It is now common practice for medium to larger sized businesses to use psychometric aptitude tests when seeking to recruit new staff. In an increasingly competitive job market, formal qualifications and relevant experience are just the first step in being hired for your dream job. With more graduates than ever before unable to find jobs after leaving university, businesses have the luxury of being able to pick and choose from a large pool of extremely talented people.
It is reported that up to 70% of employers are now using psychometric aptitude tests, either when recruiting new staff, or selecting those for promotion, which means one extra hurdle for candidates to pass. Increasingly, employers want to ensure that any staff have the relevant mental skills and personality to deal with the demands of the job, and to fit in with company culture.
There are many types of aptitude tests available, available from a wide range of providers, and they are often available on-line, with instant scores and feedback available from the provider, although some employers do still use printed handwritten versions. A typical test would comprise of a range of questions with multiple choice answers. Types of skills tested include logical and numerical reasoning, lateral thinking, teamwork and leadership.