Common Types of Job Application Tests

Other than the interview, the job application exam is the one that scares most job applicants.  Learn to familiarize yourself with the different types of tests you might encounter on your way to becoming a Pinoy employee.  Here are some of those that are commonly administered:

Data Checking Tests
How these work is rather simple: you will be given some information that you will check for accuracy, correctness and consistency.  In general, you’ll only have to spot the errors and inaccuracies, either in spelling or numerical input.

Why you’re being tested:
If you’ll be working as a clerk, encoder, accountant, assistant or secretary, you’ll be asked to take these tests.  These will measure how quickly you can find erroneous entries in the information given to you – very important if you will be working with, inputting or processing data.

How to pass
Check the information given you very carefully.  Go over the data and check for correct spelling (usually sample names and addresses) and look for any discrepancies in the figures.
 
Verbal Ability Tests
Verbal Ability tests such as verbal reasoning, spelling and punctuation are meant to check your verbal skills.  In tests such as these, you will be tested for spelling and grammar skills, sentence completion, word association, synonyms/antonyms, word groups, verbal deductions, critical reasoning and instructions.

Why you’re being tested
Spelling, grammar, synonym/antonyms, word association.  If you think you’ve left these behind, you’re wrong.  You will continue to explore the mysteries of spelling and grammar well into your adult working life.  These tests will determine how well-built your vocabulary is and whether or not you’re familiar with commonly-used words. 

Don’t worry.  As mentioned, only common words will be used – common enough for you to encounter during your job through correspondence, employee-employer interaction, memos, customer and client contact, etc.

Verbal reasoning, sentence completion, word groups, instructions and deductions.  You’re being tested for this to gauge your problem-solving skills.  These tests will also show how good your comprehension is.  Some of these tests will also measure your skills in the understanding of ideas and concepts when they are expressed verbally. 

How to pass
You either cheat on the exam (and I don’t recommend you do) or you simply answer what you know.  These tests will determine whether you know the answers or not.  If you guessed on some of them, you leave everything to chance, which might work for or against you.

You could try to review on commonly misspelled words and brush up on your comprehension skills by reading and practicing.  Some books and magazines will help.

To make sure that you use your time wisely (you’ll usually have 15 to 20 minutes to answer these tests), answer the easiest ones first.  That way, you won’t waste precious time mulling over other questions you don’t have answers to.

Numerical Ability Tests
Where numbers are concerned, most job applicants would cringe.  But really, it’s usually just the basic arithmetic.  If you know how to add, subtract, divide and multiply, you should be all right.  Expect number sequences to be part of the tests as well.

Being familiar with simple mathematics is also an advantage.  In many numerical ability tests used for job applications, you will be asked to compute for fractions and percentages.  Problem solving is also very often included in the tests.

Why you’re being tested
These tests will measure your numerical processing ability and how well you can work with numbers.  The results are especially important particularly if you’re applying for a position in a department where numbers will matter such as Accounting, Logistics, Production, Engineering, etc.

How to pass
Review your arithmetic skills and know your tables.  It will also help if you still remember the simple problem solving stuff that was taught in business math.  Answer the easiest questions first and leave the more difficult ones for later.

Abstract Reasoning
Abstract Reasoning can be very challenging or confusing, depending on how you treat it. 

Why you’re being tested
If you’ve taken a test on Abstract Reasoning before, you’re probably wondering what its relation is to your job.  After all, what do all those dots and sequenced illustrations that don’t make sense have to do with your application? 

The answer is simple: it will test your general intelligence, how well you can perceive the relationships on given examples and whether or not you can recognize any relationships in ideas and concepts that don’t have anything to do with numbers or words.

How to pass
Learn to recognize relationships among concepts.  Do logical reasoning and familiarize yourself with sequences.  In most cases, Abstract Reasoning tests will present you with a series of illustrations and then ask you to choose which one completes it. 

Learn to find the most logical (and common sense) choice.  Think P-A-T-T-E-R-N.  If you can spot the pattern, you’ll do fine.

Spatial Reasoning Tests
Spatial Reasoning tests will measure the applicant’s ability to perceive and understand how objects presented as illustrations or images work.  You’ll usually find illustrations of plans, maps, cubes and the like which will test how well you can perceive an object, follow instructions and find directions.

Why you’re being tested
Not everyone who applies for a job will take these tests.  They’re often given to people who will work in jobs that require designing or technical skills.  They are also for people who will work in production, manufacturing, law enforcement or the military.

How to pass
Learn to visualize objects and how their components work in relation to one another.

Mechanical Reasoning Tests
These tests usually consist of diagrams or illustrations that present a certain mechanical principle.  You’ll usually find illustrations that depict tools, levers, electrical circuits, gears, pulleys, etc.

Why you’re being tested
If you’re applying for a job that requires mechanical work such as an engineering, auto mechanic or other skill-based jobs, you might be asked to take these tests.  These will measure your familiarity with important mechanical principles that will be required so you can perform your job well.

How to pass
The questions you’ll find in Mechanical Reasoning tests are often specific to the type of field you’re applying to.  If you’re applying as a pilot, expect questions to be related to aviation.  If you’re applying as a machinist or welder, expect to answer questions related to those jobs.  Review your old notes or at least be familiar with how stuff work.  Did you work with tools before?  You’ll probably find questions in the test that will ask you which tools should be used with which jobs and why.