In this guide
Interviews and salary conversations
Aptitude and psychometric tests: formats and how to prepare
The main types of employer tests, from numerical and verbal reasoning to personality questionnaires, what each measures and how to prepare honestly.
Ability tests and questionnaires are different things
| Type | What it measures | Has right answers? |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical reasoning | Working with figures in tables and charts | Yes |
| Verbal reasoning | Drawing conclusions from written passages | Yes |
| Logical or abstract reasoning | Spotting patterns and rules in shapes or sequences | Yes |
| Situational judgement | Choosing sensible actions in work scenarios | Scored against preferred responses |
| Personality or work-style questionnaire | Preferences and typical behaviour | No |
| Role-specific skills test | Typing, coding, language or software skills | Yes |
Preparing for ability tests
Familiarity is the main thing preparation can change. Many test publishers and employers offer free practice questions in their own format, so start with whatever the employer or the test provider names in the invitation. Practise under a timer: running out of time is a more common problem than not knowing how to answer.
- Numerical: revise percentages, ratios, percentage change and reading tables. Use the calculator you are allowed, if any.
- Verbal: answer only from the passage, not from what you know about the topic.
- Logical: look for one change at a time, such as rotation, count or position.
- Read each test's instructions on guessing: some penalise wrong answers, many do not.
A worked numerical example
Illustrative example
Percentage change from a table
- A table shows a team handled 1,250 enquiries in the first quarter and 1,400 in the second.
- Question: by what percentage did enquiries rise?
- Working: 1,400 minus 1,250 is 150. 150 divided by 1,250 is 0.12, so the rise is 12 per cent.
Most errors in numerical tests come from dividing by the wrong number. The change is always measured against the starting value.
Questionnaires: answer as yourself
Personality and work-style questionnaires usually ask similar things several ways to check consistency. Trying to guess an ideal profile tends to produce contradictory answers. Answer for how you are at work, not how you are at home or how you wish you were.
On the day of the test
Before you press start
- I have a quiet hour and a stable connection.
- I have paper, a pen and any permitted calculator.
- I know how long the test is and whether wrong answers are penalised.
- I have read the instructions and done the example questions.
Common questions
Can I retake an online test if I do badly?
Usually not for the same application, and some employers apply a waiting period before you can reapply. Check the rules before you start rather than after.
Do employers use the tests to make the whole decision?
It varies. Some use a cut-off score to decide who moves on, others combine results with the application and interview.
Put it into practice
Prepare with interview practiceDrafted with AI assistance and checked against Luceria’s editorial standards. Examples are illustrative, not real people’s results. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.