How to Prepare for a Career Selection Test

Practice testing skills

Often, if your job application or resume is deemed qualified, the next step in the hiring process is for the employer to administer a career selection test. Employers use this test to bridge the process between a stack of resumes and time-consuming interviews, so they can narrow down the pool of candidates for a specific job. Prepare yourself for a career selection test so you improve your test score and know what to expect.

Things You'll Need

• Bubble test answer sheets
• Pencils
• Timer
• Resume
• Company research information

Instructions

1. Practice selection tests before you enter the job search. Many of these tests found on websites like Psychometric-success.com are free or low-cost and explain how certain questions in each section may be administered. Also, practice taking pencil-and-paper tests that require bubbling in multiple choice answers while timed. Print sample bubble answer sheets from TeacherVision.com, although you will have to adapt a multiple choice test to fit its parameters.

2. 

   You may be right for the job.

   Identify your personal strengths and weaknesses without trying to guess what the job requires. Career personality tests are readily available at sites like Career-tests-guide.com and can often help you find new career options or validate what you already know.

3. 

   Think through your answers.

   Strengthen your aptitudes and skills by taking practical math and verbal reasoning tests. For example, in her book "You're Hired: The Complete Guide to Landing Your Dream Job," Catherine Jones recommends that you "use only the information given in the passage" to answer logic questions."

4. Write down how particular career opportunities will stretch your abilities. Refine your answer so you know your priorities, which you will then provide on the career values portion of the selection test.

5. 

   Be Honest

   Tell the truth when answering the practice tests as well as the actual career selection test given by the employer. If your answers indicate differences between test results and your application or resume, you may jeopardize your chances to get the job.

Tips & Warnings

• Arrive early for the test.

• Don't labor over any one question.

• Not all practice tests are free of charge.

References

• My Plan.com: Four Sections of Assessments
• Psychometric-Success: Practice Psychometric and Aptitude Tests
• Job Application and Interview Advice: Verbal Reasoning or Logic Test Questions
• Career-Tests-Guide: Career Personality Tests
• Teacher Vision: Bubble Answer Sheet

Resources

• Take a Free Aptitude Test
• How to Pass An Aptitude Test With Examples
• Ways of Dealing With Test Anxiety