How to practise aptitude tests

Introduction
Aptitude tests have become a regular feature in the selection procedures of many employers, particularly the
larger graduate recruiters in computing, finance, management training and the public sector.

Tests attempt to measure whether you have the specific abilities and intellectual capabilities required for the job –
they are not tests of general knowledge. The actual tests used by any employer will depend on the skills required
to do the job, but the majority of tests in current use cover the areas of verbal, numerical and logical reasoning
ability. Aptitude tests should be clearly distinguished from personality assessments, which are used in order to
determine your typical reactions and attitudes to a range of situations. The first round of tests is usually online,
often with a second round to be completed at an assessment centre.

For some frequently asked questions about psychometric and aptitude tests have a look at the following link:
www.realisepotential.com/FAQTestTakers.html or see a useful infographic summary at
http://practicereasoningtests.com/aptitude-test-infographic/

Preparing for aptitude tests

It is not possible to ‘revise’ for aptitude tests, but you can do some preparation, for example by completing
practice tests, brushing up on your maths and doing logic puzzles. Such preparation should help you work quickly,
familiarise you with the demands made by aptitude tests and improve your confidence in taking them.

Improving your score

 As you have to aim for a balance of speed and accuracy, evidence shows some practice of similar tests may
improve your performance.
 Try to answer as many questions as possible. Not everyone completes the test in time so don’t worry if you
do not complete it and you are not always expected to finish the test anyway.

On-line practice tests

 Careers and Placements offers practice aptitude tests (Profiling for Success and AssessmentDay) via our
website. These gives you the opportunity to practise graduate level tests and get feedback on your
performance. These tests are on www.york.ac.uk/careers/tests (York University log-in required)

Background information
 www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/interview-tips/psychometric-tests - general information and links to
practice sites
 http://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/psychometric-tests for advice and links to online tests
 www.jobtestprep.co.uk/images/free-pdf/beginners-guide-psychometric-test-jobtestprep.pdf – explanation of
different tests and exercises
 http://practicereasoningtests.com – a range of tests explained

General practice sites

 www.shldirect.com SHL’s free examples of ability test questions, personality questionnaires and timed
practice tests with feedback on how you compare to other applicants
 www.talentlens.co.uk/practice-aptitude for numerical reasoning and critical thinking tests
 www.numericalreasoningtest.org and www.verbalreasoningtest.org both give advice, tips and tests
  http://elearn.pwc.co.uk/psychometric/index.html - explains how PwC use psychometric tests, with tips on
preparing and some practice tests
 www.AssessmentDay.co.uk - tests for numerical, verbal and inductive reasoning tests and other useful
advice. Also have a section on Situational Judgement tests. To access practice tests, go to
www.assessmentday.co.uk/york/
 www.assessmentcentrehq.com/ - explanations of a variety of tests and exercises
 www.practiceaptitudetests.com/psychometric-test/ includes practice tests and video tutorials
 www.psychometric-success.com practice tests and FAQs
 www.morrisby.com/practice-questions/ example practice questions covering a range of ability areas (not
specifically aimed at graduate recruitment)
 www.savilleconsulting.com/PracticeTests
 www.jobtestprep.co.uk/ – free verbal and numerical questions and sample in-tray exercises
 www.psychometrictest.org.uk – includes situational judgement tests
 http://situationaljudgementtest.org.uk – situational judgement tests
 www.123test.com – range of psychological tests

Sites for specific tests

 www.jobtestprep.co.uk/watson-glaser-sample-questions – sample Watson-Glaser questions
 http://europa.eu/epso/apply/sample_test/index_en.htm - EU Careers sample tests
 www.gre.org practice for the American university entrance tests – verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning,
critical thinking and analytical skills
 www.ets.org/ Educational Testing Service gives access to practice questions for GMAT, GRE and the Test of
English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
 www.themedicportal.com/ - UKCAT and BMAT practice tests for Medical School

Reference Books and other information available in Careers and Placements

Further information on the types of test mentioned above, together with additional examples of test material and
a number of reference books may be found in our Job Hunting section of the Information Room. These include:
 Psychometric Tests for Graduates
 Book of IQ Tests
 How to Pass Graduate Psychometric Tests
 How to Pass Numeracy Tests
 How to Pass Verbal Reasoning Tests
 How to Pass Advanced Verbal Reasoning Tests
 How to Pass Advanced Numeracy Tests
 How to Pass Professional Level Psychometric Tests
 You’re Hired! Psychometric Tests
 How to Pass the Civil Service Qualifying Tests
There are also some additional copies of these titles available for loan in the University Library.

Please note: The websites listed here are not intended to represent a comprehensive list. Careers and Placements
cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites.

August 2018