Presentation by Catherine Reynolds, Senior Careers Adviser, University of Sussex. December 2012

1. Selection Tests
Catherine Reynolds
Careers and Employability Adviser
Careers and Employability Centre

2. Selection Tests
Types of tests
Employers’ views
Preparing to take selection tests
During the tests
Resources to help you

3. Types of test
Ability Tests
• taken under standardized conditions and with strict time limits
• paper and pencil or online, multiple choice questions
• marked by trained person or machine, scored against norms
Personality Questionnaires
• provide information on a person’s
preferences and personal style
• not timed, no right or wrong
• answer, usually get feedback

4. Ability Tests
Used as a predictor of future performance in a job
Aim to measure intellectual capabilities
Types include
• Numerical reasoning tests – assess accuracy and problem solving
• Verbal reasoning tests – assess accuracy and comprehension
• Diagrammatic reasoning

5. Before an Ability Test
Brush up your maths – times tables, percentages, long multiplication!
Practise as much as you can under timed conditions to simulate the real
thing – there are lots of examples online or in books
Read instructions carefully and check with the test organiser or
administrator if you need to clarify anything
Contact the employer beforehand if you require special provisions or
adjustments

6. Answering the Questions
in Ability Tests
• Work accurately and fast and be positive
• Avoid spending too long on questions you find difficult
• If you are uncertain about an answer, enter your best choice
• Keep working hard throughout the test
• If you have any time at the end go back to any blank answers
• Don’t worry if you don’t complete them all – you won’t

7. Personality Questionnaires
Used as an assessment for a particular type of job or sometimes
further training or course and focuses on individual differences
Aim to measure typical performance –no right or wrong answers
Psychological assessment of personality based on 5 global factors:
Extraversion; anxiety; tough mindedness; independence; self control

8. Before a Personality Questionnaire
Build in preparation time to focus on yourself and the job you are
applying for
Questions often focus on how you work with others – in a team,
under pressure…
Try out some online personality tests
Be yourself - no right or wrong answers

9. Answering the Questions
in Personality Questionnaires
Be yourself - no right or wrong answers
Although it is un-timed, don’t take too long on each question
– go with your first reaction

10. Reference books

11. Careers and Employability Centre
Web resources
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/jobs/applyingforjobs/selectiontests
Events
Bloomberg 12 December 2012
www.sussex.ac.uk/careers/newsandevents/events