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1. What are these? » 2. Timescales and logistics » 3. Most popular ability tests »
What are these?
- These measure a candidate’s current ability and future potential
- The distinguishing feature about such tests is that they tend to contain questions, problems or tasks for which there are right and wrong answers or solutions
- Whilst scores on such tests are influenced by education and training, ability tests generally avoid very specialist knowledge which few candidates would have had the opportunity to acquire
The main categories of ability tests used in occupational selection are:
| Categories | Tests to… |
| Verbal skills | Assess across areas such as verbal application; verbal analysis; critical reasoning and evaluation |
| Numerical skills | Assess across areas such as numerical reasoning; numerical analysis; critical reasoning and evaluation |
| Problem solving ability | Provide information on how well a person is likely to apply reasoning and judgement when making decisions |
| Managerial judgment | Provide ratings on a candidate’s ability to manage objectives, people and organisational responsibilities |
| Idea generation | Assess a candidate’s fluency with coming up with ideas and creativity in thinking about new problems |
| Working with systems and rules | Assess across areas such as interpreting data; measuring reasoning with diagrams; spatial reasoning |
| Mechanical | Present a series of mechanical problems, usually in pictorial form which need to be solved by the candidate. Useful for a wide range of apprentice and engineering occupations |
| Clerical | Measure speed and accuracy in checking errors in lists, computer printouts etc. Also covers certain filing and classification skills |
What do WorkLife do? Timescales and logistics
Timescales in general
- On-line ability tests – best practice would recommend candidates have 3-5 working days to complete; we usually need to build in an extra 24 hours to get tests set up and to provide reports
- On-site ability testing – we usually require approx 3-5 working days notice (we will obviously try to work to shorter time scales in a crisis!) to book in time on-site; most ability tests results are provided on the day
What do WorkLife do when tests are on-line unsupervised?
The tests we label as ‘on-line, unsupervised’ can be done by candidates without a qualified administrator present. Here WorkLife would just need the candidate names and email addresses and we would carry out the subsequent administration, set up the tests, let candidates know and produce reports.
What do WorkLife do when tests are paper based?
Here a WorkLife Level A or B associate will administer the tests on-site. We will usually supply all materials required. With the majority of tests we will supply the results to the client on the day. When tests are on-line supervised we will work to the same principles.
General USP’s for on-line unsupervised tests
- Candidates can complete at home or work wherever they have access to email
- Tests can usually be carried out 24/7
- All tests recommended by WorkLife have proven validity and job relevance
- Candidate user friendly interface
- Candidates usually have access to pre test practice site
- Used early in the assessment process tests can screen applicants in/out and resources can then be focussed on the best candidates
General USPs for paper based tests
- All candidates can complete the tests at same time on site together
- Tests completed in a supervised controlled environment
- Results are usually produced on the day
- All tests recommended by WorkLife have proven validity and job relevance
The most popular ability tests we work with
As an independent supplier of ability tests WorkLife can access a very wide variety of options. The list below is the tests we use most often and is not exhaustive!
The most commonly assessed tests (e.g. verbal, numerical reasoning) can usually be done on-line; some unsupervised.
Verify range
- Verbal critical reasoning
- Numerical critical reasoning
- Inductive reasoning
- Numerical calculation
- Clerical checking
Elements range
- Verbal critical reasoning
- Numerical critical reasoning
Advanced Managerial Test Battery (AMT)
- Verbal application
- Verbal analysis
- Numerical reasoning
- Numerical analysis
Management & Graduate Item Bank (MGIB)
- Verbal critical reasoning
- Numerical critical reasoning
Critical Reasoning Test Battery (CRTB)
- Verbal evaluation
- Interpreting data
- Diagrammatic reasoning
Customer Contact Aptitude Series (CCAS)
- Verbal interpretation
- Verbal evaluation
- Numerical interpretation
- Numerical evaluation
Information Technology Test Series (ITTS)
- Verbal reasoning
- Order numerical reasoning
- Computer checking
- Syntax checking
- Diagramming
- Diagrammatic reasoning
- Spatial reasoning
Applied Technology Series (ASO)
- Numerical estimation
- Following instructions
- Numerical estimation
- Mechanical comprehension
- Fault finding
- Spatial checking
- Diagrammatic thinking
Personnel Test Battery (PTB)
- Verbal usage
- Verbal comprehension
- Numerical computation
- Numerical reasoning
- Clerical checking
- Classification
- Basic checking – speed and accuracy
- Audio checking
- Text checking
Technical Test Battery (TTB)
- Verbal comprehension
- Numerical computation
- Numerical reasoning
- Visual estimation
- Mechanical comprehension
- Technical understanding
- Fault diagnosis
- Spatial recognition
Brainstorm
- Judgement, problem solving and idea generation
Fastrack
- Problem solving and analysis
Scenarios
- Managerial judgement
Further Information
To find out more about Ability testing please contact us »