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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Should I tell the truth?

27 replies

PusheenLove · 16/04/2021 15:41

I'm applying for a senior role in the civil service. I'm diagnosed Autistic, Dyslexic and Dyspraxic. That means I have some executive functioning issues. The biggest part of the job application process that SCARES ME SENSLESS is the psychometric test. Autistic people are well known to struggle with these.

Do I disclose that I'm Autistic?

Many of the key job specifications for this role are things Autistic people famously have trouble with. (Communication, team work, etc). However I'm fairly confident I can perform in those areas as I have done so in my career to date. I surpass the qualifications criteria.

I read that disabled people get a "guaranteed interview". As the psychometric test is prior to interview on the timeline, presumably this means I wouldn't be judged on the test?

I feel panicked and can't think straight. Any advice would be much appreciated!

OP posts:
Angrypregnantlady · 16/04/2021 15:52

I have the same. I wouldn't, not neccesarily because of the tests, but if the elements of the job are things that people think you'd be bad at, they will be less inclined to give you the job even if you're the best interviewee.

I would practise the tests as much as possible beforehand.

Original poster
PusheenLove · 16/04/2021 15:59

@Angrypregnantlady

I have the same. I wouldn't, not neccesarily because of the tests, but if the elements of the job are things that people think you'd be bad at, they will be less inclined to give you the job even if you're the best interviewee.

I would practise the tests as much as possible beforehand.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts :) It's such a tough situation, isn't it?

What is your employment situation, if you feel comfortable sharing?

OP posts:
Saz12 · 16/04/2021 16:08

Can you do lots of practice psychometric tests, if only to see how you generally score in them? I don’t know if that’s feasible, but at least if you knew they were an issue for you then you could make a more informed decision.
It’s all well to say they’re “not allowed to discriminate” but...

Trixie78 · 16/04/2021 16:13

Tell them, they can make adjustments to the testing to help you. They can only do this if they know there is an issue. If you don't tell them and do badly you've only yourself to blame. I handle recruitment and psychometric testing all the time. Have never and wouldn't not offer the job to the best candidate. To say otherwise as the poster above has done us a bit ridiculous tbh. When you're trying to fill a job you just want to get it done asap, you wouldn't turn down a strong candidate for this.

Original poster
PusheenLove · 16/04/2021 16:14

@Saz12

Can you do lots of practice psychometric tests, if only to see how you generally score in them? I don’t know if that’s feasible, but at least if you knew they were an issue for you then you could make a more informed decision. It’s all well to say they’re “not allowed to discriminate” but...
There is only one practice test available and no way to score it.
OP posts:
Original poster
PusheenLove · 16/04/2021 16:15

@Trixie78

Tell them, they can make adjustments to the testing to help you. They can only do this if they know there is an issue. If you don't tell them and do badly you've only yourself to blame. I handle recruitment and psychometric testing all the time. Have never and wouldn't not offer the job to the best candidate. To say otherwise as the poster above has done us a bit ridiculous tbh. When you're trying to fill a job you just want to get it done asap, you wouldn't turn down a strong candidate for this.
Apart from extra time, what reasonable adjustments would you make to the psychometric testing process?
OP posts:
Ormally · 16/04/2021 16:17

I wouldn't. I also dislike these enormously but work in a team that has people who administer certain different types of them, so have been able to slightly change my mind and now not find them as intimidating as I did.

I wouldn't, because a disclosure where I am has not resulted in a different approach to the completed answers, report or feedback. I hope this is just my experience but doubt it. If anything, it could change the way in which a tool is administered (usually on screen), but not necessarily thinking further and adding breaks, for example, or extra reading time (which I think is awful and I am speaking up for that - a paper copy could allow for it, and I think we would be able to prepare for this better).

These results usually do not have a huge and over riding role in the eventual decision to select someone compared to the other parts of the interview - I know of them used for graduate roles, usually aged in their 20s. It's also rare that the results really throw up extremes (such as showing someone who would be a true polar opposite for the key elements of the role). I hope this helps. And yes, practice for the purposes of time and 'grading' rather than overthinking the grading in timed conditions (true, somewhat true, neutral, somewhat untrue, not true kind of scale) - I always drift a bit because there are various degrees of answer depending on the exact situation I would be involved in.

Ormally · 16/04/2021 16:21

"Tell them, they can make adjustments to the testing to help you."

  • In my experience that depends on what tool you are using. If you are only set up to run it onscreen and press 'start' to set it off, then you are principally driven by the provider's programming and process.
Ormally · 16/04/2021 16:34

There are a few books out there with practice questions and grouped types that seem to have been useful to some people, this being one, but various others available. www.amazon.co.uk/PSYCHOMETRIC-TESTS-questions-psychometric-assessments/dp/1912370646/ref=pd_sbs_1?psc=1&pf_rd_p=1469375b-13b4-495f-86c1-e268482be980&pf_rd_r=19RM5WPEG2C48VRRNMMV&pd_rd_wg=RJ3iG&pd_rd_i=1912370646&pd_rd_w=c6CGi&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&pd_rd_r=281ddda8-5123-47fd-8cf4-ecfdd66f4cc9

Twizbe · 16/04/2021 16:40

If they run the guaranteed interview scheme absolutely declare it at this stage. You might still have to take the test but at least they will know you need some reasonable adjustments.

Extra time is one adjustment but they can also adjust benchmarks for the test as well.

LonginesPrime · 16/04/2021 16:45

Apart from extra time, what reasonable adjustments would you make to the psychometric testing process?

The tester's website should say what adjustments can be made for each type of test.

I was looking into this recently and IIRC one of the adjustments someone mentioned (on glassdoor or similar) for a candidate with ASC was to have a discussion with someone beforehand to get some guidance on the test.

sorryiasked · 16/04/2021 16:56

I would say declare it because it's a senior role in the civil service and they absolutely will make sure the proper procedures are followed.

Original poster
PusheenLove · 16/04/2021 17:00

Thanks everyone. I think I will phone them on Monday and ask how their disability policies apply to autism, particularly around recruitment and screening.

OP posts:
WinstonsWeirdVole · 16/04/2021 17:03

I strongly suspect I'm autistic (not diagnosed but DC are) and tbh I don't think I'd declare it at interview stage unless I knew that the prospective employers were particularly good with supporting neurodiversity. Maybe I'm being too cynical but with employment figures so woeful for autistic people - and so much ignorance/prejudice about the condition generally - I think I'd take my chances at interview without disclosing anything, then possibly disclose it later if I got the job and needed any adjustments. This may well be terrible advice, but it's my personal gut feeling.

When you say psychometric tests do you mean like Myers Briggs? Pretty sure those things are BS anyway!

Good luck OP, whatever you decide.

SusannahSophia · 16/04/2021 17:06

I have found (for my autistic DS) that the guaranteed interview is ‘if everything else is equal’ rather than unconditionally guaranteed, which is fair enough, I suppose.

SurferRona · 16/04/2021 17:11

How are you currently employed? Have you been in the civil service before? Have you seen the success profiles/behaviours for SCS? Worth examining if not.

SurferRona · 16/04/2021 17:13

And yes, you should declare it. Nothing to fear in the CS Smile

user1471548941 · 16/04/2021 17:18

You should declare it! It is well known amongst employers who are pushing to employ more neurodiverse people that these tests are not a good measure of people with autism. Civil Service have been present at several conferences I’ve been to about this.

Google “Autism at Work” to see more about this or you can DM me- I work in the field!

BeforeLight · 16/04/2021 17:42

As far as I know, the scheme you are referring to doesn’t mean guaranteed interview, at least for where I worked. It would mean you had a lower pass rate for the sift. E.g if candidates needed 60 points to get through to interview stage, those with disabilities might pass with 50 points.

Good luck OP - and great idea to contact them to find out about the process

Original poster
PusheenLove · 16/04/2021 18:32

@SusannahSophia

I have found (for my autistic DS) that the guaranteed interview is ‘if everything else is equal’ rather than unconditionally guaranteed, which is fair enough, I suppose.
What does that mean?
OP posts:
Original poster
PusheenLove · 16/04/2021 18:33

@SurferRona

How are you currently employed? Have you been in the civil service before? Have you seen the success profiles/behaviours for SCS? Worth examining if not.
Academia is my current role.

Yes, I've studied the success profiles.

OP posts:
Original poster
PusheenLove · 16/04/2021 18:35

@user1471548941

You should declare it! It is well known amongst employers who are pushing to employ more neurodiverse people that these tests are not a good measure of people with autism. Civil Service have been present at several conferences I’ve been to about this.

Google “Autism at Work” to see more about this or you can DM me- I work in the field!

Thank you.

If the civil service appreciate that Autistic people struggle with these tests, can the civil service truly be pro-autistic when demanding them? I did a practice test and there are many "trick" questions, which is upsetting for someone with ASD.

OP posts:
SusannahSophia · 16/04/2021 18:36

For him, he was applying for a degree apprenticeship for which they had hundreds of applications. He met the minimum criteria but they had many who exceeded the minimum so he wasn’t offered an interview, despite the guarantee. It would seem that it means that if there were 2 candidates to choose between with similar profiles, he would get the interview over the other candidate, but if his standard was lower than the bar set, he wouldn’t.

Original poster
PusheenLove · 16/04/2021 18:43

@SusannahSophia

For him, he was applying for a degree apprenticeship for which they had hundreds of applications. He met the minimum criteria but they had many who exceeded the minimum so he wasn’t offered an interview, despite the guarantee. It would seem that it means that if there were 2 candidates to choose between with similar profiles, he would get the interview over the other candidate, but if his standard was lower than the bar set, he wouldn’t.
Thanks for explaining.

The process for the role I'm applying for is:

  1. Submit application including personal statement.
  2. HORRIBLE TEST.
  3. Interview and presentation.

If I declare my Autism do I meet a lower threshold on the test?

OP posts:
Tal45 · 16/04/2021 18:48

I would declare it, it means you get to definitely interview where you can then demonstrate your communication skills and also explain how you are impacted and how you deal with any issues. It also means you will get supported and it won't look like you're hiding things if it comes out that you've 'omitted' to tell them (not that you're obliged to). It sounds like their policy is forward thinking at least so why preten you're something you're not or not something you are x