Why Choose Our Practice Tests?
It is true, there are a plethora of practice
psychometric/ability tests on the market. We should know - we were one of
the first to offer practice tests via the internet way back in 1995!
We only attracted between 10 and 25 visitors a day back
then, a lot has changed since and we really do want you choose the best
solution for you, whether from us or from another provider.
When choosing where to obtain your practice tests please consider these
issues :
1. Have the tests been developed to an industry standard level of
quality?
It is a simple enough task write a 'test' that looks like a test - to
the untrained eye they look plausible enough. However, the quality of a
test is determined by it's psychometric and scaling properties, and not
what the test items look like. Our practice tests have been developed
according to the guidelines laid down by Kline (1995) and other respected
experts in the test development field.
2. Do the tests prepare you for the 'whole' testing process?
Simply trying a list of questions will not prepare you very well for a
test session. From our experience with candidates we know that anxiety about
the testing and assessment process (rather than lack of familiarity with
the test questions) causes more performance issues than anything else.
Many candidates perform well below their true level of ability because
they are nervous - it is as simple as that, but not surprising given the
very real consequences of poor performance on a test.
As a result, our tests are not simply lists of test questions, but have
been designed to simulate the actual testing session/process, which can
often last for an hour or more, from dealing with the instructions through
to external time control, whole test scoring (with explanations) and
detailed feedback. The tests have been developed as coherent, stand-alone
tools in their own right which are designed to help you prepare for the
whole experience - they are not just unstructured lists of example
questions.
3. Who actually developed the test?
There are no legal or statutory controls over who can publish a test,
and this sadly is in evidence on the internet.
Our team of developers are fully qualified, BPS
registered Chartered Occupational
Psychologists. Our lead developer, Liam Healy is also a member of the BPS Board
of Examiners in Occupational Psychology and an experienced test developer,
having worked on test development projects for both central government and
a range of commercial and not-for-profit organisations. Liam is also
the author of 'More How To Win at Aptitude Tests' published by
Harper Collins, and has been lead test developer for most of our own
in-house psychometric tests.
Psychometric tests are not like school exams. Test
scores are usually interpreted in relation to the scores obtained by a
group of known ability e.g. graduates, the general population etc. So,
there is no such thing as a pass mark. Incidentally, this is also why
test development is such an expensive process.
Whilst cut-off points are sometimes used, these are
dependent upon selection ratios and base rates
(in simple terms, the number of candidates an employer has to
choose from, and the natural ability level within that group).
Be wary of anything that offers you the chance to 'PASS'
psychometric tests - it may betray a lack of understanding as to what the
testing process is about.
4. How up to date are the tests?
Unless the test developers are delivering psychometric
assessment projects in the real world on a regular basis, they may not be
up to date with the latest developments in both testing practice and what
employing organisations are looking for.
Our psychologists are all experienced and active
business consultants in their own right, and our practice tests reflect
the very latest in thinking on test use in selection and recruitment. We
keep one eye on the academic world, but we earn our livings in the real
one.
5. How much do the tests cost?
You get what you pay for! You might ask the question -
how much technical care and expertise went into developing any test which
is given away for free?
Over the years we have tested thousands of candidates - we know what
candidates need from a set of practice tests, and our practice test
development was driven by a desire to satisfy that very real candidate need.
Over 90% of our commercial clients are HR managers or Directors, so we
understand the other side of the testing equation. We have spent, and do
spend a lot of time developing our practice products, and have invested a
lot of our own expertise into them.
6. Tied to the Internet? or the Postman?
Our tests are downloadable, stand-alone software packages.
You can for instance transfer them to a laptop for practicing when on the
move, once you have downloaded them you do not need to be on line again to use
them.
Furthermore, because you can download them, you can get
going as soon as you have received your password (which happens automatically
as soon as you order). You do not need to wait for the postman to arrive with
a CD Rom to begin.
