Sitting selection tests
Some employers, usually the bigger ones, use selection or 'aptitude' tests to measure specific abilities or skills. The employer identifies the most important skills for the job, and then asks applicants to take a test or a series of tests to measure these skills. Below you'll find some examples of test questions, the answers and a selection test checklist.
Tests might be used to measure your ability to:
- learn new things
- solve problems
- understand and use words
- understand and use numbers
- understand and use diagrams
- understand basic mechanical or electrical principles
- do practical work-related tasks such as using a soldering iron or sewing machine, or typing out a piece of text quickly and accurately (work sample tests).
Your ability to do the job should relate to how well you do in the test. This helps employers to decide who to interview, and to work out who will be the best overall candidate.
Sometimes, the employer will be looking for a specific ‘pass’ mark. This will vary according to the level of work. For example, an employer recruiting craft and technician engineering apprentices may use the same test, but the pass mark for technicians will be higher than for craft applicants.
Sitting a selection test is a bit like sitting a school exam:
- the employer will hand out the test paper or booklet and tell you about the test
- the employer will give you detailed instructions about how to complete it and tell you how much time you have
- there are usually some practice questions at the beginning to help you to understand what the test is about.
If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask about it before you begin.
Some examples of test questions
Most tests are multiple-choice, where there is a range of answers and you have to choose the right one by ticking a box. The time limit is often quite short so don’t be surprised or worried if you don’t finish on time. Before you start, ask if you can do rough work on scrap paper and if you’re allowed to use a calculator.
The following questions are not part of any particular test. However they should give you a feel for the different types of questions that might be set. The answers are at the end of this section.
Questions to assess ability in reasoning
(Measures the ability to understand the connections within a series of words, numbers or symbols)
1. Dangerous is to safe as slow is to ……………………………
A) empty B) shut C) argue D) quick E) enter
2.Which of the following comes next?
3. Which number comes next in the following sequence?
1 2 4 8
A) 5 B) 16 C) 64 D) 12 E) 32
Questions to assess knowledge of vocabulary
(measures knowledge of the meanings of words)
4. Which one word has a meaning which includes the meaning of all the others?
A) truck B) car C) train D) bus E) vehicle
5. Request means the same as ………………………………………
A) reply B) talk C) write D) ask for E) suppress
6. The following sentence has a word missing. Which one word makes the best use of the sentence?
The defender’s foul was obvious, so the referee made a quick and clear ……………………
A) diversion B) diagnosis C) diagram D) recovery E) decision
Questions to assess ability in arithmetic and maths
(measures accuracy and speed in using numbers to make calculations)
7. 8571 minus 583 equals?
A) 7998 B) 8018 C) 7988 D) 7888 E) 8088
8. If one carton of screws weighs 100 Kilograms, what will be the weight of six and a half cartons?
A) 6.5 kg B) 6500 kg C) 65 kg D) 650 kg E) none of these
9. The premium for motor insurance for a particular car owner is £360. He is entitled to 40% discount off this figure for not having any accidents or claims for the last two years.
How much will the car owner pay to the insurance company?
A) £320 B) £144 C) £216 D) £270 E) none of these
10. How many minutes are there in 4 hours?
A) 140 B) 80 C) 160 D) 150 E) 240
11. 0.75 x 0.5 equals?
A) 0.5 B) 0.375 C) 1.5 D) 0.25 E) none of these
12. A rectangle has an area of 21 square cm. The length of one side is 3cm. What is the perimeter of the rectangle?
A) 20cm B) 21cm C) 18cm D) 14cm E) none of these
13. In producing electrical contacts from a copper tape, the average waste is 15%. If the cost of the copper was £31,000 what is the cost of the waste?
A) £4550 B) £4650 C) £4350 D) £4800 E) none of these
Questions to assess mechanical and electrical knowledge
(Measures knowledge of mechanical and electrical principles and the ability to apply that knowledge)
14. Which gear will make the least number of turns in a minute?
A B C D
15. After collision, in which direction will the black ball go?
A) B) C) D)
16. A ………………………… is part of the cooling system of a car
A) contact break B) shock absorber C) ballast resister D) radiator E) camshaft
17. Electricity can be conducted through ………………………………
A) wool B) plastic C) water D) concrete E) wood
18. What is the colour of the neutral wire in household electrical wiring?
A) brown B) black C) yellow/green D) blue E) none of these
19. Which strut would best support the mail box?
A) B) C)
20. Which truck will turn over more easily? (If the same mark C)
B A
A) B) C)
Answers:
|
1 |
D |
11
|
B |
|
2
|
D
|
12
|
A
|
|
3
|
B
|
13
|
B
|
|
4
|
E
|
14
|
C
|
|
5
|
D
|
15
|
C
|
|
6
|
E
|
16
|
D
|
|
7
|
C
|
17
|
C
|
|
8
|
D
|
18
|
D
|
|
9
|
C
|
19
|
A
|
|
10
|
E
|
20
|
A
|
Selection Tests Checklist
- Work out in advance how to get to the test site and how long it will take you.
- Arrive in good time – at least 10 minutes before the time stated.
- Dress smartly, because there may be an interview after the test.
- Arrive mentally prepared to work hard.
- Read the test instructions carefully.
- If you are in any doubt about the test instructions ask for help.
- Work through the test as quickly and accurately as you can.
- Remember you may be working to a time limit – you will be told if you are.
- If you cannot answer a question move quickly on to the next one.
- If you feel a panic attack starting focus on your breathing – slow it down for a few minutes.
- If there are questions you cannot answer you can go back and try them again if you have time at the end.
- If the test is multiple choice and you are not sure of the answer, guess.
- If you do manage to finish with time to spare, check your answers.
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