Anyone done a psychometric test as part of a job interview?

[Wigeon]

Got to do a bunch of psychometric tests for an interview on promotion (senior management, public sector) - anyone done something like this?

This one involves a personality questionnaire done online in advance, then on the assessment day: verbal and numerical reasoning tests (20 mins each), then two further personality questionnaires (I don't think I have enough personality for three tests!) followed by an 'in depth interview' with an assessor where you discuss the results of all the tests.

And that's all before the actual interview a few days later!

Anyone else done something like this? Top tips? In particular, did you have a discussion with an assessor and what did that cover?

Also: aaarrrrggghh!

3 personality tests is a lot!

For the verbal and numerical reasoning tests you should do some example papers before as it definitely improves performance. For the personality ones just answer honestly

Loads on line to google and have a look at- worth practicing verbal/ numerical reasoning.
Look at opq, 16pf, Myers Briggs and belbin to give you some ideas of questionnaires.

I've done these a few times, but not for years. I had a book for practising the verbal and numerical ones, which was useful.

I've done them for a couple of jobs, years ago.

I would recommend practising too. I think the personality tests are actually harder because there is no right or wrong, just a gut feeling to go on.

I have got a book! Currently procrastinating actually opening it by doing this thread...! I have done Myers Briggs and it was spookily accurate.

Did any of you have to talk to the assessor about the results? The blurb I have says something about this being about putting the results into context both in and outside work, and implies that it's your opportunity to challenge the results if they seem way off. Anyone had this kind of thing?

I just did a psychometric test on a computer.

Top tip: don't try to 'beat' the test by ticking traits you think the employers find desirable.I did that and think I must have come out 'sociopath' I didn't get the job.

Do practise if you can (a lot of them used to be done by Saville & Holdsworth, so you might find practice papers online.)

I would assume that the personality tests will have at least one of the type of question, "In this situation, I would rather do: A or B?" You can't really practise those, just read the instructions and do what it says.

I've done quite a few.

It's quite hard to game the psychometric tests because of the way they are designed - you are best off just answering honestly - that will produce a consistent profile for them to evaluate against whatever criteria they have decided are necessary for the job. There are lots of sample numerical and verbal reasoning ones online - practice a few of those.

Just been practising some of he bloody things - verbal reasoning - feels like being back at school!

I really enjoy these tests, although I think I'm the only one! Definitely practice as many as you can re verbal reasoning as I find sometimes the odd one out type questions are poorly written and you could make an argument for any of the answers.

I've had a couple of interviews where I've had to talk about the results and the personality tests usually come out fairly accurately so as long as you've been consistent throughout the interview process, there shouldn't be anything to trip you up. If they are looking for a certain skill (e.g. negotiation) and the test results indicate that this isn't an area you're confident in, you may get follow up questions about that, so it's a good idea to know your weaknesses beforehand and understand how you can overcome them in the role.

I had to do these for a job I interviewed for in November. I really enjoy the numerical & verbal reasoning ones - I'd do then just for fun! I think the expect a low result - they are looking to see how much time you had left (too much and you didn't check your work enough) whether you answered everything (no point in not as nonnegative marks normally) etc.

At the end of the interview I asked them how they used the personality test. Basically it gives them an idea of whether you'll fit into the team (which you can't control anyway and if you don't fit it it's not the right job) and whether you have self awareness of your own skills/weaknesses.

Basically practice the reasoning ones like mad and don't try to cheat the personality ones!

I really like them too, but they are exactly the skills I need for my work, so no surprise really.

Be aware for the verbal and numerical ones that they are often designed to have too many questions to be completed in that time. This is to test how you cope under pressure and whether you'd spend too much time on a Q you couldn't answer etc.

There are loads of practice exams online and a few times I've had the same Qs from the practice crop up in the actual tests!