Aptitude Tests and Career Questionnaires

There are a number of Aptitude tests and other career tests that are amongst many different careers questionnaires that can help make the early part of your job-search manageable, setting you on a shorter path to your ultimate goals.

These tests are essential to open up new career possibilities and help you to make important job related decisions at key points in your life. Most of these tests are used to provide an indication of which jobs match your particular abilities and which will provide maximum job satisfaction.

I worked with one organisation who tested every employee to find out the traits of the most successful, so that new potential recruits could be measured against what they saw as the 'norm'.

Further down the page I've added specific information about aptitude tests if you're thinking of joining the RAF as a career.

Whilst there is a wide variety of aptitude tests and career personality tests available, some are proven and some are not, so you may need to take some 'with a pinch of salt'. Not all tests are scientifically proven psychometric tests.

Personality Tests Or Aptitude Tests

By completing a variety of different career tests, many of which will give you a free report, you'll get a wider profile of potential career options. You can follow up with buying reports only when they appear really relevant to your understanding. Career tests have one simple purpose: to provide ideas you might not have considered and suggestions that may be worth following up.

The twist is that personality tests can give you ideas about what you should do rather than you simply pondering what you want to do. There are many types of assessments and career tests that all seem to be put under the same title of "Career Tests".

Personality tests assess your traits, values and attitudes that describe your character or personality profile. These are the type of tests employers typically use to screen candidates for employment. If nothing else, you will gain information on potential careers that you can explore to see if they really are a good fit.

Talking About Yourself

The other important aspect of this is you gain a better ability to talk about and describe your personality - how many people have been floored by the question "what sort of person are you?" or "describe your personality for me"? See the page on personal marketing which goes more into selling yourself.

Whereas aptitude career tests try to determine how well you are likely to perform a role in future, that is one of the reasons that more and more businesses are using personality tests before hiring their new employees. It eases the burden of decision-making and justifying decisions to the higher management.

These tests can help you figure out what your natural preferences are when it comes to working, and help identify your strengths and how to apply them professionally.

Aptitude tests assume that people differ in their special abilities and that these differences can be useful in predicting future achievements.

Career tests can be fun for some and agonizing for others but all in all, they are good springboards for future possibilities. On-line personality and career tests are useful tools to help you evaluate your interests, values, skills, personality, and then match these characteristics with careers that fit the above criteria.

We are going to tell you more about the different aptitude tests and other career questionnaires so that you get the most benefit and learn the best type of job to apply for.

When you apply for a job, it is essential that you understand your own personal strengths and weaknesses and get ready to address them. By knowing your strengths and special skills, the chances of you getting the job you want will be much higher, so this is how identifying your skills will get you the job.

However, don't get too confident since appearing to be too confident or as a know-it-all will make your interviewer think you are not the type of employee they want and unfit for the job.

But, you do want to know what to say and the evidence from a personality or aptitude test, gives you the information you need to use.

Formal Aptitude Tests

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Aptitude tests used for recruitment purposes are formal, timed tests, taken either online or by filling in a printed answer sheet. Most often, they are in the form of multiple choice questions. You will always be given full instructions before you start the test, so you must take careful note of the exact requirements and there should be some example questions to try without time limit to ensure that you know what you need to do.

Employers frequently use online tests as an early selection method, but you may also be asked to sit another similar test if you get through the first round of selection.

The tests you are most likely to come across are:

• verbal tests such as verbal reasoning, set passage analysis and word sort;
• numerical tests such as reasoning, analysis of data and sequential tests;
• diagrammatic and spatial reasoning which tests your logic and ability to deal with shapes;
• specific or technical tests: e.g. syntax for computer programming, data checking or mechanics.

Specific Information About Aptitude Tests For RAF Careers

Officers, Non-Commissioned Aircrew and Non-Commissioned Air Traffic Controllers

Applicants for Officers, Non-Commissioned Aircrew and Non-Commissioned Air Traffic Controllers jobs spend up to four days at the Officers and Aircrew Selection Centre (OASC) at the RAF College Cranwell in Lincolnshire and undertake several aptitude tests using a computer. The career you’re interested in may also determine what tests you need to pass before you can join.

The tests measure your ability to perform specific tasks, such as:

• how well you respond physically to visual information;
• your ability to interpret information in two dimensions and devise a three-dimensional solution;
• your ability to complete several tasks simultaneously.

You will also be tested on a wide range of your natural abilities, including:

• deductive reasoning;
• spatial reasoning;
• work rate and concentration;
• verbal and numerical reasoning.

Applicants who wish to join an RAF trade will sit the Airman/Airwoman Selection Test (AST) which consists of seven multiple-choice tests, each focusing on different skills and will take place at your nearest Armed Forces Careers Office (AFCO). You'll probably be part of a small group of people taking the test at the same time. The tests will cover:

• Verbal reasoning – How do you use and interpret written information?
• Numerical reasoning – Can you use basic fractions, decimals and formulae; can you understand and interpret graphs and tables?
• Work rate – How quickly and accurately do you complete tasks?
• Spatial reasoning – Can you understand how shapes and objects work?
• Electrical comprehension – Can you work with electrical concepts?
• Mechanical comprehension – Can you work with mechanical concepts?
• Memory – How accurately can you remember information?

The results of your aptitude are strictly confidential and will only be used for the RAF recruit selection process. More Information about RAF Careers Tests

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