About Career Aptitude Tests

Middle and high school students are often given career tests to see "what they should be" when they finish school. Adults take the same types of tests when they are considering a job change or wish to finish school and don't know what major to choose. Career aptitude tests measure people's capabilities in particular areas. They are meant to reveal what would be people's best career choice based on their shown abilities.

Types

There are a number of types of career tests. Some measure people's likes and dislikes in determining what would be best for them to pursue. Career aptitude tests actually require people to think. Just as math tests measure how much students have learned in mathematics, career aptitude tests measure people's strengths and weaknesses in different areas.

Features

Career aptitude tests contain questions that measure the test-takers' strengths and weaknesses in a number of areas. Verbal reasoning shows understanding of language skills. Numerical reasoning measures mathematical ability. Perceptual and spatial ability sections reveal strengths in spatial skills. Technical ability shows how well people could follow technical instructions. Analytical ability shows how well the test-takers solve word problems. Finally, acuity measures the speed and accuracy in which people finish a task. Not all career aptitude tests cover all seven areas.

Considerations

Career aptitude tests provide a snapshot. These tests measure abilities at a certain time in people's lives. They can predict areas that people could excel in in the future. This doesn't guarantee that they would have an interest in such areas. As a result, a career aptitude tests should be taken once every one or two years.

Vocational Tests

Different fields provide specialized career aptitude tests, often called vocational tests, that can indicate to the test-takers whether they would succeed in a particular career area. Examples of vocational tests include those geared toward sales, computer work, clerical and languages.

Choosing One

There are so many online career aptitude tests that people can take that the task of choosing one is often difficult. There are sites that offer free career testing, and others that require a fee or a paid subscription to another service. Many of the paid versions have more thorough questions, but if you simply want a ballpark answer, you can take one of the many free career tests out there. In fact, you should not stop with just taking one, as each one could further clarify what field you would be most proficient in.

Misconceptions

Career aptitude tests do not tell you what you would enjoy doing. They only show you where your strengths and weaknesses lie in a number of different cognitive areas. In order to get a better idea of what you would enjoy doing, take a personality assessment test in addition to the career aptitude test. The Myers-Briggs and Keirsey personality tests are two helpful tests to incorporate into your career search.

Resources

• Career Planner