Operative
Aptitude Tests
The Operative Series assess the ability to reason with basic information and the visual representation characteristic of the work of a range of shop floor staff. No assumptions are made about the educational standards, although those with tangible attainments in secondary education are potentially likely to do better. These tests are appropriate for assessing unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled operatives in a range of industries including manufacturing, production, warehousing and logistics and could potentially be used to select for the grade of first line supervisor — but not for higher positions where other tests are likely to be more suitable.
What are Operative Tests?
Operational aptitude testing is a widely accepted tool to measure a manufacturing or shop floor candidate's ability to reason with basic information. These types of tests are often referred to as mechanical reasoning aptitude tests and are used during the recruitment process for jobs in fields such as engineering, the army, manufacturing and many more.
Operative assessments are typically carried out by an employer but it's not uncommon that an external recruitment agency might carry out the assessments. The desirable skills that are being assessed during a test are likely to vary from business to business and even from role to role. That's why, as an organisation, having a clearly defined understanding of what attributes and skill-sets you're looking for will allow for successful candidate selection that aligns with core company values.
Exploring Varieties of Operative Tests
In terms of aptitude testing during the recruitment process, there is a wide range of aptitude tests that are commonly used within the recruitment process. All with numerous questions and forms of delivery that are tailored to draw out key skills from applicants that are desirable to an employer. The most common traits that are being measured from most forms of psychometric aptitude tests are concentration, accuracy, reasoning and attention to detail.
Generally speaking, Operative aptitude testing can be argued to be less complex than the likes of Supervisory and Team Leader tests . They test simple abilities such as whether a candidate can follow instructions, however they can also test mechanical understanding - something that doesn't come easily to everyone. Some well known operative assessments include:
- Understanding written instructions
- Using numbers at work
- Understanding mechanical principles
It is useful if hiring managers and recruitment consultants implement various forms of operative psychometric tests to gain a holistic understanding of a potential candidate and whether they will be a suitable fit for the company and the job role itself.
Our Operative Series of Tests
Mechanical Understanding (OSM1)
A test to assess a candidate's ability to reason with and apply their mechanical knowledge.
Using Numbers (OSN1)
A test to assess a candidate's ability to answer questions about stock levels of components and their usage.
Following Instructions (OSF1)
A test to assess a candidate's ability to follow a set of written instructions.
The Psychometric Portal® provides an excellent variety of instruments. The flexibility offered by the 360 tool is crucial in our industry and being able to use the system on a pay-as-you-go basis is a huge benefit.
I watched the session at the CIPD conference and thought it was one of the best sessions of the day.
We use The Quest Profiler® and the wider eras tools heavily at Snow and they are a key part of our kit. From recruiting tools to developmental psychometrics for individuals and teams through to leadership 360s the quality of the data and reports has made a significant difference to our people worldwide. They gain insights and actionable feedback that helps them grow and build the success and careers they aspire to.
What I like about The Quest Profiler® is the wealth of different outputs it provides, from team styles to conflict handling, and from culture matching to competencies. You would normally have to use multiple personality tools to achieve this, but they all come from the same 25 minute questionnaire!
I was introduced to eras many years ago, and throughout my HR career I have found their services extremely professional , and more importantly, extremely accurate in terms of the candidate profiling outcome. Whether I was using a recruitment or a development service the level of detail available to bolster my decision making was invaluable. I would not hesitate to recommend eras and the team to anyone.
We are delighted to recommend the use of eras products for use within both recruitment campaigns and for employee development. The tools that we use for both purposes have a good level of flexibility and can be matched against roles of all types and levels within our business.
eras customer service is one of the best I have seen.
Your customer service is outstanding.
Everyone has been very helpful and the level of service and information far outweighed your competitors.
The eras team provide exceptional support that is not only professional but human as well. No 'ask' is ever too much and any queries or concerns I have are addressed promptly, reflecting a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction.
Is Operative Testing Right For You?
Using Operative aptitude tests is a great way to determine the competency of job applicants during the hiring process. These tests are designed to examine a wide range of skills and determine suitability for roles such as logistics operatives and engineers.
By administering industrial skills tests it's possible for a company to gain a holistic understanding of a candidate's qualifications and workplace abilities. This can provide an informed choice for hiring managers during the recruitment process and help find the right person for the job.
If you are interested in utilising aptitude testing in your recruitment process, we invite you to contact us for further assistance. During our consultation, we will assess your specific business requirements and assist you in identifying the most appropriate test or developing custom solutions to best fit your needs. Please do not hesitate to reach out for additional information.
Contact Us Today
Experts in Psychometrics
Need more information about how eras and psychometrics can help your business? Don't hesitate to get in touch with us today! We're always here to answer any questions you may have and help you choose the best solution for your needs.