Pre employment testing is commonly used by employers to screen out unsuitable job applicants. In the United States more than 30% of companies reportedly use pre-employment tests to help make hiring decisions. Used in conjunction with the interview process employment testing enables the employer to pin-point any areas of concern with regard to the applicant's ability and suitability for the position. A valid and reliable pre employment evaluation is objective and a good tool for ensuring that the final employment selection is based on the applicant's ability to successfully perform in the job and not on any prejudice, bias or assumption.

There are many different types of pre employment tests but the most frequently used tests fall into these five categories - personality tests, skills tests, aptitude tests, integrity tests and drug tests.

Personality Tests
Personality tests measure the personality characteristics of job applicants that are related to successful job performance. Typically they measure one or more of five personality dimensions: extroversion, emotional stability, agreeableness, conscientiousness and openness to experience. The test format can vary from a brief written test to a long psychological examination. Personality tests have no "right" answers and cannot be prepared for. Applicants should answer honestly and not attempt to manipulate their answers to fit what they think the employer wants for two reasons. Firstly the tests contain validity scales that are designed to detect inconsistent and fake answers. This will be viewed as dishonest by prospective employers. Secondly applicants are misleading both themselves and the employer about their suitability for the job and are unlikely to be either happy or successful in the position.

Skills Tests
This is perhaps the most common type of pre employment testing. Applicants are required to demonstrate the skills needed for the job and confirm the job-related skills they say they have. Skills tests can range from a simple typing test, writing a report, lifting a heavy object to a complicated mechanical design. Some skills tests can be prepared for. Know which skills you will require on the job and practice these. Practice tests for typing and computer skills are available online.
Skills tests are considered acceptable if they genuinely test a skill needed for the job.

Aptitude Tests
These employment tests explore an applicant's abilities such as reasoning, numerical, wiring or verbal skills. They differ from skills tests in that they are used to determine an applicant's ability to learn and be trained in the required skills for the job while a skills test assesses existing skill levels.
Aptitude tests will tell an employer how quickly an applicant may be expected to learn to do the job tasks to a satisfactory level. There are general aptitude test referred to as IQ or intelligence tests and also tests for specific aptitudes such as mechanical aptitude.

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