Psychometric testing is a term referring to a range of tools that aim to measure ability or personality. These instruments are widely used in recruitment selection and professional development contexts. The two main types are aptitude tests and personality questionnaires.
Aptitude tests
These include verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning and diagrammatic or spatial reasoning and are most commonly encountered by graduates in the early stages of the selection process.
Practice aptitude tests
Graduates First
We have teamed up with Graduates First to provide you access to a range of genuine aptitude tests to practice. These are free for current students and UEA graduates. The tests include seven examples of each type which reflect the level of difficulty you are likely to encounter when applying for graduate employment.- Numerical Reasoning (NRT)
- Verbal Reasoning (VRT)
- Logical Reasoning (LRT)
Once you have registered your details, you will be able to access the full range of tests. Each test is timed and once you have completed you can immediately generate a feedback report detailing your scores.
If you wish to discuss your test results with a careers adviser, you can visit Careers & Employability between 11am and 4pm for a 15-minute quick query appointment, bookable on the day.
Online practice tests and other useful sites
In addition to practice tests there are a number of websites that students can be referred to giving practice examples of most common tests, including:- Psychometric Success: comprehensive advice and resources for succeeding at psychometric tests, including downloadable eBooks
- Assessment Day: an online resource offering free practice aptitude tests
- SHL: SHL Group is a major provider of psychometric tests used by employers in selection and assessment. The site has free examples and questions
- Diagonal Thinking: this is a test designed to aid recruitment into the advertising and communication industries
- Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Test
- TARGETjobs Careers Report: a self-assessment career planner
- The Psychometric Institute: offers practice tests and a range of information.
Personality questionnaires
Devised by occupational psychologists, personality questionnaires aim to provide employers with a reliable method of selecting the most suitable job applicants or candidates for promotion. They attempt to measure attributes like intelligence, aptitude, behavioural preference and personality.Careers & Employability staff are trained to administer Quest Profiler, which aims to measure workplace preferences and can be offered to both individuals and groups. It is recommended for students and graduates with previous workplace experience.
There is limited availability for current students to complete the Quest questionnaire and receive feedback – please contact us for more details.



