Frequently Asked Questions

• How much are tests used by employers?
• Can you please advise if people with dyslexia are disadvantaged by testing or if there are people who simply can not do ability tests such as the maths, english, spacial tests etc, even though they may be top performers in the work environment?
• How should I approach a test session?
• Where can I find out more about how I can prepare to take a test?
• What information is available to support and ensure good practice?
• Who is qualified to use psychological tests?
• What action can be taken against someone who falsely claims to hold a British Psychological Society Certificate of Competence?
• Where can I get professional help with respect to an educational or health assessment?
  
  

How much are tests used by employers?

Most large organisation use tests of some description in both recruitment and development. Many will use tests at all levels of recruitment. In particular, if you are a graduate or manager applying for a job you can expect to undergo some form of psychometric assessment over the course of your career. Many smaller companies will use psychometric tests only for more senior appointments where making the wrong selection decision can have more significant consequences for the organisation.

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Can you please advise if people with dyslexia are disadvantaged by testing or if there are people who simply can not do ability tests such as the maths, english, spacial tests etc, even though they may be top performers in the work environment?

Dyslexia is a developmental disorder that extends across the lifespan and affects 3-10% of the population. It manifests itself as a reading delay of at least 18 months compared with peers, and results from problems with complex reading, spelling and phonological skills. It is often noticeable in a person’s writing (e.g. rotations and reversals of letters and bizarre, inconsistent spelling errors), or in speech (e.g. poor visual and auditory matching skills, phoneme analysis, blending and sequencing).

Any general assessment of cognitive capabilities will tend to survey a wide variety of skills and so, in theory, should not discriminate against those who have particular strengths or weaknesses. However, in practice there may be a considerable discrepancy between, say, verbal and visual abilities. In the case of someone with dyslexia, compensation strategies for poor reading and spelling may develop; they may possess a better than average memory for visual information, or an enhanced vocabulary, or they might have improved semantic understanding (understanding of meaning). If one’s job draws on these particular strengths then no detriment in performance at work will be observed. In summary, someone with dyslexia is likely to have a unique profile when tested, with greater variation in scores across different skills than someone without such difficulties.

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How should I approach a test session?

• Listen to the test administrator's instructions carefully, and ask if you do not understand what to do.
• Keep calm, and take a few deep breaths before starting the test.
• Many ability tests are designed to present more questions than an average person can answer in the time allowed. If it looks as though you will not finish in time do not worry about it.
• Although you should take guidance from the test administrator on this point, remember that tests tend not to be negatively scored for wrong answers, so don't be frightened to take a best guess if you are not sure of the answer.
• If you get stuck on a question go back over the examples provided.
• Don't spend too much time on any one question, you should eventually get a 'feel' for how long a single question should take. Unless expressly told to work through the questions in order, just move on if you really get stuck.
• If you do find yourself with some free time at the end of the test, use it to check your answers.
• Use rough paper if you are allowed to.
• Make or change your answers clearly and in the correct manner.

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Where can I find out more about how I can prepare to take a test?
Most psychological testing does not require preparation. You should be provided with information about the assessment process when it is arranged.

If you are being assessed for employment purposes (e.g. selection or promotion) Practice Test Links on the website allow you to attempt practice tests.

A Test Taker’s Guide is available for people who wish to understand what the process will be. It provides general information about preparing for a test, information for people with disabilities, what happens during and after a test session and what psychological tests measure.

A Test Taker's Guide is available for people who wish to understand what the process will be. It provides general information about preparing for a test, information for people with disabilities, what happens during and after a test session and what psychological tests measure. To download a copy of A Test Taker's Guide go to Guidelines and Information.

Most good bookshops will have a range of books with information about employment tests and example tests for practice.

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What information is available to ensure good practice is being followed?
There are a number of publications for test users, which set out the principles of good practice in the use of tests and questionnaires. For a wide range of general guides to good practice, covering all forms of testing please go to the Guidelines and Information section of the website.

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Who is qualified to use psychological tests?
Psychological tests should only be used by people who are qualified and are registered with test publishers to use them. The PTC holds a Register of Competence in Psychological Testing. To find out the level at which a test user is qualified, contact the PTC on 0116 252 9530 or email enquiry@psychtesting.org.uk

If you are concerned about the use of a particular test you can contact the test publisher directly. Visit the Directory of Test Publishers>>>>

Chartered Psychologists are able to have access to some tests by virtue of their qualifications, although this is at the discretion of the publisher of the tests. Please contact the relevant test publisher to find out who can have access to their test.

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What action can be taken against someone who falsely claims to hold a British Psychological Society Certificate of Competence?
A complaint should be made in writing to the PTC Manager. If you wish to make a complaint of professional misconduct the Society’s Complaints Procedure can be used.

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Where can I get professional help with respect to an educational or health assessment?
The Directory of Chartered Psychologists is a searchable database of psychologists who specialise in the many disciplines of psychology. Psychologists charge professional fees that are comparable with other professionals.

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