Psychometric Tests In Kenya & What You Need To Know

A job you are applying for asks that you the job seeker, provide your Psychometric test score or the hiring company lets you know that the test will be part of the interview. What are psychometric tests and what do they add to my qualifications for the job? You wonder! Aren’t positions filled based on work experience?

The reality; top employers are using Psychometric tests more and more in the hiring process because they need to know the type of person they are hiring.

“Psychometric tests are used to evaluate the candidate’s character and personality. Through this the employer can determine if they are the kind of person they want to work with or not,” says Sheila Cheptoo, a Recruitment Manager at Corporate Staffing Services.

According to Sheila, most top employers will always ask for a score, especially the NGOs, so it’s always good to know what score you are even before the job interview to tell if you will the job is for you or not.

So, What Do Psychometric Tests Entail?

Psychometric tests are usually in three types; Personality test, Numerical Test and Verbal tests. If you are applying to a Kenyan company, you will probably be required to take the personality test or numerical tests for those in a numeric profession like Engineering.

In the tests, you as a job seeker are tasked with answering a series of questions which are later used to gauge the candidate’s personality by scoring you on either how assertive, compassionate, sociable you are., among others. This means that if you are applying to a job that needs you to be sociable but you score very low, you probably won’t get the job.

What to consider before taking Psychometric Tests?

1.Confirm the Psychometric tests are from an Internationally accredited body
Employers will only take scores from bodies that are internationally recognized so you need to first ensure that the firm is offering you an accredited test. While you may get free psychometric tests online, conclusiveness and accountability of the tests may be questioned by the employer. Be ready to invest in a genuine test if the hiring company is not providing one.

2.Ensure you have the time and good internet, a Psychometric test cannot be paused
Before deciding to see how you score on the Psychometric tests, ensure you have time to spare, have good internet as the test is online and that the computer you are using has enough charge. Why?

“Psychometric tests are a process, when you answer one question you are lead to the next one. If you stop midway or you get disconnected, you will have to log in a new and you will have to purchase log in details again,” says Sheila Cheptoo

Accredited psychometric tests can be priced from 5,000 and can go up to over KSh 10,000 depending on providers, meaning you cannot afford to make mistakes.

3. Psychometric tests can tell when you lie, take your time and be honest
In a test that evaluates you on general questions, you may be tempted to lie. Don’t! The same question can be used at a later time in a different approacj, meaning you have to remember that you lied which can be very difficult. Psychometric tests on personality are not timed like the numerical ones, so take your time in your answers.

Psychometric tests are not just for the employer, they will help you identify the jobs you are best suited for.

To take a psychometric test, contact esther@corporatestaffing.co.ke