Queensland University of Technology   Brisbane Australia Skip bannerSkip to content A university for the real world - Careers and Employment
QUT Home
Contact us
Careers Home Getting a job For employers Career Mentor Scheme Course/career planning For academic staff About us

Psychometric assessment

Getting a job
Job vacancies
Graduate programs
Employer presentations
Work experience
Careers fairs
Employer listing
Job seeking
Selection process
  Advertisement
  Application
  Short list
  Initial interview
  In-depth Interview
  Assessment centre
  * Psychomectric assessment
  Reference checking
Job offer
Applications - resumes, letters & selection criteria
Interviews
Workshops & workbooks

[Print-friendly version]

What is it?

Some organisations utilise psychometric tests to assist them with the selection process. Psychometric tests can be completed either on-line or as a pen and paper version. The industry field and the specific occupation will influence that variations of tests used. Typically, psychometric tests will entail questions aiming to assess the following:

What will I be required to do?

  • Abilities – assess broad skills such as verbal and numerical reasoning.
  • Aptitude  – assess job specific skills
  • Work interests – assess job and industry specific interests
  • Personality  – assess personality type and sometimes assess emotional intelligence

How do I prepare?

An employer will advise you ahead of time if they require you to undertake psychometric assessment. You cannot study for this type of testing, but there are some things you can do to help you perform at your best on the day:

  1. Obtain information about what type of tests will be used
  2. Conduct some research on the tests using the internet or the library, this will help you understand the purpose of the test and prepare you for the types of questions that you may encounter.
  3. Practice answering example questions
  4. Have a good night’s sleep before the test
  5. Have something to eat beforehand.

Further Resources:

  • The Selection Test guide will assist you further with your preparation.
  • Psychometric Success is a non commercial site is aimed at providing graduate job seekers with the detailed information and practice material you need to pass pyschometric job selection tests. It has over 100 pages of free information on psychometric and aptitude tests and has over 50 free downloadable practice tests.