What is Psychometric Testing?
Psychometric tests are structured tests, taken in exam-like conditions, which aim to measure objectively a person's ability, or certain aspects of their personality.
Most psychometric tests which measure ability, and virtually all accredited psychometric tests which measure aspects of personality, are devised by occupational psychologists. Their aim is twofold: to provide employers with a reliable method of selecting the best applicants, and to design tests carefully so that they are fair to all applicants.
All psychometric tests, except for personality tests, are strictly timed.
What do psychometric tests measure?
There are many, many different types of psychometric test. A common misconception is that psychometric tests only measure personality, but that is not the case.
Some measure your ability to understand the written word, or to reason with numbers. Others measure your ability to solve mechanical problems, or follow instructions accurately, or be able to understand data which is presented in a variety of ways. And then, of course, there are the personality tests, assessing everything from motivation to working preferences.
But psychometric tests cannot measure everything. For example, they can't really measure enthusiasm. Personally, I think that getting in on time every day and making an effort to do your best are to a large extent, determined by how much you enjoy the actual work, how well you get on with your colleagues, and how decent your boss is. Perhaps they should invent a psychometric test for employers!
Who uses psychometric tests?
At the time of writing, well over 95% of the FTSE 100 companies use psychometric testing to select their staff, as do the police, the Civil Service, local authorities, the Armed Forces, the Fire Service and even the National Health Service, financial institutions, retail sector companies, the motor industry, the IT industry, management consultants, airlines, the power industry...the list is endless.
In fact, virtually every large or medium sized organisation in the UK uses psychometric testing as part of their recruitment process, irrespective of industry. Furthermore, the use of psychometric tests is widespread in Europe, Australia and the USA. And it doesn't matter what level of job you are applying for either. Psychometric tests are used to select all types of staff, everyone from the most junior positions to director level. One thing is certain, if you are looking for a job, you are more than likely to be asked to take a psychometric test.
