Selection tests
Employers' selection processes often require you to complete a psychometric test and occasionally a personality profile. These exercises are used by employers to assess an individual's ability and aptitude for their vacancy. The most frequent tests are numerical and verbal reasoning. Some employers also include a range of others including spatial awareness, diagrammatic and critical reasoning tests.
General advice on test-taking
The British Psychological Society (BPS) provide a lot of useful information about psychological testing. See Psychological testing: a test taker's guide from the BPS (PDF, 176.2 KB) - a guide to psychological tests, what they measure, and how to prepare. This is produced by the BPS' Psychological Testing Centre (PTC) - their website includes lots of useful information including answers to frequently asked questions.
See also an article from the Guardian on How to complete psychometric tests, with a particular focus on personality tests.
Practice verbal and numerical reasoning tests
The Careers Service has a subscription to online verbal and numerical reasoning tests devised by a company specialising in producing test material for many employers:
- Request access to the online verbal and numerical reasoning tests devised by Kenexa [Bristol graduates can also request access to the Kenexa tests by contacting the Welcome Desk]
- You will then receive an email with a link to the tests, along with instructions on how to complete them.
- Your tests will be marked and a report sent to you. All results will be confidential. Please note: You must complete both the verbal and numerical reasoning tests in order to receive the report.
- If you would like to discuss your results with a Careers Adviser, please come to the Careers Service Welcome Desk and ask to book an appointment with Brian Staines, Dr Samantha Cathro or Keren Gwinnell.
Other ways to practice
Practice tests are available online, including examples of verbal and numerical reasoning, abstract reasoning, critical thinking, e-tray exercises and personality questionnaires.
Books available for reference and short loan (48 hours) from the Careers Service include Psychometric tests for graduates, How to pass advanced numeracy tests and many other titles, including books about tests used by specific employers. Further details of these and other resources are available from the Careers Catalogue and our How to... prepare for selection tests handout (PDF, 352 KB). Please ask at the Welcome Desk for the full list of available books.
BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Maths - includes revision activities and test materials for fractions, decimals and ratios, and averages amongst other topics.