What are Psychometric Tests in Bursary Applications?

What is a psychometric test?

Psychometric tests are used by companies to ascertain whether an individual has the necessary cognitive ability, personality, and/ or work behaviour to excel at a specific job or position. Similarly, it is used by bursary providers to test students and aid them in selecting a career path best suited for them. Psychometric tests can take on forms such as mechanical, numerical, verbal, or logical reasoning.
 

How are psychometric tests conducted for bursary applications?

Psychometric tests are usually done online, but can also be completed in person at an assessment centre. The purpose of psychometric tests are to improve the recruitment process and ensure the top applicants are chosen for the award.
 

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Does the outcome of the psychometric test determine whether I will receive a bursary?

It’s important to note that psychometric tests scores do not stand alone, but are rather combined with the candidate’s academic record, CV, cover letter, and other assessment aspects (such as more tailored-specific tasks, group interviews etc).

Psychometric tests are often a common hurdle, primarily in graduate scheme applications. These tests are often used, combined with others, with the chosen test selection determined by the specific career field the applicant is applying to.

Therefore, it is vital to perform well in psychometric tests as a high score will increase your chances of securing a final interview.
 

What are the different types of psychometric tests?

There are two key forms of psychometric tests: aptitude tests and personality tests. Below is a list explaining what each type of test is intended for, what to expect from them, and useful tips:

Aptitude tests:
These are usually completed online or through a printed answer sheet (similar to an exam). This test is designed to test your cognitive and reasoning skills, and will have a strict time constraint in which to complete it.

Common types of aptitude tests include:

• Diagrammatic reasoning (also known as ‘abstract reasoning tests’): This type of test involves a sequence of shapes/ symbols, where often, you will be asked to identify the missing symbol to continue the sequence.
• Numerical reasoning: This type of test includes stats and graphs that will need to be understood to logically answer a question.
• Situational judgment: This is very similar to the role-playing assessment you will engage in on assessment day. The situational judgment test will provide you with work-based hypothetical scenarios whereby you will need to decide (based on your own judgment) how to solve work-based scenarios. Through this, your employer/ bursary provider will see if you can effectively solve the problem/ move forward by selecting an answer from a list of options.
• Verbal reasoning: In this test, you will be provided with a short piece of text that you will need to read and evaluate to answer the question. This type of test is often answered in “true/ false” format.

Tips for aptitude tests:

• Whichever type of test you will be given, you will always be provided with instructions beforehand. Be sure to listen to the instructions and follow them attentively.
• Should you be faced with a multiple choice test, be sure to check what penalties you will get should the answers be wrong. If there are none, and you are running out of time, then you may be better off guessing an answer rather than leaving it blank. However, as mentioned, some tests have penalties for wrong answers. If this is the instance (and you are unsure of the answer) leave the question blank and return to it later.
• Be sure to plan your time effectively when doing an aptitude test.
• Be sure to have all the necessary tools needed to effectively complete the test (such as pens, and calculators).
• You are advised to also prepare well for an aptitude test by practicing as much as you can. You can find a number of these tests on Google and various websites.

 
Personality tests:
These tests differ from aptitude tests as there is no wrong or right answer, and often, there’re no time limits. Personality tests are more of a relaxed experience, and allows the employer to get a keen insight into who you are, how you work, and how you may behave within the workplace.

Personality tests often ask you questions about your work style, with some questions being noted several times but phrased differently. This allows consistency within the test and ensures that you are answering the questions truthfully.
 

** TIPS & ARTICLES **
Read our top tips on submitting your bursary application for the best chance of success.
Read our tips on how to write a bursary motivational letter here.
Read about how to prepare for a bursary interview here here.
Read about the various ways to get free education in South Africa.
Read about the Public vs Private Higher Education Institutions and which to choose.
Read about the National Benchmark Test (NBT) for University Entrance.
 

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