Psychometric tests

Specific advice will be covered in each section, but there are general actions you can take to improve your performance across most of these test types. They include:

Practice

• There are many websites that provide practice psychometric tests including AssessmentDay, JobTestPrep, Cubiks and SHL Direct. You can also access Graduates First using your LSE password, as LSE Careers has a subscription to this platform.
• Another useful practice website is Practice Reasoning. It does require you to register, and regular emails will appear in your inbox, but they contain lots of useful links, hints and tips.  
• Business psychologist Dr Mark Parkinson has compiled a long list of links to free tests, which you can access here.
• Check on the recruiting employer’s website for practice tests. 
• You can also visit the LSE Careers resource centre to look through our book collection.

Many of these free practice sites give you your test score but no feedback on which ones you got wrong, correct answers etc., so use them primarily as an opportunity to practise your technique.

• Practise under timed conditions - if your test is going to be timed (most of them are), this will give you a more realistic impression of the test process. Many candidates who fail, do so because of time pressures.
• Identify the test provider that your recruiting employer uses. There are many different tests available and identifying the supplier should allow you to search for the most relevant practice tests.
• Read the instructions carefully – as time is often limited, it is really important that you are clear about what you need to do and how long you have to complete the test.
• Use your time wisely – many tests are designed not to be completed, but if you have any time left at the end don’t waste it. Use it to review answers you were less sure of. The more correct answers you get, the higher your score will be.

Most psychometric tests are online, timed and are often text heavy. Due to how psychometric tests are worded and presented, you may find it challenging to complete psychometric tests to the best of your ability, without adjustments.

Example adjustments you can request

• 25% extra time is the adjustment that employers will be most familiar with. While extra time is a typical adjustment, it may not be suitable for you, and a different adjustment might be more appropriate.
• Examples of other adjustments include: a different amount of extra time e.g. 50%, an alternative assessment altogether (situational judgement tests may not be suitable for some candidates even with adjustments), being able to take the test with a reader, or a written version of the test.
• You may be able to adjust certain settings yourself, such as the display colour, background, or font type/size.

Tips

• Contact the employer in good time about any adjustments you require, as arranging them may involve some back-and-forth discussion.
• Employers may ask you to share the part of your ‘My Adjustments’ documents that outlines the adjustments you receive at LSE. However, you may not receive any adjustments at LSE or if you do, those adjustments might not be relevant for psychometric tests.
• At the start of the psychometric test, you may be given a practice question to try first. These are often more straightforward and clearer than the main test questions.
• Adjustments are required by law to ensure fairness and access. Employers have a duty to provide reasonable adjustments, and this legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 applies in England, Scotland and Wales.

How to practice

• Psychometric tests are difficult, so practicing is key. Check out Graduates First where you can take practice tests (and there is an option to select 25% extra time).
• You may decide that you don’t require any adjustments, or that you only need them for specific types of tests.

Booking an appointment with a specialist Careers Consultant

• For more advice about adjustments for psychometric tests or any aspect of the recruitment process, book a one-to-one 45-minute Disabled Students’ appointment.

Where will I complete the tests?

If the test forms part of an assessment centre, it is likely that you will sit it at the employer’s premises under formal test conditions.

If it is part of a preliminary assessment, you may be asked to go to a designated test centre or you may have to complete it online using your own equipment. If the latter is the case, make sure you:

1. have the appropriate technology needed, i.e. a reliable internet connection, a suitably updated operating system, etc.

2. can sit the test in a quiet location where you won’t be interrupted

3. enable your ‘do not disturb’ (or similar) function to ensure that you don’t get interrupted by calls, notifications etc.

4. charge your device fully.

If you do sit the test online, you may be asked to do another short test as part of the interview process, so the employer can be sure you didn’t get someone else to do it for you!

How can I perform better on the day?

• If you are unsure of the correct answer, move on and come back to it if you have time at the end. The time you waste stuck on a single question might have been used to easily answer several more. If the test doesn’t allow you to skip a question, make an educated guess.
• Keep an eye on the time limit – there may be a clock somewhere on the screen or take a watch. Knowing roughly how long you have for each section will help you to pace yourself.
• Make sure you are using the right box for your answer. With multiple options, it can be easy to click on or mark the wrong one, so don’t lose concentration.
• Be well rested and alert when you take the test!