Career Placement Test

Posts Tagged ‘Tests’

I’m looking to take some aptitude and career tests, but I’m on a tight budget. Does anyone know of some free or low-cost options? I just cant afford these tests that are like two hundred bucks a test! Thanks for your help!!!!

I ask as the few times I have taken this and other personality tests, the results have been different.

There are many people who feel they are caught in the wrong jobs despite earning a reasonable amount of money. Often it happens that creative people are not really happy with their jobs and find it mechanical and monotonous. If you are stuck in such a scenario, it is advisable to take some time off and explore the options again. You could take a job aptitude test and get an insight into the various industry sectors where you would fit the best. These job aptitude tests are particularly important for those who are starting out in their careers.

Before you opt to take an aptitude test, it is important to understand what it implies. The aptitude tests basically measure the ability of a person to acquire specific skill sets. There are different kinds of aptitude tests, depending on the actual skills and abilities for which a person is assessed. Along with job interviews, these tests are also used in the admission procedure for graduate and postgraduate courses.  

Maths aptitude tests are a particular kind of aptitude tests and used for assessing the suitability of a candidate for specific job profiles in a wide range of industry segments. You could easily make out from the name itself that these tests assess the basic mathematical abilities of the candidate. They could include questions based on algebra, geometry, statistics, or even accounting. Many a times, the candidates are also asked to interpret graphs and data charts.

In certain fields like banking, commerce, financing, engineering, or statistical analysis, the maths aptitude tests have become almost an integral part of the interview and selection process. Someone who is proficient in maths would be able to justify the requirements of the coveted posts in these sectors. However, the actual level of difficulty in the problems would depend on the type of organization using maths aptitude tests.

Sometimes, the requirement of the position would be such that only fundamental knowledge in mathematical reasoning would suffice. But sometimes the requirement could get more elaborate and may require higher level of numerical reasoning and quantitative aptitude testing. For instance, people looking for jobs in the sector of life sciences or arts often need to pass a relatively simple numerical aptitude test, whereas a more exhaustive knowledge of maths would be essential for a person to successfully meet the demands at the work place of other fields like banking.

If you wish to know more about maths aptitude tests and psychometric assessment, visit psychometric-success.com.

Pick a fruit. Which fruit will you pick if you were handed one of these?

Take a look at the list of fruits below and choose one that is your favorite. your choice reflects your personality, your inner self and your outer self.
1. Orange
2. Apple
3. Banana
4. Coconut
5. Pineapple
6. Papaya
7. Mango
8. Cherry
9. Black Grapes
10. Peach
11. Custard Apple
12. Pear

Orange
If orange is your favorite fruit; it speaks of a person who has enduring patience and willpower. You like to do things slowly; but very thoroughly and are completely undaunted by hard work. You tend to be shy; but are a reliable and trustworthy friend. You have an aesthetic bent of mind. You select your partner with care and thought; you love with all your heart, and are not in for just a fling. You avoid conflict at all costs.

Apple
If apple is your favorite fruit, you are an extravagant, impulsive and outspoken person; often with a bit of a temper. While you may not be the best organizer yourself, you make a good team leader; and are good at taking things forward. You can take quick action in most situations. You enjoy travel immensely. You ooze with charm when you are with your partner. You have an enthusiasm for life, unmatched by most.

Banana
You are a softie! Loving, gentle, warm and sympathetic by nature is the banana lover. You often lack in self-confidence and are quite timid by nature. People often take advantage of your sweet temperedness, and sheer vulnerability to a situation. You adore your partner in every which way, both for their mental and physical beauty! Because of the way you are, your relationship is always, very much in harmony!

Coconut
The coconut lover is a serious, very thoughtful and contemplative person. Though you enjoy socializing, you are particular about the company you keep. You tend to be stubborn but not necessarily foolhardy. Shrewd, quick-witted and alert, you ensure that you are right on top of any given scenario, especially at work. You need a partner with brains, and while passion is important it certainly isn’t everything for you.

Pineapple
You are quick to decide and even quicker to act. You are brave in making career changes; if that is what is to your advantage. You have exceptional organizing abilities and are undaunted by the size of the task at hand. You tend to be self reliant, sincere and honest in your dealings with others. Though you are not given to making friends very quickly, but once you do, it is for life. You rarely, if ever, make romantic overtures. Your partner is often impressed with your sterling qualities but disappointed in your ability to show affection.

Papaya
You are truly fearless and take much that happens in life, in your stride. You give considerable thought to things you do. You have a sense of humor that along with your generous nature keeps you in most people’s good books. You are a go-getter in your professional life, and have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. You enjoy meeting new people and seeing new sights whenever you can. Your sense of humor is what attracts members of the opposite sex to you more than anything else. It is simply charming!

Mango
A mango lover is a personality to be reckoned with; quite often you are a person who has quite fixed ideas, and influencing you is no easy task. You tend to be an extremist with strong likes and dislikes; and at times even like to control a situation. You enjoy getting involved in something that presents mental challenge. Strong as you may be, you are like a kitten when you are with your partner. You accommodate the love of your life, and make up for all the strong will elsewhere!

Cherry
If cherry is your favorite fruit, life isn’t always as sweet for you. You often face ups and downs, particularly professionally; and find that you make small sums of money, instead of a lump sum. You have a fertile imagination and are often involved in creative pursuits. You are a very sincere and loyal partner; but find that expressing your feelings is not very easy. Your home is your haven, and you love nothing more than being surrounded by close family and your beloved partner.

Black grapes
You are a polite person in general, but do have quick flare-ups of temper that cool down just as quickly. You enjoy beauty in all forms, including beautiful people. You are very popular because of your warm, gregarious nature. You have a zest for life; you enjoy every thing you do, right from the way you dress, to your style and élan in your day-to-day life. Your partner must share your zeal and zing for life… to enjoy all you have to offer!

Peach
Like a peach, you enjoy the juice of life… it all its lush ripeness! You are the friendly sort, and are quite frank and outspoken, which adds to your charm. You are quick to forgive and forget; and value your friendships highly. You have an independent and ambitious streak in you, that makes you a real go-getter. You are the ideal lover, fiery and passionate but sincere and faithful in love. You don’t however like to display all that passion in public.

Custard apple
You are a modest and conservative person; who can be quite sensitive at times. You tend to be thoughtful and contemplative, and therefore are rarely rash in doing things. You are quite ambitious; and are good at anything that requires much detailing or working with numbers. You are quick at finding fault with others. While looking for a partner, you value a person’s intellect far above their looks or good old passion. You are quite shy and not very comfortable demonstrating affection.

Pear
If you put your mind to something you can do it successfully, but by and large you tend to be fickle and have trouble completing a task with the enthusiasm you started it with. You need to know the results of your efforts almost immediately. You enjoy mental stimulation; and love to get into a good discussion. You tend to be a restless and high-strung person, and are easily excitable. While you are quick to strike up a friendship with someone, maintaining it does not seem to be easy for you.

more test

Career assessment tests are valuable for both sides of the equation. Today there are tests that have been empirically tested for so many different situations. These tools can facilitate the decision making process for employers who are swamped with resumes and help a candidate who is ideally suited for a job to stand out. Proper use of career aptitude tests is a win/win for both employers and job seekers.

There are many different types of personality tests. Some are criterion based (e.g. the characteristics that people who are successful in a given category have) and others work off the five factor premise (characteristics that all people share but which come in varying degrees in each person).

The Myers-Briggs test with which many people are familiar is a theory based test. It is an adaptation of the theories of Carl Jung. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory is a criterion based test that is used with both normal and abnormal psychological populations. Five factor tests such as Cattell’s 16 Personality Factor Questionnaire (16PF) and the DISC assessment by Inscape Publishing are just for normal populations and are the ones most commonly used as career assessment tests.

The DISC Assessment and the 16PF are particularly interesting tests. They can be taken on line (although you need to do it through someone who is certified to administer the test) and actuarial interpretations are rendered. It is fascinating to find out the results.

The tests are not difficult and there is no right or wrong answer. They simply ask test takers their preferences from a group of forced choices (in the case of the DISC assessment) or from a bipolar scale (2 opposite choices and one neutral in the 16PF). They are entertaining to take. There is no pressure on the test taker. But there are some scales that will determine if the test taker is “faking” (e.g. those “trying” to be a fit for a job). The best thing to do is to encourage testers to just be themselves.

Test results will show both the tester and potential employee whether any given job is a perfect fit or if it is only something that the job applicant can do (but would prefer some other type of work). This is the crucial ingredient for being happy on the job. It is also a key to keeping employee turn over low.

What types of things do these tests reveal? The DISC assessment excels in identifying characteristics based on four factors: Demand, Influencing, Security, and Conforming. It can tell you whether someone has the characteristics to be a stellar salesperson or would be more suited to work behind a desk crunching the numbers. It will also tell you the best way to manage the people on your team because you will learn what their communication style is (and your own too) and what it takes to communicate effectively with them. This will have an extraordinary effect on your business.

The 16 PF is based on five global traits and 16 individual personality factors. It is an incredible test that has been used for more than fifty years (with revised editions) and has been tested extensively. It too can be taken on line with an actuarial interpretation. The categories include such items as extroversion/introversion, concrete thinker/abstract thinker, dominance/compliant, openness to change/resistant to change, rule consciousness, self-reliance, perfectionism and so forth. Computerized analysis is extremely helpful because the 16 personality factors will influence the others (depending on the degree to which they exist). The tests will also match up the occupations for which the test takers are most suited.

Thus the test is ideal for employers who are wading through resumes and who want to make the best decision between viable candidates. The test is also ideal for people who are interested in starting a new career but are uncertain about where they should start. Career assessment tests are well worth the fee to use them because they will ultimately save money. Unhappy employees who are not suited for their jobs will find other jobs as soon as possible. In tough economic times they will stick it out but under perform or add negativity to the work environment. Those who are considering a career change will save money by making the right decision about which educational option should be pursued for example.

There are many, many other tests that are available. It is important to make sure that the tests used have been empirically tested and have high reliabilities and validities. Reputable test providers will be able to provide the statistics that substantiate any claims made. They will also be able to help select the right test for the purpose that you have in mind.

You may not like most of the career tests.

To begin with, some people hate all tests. End of story. Forcing a career tests on your best friend could lead to your premature demise.

Other people like tests, but hate particular kinds of questions. For example, some people dislike “forced-choice questions,” where they must pick between two choices that are equally bad, in their view.

Other people dislike “ranking yourself against others” questions, because, with their low self-esteem, they rank themselves poorly in comparison with “others” in almost everything.

Other people do not like “pick occupations you like” questions, because they’ve learned by experience that all occupations, as commonly practiced, are a mixture of good and bad, and they keep thinking of the bad stuff, when each occupation is mentioned.

Other people do not like questions about how they would behave in certain situations, because they tend to pick how they wish they would behave, rather than how in fact they actually do.

The career test has to feel right to the individual who is taking it.

2. There is no career test that gives better results than others.

You may take a test that gives wonderful suggestions for future careers, but when your best friend takes the same test, their results may be way off the mark. How did that happen?

Tests have personality. With respect to a given test, one person will love its look, feel, taste, and touch, while another person will hate it on sight. Unfortunately, how one feels about a test will definitely twist your results.

3. No career test should be considered to be accurate.

We turn to tests with the hope that someone can definitely tell you who you are and what you should do. A definite no no.

Test results are sometimes way off the mark. On many online tests, if you answer even two questions inaccurately, you will get completely wrong results and recommendations.

There are countless sad stories about people whose lives were sent down a completely wrong path by test ‘results’ that they believed when they should not have. You should take all test results with not just a grain of salt, but with a barrel.

Tests have one great mission and purpose: To give you ideas you have not thought of and suggestions worth following up. But if you ask them to do more than that, you are dreaming. Also do not forget to take several career tests, rather than just one. You will get a much better picture of your preferences, profile, and good career suggestions from three or more tests, rather than just one.

4. Always trust your intuition to be your guide.

You know more about yourself than any career test does. Treat no test outcome as ‘gospel’. Reject the summary the test gives you, if it just seems dead wrong to you.

Trust your intuition. On the other hand, if you really like the suggestions the career test gave you, do not agonize about whether those suggestions are worth tracking down. Just do it and listen to your heart.

Career tests are fun, but reading the results is not enough. You are not done until you have thought hard about what distinguishes you from every other member of the human race.

Nothing wrong with taking all the career tests you can handle until you finally realize that you are a unique individual.

Some of us might be caught in the wrong jobs – despite earning respectable salaries. We might have studied extensively and passed rigorous examinations; but despite all these, some of us might not be completely satisfied with what we are doing.  Sometimes, creative people would find their jobs very mechanical and boring. Given such a scenario, it is best to take some time off and explore the options again. Not that all of us can do so, as we have families to support and bills to be paid. For those who are starting out in their careers though, the aptitude tests in general hold a special position. A person can take a job aptitude test and get an insight into the areas and the industry segments where he would fit the best.

What are aptitude tests ? Aptitude tests measure a person’s ability to acquire some specific skill set. There are different types of aptitude tests, depending on the actual skills for which a person is assessed. Aptitude tests are used in the admission procedure for graduate and postgraduate courses, as well as in job interviews. Maths aptitude tests are a particular category in aptitude tests and are being used to assess the suitability of a candidate for specific jobs in different industry segments.  

As is quite evident in the name, the basic mathematical abilities of a person are assessed using the maths aptitude tests. The problems could be based on algebra, geometry, statistics, or accounting. Sometimes, the examinees would need to interpret graphs and data charts.

Mathematical aptitude tests are often an integral part of the interview and selection process in fields such as commerce, banking, finance, engineering, or statistical analysis. A person would need to be proficient in maths for them to be considered for some coveted posts in these sectors. The actual level of difficulty in the problems would however depend on the type of organisations using these tests to select the best minds. Sometimes, the positions would be such that some basic questions in mathematical reasoning and quantitative aptitude would suffice. People aiming for jobs in the field of life sciences or arts often have to pass a relatively easy numerical aptitude test. At other times tough, a more extensive knowledge of maths would be necessary for a person to successfully meet the demands at the work place.

How does one prepare for maths aptitude tests ? The easiest way to prepare for mathematical aptitude tests is by using sample test papers to practice. A person can download tests from online providers and try them to get a definite improvement in his speed and accuracy. The best providers also offer tips on how to improve speed without jeopardizing on accuracy. People who would be facing a selection procedure in the foreseeable future can browse through the online numerical ability tests and know more about simple numeracy as well as numerical reasoning.

Want to know more about maths aptitude tests, numerical aptitude tests, and psychometric assessment ? Visit psychometric-success.com to get all your answers.

I’m a junior in high school and i really need to start cracking down on college decisions. The problem is i don’t have a clue what i want to do or major in so i can’t really narrow down a list of colleges. So i thought i would try an aptitude test but i can’t seem to find any good, reliable, or FREE ones.
Any suggestions?

A high school senior getting ready to pursue some form of university studies will often encounter a variety of tests required for college entrance. Often, students may be confused by exams required for college entrance, such as the ACT or SAT and exams that can grant college credits, such as <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=http://www.speedyprep.com/>CLEP</a> (College Level Examination Program) tests and AP (Advanced Placement) exams. Both CLEP and AP exams can be beneficial for students entering higher education, but they serve different purposes and are approached in different ways. Learning these differences will help students maximize the academic benefits from each type of exam.

CLEP is designed to give students a chance to gain college credit without taking college courses. These exams cover material taught in introductory or general education college courses and require students to demonstrate knowledge of a subject equivalent to that of a student who has taken the course. <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=http://www.speedyprep.com/clep_exam_procedure.aspx>CLEP exams</a> can be taken at any time before or during a student’s college career, providing the opportunity to pick up credits before actually enrolling in college, during the freshman or sophomore year of college, or even right before college graduation. Preparing for a CLEP may involve a simple review of previous knowledge for students who are already familiar with the material or few days or weeks of studying for students who have no background knowledge of a subject. Students register to take their test at an official testing center and often can test when their schedule best allows. Students can earn between 3 and 12 college credits by simply passing a CLEP exam.

Unlike <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:pageTracker._trackPageview(‘/outgoing/article_exit_link’);” href=http://www.speedyprep.com/clep-test-study-guides.aspx>CLEP tests</a>, AP exams are designed for students who are already taking advanced placement courses in high school. After a year-long high school AP course, a student can take an AP exam that will offer college credit based on the score that a student receives. A student’s score is based on a one to five scale; many colleges and universities will grant credits to students who obtain a score of three or higher on the AP exam. These tests are only taken by high school students who complete an AP class and sit for the exam on a designated date. Each college of university will determine the number of credits it will grant to a student based on the specific AP exam they take and the score they obtain.

CLEP tests and AP tests both serve the same purpose by giving students the opportunity to earn college credit without taking college courses. Since CLEP exams are available year round at any level of study, students have a wider window of opportunity to earn credits using these exams. That said, there is a greater variety of AP tests available for students to take, and they are offered for more specialized courses. On occasion, a passing grade on an AP exam can result in credit for more than one college course, essentially killing two birds with one stone.

Preparation for a CLEP is usually far less rigorous than that which is involved for AP testing as the student can study in a matter of a couple of days and then take the exam. Both tests cost about the same amount of money, but for some states, students only have to pay for the first AP exam they take every year. This allows students to pursue multiple tests without having to shell out a lot of money along the way like they may have to when taking multiple CLEP tests. As a whole though, the $70+ it takes for each exam is well worth the tuition savings that will occur, so paying for individual tests in either situation is not something to fret about.

Overall, a student can vastly benefit from both AP and CLEP tests. Both offer college credit without taking college courses, and both act as a way to enhance university studies. Students don’t have to choose one or the other as they can use their time in high school to take AP tests and then move on to CLEP exams during college. The opportunities are endless with CLEP and AP tests, and a student could literally enter college as a sophomore or better with the right amount of testing under his or her belt.