Getting a job is not easy anywhere. If you want your dream job, there are certain things that you have to do successfully and to achieve these, there are certain things that you have to know and what an aptitude test happens to be is one of them.

What Are Aptitude Tests?

After you have submitted your documents and have been successfully picked to go through to the next level, what usually comes next is an aptitude test. The question then is, what is an aptitude test?

Simply put, an aptitude test is basically a mechanism that is usually elected by potential employers to test the cognitive skills and the suitability of their potential employees to the position they are vying for. These tests usually come in three forms and they are; conceptual reasoning, numerical reasoning and verbal reasoning.

What Are Numerical Reasoning Tests?

A numerical reasoning test is one of the most important parts of any aptitude test and it involves testing your knowledge of numbers with the use of graphs, tables, number sequences, percentages, financial analysis, data interpretation, currency conversion and ratios. The aim of this test is to assess your ability to deal with numbers effectively in any given situation.

What Are Verbal Reasoning Tests?

Rather than a test of knowledge, this test of skill is made use of by employers to test the ability of their potential employees to understand certain things while carrying out the duties of their positions. It mostly deals with critical thinking and it varies greatly depending on the type of test that you are taking.

More about Verbal Reasoning Tests

The Most Common Logical Reasoning Tests (Inductive and Deductive)

Inductive and deductive reasoning sections are common across lots of different job assessments but there are some tests that are dedicated to these types of reasoning.

Common inductive reasoning tests are the SHL, Kenexa, Cut-e, Talent Q, and Matrigma.

Deductive reasoning tests and sections are most commonly used in screening for positions like IT, engineering, software, and technical design. Logic and advanced problem solving skills are what are usually screened for in deductive reasoning tests and are used often in these positions.

What Are Conceptual Reasoning Tests?

Also known as the abstract reasoning test, a conceptual reasoning test is designed to assess your ability to quickly identify patterns and new trends in ideas. With the result of your conceptual reasoning test, employers are able to measure your ability to learn new skills, your ability to think strategically about problems, and your ability to process and analyse data in a logical manner.

Now that you understand what to expect from an aptitude test, preparing for it will be easy.

How to Prepare for an Aptitude Test?

Although knowing the forms in which a job assessment test may come is one of the sure ways of ensuring that you pass the test, the process of passing a test does not just end there. There are other things to do in preparing for an aptitude test and they are;

Knowing the Test Format

If you want to take part in the job assessment test of a company, then it is important that you are aware beforehand, the number of questions the test usually has, how many sections the test is divided into, how the test is usually graded and what manner of questions is usually asked in the test. If you know all these, then you have already passed your test halfway. If you are not sure about all of these things however, you can always ask for the information from the HR department of the company you are applying or their employees.

Regularly Practicing

Regularly practising the questions of the aptitude test may make all the difference when it comes to passing the test. When you practice the questions of the aptitude test and revise the topics and probable question types, you are making yourself familiar with the test questions and getting accustomed to the amount of time it will take to finish each questions.

You are also able to recognize your strengths and weaknesses which in turn allows you to strategize better and solve the questions faster. Practicing regularly can be done by taking mock tests on the questions that are likely to be in the aptitude test.

Getting to Know the Means of Conducting the Test

An aptitude test may be conducted offline in handwritten format by using a pen and a paper or online with a phone, laptop or computer, depending on the preference of your prospective employer. Getting to know the format in which the test will be conducted will ensure that you are already a natural at taking the test and as a result, pass it better.

Planning

Planning how to answer your questions before the test may help you get better scores in them. However, in order to plan successfully, you have to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses so that you can determine what parts of the questions you should attempt first.

Rather than fumbling through the test, knowing your strength gives you the opportunity to allot more time to those areas you are likely to score more and spend the remaining time attempting those areas you are not so good at.

Not budgeting your time may lead to unnecessary wastage of your time and the inability to complete those parts of the aptitude that are time-consuming.

Study the Skills You Will Be Tested Online before the Test

If you will be tested on your spelling, grammar, typing or mathematical skills, then it is important that you work on these skills for a fixed period of time in a day by taking online aptitude tests that are designed for testing your skills and improving them in the exact way that your prospective employer is going to. If you need to practice online before your test, you can simply go to our mock test section and you will be ready to go.

Stay Calm When Answering the Questions

When the time for taking the test finally comes, don’t fret, read the instructions carefully and make sure you follow them in order not to get your full score and not be penalized. Remember your strategies and follow them. Keep a calm demeanor throughout the test and try not to worry too much about getting the job or not.

Conclusion

The journey to passing your recruitment test starts from the preparation stage. When you dedicate your time into strengthening your weaknesses, your overall result improves and you become one step closer to getting your dream job.