Preparing for a psychological assessment
On this page, we have compiled tips, guidelines and recommendations for candidates taking part in the psychological assessment.
Welcome to an aptitude assessment
Congratulations, you have reached the final stages of the recruitment process and are now participating in an assessment of your suitability for the role. Taking part in a formal assessment can make you feel a bit nervous, especially the first time, which is why we want to provide answers to the most common questions that you may have. You can also always contact our assessment psychologists if you have any questions about the assessment.
What is an aptitude assessment?
The purpose of a psychological aptitude assessment is to provide an objective, external perspective on the recruitment process and additional information to support the employer’s decision-making. The aim is to confirm how well the candidate meets the criteria and expectations of the job, and how well the job is suited to them. Therefore, the aim of the assessment is to ensure the candidate’s ability to succeed in the role. The results of the assessment can also be used as a management and onboarding tool for the selected candidate at the start of the cooperation.
What happens in the aptitude assessment?
The assessment is based on the requirements of the job and a baseline definition. It focuses on the candidate’s motivation, abilities, working style and cooperation skills, as well as what kind of management would benefit the employee. The assessment is carried out by Avila’s certified assessment psychologists, following the guidelines of good personal assessment practices.
The assessment can be divided into three different parts:
- Work personality tests, which examine at how a person works and interacts with others
- Ability tests measuring logical analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills (linguistic, spatial and numerical reasoning)
- Structured interview
The assessment is carried out using a multi-method approach. This means that the issues being assessed are not based on individual responses, but they are evaluated using a number of independent methods. The assessment examines the candidate as a whole, supporting the decision to hire the most suitable person for the role.
The aptitude assessment is only related to the work context and the task in question. The assessment is not an assessment of work ability and does not take a position on the person’s state of health or other matters unrelated to working life. All personal and aptitude assessments require the consent of the person being assessed, so you can also refuse these assessments. This is regulated by the Act on the Protection of Privacy in Working Life (Chapter 4, Section 13).
How do I prepare for the assessment?
Once you have received an invitation to the assessment, you will be contacted by one of the Avila psychologists with instructions and a link to the assignments. Avila’s assessments are conducted entirely online, and the assignments are conveniently located on the same portal. The assessment psychologist will schedule an interview, which will also be conducted remotely.
We recommend that you start working on the assignments well in advance, as rushing can increase stress. This may be reflected in the assessment results later on. However, the assignments should be completed no later than the day before the interview, as you will discuss the results with the psychologist during the interview.
Please read the instructions carefully and follow them. You will need a computer, a good network connection and, if necessary, a calculator, a pen and a notepad. During the interview, make sure the camera image is clear and adjust your lighting to avoid shadows. Before the interview with the psychologist, we recommend that you consider your own expectations and motivations for the job that you are applying for.
There is no need to prepare for the assessment in other ways. You can participate in the assessment with an open mind and as you are.
Assessment implementation
We recommend that you complete the assignments with a well-rested mind and in a quiet environment where you can concentrate without distractions. Turn off your phone and computer notifications and make sure your internet connection works without problems. The assessments are available in several languages, and you can choose the one that suits you best, but we recommend that you complete the assessments in your native language.
It is natural to feel somewhat nervous, and you don’t have to worry about it. If you feel nervous about the assessments, you can tell the assessment psychologist about it – expressing your concerns can help ease the tension. It can also be helpful to complete the assessments at home, in a familiar environment, and split them into different parts, if necessary. Please let the psychologist know if anything else (e.g. illness, bad news) has happened during the assessment, since these might affect the assessment results.
Be open and honest when completing the assignments. If an assignment seems difficult, we recommend that you move on and don’t dwell on one answer too long. The assessment is based on a multi-method approach, which means that one single answer has no great importance.
After the assessment
Once you have completed the assignments, you will immediately receive a report where you can see your answers. After the interview, the assessment psychologist will write a report on the whole assessment. You will always receive the report with the same content as the client company. It is worth remembering that the assessment summary is always drawn up in relation to the applied position and is therefore not directly applicable for other purposes. However, the assessment report can give you some useful tips for improving your self-knowledge.
If the assessment report expresses some concerns about your suitability for the job, this should not discourage you. The main objective of the assessment is to find the right person for the role, a person who fits the company’s expectations and can succeed in the role. It also ensures that the role and the working environment suit and motivate the candidate.
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Tips for the assessment
1. Before assessment
There is no need to be nervous about the assessment. You should participate in the assessment as you are.
4. Tasks
You should take the assessment in your native language.
2. Environment
Try to do the assignments with a well-rested mind and in a quiet environment where you can concentrate.
5. Interview
Before the interview with the psychologist, it is a good idea to consider your own expectations and motivations for the job that you are applying for.
3. Preparation
Turn off your phone and computer notifications and make sure your internet connection is working well.
6. Honesty
Be open and honest when completing the assignments.
Questions?
Couldn’t find the answer to your question? Contact us – we are happy to help you with your suitability assessment.
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