Ever wondered what makes you, you?
I come with answers! Unlock your true potential with psychometric tests.
Psychometric tests allow you a glimpse into your personality, cognitive abilities, and more, these tests can help you gain a deeper understanding of who you are. But, what exactly are psychometric tests?
What is a psychometric test?
Psychometric tests are used to measure things that are inaccessible to the naked eye. Literally, the term "psychometric" comes from the Greek words "psycho" meaning mind and "metric" meaning measuring, hence this is a field dealing with psychological measurement. They are generally used to assess individual aspects like personality, aptitude, intelligence, environment, emotion, conduct, motivation, and values, all of which are difficult to define in a traditional scientific manner, like numbers. They also help in predicting behaviours and results in various scenarios. It is an objective and unbiased method for predicting future performance.
Psychometric tests are not your typical tests, the kind that keeps you up at night and gives you exam anxiety. They are simple, easy-to-follow instructions where you simply have to either read a statement, see an image or arrange some blocks and tell us what's on your mind, that's it. There's no right or wrong answer and no scores that have life-altering decisions. A psychometric exam also does not need you to prepare or study in advance. Just sit back and be as open and honest.
Uses of psychometric tests are-
- Screening: In schools, psychometric tests are commonly used for screening purposes to identify students who may need additional help with their learning or to identify gifted students who could benefit from specialized coursework and programs. In fact, the first psychometric test, known as the Stanford Binet test, developed in the early 20th century was an intelligence test designed for screening children in France who needed some extra assistance and attention with their academics.
- Recruitment: When it comes to evaluating candidates, psychometric tests are used by almost all HR departments. They offer an impartial and objective method of comparing applicants based on skill, ability, or any other characteristic that the recruiter is seeking.
- Diagnosis: Psychometric tests are commonly used in clinical settings to diagnose conditions such as autism, dyslexia, mental retardation, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and psychotic disorders. They can also aid in the early detection of dementia.
- Therapy: These tests can help therapists tailor their approach to their client's needs by identifying personality traits, red flags, and unspoken issues. They also help match clients to the right therapist based on shared beliefs and values.
Apart from these fields, psychometric tests are great for developing self-awareness, which can help you make informed decisions regarding your future. Whether you're figuring out your professional path or getting to know yourself better, information from these tests may serve as a guide, guiding you through the journey ahead of you.
Classification of psychometric tests and their applications
In terms of test formats, some are individual and conducted one-on-one, in these cases, an assessor would sit down with each individual and administer the test. Other formats allow for group testing, which is typically preferred by employers, recruiters, or the military, as they allow you to test multiple candidates at once.
Most of the tests take a little while to complete, they can take an hour or longer. In general, the most widely used psychometric tests are those that assess aptitude, intelligence and personality.
- Aptitude tests:
Aptitude tests evaluate certain talents or proficiencies, such as mathematical thinking, verbal reasoning, spatial awareness, and mechanical knowledge.
For instance, aptitude tests are used to help children choose a career path after finishing school. It assesses a child's abilities, personality, intelligence, and interests to provide the best possible results.
The most popular aptitude tests are Cleaver's Test and The Moss Test, which evaluate a person's reflexes, performance under pressure from demanding work, and social adaption to prepare and understand their actions, respectively. - Intelligence tests:
Intelligence tests, such as the well-known IQ (intelligence quotient) test, are used to examine an individual's cognitive abilities, which include reasoning, problem-solving, and logical thinking. Usually, a collection of exercises or questions intended to examine several facets of intelligence comprise these assessments.
Intelligence tests are commonly used in educational settings to identify talented pupils, clinical psychology to examine cognitive functioning, and job screening to evaluate individuals' intellectual ability. This may sound scary because no one enjoys having their intelligence called into question, but remember that intelligence is not set in stone and can change throughout a person's lifetime. Intelligence is not just measured by test scores, it also includes social, emotional, and creative skills that are frequently disregarded by conventional evaluations. Although having a high IQ might be advantageous, personality and social skills are equally important considerations that must be taken into account.
The most widely utilised tests include, the Raven's Test assesses attention levels as well as observation and reasoning abilities and the Terman Merrill exam, which is a popular psychometric exam for determining IQ.
Infiheal offers you an intelligence self-test built on Howard Gardner's Multiple intellect theory, this free online test aims to provide you with a deeper understanding of the type of intellect that you possess to a greater extent, allowing you to pick the best potential professional path: https://www.infiheal.com/personality-test/multiple-intelligence-test - Personality tests: Personality can be defined as an individual’s unique constellation of traits and personality inventories are designed to assess the relatively stable and enduring characteristics of an individual. These tests are based on many theoretical frameworks, including the Big Five personality characteristics (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism) and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
For instance, there is a more objective and scientific approach to determine compatibility between partners, personality tests are commonly used. While no two people have the same traits, a good fit can indicate compatibility. When two people complement each other's strengths and weaknesses, a relationship is more likely to succeed. However, if both partners exhibit traits that indicate a potential for disharmony, it may be a red flag.
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Are psychometric tests accurate?
- Psychometric tests follow the maxim "the more the merrier." Using just one psychometric test is uncommon because using several increases the likelihood of an accurate indication of the aspect being examined rather than a single measure or no measure. A test-maker can be as creative as they want and customize the tests, adding and subtracting items in ways that fit their target population the best. While no test can produce perfect results, using accurate and trustworthy psychometric instruments has a higher overall advantage than not using any.
- Good psychometric tests reflect cultural differences and are developed after examining people from various backgrounds and age groups, making them fair. They are also more reliable and accurate since they have been tried on a large number of individuals. You may show off skills that you might not otherwise be able to in well-chosen tests. When used along with other methods of assessing individuals, psychometric assessments are more reliable than interviews, academic accomplishments, and references. These tests provide an additional layer of information, which in turn helps make better judgements.
Can you outsmart a psychometric test?
Imagine you're at a job interview and the interviewer asks you, "What's your biggest weakness?" Instead of giving an honest answer, you may be tempted to say something like "I work too hard" because it sounds nice. However, just as a smart interviewer can see through it and go after real answers, a good psychometric test may detect if you are not being truthful. Most psychometric tests have built-in tools to detect if an individual is faking or responding randomly, making them more reliable. Many people worry about giving ideal answers instead of truly reading the items, but good psychometric tests have this feature. So, the answer is NO, you cannot outsmart a psychometric test. When it comes to psychometric tests, remember that honesty is the best policy!
