Testing is used by employers as part of the selection process because they want to recruit the best person for the job. Tests are structured exercises, either pencil and paper or computer based, designed to assess your reasoning abilities or how you respond to difficult situations. Reputable tests have been carefully researched and your results are normally compared with how others have done in the tests in the past.

Ability or aptitude tests have questions with definite 'right' or 'wrong' answers and usually you have to select from a range of alternatives within a given time limit.

Personality questionnaires are designed to find out how people are likely to behave in certain circumstances and there are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers. These analyse your style and the way you approach your work - how you relate to other people, how you react and your motivations.

Practice tests

Prepared candidates make better candidates. Personality and ability assessments are now used by many employers. This means that you need to be prepared to sit an ability and/or personality assessment during the recruitment process.

The Employability and Careers Service can offer the opportunity to practise ability tests in three areas of performance - verbal, numerical and diagrammatic reasoning. A full practice session will take at least 90 minutes and will be run by a suitably qualified Employability and Careers Adviser. After taking the tests, you will need a follow-up appointment to discuss the results in a confidential setting. The Adviser will provide a profile outlining your strengths and weaknesses in comparison with other students and graduates.

Contact us to make an appointment.

Examples of practice tests online:

• Prospects - Information about tests as part of the selection process and links to practice sites.
• SHLDirect.com - Practice assessments with feedback. Tests are also available in many different languages!
• Topemployers Ltd - Graduate jobs numerical reasoning tests with graphs, charts and data interpretation questions based on a pool of 200 questions.
• Kanexa - Practice tests including numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and logical reasoning
• Finding Potential - Free tests including personality testing & ability testing