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.

A man writing on a whiteboard with a woman watching.

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.

Two people shake hands over a desk covered in paperwork.

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.

Edenred

eras customer service is one of the best I have seen.

Edenred
CVS UK Ltd

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!

CVS UK Ltd
Talentum Partnership

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.

Kayleigh Ansell-Shaw - Talent Director Talentum Partnership
Revolution Bars

We have been working with eras for many years now and specifically use the 360 function regularly. The 360 function is fantastic as we can amend it to suit whatever we need. It's easy to use and produces really useful information in a very professional report. When working with eras I've personally found them to be extremely responsive and very helpful, they go out of their way to support and find solutions.

Lee Moody Revolution Bars
Mzanzi Consulting

Can I also just take this opportunity to thank you both for incredible customer service. This will be one of the main reasons I continue to use eras. Quick turnaround and prompt response are greatly appreciated!

Jessica Pinnock Mzanzi Consulting
Adnams Plc

Our relationship with eras spans more than 10 years and the Team there have consistently exceeded our expectations. They have the ability to understand our business drivers and our culture and then identify the resources that will help us meet our goals.

Sadie Lofthouse Head of Human Resources Adnams Plc
Wellcome Trust Sanger

The Psychometric Portal is a very good tool to use in recruitment selection and staff development

Wellcome Trust Sanger
Insight-Out

Your team are excellent at patiently dealing with my queries.

Jennifer Maddox Insight-Out
Bourn Hall

My eras contact always replies to her emails extremely promptly and makes me feel nothing is too much trouble for her. This level of customer service is quite rare which is why it stands out and I wanted to give credit and praise where it is due.

Bourn Hall
C2 Options

I'm very excited about the newer features of The Psychometric Portal®, and praise eras for its splendid customer service.

Carol Cromer C2 Options

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.

Four people standing at a desk looking at a laptop.

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.