The job market is more competitive than ever before, and no matter what industry you’re in you’ll be facing some tough competition if you want to secure your dream role. Employers are realising this and are often inundated with hundreds of applicants for a single position, and so they’re becoming increasingly reliant on psychometric tests to help identify the candidates that can be overlooked and those that should be taken further. But just what are these tests, and why do employers use them?

Well, psychometric tests are simple tests of your numerical, verbal and problem solving skills. You’re working against the clock so speed and accuracy are equally as important, and employers like to use them for the simple fact that they can easily categorise candidates into those who are suitable and those who aren’t. A lot of these tests are taken via the internet for ease of use, with online psychometric tests being increasingly common.

Tests such as these are often thought of as being a lot fairer than more subjective parts of the application process such as interviews – all candidates are given the same questions for a totally unbiased result, and as the tests are objectively scored there’s nothing else that could affect the marks. But, it’s important to bear in mind that a few percentage points can often be all it takes for employers to keep you in the running or for them to reject you, making these tests essential parts of the application process.

The value that employers place on these tests means that it’s vital you know what you’re doing. Heading to the interview unprepared simply shouldn’t be an option – if you’re faced with an unfamiliar test the anxiety alone could be enough to affect your performance, and that could easily see you lose out to other candidates. Don’t run the risk by practicing beforehand, and if you head to AssessmentDay you’ll find plenty of online psychometric tests to ensure you’re fully prepared.