HR Glossary

Aptitude and ability tests

Aptitude and ability tests are created to assess candidate’s job potential and thinking capabilities in order to complete the most essential tasks of the job he or she is applying for.

what are aptitude and ability tests

Definition of Aptitude and ability tests

Aptitude and ability tests are created to assess candidate’s job potential and thinking capabilities in order to complete the most essential tasks of the job he or she is applying for.

Depending on the job, aptitude and ability tests can take a variety of forms and they usually consist of completing a sample of work that the candidate will be expected to do.

Types of aptitude and ability tests

There are two categories of aptitude and ability tests: speed and power tests. Speed tests contain simple questions and the goal is to answer as many questions as possible in the allotted time.

In contrary, power tests don’t contain a large number of questions. They contain a fewer number of more complex questions, and the goal is to find a way to correctly solve them.

Types of tests:

1. Verbal ability tests are test in which candidates are evaluated based on their ability to use grammar properly, to spell words correctly and their ability to follow specific written instructions.

2. Numeric ability tests contain mathematical questions. Some of the examples include: questions on arithmetics, questions on number sequences and simple mathematics questions.

3. Abstract reasoning test candidates’ ability to determine the logic of a pattern. Based on the insights, candidates are expected to come up with a conclusion and a solution. In this test,diagrams are used to test candidates’ abstract reasoning.

4. Spatial reasoning tests measure candidate’s ability to manipulate shapes. In spatial reasoning tests, candidates are expected to manipulate shapes in two dimensions or to visualize three-dimensional objects that are presented as two-dimensional.

5. Mechanical reasoning tests are tests made to test and evaluate candidate’s knowledge of basic physical and mechanical principles. Some of the examples include pulleys, levers and simple electrical circuits.

6. Data checking tests include number of tables of information which must be checked against each other.

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