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 skillsets you’re looking for will allow for successful candidate selection that aligns with core company values.

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. On the one hand, they test simple abilities such as whether a candidate can follow instructions.However, on the other hand, they can test mechanical understanding that doesn't come easily to everyone. Some well know 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 operation 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.

Reasons for deploying this type of psychometric test will often vary from company to company and depends on the desired outcomes of the organisation.

Most commonly, operative testing is used by businesses within the engineering, manufacturing, production or logistics industries. They are often presented as a pre-screening tool during the application process to gauge an applicant's mechanical aptitude and traits. Any applicants that do not possess the desired skill sets are typically sifted out of the shortlist. This is why testing should be deployed as a tool to help the hiring process

Furthermore, operative assessment tests are commonly used by employers to understand how a job applicant may behave in the workplace. Most mechanical reasoning aptitude tests can give an indication to employers as to how an applicant might navigate certain workplace situations. This is particularly important as within industries such as engineering and production, it's important to understand how employees will behave around heavy machinery for risk mitigation purposes. If an applicant shows traits that show their lack of attention to detail it may be safer to remove them from the shortlist.

Operative assessments may require specialist mechanical understanding. It’s always important to prepare and have an understanding of how the questions might be presented so you are able to provide accurate answers and give yourself the best possible chance of passing the test.

It’s best practice to prepare before taking any aptitude tests by:

• First understanding what form of test you’ll be taking - are you being tested on your mechanical understanding or numerical ability?
• Understand the job description - what hard or soft skills are they looking for in an applicant?
• Practise - try taking mock operative tests so you can gain an understanding of how long it should take to answer each question.

Maximise your potential by utilising your time effectively and preparing properly for operational reasoning aptitude exams.

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.