Supervisory and team leader tests are a form of psychometric aptitude testing that is a vital part of a candidate's ability to effectively lead a team. These tests are generally presented in a multiple-choice format. The questions are typically used to understand job applicants’ thought processes and actions when in the workplace.

It is very common that the distribution of supervisor and leader tests is carried out either directly by the employer or through a third-party recruitment agency. The type of test that is administered varies from company to company depending on the position that they are looking to fill. However, no matter what form of test is administered during the hiring process, valuable information about a candidate’s leadership attributes, like problem-solving and communication, will accurately be shown through supervisor testing.

Aptitude testing comes in a wide variety of types and forms; all with different methods for collecting verbal and non-verbal data. It is commonly accepted that each test has unique properties that make it better suited to measure specific skills and traits such as accuracy, concentration, comprehension and more.

Supervisor and Team Leader assessments are more complex in nature than traditional aptitude tests such as clerical and admin assessment tests. They typically call for an understanding of complex situations and measure a candidate's ability to handle conflict resolutions, problem-solving and ability to delegate work whilst maintaining organisation. Some examples of supervisory and leadership tests are:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Numerical Reasoning

These assessment tests can streamline your hiring process. Here at eras, we suggest a combination of tests to highlight a candidate's supervisory traits and ensure they are suitable for the role they are applying for and your organisational culture.

Variations from business to business often determine the benefits of using supervisor and leadership tests. These differences in benefits will have a direct impact on the reasons why businesses will choose to use this type of testing over others.

The first (and most commonly accepted) benefit of using supervisor testing is the ability to test a candidate's proficiency in crucial attributes that are desirable in a good leader. These are skills such as how well they understand written information and how well they deal with financial information. This makes a supervisor test a crucial skill during the pre-screening stage of the hiring process as applicants that best meet the requirements of the role can be shortlisted whilst those that do not can be excluded.

In addition, supervisory skills tests are highly objective and can remove response bias from the hiring process. They provide a holistic view of a candidate's suitability to carry out supervisory tasks and will highlight whether the applicant aligns with your company culture.

Applicants undertaking supervisory skills tests are more likely to be successful if they prepare thoroughly. As a candidate, you can expect to answer a range of questions that will test your relevant skills where possible. It is fundamental to understand what it is you will expect when taking these tests so you can provide accurate answers that will reflect your abilities as the right candidate.

Here are some common things to consider when preparing for a team leader skills assessment:

• Begin with understanding what test you will be taking - does the employer want to know more about your understanding of written documents or numeracy skills?
• Have a grasp of the job description - Do you understand what skills or abilities are needed for the job position?
• Practice - this can always help to get you in the right frame of mind. Mock tests are a great way to highlight any knowledge gaps that you might have before the real test.

“Failing to prepare is preparing to fail” - make sure you take the time to ensure you fully understand what is expected from you before taking the assessment to give yourself the best possible chance at passing.

The ability to assess relevant skills and traits is just one of the reasons why team leader and supervisor tests should be used by an organisation. They greatly improve the recruitment process and allow a business to understand the strengths and weaknesses of potential candidates. This can help a company find the right people for the job.

eras are here to help you seamlessly integrate this form of aptitude testing into your hiring process. Contact us today and we’ll discuss your business needs and help choose the right test for your business.