It is common-place for many employers to use tests as a standard part of their selection process. Swamped with applicants, they want to find the best match between each person’s skills, abilities, aptitudes and personality and the demands of the job they are applying for.

Taking time to practice, whether for a verbal, numerical or personality test, is a must. It will help you perform better on the day, put you at ease for the real thing and teach you valuable insight into where your strengths and weaknesses lie.

SPECIFIC TIPS FOR PERSONALITY TESTS

Understand the skills and behaviours the specific employer is looking for. Note them down. Each time you are presented with a question you find difficult to answer, consider the employer requirements and tailor your answer. Remember – you are not “cheating”. This is just a test to include or exclude you – it is not a full character analysis! Every day in business people are told to “mirror” others. Job applicants are told to “tailor” their CVs. The principle is the same – when in doubt, make your answers attractive to the employer.

Have a dictionary by your side, preferably with a thesaurus. Study basic rules of grammar (what is a verb, noun or adverb). Read the questions twice. Try a comprehension exercise. Read and digest the newspaper cover to cover each day before the test (interpreting snippets of content will get you in the right frame of mind).

SPECIFIC TIPS FOR NUMERICAL TESTS

Have a calculator with you. Practice long multiplication. Research and note down conversion rates. Polish your ability to calculate % and ratios. Most tests present data in charts, graphs or tables – so look for examples in the business press and learn to draw 2 or 3 conclusions from each. Practice estimating answers – even with a calculator this will help ensure you’re not wildly out.

TIPS FOR ALL TESTS

Take a practice test, review the answers and examine where you went wrong. Always read questions carefully and if time permits, take notes and read it again. Writing things down will help you remember and concentrate. Use the full time allowance. Go back and double check your answers.

Putting the above into practice isn’t meant to suddenly raise your IQ or change your personality. The intention is simply to get you in the right frame of mind and into the habit of answering questions in a test environment. Most of us have not had to do so since school.