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Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre

Psychometric tests

Psychometric testing is an integral part of the selection procedures used by employers. It is likely that you will encounter some form of psychometric testing both at the application stage and at assessment centres. Psychometric test methods include individual aptitude tests that require a combination of speed and accuracy. The most common tests are concerned with verbal and numerical reasoning but, depending on the nature of the company and job role, other tests may be employed such as critical thinking or diagrammatic reasoning. It is possible, through practice, to improve your scores in psychomteric tests. 

Preparing for psychometric tests

It is not always possible to prepare for every type of test administered by employers and recruitment consultancies. This particularly applies to personality questionaires where there are no 'right' and 'wrong' answers; it is, however, important to answer honestly in order to ensure the consistency of your answers. For other tests, notably numerical and verbal reasoning, practice is critical, particularly in reference to key areas such as percentages and equations.  In addition to numerous resources in the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre, as well as the many online practice tests, we do have two practice resources specifically for Durham students:
  • Profiling for Success

  • Kenexa

Profiling for Success

This battery of tests allows you to:

  • Explore personality types and preferences such as communication, team working, leadership traits and other personal competencies and how you can relate these to the career choices that you wish to make now and in the future.
  • Undertake verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests that could help you in graduate employer tests of a similar nature. The tests are timed which will help you to build up speed and accuracy.
  • Receive an automated email record of the results from the tests that you have taken on the system. Please note that there are difficulties in receiving these if you use Hotmail.

To access the system you need to log onto the Profiling for Success using a code that can be obtained directly from the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre either by contacting us or accessing the 'Career choice - preparing for your appointment' leaflet.

Kenexa

This portfolio of on-line verbal and numerical reasoning tests are similar tests to those used by graduate employers, particularly in the fields of finance and consulting. The tests are timed which will help you to build up speed and accuracy; feedback is provided in the form of an automated email detailing the results from the tests you have taken on the system, including specific areas to improve upon. In order to access the Kenexa tests, students are required to email the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre (careers@durham.ac.uk - Durham students or careers.stockton@durham.ac.uk - Queens Campus students) the following personal details:

Tile: i.e Mr/Mrs/Miss

  • First name
  • Surname
  • Gender
  • Email address

Allow up to 3 working days for an email invite with instructions on how to access the tests.

Important : You must disable any pop up blockers to set up the tests. There is a small pause between tests - do not close your browser while sitting the tests, this will log you out permanently and require a new email request for a new test.

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking University ‘Think-O-Meter’ Free App: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/critical-thinking-university/id423986330?mt=8. Candidates can practice their critical thinking skills via the iPhone Think-O-Meter App. They can think through scenarios and test their ability to separate reliable facts from assumptions, focus on the relevant information, and think critically to get the right answer. 

Concerned about numerical reasoning?

Many students express particular concern about numerical reasoning tests. The Mathcentre is a very useful online resource that provides practice exercises, tuition videos and information leaflets on key areas including algebra, arithmetic, sequences and differentiation. In addition to this, there are some excellent self-help books that can be accessed in the Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre. You can search for these using the library catalogue.

To take away (ask at Information Desk):

  • Improve Your Numeracy, University of Birmingham and Bristol