Which graduate recruiters use which psychometric tests?

If you apply for a graduate scheme with a popular graduate employer, chances are you’ll be asked to take psychometric tests. This could happen at an early stage of the application process, at the assessment centre, or both. So what should you expect?

We’ve researched the psychometric tests used by a selection of sought-after graduate employers in different sectors. Our findings show how employers use this type of assessment in different combinations depending on what skills and competencies they are seeking. Online numerical reasoning tests are particularly widely used.

Read on to find out which employer uses which tests and to get advice on where to go for tips and practice tests. This will give you the best possible chance of getting the graduate job you want. Forewarned is forearmed!

Psychometric tests used by top graduate employers

• Airbus sets timed psychometric tests online before the assessment centre stage to gauge candidates’ logical, numerical and verbal capabilities. While the tests may vary, they’ve previously included pattern recognition and analysis of symbols and numbers.
• Atkins tests include an open-ended personality questionnaire, perception test and communication test.
• BAE Systems asks most candidates to complete online psychometric tests after submitting their applications. These are standard verbal and numerical reasoning tests. Candidates may also be asked to take psychometric tests at the assessment centre to confirm the first set of results.
• BT asks candidates to take two online multiple choice psychometric tests after the online application stage. These are designed to measure basic competencies. The first is a numerical reasoning test and the second is a situational judgement test that asks candidates to choose the best course of action in different situations.
• Citi sets numerical or verbal reasoning tests depending on division, understood to be from assessment provider Talent Q.
• Deloitte After the application form stage, successful candidates are asked to take an online numerical reasoning test. If they pass they are set a verbal reasoning test.
• Ernst & Young sets online psychometric tests before the interview stage, covering verbal, logical and numerical reasoning.
• Jaguar Land Rover sets online verbal, numerical and diagrammatical reasoning tests, repeated at assessment centre to confirm results.
• KPMG sets verbal and numerical tests provided by Cubiks, which offers practice tests on its own website, although the texts it produces for KPMG are bespoke. The tests are both 20 minutes long.
• L’Oréal invites candidates to take an online psychometric test, understood to be supplied by Kenexa, after the online application stage. This usually involves a numerical reasoning test. Candidates sit further psychometric tests at the assessment centre.
• Mazars invites candidates to complete online numerical and verbal reasoning tests after successfully submitting their online applications. Tests are provided by Kenexa.
• National Grid sets an online situational judgement test.
• PwC sets verbal reasoning, diagrammatic reasoning and numerical reasoning tests, provided by SHL, as part of its online application process and during the assessment centre.
• Rolls-Royce usually sets standard numerical, verbal or logical reasoning tests.
• Royal Bank of Scotland candidates are set an Aptitude for Business Learning Exercise (ABLE) test. This type of test is a written test that provides candidates with the information and methods they need and assesses how well they make use of them.
• Transport for London candidates are set a logical and numerical reasoning test put together by SHL. They are given a number of cards and asked to work out what the connection is between them.

Source: Targetjobs.co.uk, Thursday 12th April 2012