Sometimes You Should Wear A Hat In The Office - How To Ace Employment Tests

Part Two

View Your Mother Doesn't Work Here - How To Ace Employment Tests - Part One

In this second article on acing employment tests, we'll look at specific actions you can take to prepare for the tests and to succeed on the big day. Remember these tests measure your aptitude/intelligence plus your test-taking behavior, and the tips you'll get here came straight from the mouth of a test developer.

Take Your Time And Use Common Sense

Take your time with employment tests; with the exception of skill tests they rarely have time limits. You will however, often be told, "there's no right or wrong answer, don't be nervous just say whatever comes into your head." This is bad advice, the test is being applied to your suitability for hire, can you think of a circumstance at work where saying the first thing that came into your head was a wise decision?

Take off your weekend hat and put on your professional hat (see Part One for more on this critical advice), while taking the time to read the test from start to finish a couple of times. In the process you will be looking at the questions from the perspective of you, "the consummate professional," not the personality that you might display outside of working hours.

If there is a time limit, find out how much time is allowed, then calculate how much time per question or section you have. Pacing yourself helps, because then you won't panic when you realize that you've only got five minutes to complete the second half of a fifteen-minute test. Of course, you'll bring your watch.

If the test is going to be done with other applicants in a group setting, stay focused on what you are doing. If you have to, sit in the front of the room so no one else distracts you, then focus. If the test will be long, and there's no break, make sure that you won't get hungry (take water and a protein bar just in case), or have to use the bathroom.

More advice on acing employment tests...

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