What Is An Aptitude Test & How Are They So Beneficial?
Aptitude tests have grown dramatically in popularity in recent years. Because of this, they are coming up more frequently in the interview process and in workplaces. While they are popping up more and more often, many people are still unaware of what exactly they are and what they are used for.
With over 70% of large UK businesses using some kind of psychometric tests, it is hugely likely that you will come across them at some point. If that point is now and you are confused or worried as to what they are, worry not.
In this article, we will detail what aptitude tests are, and what industries use them most and will also detail all their benefits.
What Is An Aptitude Test?
An aptitude test is an assessment process that is designed to measure an individual's natural ability to perform specific tasks or to respond to certain situations. These tests are now a very common feature of a job application process as they allow employers and recruiters to gain a better understanding of how a candidate will perform within their business.
The tests typically evaluate skills, talents, problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, numerical reasoning, verbal comprehension and so much more. The tests feature numerous multiple-choice questions and will help to give a much better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of a candidate or an employee.
While this may seem very daunting, you cannot actually fail an aptitude test. They are not designed to have passes and fails, they are simply designed so that employers and future employers have a much better understanding of what your skills and abilities are.
What Are The Different Types Of Aptitude Tests?
There are so many different categories of aptitude tests all designed with dissimilar assessment test questions. They are all designed unalike for different industries and applications. The most common types of aptitude tests are:
- Numerical reasoning - Numerical reasoning tests your ability to deal with numbers. This type of aptitude test is particularly important for industries such as finance or data analysis where more analytical skills are required.
- Verbal reasoning - These tests determine how well you can understand and interpret information given to you.
- Non-verbal reasoning or diagrammatic - In these tests you will be shown a series of images that you will then be asked questions about. This is done to test problem-solving natural ability.
- Mechanical understanding - These tests look at comprehension of basic mechanical principles relating to such areas as cogs, pulleys and levers.
- Spatial reasoning - These tests look at how shapes and objects fit together in space, in either two or three dimensions.
- Practical assessments - This type of aptitude test is designed to test your practical skills by demonstrating your technical skills through various demonstrations.
Who Uses Aptitude Testing?
Aptitude tests are most commonly used in recruitment processes. However, they are also frequently used within workplaces. In fact, some of the biggest companies in the world, such as Apple, Microsoft, Nike and more, use aptitude testing throughout their recruitment process and development processes.
These tests are commonly used across a number of different smaller and larger businesses. Through testing, these companies are able to accurately predict how a candidate will fare with analysing and reporting very important information.
In addition to businesses, aptitude tests are also very commonly used throughout the education system. This is because the tests give teachers and students a good indication of what they are capable of and also what they are able to learn when given the right instructions.
Benefits Of Aptitude Testing
Aptitude testing is not used by so many huge businesses across so many detailed and intricate industries for fun, it has a real purpose and can provide these businesses and the individuals taking part in the tests a huge amount of benefits. These are, but not limited to:
Can Help To Identify Strengths & Weaknesses
Aptitude tests allow recruiters and employers to figure out the strengths and weaknesses of a particular individual. This data can then be used by recruiters to determine if they are right for the role, and by employers to hone in on their employees' strengths while helping them to improve their weaknesses.
While this helps the businesses to understand much more about the individual, it also allows the individual to find out more about themselves. Having a measure of their strengths and weaknesses allows them to better understand what they do best and what they could potentially improve on to grow as an individual within the company.
Helps To Identify An Individual's Level Of Intelligence
Being much more effective in hiring through the use of aptitude testing helps to streamline the recruitment process. Recruiters need to believe that the candidate will thrive within the role they are hiring for, these aptitude tests give them a more in-depth understanding of whether or not the candidate is suited to a particular role.
Having a much more effective hiring selection process through the use of aptitude testing helps to streamline the recruitment and hiring process. This will then help to increase the overall efficiency of the business whilst also ensuring that they are bringing in the highest quality staff.
They Are Standardised Tests
Aptitude tests are fully standardised, which means that you can rely on their accuracy. The results of these tests will therefore depict a much more accurate and fair insight into the intelligence level of a candidate.
While this not only makes it much harder for participants to cheat, it also helps to ensure inclusivity and diversity of a hiring process. Each candidate will be given the exact same test and therefore the exact same types of questions. This will make it far easier to decide on the candidates that are more suited to the role.
Identify Skill Gaps Within A Workplace
Businesses will often use these Aptitude tests in-house to determine the skills of their current employees. This will then help the business to highlight the skills that may be missing consistently and provide training which will help to improve these skills and therefore the overall business operations.
In addition to this, identifying these skill gaps can also help businesses make informed hiring decisions. This is because businesses will look for individuals who possess the skills that their current employees may be lacking. This helps to fill the skill gap and once again create a much smoother business.
Aptitude Tests From eras
Here at eras, we have a range of amazing aptitude tests designed for businesses, recruiters and schools. We will work closely with you to help select the aptitude test most suited to your exact needs to ensure that the test is perfect for your business. Get in touch with us today to discuss the perfect tests for your business.