02 / ABILITY AND POTENTIAL
Psychometric tests
Assesses the capacity for learning, reasoning, attention and execution that the job requires, treating cognitive abilities separately from physical and psychomotor skills.
- KEY QUESTION
- Which abilities does the role require?
- CONTRIBUTION TO THE REPORT
- An ability profile interpreted against job requirements
Cognitive ability tests
Aptitude focuses on a person’s potential to learn and to cope with new problems. The battery is chosen according to the complexity of the role, its tasks and the level of accuracy required.
- Abstract and general reasoning
- Finding the rule behind shapes and relationships and solving new problems. Matrix items are one example of this area.
- Numerical reasoning
- Interpreting tables, charts, ratios and quantitative data; drawing conclusions from numerical relationships.
- Verbal reasoning
- Understanding text, making inferences and evaluating the grounds of an argument. Language proficiency and adaptation conditions are also taken into account.
- Attention and processing accuracy
- Noticing details, comparing symbols, catching errors and sustaining attention.
- Working memory and flexibility
- Using information in the short term, following more than one rule and adapting to changing rules.
- Spatial and mechanical reasoning
- Understanding the position, direction and movement relationships of objects or basic mechanical arrangements.
Physical and psychomotor abilities
Physical assessment is used only when it relates to the essential tasks of the job. The task to be used and the testing conditions are determined through job analysis.
- Hand–eye coordination
- Matching visual information with controlled movement; examined on a task or apparatus suited to the role.
- Manual dexterity and movement accuracy
- Handling small parts and performing precise, repeatable movements.
- Reaction and psychomotor speed
- Responding correctly to a defined stimulus. The influence of the device and environment on the measurement is controlled.
- Strength and endurance
- Assessed only for the essential physical requirements of the task, with appropriate supervision and standard conditions.
A reaction task in a browser does not measure the full capacity to perform physical work. Strength, endurance and job-specific physical tasks require an appropriate testing environment.
From results to report
- 01
A job-relevant battery
Not every role receives the same set of tests; areas related to critical tasks are selected.
- 02
Standardised administration
Instructions, timing, accessibility and environmental conditions are defined.
- 03
Contextual interpretation
Accuracy, speed where appropriate, and measurement uncertainty are considered together. Norm comparisons are made only when a suitable norm study exists.