January 10, 2019
With more than one person applying for openings, it becomes essential to be able to make correct and appropriate comparisons on a variety of aspects. Using a variety of aptitude tests, an employer can determine which potential candidate will be best suited for the role based on factors such as problem solving, knowledge, and reasoning.
Aptitude Tests as a Predictor of Performance
Research has shown that an individual’s cognitive aptitude can be one of the most accurate predictors of their success at a job. It can work twice as well as an interview, three times as well as their past experience, and four times better than their education.
Accuracy of Aptitude Tests
When paired with an interview, aptitude tests help portray an accurate representation of a candidate’s potential. The tests provide valuable information for the employer that they may not be able to get from the interview alone. As there are a variety of tests available, they each measure different qualities. Finding the types that are relevant to the role you have open is the best approach to find a suitable person to fill the position.
Types of Tests
What the test measures must be considered before utilizing it. For example, a sales performance test may not be suited for an employee who will never have to make a sale. It is for this reason that it helps to have an understanding of the options available.
Skills Tests – A skills test measures aspects of the job, such as typing speeds, data entry accuracy, or the ability to use certain programs.
Knowledge Tests – These tests measure knowledge about certain parts of the job and role. It can and should be tailored to each position.
Ability Tests – An ability test measures either cognitive or mental abilities. They directly relate to performance levels and are often presented as a scenario in which the candidate selects what they would do in each situation.
Personality Tests – There are many different kinds of personality tests, but there are typically five different tests used to measure five basic personality factors. These factors are:
- Openness to experience
- Extroversion
- Conscientiousness
- Agreeableness
- Emotional stability
Advantages of an Aptitude Test
Using aptitude tests offers several advantages. The tests are accurate at predicting a new hire’s potential, helping to establish their strengths and weaknesses more in-depth than an interview could, and provides an example of the skills needed to the applicant. This helps them to decide if they are the right fit for the position based on their own skills and comfortability.
When an employer is looking to bring on a new person to fill an open position or consider promoting internally, it is important to make sure that these individuals have the right skills, knowledge, abilities, and personality to achieve success. The best way to do this is with the help of RightFit Plus. Our Sales Aptitude Test and Personality Profile test allow employers to make better management and hiring decisions. For more information about our testing services, contact us at 905-604-4951 or toll-free at 1-888-604-4951.
Also Read: Sales Aptitude Tests
FAQs
Like any good test, an accurate aptitude test is reliable, predictive, and measures only abilities that have job relevancy. In fact, adding aptitude tests to your hiring process actually increases its legal defensibility because these assessments produce such an objective measure of future job success.
Do aptitude tests predict success? ›
An aptitude test can help determine your individual ability in a certain area to help predict whether you are likely to succeed. Such tools can help assess student strengths or evaluate a potential job candidate's strengths and weaknesses.
How accurate are aptitude tests? ›
Aptitude tests are generally considered accurate when it comes to predicting success potential, but only “fairly accurate” in identifying someone's specific strengths and weaknesses.
Do aptitude tests predict job performance? ›
Cognitive aptitude tests are some of the best tools for predicting job performance. A strong and long-standing body of research demonstrates that cognitive aptitude tests are valid, reliable, and significantly more predictive than job experience and unstructured interviews.
How effective are career aptitude tests? ›
While realizing your dream job may be more than just a filled-out Scantron sheet away, career assessment tests can be extremely valuable in giving people a jump start in choosing career paths that fit their interests, best utilize their skills or match their personalities.
Does aptitude test really matter? ›
Business-related scientific research shows that reliable aptitude assessments are valid predictors of job performance. With an aptitude assessment, you can determine how well your prospective candidate will perform in the role.
What is the secret to passing aptitude test? ›
Stay calm and focused: Aptitude tests can be stressful, but it's important to stay calm and focused during the test. Avoid getting confused or panicking when faced with difficult questions. Take a deep breath, read the questions carefully, and use your practices and knowledge to approach them methodically.
What is the disadvantage of an aptitude test? ›
What are the disadvantages of using aptitude tests in recruitment? Disadvantages may include potential bias, limited scope in assessing non-cognitive skills, cultural differences in test performance, and reliance on standardized testing formats.
Is the aptitude test legit? ›
John L. Holland, an academic and psychologist. These codes have been shown to provide reliable and accurate results in matching people with suitable jobs according to their interests. Hence, it's safe to say career aptitude tests are a reliable option you can use to somewhat guide you in your professional life.
What is the reliability of aptitude test? ›
The Bottom Line
It is not a measure of intelligence but an assessment of your strengths and weaknesses, giving you and the evaluator an idea of your abilities. Most aptitude tests can suggest the likelihood of success in education and a career, but they are not always 100% accurate predictions.
Conclusion and recommendations
In terms of performance, conscientiousness is above and beyond the strongest predictor across all job types. This makes sense because conscientious individuals are more driven, have a higher need for job achievement and are more detail oriented.
Can personality really predict job performance? ›
In conclusion, personality tests are great at predicting job fit and are most effective when combined with other measures with higher predictive validity, such as integrity or cognitive ability.
How do I pass an aptitude test for employment? ›
Practice is key to success with aptitude tests. Dedicated time to work on practice questions and exercises can massively improve your chances of scoring well. There are many online resources offering a variety of aptitude test materials tailored to different skill levels.
What is the most accurate career test? ›
1. Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) is recognized as the most effective option for job seekers who want to assess their preferences and suitability for any given career path. That's why it's the preferred choice for many companies and career coaches.
Are aptitude tests predictive? ›
Like any good test, an accurate aptitude test is reliable, predictive, and measures only abilities that have job relevancy.
What is the hardest aptitude test? ›
Frequently Asked Questions
The top 10 toughest exams in the world include UPSC (India), Gaokao (China), CFA (USA), GRE (USA), Mensa (International), IIT-JEE (India), GATE (India), USMLE (USA), California Bar Exam (USA), and the Master Sommelier Diploma Exam (International).
What does an aptitude test attempt to predict? ›
An aptitude test is used to determine an individual's abilities, assessing how they are likely to perform in an area in which they may have no prior training or knowledge.
Is an aptitude test an achievement test? ›
Aptitude Test. Both achievement and aptitude tests measure the strengths and abilities of the test-taker. However, aptitude tests focus on the potential someone has to learn new things while achievement tests focus on what has already been learned.
Are general aptitude tests as predictive as they are reliable? ›
Like any good test, an accurate aptitude test is reliable, predictive, and measures only abilities that have job relevancy. In fact, adding aptitude tests to your hiring process actually increases its legal defensibility because these assessments produce such an objective measure of future job success.
Do test scores predict success? ›
But a solid score for a student from a less privileged background is often a sign of enormous potential. “Standardized test scores are a much better predictor of academic success than high school grades,” Christina Paxson, the president of Brown University, recently wrote.
With more than one person applying for openings, it becomes essential to be able to make correct and appropriate comparisons on a variety of aspects. Using a variety of aptitude tests, an employer can determine which potential candidate will be best suited for the role based on factors such as problem solving, knowledge, and reasoning.