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Psychometric Tests

The Careers Centre provides St Andrews students with free access to online practice tests for verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning.  Free access also extends to the Type Dynamics and Learning Styles Indicator tests. Note down the codes and password required and use them to access the tests via the Profiling for success website. The Careers Centre also has books on psychometric tests available on short loan.

Many employers use psychometric tests as part of their selection processes and certain types of test can help you work out what career you might be suited to. There are two main types:

1.  Aptitude Tests : these test abilities such as numerical, verbal, abstract or diagrammatic reasoning and are designed to measure your potential performance in a job. Usually presented in multiple-choice format, the questions have right and wrong answers, are normally presented online and timed.

2. Personality Questionnaires: these are used to assess personal behavioural preferences to determine whether a candidate’s character suits the job applied for. There are no right or wrong answers and they are usually completed in your own time.  St Andrews’ students can access two personality questionnaires: Type Dynamics and Learning Styles Indicators (see the yellow box above for access details). Students often find it useful to discuss their feedback with a careers adviser.

  • Type Dynamics Indicator reveals the kind of work-related activities you prefer, the purpose work has for you, your working style, what kinds of people you want to work with, how colleagues and others might see you, the type of contribution you prefer to make in the workplace, your main assets/areas to develop and career ideas to explore.
  • Learning Styles Indicator is useful when making module choices, deciding whether to do a dissertation or considering types of postgraduate study.

The following websites offer advice and guidance on psychometric tests:

Online resources

  

Practice tests:

  Example in-tray/e-tray exercises: Improve your numerical skills: