What you need to know before taking an aptitude test

Hiring managers have different ways of determining whether an applicant is fit for the job. While interviews provide a good insight to a jobseeker’s personality, skills and abilities must be measured as well and, for that, there are tools like the aptitude test.

What is an aptitude test?

An aptitude test is a test given to applicants by employers or hiring managers to assess whether you’re capable of performing certain tasks needed for the job.

For careers that require technical skills, an aptitude test could come in the form of a traditional pen-and-paper test or a role-play or simulation. For non-technical skills which are also known as soft skills, aptitude tests are even more important. Some of the most commonly measured skills through aptitude tests include the following:

• Decision making skills – these skills are important when you’re taking on the role of a leader. These include time management, intuition, reasoning, creativity, and more.
• Analytical and logical skills – most jobs today have aptitude tests that measure analytical skills. This is because these skills are very important for problem-solving which is something that you’ll be faced with, no matter what job you apply for.
• Communication skills – you’d think being able to express yourself well is enough to say you have great communication skills but it’s not. Communication is a two-way process so speaking out is just the half of it. Being able to listen and understand what the other party is saying is a must, too.
• Cognitive Skills – your cognitive skills are a testament to how powerful your brain is. Having strong cognitive skills shows that you are in full control of your brain and that you are able to use it to an advantage.
• Social Skills – if you’re planning on working in a customer service-oriented industry, you can expect to have your social skills measured through an aptitude test as well.

Why are aptitude tests important to jobseekers?

It’s no secret that employers use aptitude tests to see which candidates are fit for the job and which ones are not. It helps them weed out the non-qualified applicants so they can focus more on those that could actually be “The One.” Aside from that, though, aptitude tests can be very beneficial to you as a jobseeker as well. Here’s why.

1. Self-awareness – being aware of where you stand helps you become more realistic with your goals. Taking an aptitude test and seeing the results will give you an insight of what your strengths and weaknesses are so you can focus your efforts into improving the areas that need them.
2. A guide towards the right direction – sometimes, we get into certain jobs and industries simply because it’s what’s available. If your objective is to get started in an industry where you could potentially grow over time, an aptitude test could help direct you to that path.
3. For raise and /promotion purposes – ever doubted yourself before asking for a raise/applying for a promotion because you felt like you didn’t have enough to show for it? Acing your aptitude tests can help you with that, too!

How to pass an aptitude test?

Because aptitude tests aim to measure your skills and abilities, it’s always best to answer these honestly and to the best of your ability. To increase your chances of getting a higher score, check out these tips:

1. Practice using online aptitude tests – you’ll find a lot of practice aptitude tests online that you can take for free, including ones like this diagrammatic reasoning test which many people find difficult and confusing and this situational judgment test that often overwhelms applicants. Familiarizing yourself with tests like these will make it easier for you to answer the ones from actual potential employers.
2. Try to take as many different types of tests as you can – you’ll never know what skill your future employer will want to test you for so it would be a good idea to take tests for a variety of skills to acquaint yourself with possible questions and scenarios.
3. Or focus on tests specific to your target industry or employer – if, on the other hand, you already have a particular industry/employer in mind that you’d like to apply to, then it would be wise to take practice tests that are specific to these.
4. Practice time management – aptitude tests are often timed so be sure to use the time you’re given wisely.

Never take aptitude tests for granted. These tests are crucial if you want to succeed and grow in the career path you’ve chosen.