How to Pass a Job Assessment Test (with Pictures)

This article was co-authored by Katherine Demby. Katherine Demby is an Academic Consultant based in New York City. Katherine specializes in tutoring for the LSAT, GRE, SAT, ACT, and academic subjects for high school and college students. She holds a BA in History and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a JD from Yale Law School. Katherine is also a freelance writer and editor.

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Many organizations use job assessment tests as part of the hiring process. These tests are usually meant to evaluate your personality and how well you’d fit the position. Sometimes there are also portions of the test that assess skills such as math, grammar, and proficiency with specific software programs. Ask your hiring manager ahead of time about the main subjects the test covers — that way, you’ll be able to do some preparation first!

Steps

Taking a Personality Assessment

1. 1Ask your hiring manager to give you an idea of what to expect. Since these tests reveal personality traits, there are no “right” answers to the questions. However, your manager should be able to tell you the basic concepts you can expect to encounter on the assessment. You can ask your manager:
   • “Is there anything I can do to prepare for this test?”
   • “What kind of subject matter will I be tested on?”
2. 2Take practice personality tests online to prepare. Search for Myers-Briggs tests on the Internet and try taking a few of them. Answer the questions honestly to get the most accurate results. Taking these practice tests can help you know what kinds of questions to expect.[1] X Research source
   • Personality tests are used to determine how extroverted, rational, and emotional you are, among other qualities. Employers use them to evaluate personal qualities, like whether you are introverted or extroverted.
   • Practice tests can help you identify traits you can work on to become better suited for the job. For example, if the job requires a lot of interaction, you can work on being more outgoing.

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3. 3Provide answers that show you are a good fit for the job. Think about the qualities the employer says they’re looking for in the job ad when answering questions. If they’re looking for highly ambitious people, don’t provide answers that make you sound complacent. If they’re looking for someone detail-oriented, make sure your answers are consistent and meticulous.
   • Don’t be modest when answering questions about yourself, but also make sure not to misrepresent yourself either.
4. 4Answer questions consistently. Job assessment tests often ask similar questions several times using slightly different wording. If you provide inconsistent answers on the test, this could seem like a red flag to the employer. They might assume that you’re lying or that you behave erratically.[2] X Research source
   • For instance, if you call yourself extroverted in one answer but then say you prefer spending time alone in another answer, this will seem inconsistent.
5. 5Choose answers that show you’re ethical and positive. Job assessment tests often ask questions about whether or not you’re honest, trusting, and optimistic. If you make yourself sound like a negative or untruthful person, employers will most likely lose interest in you.[3] X Research source
   • For instance, job assessment tests often ask if you think it’s normal to steal things from work. You should answer “no” to this kind of question. Answering “yes” may make you sound cynical or like someone who frequently steals.
6. 6Give answers that show you work well with others. People who don’t work well on teams usually perform poorly at work and rarely advance in the organization. If you make yourself seem overly introverted or disagreeable, employers might think you’d be a poor fit for the company.[4] X Research source
   • When questions ask if you’re outgoing, courteous, flexible, and so on, answer in the affirmative whenever possible.
7. 7Choose answers that show you’re level headed. Employers want to know that you can handle stress and control your temper. Never choose answers that suggest you think it’s normal to get angry with co-workers or managers. Choose answers that show that you don’t get overwhelmed by deadlines or multi-tasking. This will let employers know that you’ll be a calm and collected worker.

Passing a Skills Test

1. 1Ask the hiring manager what skills you’ll be tested on. Send the manager a brief and polite email asking them to explain the test to you. Depending on the company, they might not give you much information, but it never hurts to ask. Try asking questions like:[5] X Expert SourceKatherine DembyTest Prep Specialist Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
   • “What will the test cover?”
   • “What is the format of the test?”[6]
     X
     Expert Source
     Katherine DembyTest Prep Specialist Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
   • “Are there any materials I can review for the test?”#*”What is the format of the test?”[7]
     X
     Expert Source
     Katherine DembyTest Prep Specialist Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
   • “Are there any materials I can review for the test?”
2. 2Check the company website for what the test might cover. If you aren’t given any idea of what to expect from the skills test, go over the company’s website carefully. Study the company mission and any policies that they have listed, and pay attention to any keywords that might show back up on the test.[8] X Expert SourceKatherine DembyTest Prep Specialist Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
   • In addition, read the job description very carefully.[9]
     X
     Expert Source
     Katherine DembyTest Prep Specialist Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
3. In addition, read the job description very carefully.[9] X Expert Source
4. 3Take skills quizzes for spelling, grammar, and math as needed. In a skills-based assessment, these are the most common abilities that you’ll be tested on. Check with the hiring manager first, though, to find out if you will be tested on any of these. Employment agencies sometimes offer practice skills tests on their website. For skills like math, you can look for books of sample quizzes at your local library or bookstore.[10] X Research source
   • Use your scores on these tests to figure out what skills you need to work on before taking the test.[11] X Research source
5. 4Review any math skills you might be tested on. Practice solving sample math problems for at least an hour a day leading up to the test. If you need to improve your skills more quickly, increase the amount of time you’re studying. If you have a friend who’s particularly good at math, ask them to help you study. When you get sample problems wrong, make sure you look over your work to figure out why.[12] X Research source
   • Focus on studying math skills relevant to the job position. For instance, if you’re applying to work as an architect you might be tested on your ability to calculate dimensions.
6. 5Study writing skills if you need to improve on them. Practice your grammar, spelling, and typing skills as needed. Work on these for at least an hour a day leading up to the test, or more if necessary. Show your work to someone with a good understanding of writing and ask them how you can improve and what skills you need to work on.[13] X Research source
7. 6Practice your skills with the software the job requires. If the job ad asks for proficiency in specific software programs, you may need to demonstrate proficiency on your test. For instance, if the job requires you to know how to use Excel, you may be given sample tasks to perform using that program.[14] X Research source
   • If you need to sharpen your software skills before the test, set yourself sample tasks to perform so you feel confident using the program on the test.
   • Search for online tutorials if you need to refresh your memory of the software program.
8. 7Create a positive environment for the test. If you’re taking the test at home, work away from distractions, like the TV. You want to be focused on the assessment. If you’re taking the test at the office, bring a bottle of water or anything else you might need to feel comfortable.
9. 8Stay calm while answering questions. Take a few deep breaths if you find yourself getting stressed out. If you can’t think of the answer to a question, try to come back to it after you’ve finished the rest of the test. Try not to worry about whether or not you’ll ultimately get the job, and instead focus on answering each question as well as you can.
10. 9Read questions thoroughly. Don’t simply glance at questions and assume you understand them completely. If a question confuses you, read it again. If you read a question several times and still don’t understand it, take your best guess and try to come back to it later if there’s time.[15] X Research source

Expert Q&A
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• QuestionWhat should I expect in an employment assessment test?Katherine DembyKatherine Demby is an Academic Consultant based in New York City. Katherine specializes in tutoring for the LSAT, GRE, SAT, ACT, and academic subjects for high school and college students. She holds a BA in History and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a JD from Yale Law School. Katherine is also a freelance writer and editor.
  Test Prep SpecialistTest Prep SpecialistExpert Answer
• QuestionHow do I prepare for a pre-employment test if I don’t know what’s on it?Katherine DembyKatherine Demby is an Academic Consultant based in New York City. Katherine specializes in tutoring for the LSAT, GRE, SAT, ACT, and academic subjects for high school and college students. She holds a BA in History and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a JD from Yale Law School. Katherine is also a freelance writer and editor.
  Test Prep SpecialistTest Prep SpecialistExpert Answer
• QuestionIs it okay to ask for additional help or information while working on a project?Community AnswerOf course! The more information you can get about your project, the better!

References

1. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-pass-a-personality-test
2. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/types-of-pre-employment-testing
3. ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-pass-job-assessment-tests-kathy-bernard
4. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-pass-a-personality-test
5. ↑ Katherine Demby. Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
6. ↑ Katherine Demby. Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
7. ↑ Katherine Demby. Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
8. ↑ Katherine Demby. Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.
9. ↑ Katherine Demby. Test Prep Specialist. Expert Interview. 17 December 2020.

1. ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-pass-job-assessment-tests-kathy-bernard
2. ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-pass-job-assessment-tests-kathy-bernard
3. ↑ https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-pass-job-assessment-tests-kathy-bernard
4. ↑ https://www.grammarly.com/blog/how-to-improve-writing-skills/
5. ↑ https://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/dhr/general/Preparing_for_City_of_Chicago_Employment_Tests.pdf
6. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/types-of-pre-employment-testing

About This Article

If you need to pass a job assessment test, don’t be afraid to politely ask the hiring manager what specific skills will be covered. By knowing the general topics, you can find skill quizzes at your local library or bookstore and prepare for the test. If the test covers math skills, spend at least an hour each day leading up to the test to answer sample problems. As you take the test, make sure to read each question thoroughly so you fully understand what you need to do before answering. To stay calm, take a few deep breaths when you feel stressed. Try not to worry about whether or not you’ll ultimately get the job, and instead focus on answering each question as best as you can. For more tips, like how to pass a personality assessment, read on.

Reader Success Stories

• “I’m new to the process and encountered an assessment test. This article really helped me understand how I should move forward.”…” more