From your CV and/or application form, the employer has information about your past history, experiences and achievements.

However, they may now wish to learn more about your ability to think laterally and examine how you might react in certain situations. In order for the employer to do this, aptitude or assessment tests are sometimes used as a part of the recruitment process, as another method to screen candidates.

What is an aptitude test?

An aptitude test is used by an employer to see how well a candidate performs in reasoning tasks. Aptitude tests examine the level and nature of the candidate's thinking abilities and assess the candidate's powers of logical reasoning. The tests usually comprise several sections - the most frequently used tests are verbal comprehension, numerical reasoning and diagrammatic reasoning. For more specific job functions, mechanical comprehension, visual estimation, classification and computer checking may also be included in the assessment.

• The test is performed under examination conditions.
• The test is strictly timed.
• All questions have a definite right or wrong answer.
• Very few candidates usually complete the entire test.
• The questions usually become progressively more difficult.
• To do well, aim to complete at least 75 per cent of the test.
• The test always begins with instruction and practice items.
• If unsure of any of the instructions, ask the instructor.
• Make sure you are aware of the time allowed.
• Work out how much time you can afford to spend on each question and stick to that amount.
• If you are spending too long on a particular question, skip it and move onto the next, you may have time to go back to it at the end (however this is unlikely).
• It is advisable that you read the question at least twice.
• The questions sometimes appear to be too obvious and you may think that they are trick questions, however it is advisable that you go with the obvious answer.
  

• In order to get your mind thinking along the same lines as what an aptitude test sets out to examine, practice some word games, mathematical teasers or puzzles with diagrams.
• Refresh on basic mental arithmetic.
• Time yourself - practice on working quickly and accurately.
• Bring your own calculator with you if you are allowed to, as you will be more familiar with it.

Here are some examples of the types of aptitude questions you may be asked during the test. The following questions examine verbal, diagrammatic and numerical ability and also include a sample personality questionnaire.

Click on any of the Following to view the Sample Questions.

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