Aptitude Tests TYPES OF APTITUDE TESTS

An aptitude test is any sort of test that seeks to evaluate the talent, ability, or efficiency in performing a certain task. This test is usually done in the context of no beforehand knowledge or training of the said task.

There are many different kinds of aptitude tests and they are mostly used in evaluating a person’s ability in relation to a career or a job. This means that Aptitude tests are commonly used during job application processes to evaluate if a job seeker has the skillsets to enable him to succeed in a particular field or career line.

For example, rail operators could use concentration aptitude tests to evaluate potential drivers to measure their level of concentration and evaluate their suitability for driving a train. In the same vein, a law firm could give potential lawyers a verbal reasoning test to test their ability to draw conclusions from legal documents.

It is rather difficult to study for an Aptitude Test. This is because, unlike traditional examination models, aptitude tests don’t really test knowledge. Rather, they test innate abilities (or acquired ones, for that matter), and that is why they are sometimes so difficult to pass. However, this isn’t to say that it is impossible to study for an aptitude test.

It just means that instead of studying, practicing would be a more reasonable strategy. Testing your abilities, or the required abilities for a certain position over and over again would no doubt increase your proficiency in that ability.

TYPES OF APTITUDE TESTS

Because the skills required for careers are so varied, it follows that there would be a lot of different kinds of aptitude tests. However, we can broadly classify them into three. This isn’t to say that there aren’t aptitude tests that fall outside this bracket, but these, for the most part, are the basic ones.

Mechanical aptitude tests

These are tests that are commonly arranged for technical or engineering positions. As the name implies, it is a test that evaluates a person’s ability to use machines. People who regularly take these sorts of tests are fire brigaders, train drivers, tradespeople, and assembly-line workers. Mechanical aptitude tests usually consist of a number of mechanical problems that must be solved within a predefined time frame.

The tests are engineered in such a way that only 1-7% of the population can solve the problem within the predetermined time. It is also important to note that the level of difficulty of the tests generally is determined by the role you’re applying for. A higher-level role will probably be more difficult than a lower level own. Furthermore, there are some free mechanical aptitude tests available online for practice, if needed. Practicing these tests can go a long in way in increasing the abilities of a person and can assure high scores in future mechanical aptitude tests.

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Online Mechanical aptitude tests Preparation

Electrical Aptitude tests

While it might be easy to assume that an electrical aptitude test is the same with mechanical aptitude tests, this isn’t necessarily so. In addition to giving mechanical tests, some employers also give electrical aptitude tests. These tests basically assess a candidate’s understanding of electrical aptitude and mathematics. However, unlike most aptitude tests, in order to succeed on an electrical aptitude test, some level of prior knowledge and familiarity of electrical equipment, systems, and controls is required. Because of advances in technology, computer aptitude is now included in most electrical aptitude tests.

Career Aptitude tests

Career aptitude tests are basically tests given to assess the interests, values, abilities, and tendencies surrounding your career. It will give you a revealing look at yourself, and provide important information about what motivates and interests you. In addition, it will provide suggestions of careers that suit your abilities. In addition to this, some information about these careers is also provided.

Career aptitude tests are basically taken by people who want to go into a new career or are having some crisis regarding their present careers. Career aptitude tests can be taken by anyone in whatever field, as the main goal to assess the abilities of a person and suggest new career paths for them.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR APTITUDE TESTS

There are some basic steps you can take when preparing for an aptitude test, especially when it is part of a process of a job application.

The first thing you need to do is to practice. There are free online aptitude tests that can help sharpen your knowledge. Practice aptitude tests show you the level you are at, and help you to get better. Practicing these tests can increase proficiency in answering aptitude questions quickly.
A workman is only as good as his tools. This is no less true regarding aptitude tests. Without appropriate tools, it is highly unlikely for you to score high marks in aptitude tests. These tools include, but aren’t limited to, a rough paper, a pencil or pen, and a watch. In this way, you can get your answers quickly and will still be able to time yourself.
Research is a very important part of the preparation, and you need to do this so that very little will surprise you during the test. Details like how many questions the test will consist of, the level of difficulty, the type of questions that will be asked, and the time given should be known beforehand. This will ensure that your preparations are in sync with the nature of the tests you are about to write.
Before beginning any aptitude test, whether it is a free aptitude test online or any other sort of aptitude test, you need to carefully read the instructions. This will be your guideline during the course of the test. Sometimes the language of the instructions may be technical and might even be part of the test itself, so it becomes important for you to read through properly and grasp the information provided.
Generally, about 30 seconds is provided for each question on an aptitude test. This means that in order to attempt all the questions you need to work quickly. Expectedly, there will be some difficult questions, but this is a hurdle you will have to pass. If you notice that a question is difficult, move on to the next question. That way, you will avoid wasting valuable time on one question and you can easily move on to another one.
It is important while practicing aptitude tests, to go through your results and see where you have made a mistake. Learning from your mistakes helps you get better and getting better gives you a higher chance of scoring excellent marks in an aptitude test.

CONCLUSION

Aptitude tests are difficult, no doubt, but with the right preparation, mindset, and tools, it is easy for anyone to score good marks. Even apart from the job seeking process, career aptitude tests can also help you choose a new and suitable career.

Common Aptitude Tests

Numerical Aptitude
Verbal Aptitude
Non-verbal Aptitude
Mechanical Aptitude
Inductive Reasoning Tests
Logical Reasoning Tests
Ceb Shl
Watson Glaser
In-tray Exercise
Situational Judgement Tests
Mechanical Reasoning Tests

Free Aptitude Test Sample Questions And Answers

These tests can be quite varied, including questions on verbal ability, numerical reasoning, abstract reasoning, and more. Below is a small sample test with one question for each of the common types of aptitude tests. You might encounter a variety of question types in an actual aptitude test, but here are a few to get started:

Statement on a scale from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree)

My father always says to me that I had a vivid imagination.

2. I usually have a dramatic mood

3. I enjoy reading a Newspaper

Verbal Ability

Question: Choose the word that does not belong with the others:

a) Couch
b) Rug
c) Table
d) Chair

Answer:

b) Rug (Reason: Couch, table, and chair are pieces of furniture you can sit on; a rug is not.)

Numerical Reasoning

Question: If you rearrange the numbers in the number “3211146” to create the largest possible number, what will that number be?

Answer:

6432111

Logical Reasoning

Question: All roses are flowers. Some flowers fade quickly. Therefore:

a) All roses fade quickly. b) Some roses fade quickly. c) No roses fade quickly. d) Some flowers are not roses.

Answer:

b) Some roses fade quickly. (This is the most logically consistent answer based on the premises. However, this is a bit of a logical fallacy—just because some flowers fade quickly and all roses are flowers, it doesn’t necessarily follow that some roses fade quickly. The correct answer is more cautious and should be d) Some flowers are not roses, which is the only conclusion that can be definitely drawn from the premises.)

Aptitude Tests