Psychometric tests aim to measure mental abilities, aptitude, and personality traits that are relevant for the job. They are used by many large companies during the recruitment and selection process to identify the most suitable candidates. There are different types of psychometric tests that measure things like how well one works with others, handles stress, and can cope with job demands. Popular tests include the 16PF, MBTI, OPQ32, and Rorschach inkblot test. Psychometric tests should be objective, standardized, reliable, predictive, and non-discriminatory.

1. Psychometric Tests

2. What is a psychometric test?
Aim to measure aspects of your mental
ability, aptitude or your personality
Used as part of the recruitment or selection
process
Provide employers with a method of
selecting the most suitable job applicants or
candidates for promotion
Used by 80% of Fortune 500 and 75% of
Times Top 100 companies

3. What do psychometric tests
measure?
How well you work with other people
How well you handle stress
Whether you will be able to cope with the
intellectual demands of the job
Your personality, preferences and abilities
Most do not analyze your emotional or
psychological stability
Best match of individual to occupation and
working environment

4. What types of test are there?

5. What are they used for?
Psychometric tests
Selection &
Recruitment
Career
Progression

6. A psychometric test should be:
Objective:
The score must not affected by the testers' beliefs or values
Standardized:
Must be administered under controlled conditions
Reliable:
Must minimize and quantify any intrinsic errors
Predictive:
Must make an accurate prediction of performance
Non Discriminatory:
Must not disadvantage any group on the basis of gender, culture,
ethnicity, etc.

7. Some of the popular psychometric
tests are:
16 PF
MBTI
OPQ32
Thomas Personal Profiling System
Gordon’s Personal Profile Inventory
Rorschach Ink-Blot Test
FIRO-B
Picture Frustration Test
Thematic Apperception Tests (TAT)

8. For more information:
BOOKS
Anastasi Anne, Urbina Susana, Psychological Testing,
Pearson Education, 2003.
Mcshane S, Glinow A M, Sharma R, Introduction to Organization
Behavior, Tata McGraw Hills, 2006.
E-Books
D.Constantine-Simms,
Everything you need to know to pass psychometric tests.
Magazines
HRM Review February 2007
Websites
http://www.teamfocus.co.uk/different_types_of_psychometric_tests.htm
http://changingminds.org/disciplines/hr/selection/psychometric.htm
http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html
http://en.wikipedia.org
www.humanmetrics.com
http://www.opp.co.uk