentally different to Maths Tests such as A’Levels

•Designed to measure your ability to correctly interpret numericaldata and use this to solve problems and make decisions



Numerical Reasoning: Example•On a turnover of £8.5 million, the gross profit made by your

business is £2.7 million. From this figure must be takenoverhead costs of £1,425,000 to arrive at net profit. What is the

net profit to turnover ratio?

•A – 17.%•B – 15.5%•C – 15%

•D – 16.5%•E – 16%

• Answer: C - 15%



Answer •First work out the net profit•2.700000-1,425000 = 1.275,000

•Present 1.275000 as a % of 8.5 million(1.275.000/8.500.000 X 100) = 0.15 (15%)

The only complication with this example is the

language used.



Top-Tips•Listen : Administrators may say things only once•Don’t read ahead : You may miss critical details•Don’t worry about other people: Focus on your own performance,

not others.•Don’t get Stuck : Avoid spending too long on one question.•Don’t guess: Boost your chances by eliminating the obviously wrong

answers (distracters) and increase your chances from 1 in 5 to 1 in 2•Timing : One minute per question (Numerical Reasoning)•Don’t lose your way : Ensure answer corresponds with question

•Sausage fingers: Care with calculators•Check your answers: If you have time left over use it well



Improving Performance – Numerical •Practice simple arithmetic with and without a calculator•Try calculating percentages and changes in percentages•Ensure you understand ratios

•Concentrate on reading the tables, graphs and charts innewspapers and magazines

•Familiarise yourselves with tests; undertake our further on-line practice tests



Verbal Reasoning •Measure ability to read, comprehend and interpret written

information

•Written passage followed by questions with a“True”, “False” or “ Cannot Say” response

•Or Word Meaning Tests – “find a replacement word”



Verbal Reasoning: Testing to see if Candidates can:

•Read a short passage and find facts within the information

•Come to a conclusion based on the information provided

•Understand the meaning of words or select replacement wordsmeaning the same thing.



Verbal Reasoning: Example

Please refer to handout



Improve performance – Verbal Reasoning •Take advantage of all the practice tests available to you

•Try reading books, reports and business sections of

newspapers

• Complete word puzzles and crosswords

•Know and appreciate the meaning of each response if youare to score highly. Look up new words in a dictionary



Spatial, Diagrammatical & Abstract Reasoning •Diagrams consisting of shapes, signs or symbols•Measures ability to visualise spatial relationships.•Often used in Engineering, Computing or IT roles

Employers use these tests to see how well you can

• Identify patterns or rules in complex data• Separate what is important from what is irrelevant• Deal with and interpret complexity• Apply insights to solve problems



Abstract Reasoning: Example

http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/inductive/Free/InductiveTest1/





Situational Judgement Tests (SJT’s)•Assesses judgement required for solving problems inwork-related situations

•Most consist of between 15 and 20 questions

•Multiple Choice – usually 4 or 5 options•Usually with a time limit•Usually on a computer or online•Designed by “Subject Matter Experts”

•Currently used in organisations including Deloitte, PwCand Sony amongst many others



SJT: ExamplePlease refer to handout



Improving Performance: SJT’s•Take full advantage of any practice tests available

•Important to read each scenario thoroughly and each

possible response before beginning to rank the responses

•Use only the information provided in the question; do notmake assumptions about the situation or scenario



Improving PerformanceBefore the Test

•Practice on a variety of different tests

•Approach the test in a positive manner

•Get a good night’s sleep

•Don’t do if ill/distracted (if possible)

•Make sure you undertake a test where you won’t be disturbed

•Ensure that you have a good internet connection if taking on-

line tests



Summary Top Tips: Improving PerformanceDuring the Test

•Be aware of time limits - work quickly and accurately

•Check you are putting your responses in the right box

•If you don’t know the answer take an “educated guess”(eliminate the answers strategically)

•Make sure you understand the practice questions – if not ask

the administrator to explain them again•Read the questions carefully



Scoring

•(1-10)•10 = High

Sten

•Not a percentage, but•Scores within a

frequency distributionPercentile



Personality Questionnaires

Help indicate the way yourelate to other people

Provide employers with anunderstanding of your

preferred working style

Generally untimed



Personality Questionnaires•Can give an insight into a candidate’s work styles and behaviour

•Deliberately ask the same question more than once but phrased

slightly differently

•Measure character traits such as•Confidence•Empathy

•Attitude to risk

•Many different types of tests – OPQ, Wave, 16pf



Tips for Personality Questionnaires•When completing a personality questionnaire, respond to the

questions honestly and avoid second-guessing

•Think about the statements from a work point of view

•Don’t spend too long analysing the statements, work at areasonable pace through the questions

•If you’re unsure of how to answer a particular question inrelation to yourself, think how you would maybe behave in 7 outof 10 situations



Assessment Day:•http://www.assessmentday.co.uk

SHL:•http://www.shl.com/TryATest/default.aspx

Saville Consulting:•http://www.savilleconsulting.com/products/aptitude_preparation

guides.aspx

eFinancial Careers:•http://students.efinancialcareers.co.uk/numerical_test.htm

Elements Talent Q:•http://www.mytalentq.com/practice.htm

http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/

http://www.shl.com/TryATest/default.aspx

http://www.savilleconsulting.com/products/aptitude_preparationguides.aspx


http://students.efinancialcareers.co.uk/numerical_test.htm

http://www.mytalentq.com/practice.htm

http://www.mytalentq.com/practice.htm

http://students.efinancialcareers.co.uk/numerical_test.htm



http://www.shl.com/TryATest/default.aspx

http://www.assessmentday.co.uk/



Questions?



You can pick up your test results

from the Main Careers office



TIMED TESTS

psychometric workshop cityu

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