Psychometric tests and my personal experience
In today’s highly competitive job market it is extremely challenging and important for businesses to fill a vacancy with the right candidate (Cann, 2013). Due to high demand of potential candidates, developing a portfolio of employability skills which include psychometric testing is considered important in every workplace (Mills et al., 2011). Thus, I recently took three practice psychometric tests on verbal, numerical and inductive/logical reasoning. This essay is a reflection of my personal experience of psychometric testing. First, I will talk about what the literature comments on in relation to the strengths and weaknesses of psychometric testing. Then, I will assess whether literature reflects
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Lastly, I will identify what I have learnt from my experience.
Psychometric tests are designed to measure the behaviour and capabilities of possible employees. (Johnstone, 1999). Employers use these tests to measure two categories of qualities – abilities and preferences (Mills et al., 2011). This provides an effective and efficient way to find the best person for the job as the tests give a true reflection of how an employee can accomplish assigned tasks which is completed online as part of the application process. Candidates are chosen for the next stage of the process through the comparison of test scores, resulting in grouping candidates into high and low percentile scoring categories. The higher scoring applicants are put through to the next stage of the process. This would normally be the interviewing stage. The lower scoring applicants would be declined. This is a form of filtering down the number of applicants, although the interviewing stage provides the means of selection, despite its subjectivity the tests provide a uniform set of standards to measure one candidate objectivity against another (Johnstone,1999). Psychometric
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The tests help to speed up the process of hiring new staff in businesses. My thoughts prior attempting psychometric tests have changed; I now think they are key when hiring new employees, as having the best employees will lead to a successful business. Having attempted the tests, I now know what I need to improve on to ensure I have the best chances of employability. There are a number of resource available which I can use to improve my test performance and by practising I will know exactly what to expect when applying for placements and graduate jobs in the near
According to Barrick and Mount (2005), one of the benefits of utilizing personality tests in the selection process is that it is helpful in predicting work behaviors. The benefit of measuring the Big Five Personality traits is that it aids in measuring specific job performance measures. These measures include motivation, interpersonal interaction, and the ability to influence others (as cited in Barrick, & Mount, 2005). Additionally, personality tests have the ability to predict various factors related to career success (Barrick, & Mount, 2005).
The Myers and Briggs Analysis is a series of questions that when answered are examined and grouped together in order to determine the personalities of those taking this test. This particular test can result in sixteen different outcomes or types of personalities, which is determined by four different categories that judge if you are introverted or extroverted, use your senses or your intuition, your choice to think or use your feelings, and finally if you are judgmental or perceptive. These series of questions are designed to judge our personalities and help us to determine which career pathways we will be most suited for based on our personality traits and abilities to work well with others, which is important for our future decisions.
Having completed the Myers-Briggs Personality Test previously, I was identified as an INTP, which stands for introverted, intuitive, thinking, and perceiving. Accordingly, this personality is often labeled as “The Architect” or “The Logician.” Despite my previous results, I repeated the test as instructed in the assignment. Consequently, based on the outcome of the test, my personality has altered in the past year. Thus, my updated results based on this analysis were, INTJ (introverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging). However, the two personalities are similar, as only one trait seems to have varied. Therefore, instead of holding a characteristic grounded in perception, it would appear that I am inclined to mannerisms that indicate
There are two basic psychometric properties, validity and reliability that have been used to evaluate the quality of scale development. Psychometric testing used to evaluate the quality of instrument (Polit& Beck, 2010).
is required to take prior to hiring. A psychological test is taken as well to evaluate
A psychological or honesty test is a specific type of personality test designed to assess a person's tendency, to be honest, trustworthy, and dependable. A lack of honesty is often associated with such counterproductive behaviors like theft, violence, sabotage, disciplinary problems, and absenteeism. These tests have been found to measure some of the same factors as standard personality tests, particularly dutifulness, and perhaps some aspects of emotional stability and agreeableness. Ultimately, a test’s accuracy depends on how carefully and seriously you answer the questions you are asked. Employers have the right to perform psychological tests on applicants, however, must be justified by a convincing interest. When it comes to pre-employment screens, any test that is done in order to determine if a person is eligible for employment infringes employee
As Aberdeen research shows companies which use Big five assessment tool for staff selection have terrific returns on their investments. Companies having pre hire assessment programmes 24% more likely to have employees exceeding performance expectations and 17% higher level of job engagement among employees and 36% more satisfied with new employees compared to businesses which do not use pre employment testing Lechner (2015). This is another evidence showing that the Big five model adequately capture and explain human personality.
At work we are accurate workers with really good memories and unexpected analytic abilities, we are also good with people in small groups or one-on-one interactions. We are patient and we are genuinely sympathetic. The test states that we are ...
The self-assessment test shows people their areas of strengths and weaknesses (Bethel University, 2014). In order to achieve success people must learn to use their strengths and improve their weaknesses. The first step in this process is learning which skills are strengths and which are weaknesses (Bethel University, 2014). After taking the test I was pleased to find I had more strengths than weaknesses. However, the test brought to light issues that I did not realize could be hindering my success. My management skills need the most improvement.
In the vast and detailed world of psychology, there are a variety of different tests you can participate in. For example, you can participate in aptitude, verbal or numerical reasoning, and psychometric tests. These tests assess a variety of different situations such as: behaviors, abilities and intelligence. Personality tests, a common and favored test, measure things such as: behavioral style, opinions, motivators, personal values and career interests. Most often, people complain or disagree with the score of some areas on their personality test; however, there are no right or wrong answers.
Risavy, S., & Hausdorf, P. (2011). Personality Testing in Personnel Selection: Adverse Impact and Differential Hiring Rates. International Journal of Selection and Assessment, 19(1), 18-30. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2389.2011.00531.x
le when assessing intelligence, interest in the job applied for, motivation and personality. The producers of such tests have stated that they are accurate and completely unbiased. They are supposed to be particularly good at assessment of personality. For example, they can show if a candidate would work well in a team or would be more effective working alone. The following of theses tests are of the following: · performance tests · knowledge tests · aptitude tests · intelligence tests · personality tests Assessment centers tests Job applications are subjected to a wide range of assessments over a whole day or two.
Allport defines personality as ‘the dynamic organisation within the individual of those psychological systems that determine his unique adjustment to his environment’ (Allport, 1937). An individual’s unique personality traits and attributes are a powerful indicator of how he/she will interact with the work environment. The difference between average and outstanding employees can often be solely personality related. As the employee is the most valuable asset to the company, ‘selecting the right employee during the process is critical’ (Carbery and Cross, 2013, pp. 41-53)
Personality tests tell a person a lot about why a person is who they have become. I believe that these test if taken truthfully can identify deficiencies that individuals can work on to benefit not only themselves but others in the organizations that they work in. Some models state that it is in human nature and chemicals that decided how a person acts but I believe it is based on life experiences and a personality can change as long as a person knows the deficiencies and works to change them.
Industrial psychologists typically help employers find the best person for a job, evaluate job performance, and train employees. In developing a system for matching an individual to a job, an industrial psychologist must first determine what special knowledge, skills, and abilities the job demands. The psychologist then designs a selection system to judge an applicant's qualifications for the job. The objective of such a system is to predict a person's performance in the workplace. Commonly used selection tools include interviews, letters of reference, work samples, and tests of aptitudes, abilities, knowledge, interests and personality.