Aptitude tests were first used in recruitment for the US Army during the first World War. Developed by psychologist Carl Brigham, aptitude tests are designed to assess an individual’s potential to develop.
In the following article, we will take a deep dive into how aptitude tests can help you and how you can use these tests effectively.
As the name itself suggests, the test is designed to evaluate an individual’s aptitude.
Aptitude is defined as, “ an acquired or natural ability (usually measurable with aptitude tests), for learning and proficiency in a specific area or discipline. Aptitude is expressed in interest and is reflected in current performance which is expected to improve over time with training”.
Aptitude assessments are created and conducted to measure an individual’s potential to perform and are used almost everywhere - from college admissions to pre-employment evaluation.
These tests can be administered in different ways to evaluate a multitude of competencies. Some of the most common types of aptitude tests include -
Tests need to be effective in assessing an individual’s competency, whatever skills and proficiencies they are employed to assess.
Studies have shown that while technical ability and knowledge are essential to evaluating a student’s proficiency or a job applicant’s capability to perform, aptitude tests measure an individual’s inherent ability to learn, comprehend and perform, regardless of their domain of knowledge.
Standardized aptitude tests give everyone an equal chance for success without having a cultural or socio-economic bias by testing their cognitive abilities.
Aptitude Tests are a great way to screen a large number of candidates. Whether it is for college admissions or for recruiting, aptitude tests help filter in the right talent.
Aptitude tests provide objective and efficient comparisons of competencies between a set of individuals. Interview results are always prone to subjective biases. Aptitude tests help eliminate that bias.
Aptitude tests can help assess the strengths and areas for improvement in individuals. Such data can help organizations and schools design effective training programs.
These tests can be conducted on computers. The grading and evaluation of the scores require no manual intervention scores can be graded and evaluated
With technology transforming today’s marketplace, aptitude assessments have been quick to adapt. Computer-Based Tests are now quite a common method of testing across the world. These tests are more flexible and portable compared to the traditional pen-and-paper method of testing. Not only are they a more efficient way of conducting tests, they are also more transparent than traditional assessments.
But they do require test takers to attend tests from specific venues where the examination or the assessment is proctored. This set up comes with costs of the venue, proctor, logistics and more.
Enter, online assessments
Online assessments give test takers the freedom to attend tests from their own devices, wherever they want, whenever they want.
Migrating assessments online can seem like a challenging task, but its benefits will make it worth it.
Save Your Time and Your Candidate’s Time
Online assessments not only save the candidate’s time traveling to a test center but also makes the process of content authoring, delivery, evaluation and grading quick and simple.
Significant Cost Savings
A test taker can attend an online assessment from their own device, anywhere they are comfortable. This helps them save cost on travelling to the test location.
The test administrator also saves the cost involved with the venue, hiring an invigilator(or a proctor), logistics, etc.
Question Randomization
Assessment items in online tests can easily be randomized to ensure no 2 assessments have questions repeated in the same order.
Transparency and Security
Automating the process of content authoring, delivery, evaluation, and grading ensures complete transparency is maintained.
Flexibility
Online examinations give you the freedom to administer different kinds of tests in a single assessment - code test, multiple choice questions, essay questions, case studies, simulations, and more.
Real-time analysis
Online assessments allow for real-time statistical analysis. The level of difficulty, total time, verbiage, type of questions, etc can be refined based on the trends in student performance.
Traditional paper tests and computer-based tests have an exam supervisor present on location. Online tests don't.
So how can companies and universities catch the impersonators?
With information available at our fingertips, how can organizations know candidates aren’t copy-pasting off the internet?
Remote proctoring technologies are now so powerful that they can catch the cheaters red-handed!
There are several techniques of proctoring online assessments -
Conducting aptitude assessments online is a new and emerging field that is changing the way students are screened in college admission tests and employees are being hired. But there are a few checks you can have in place to ensure your online aptitude assessment scores are credible.
Aptitude tests by Talview Talent Assessments are designed and peer-reviewed by industry experts to ensure the assessment content items test the decision-making and reasoning abilities of the test-takers.
Assessment industry giants like Pearson are taking their assessments online.
Here’s what Shashir Shetty, from Pearson TalentLens, has to say about his experience with online assessments and cognitive proctoring
Automating online tests can help accelerate your process - be it university admissions, or hiring or employee development programs. Combining skills and aptitude assessments with behavioral and personality competencies by analyzing the emotional and tone of the test-takers can help generate a complete and holistic picture of a candidate’s capabilities, potential and behavioral tendencies.