Ability Tests

You already know that interviews and reference checks simply don’t cut it when it comes to determining whether a candidate has the core abilities or intellect to perform at the level required in a job.

Aptitude tests fill that gap by being among the strongest predictors of success in any job.

Introduction to Ability Testing in New Zealand

An introduction to using psychometric ability/aptitude tests in New Zealand, including the range of critical reasoning, general reasoning & specialist tests available & how to access them via People Central.

Why Use Ability Tests?

With all of our Ability Tests available online, it has never been easier to include assessments of candidates’ core abilities as a screening tool in your selection process.

We deliver the world’s most trusted aptitude tests to employers in all sectors across New Zealand and have tests specifically designed for staff groups ranging from industrial processing staff to executive directors, and every step in between.

The abilities measured vary depending on the role and organisation, but typically include:

  • High Level Verbal and Numerical Critical Reasoning for Managers, Graduates & Professionals
  • Broad General Tests of Numerical, Verbal & Abstract Reasoning
  • Core Administrative Abilities for Admin & Support Staff
  • Ability Tests Specifically Designed for Working Safely in Hazardous Environments
  • Proficiency Tests for Frontline Process & Production Staff & Supervisors
  • Technical Testing Ability for Engineers & Technicians

Take a look at a sample range of ability tests and sample reports below, or contact us today to see how ability tests can help you choose the right candidate for the job.

 

With all of our Ability Tests available online, it has never been easier to include assessments of candidates’ core abilities as a screening tool in your selection process.

We deliver the world’s most trusted ability tests to employers in all sectors across New Zealand and have tests specifically designed for staff groups ranging from industrial processing staff to executive directors, and every step in between.

ability aptitude and skills assessments

The abilities measured vary depending on the role and organisation, but typically include:

  • High Level Verbal and Numerical Critical Reasoning for Managers & Professionals
  • Broad General Tests of Numerical, Verbal & Abstract Reasoning
  • Core Administrative Abilities for Admin & Support Staff
  • Ability Tests Specifically Designed for Working Safely in Hazardous Environments
  • Industrial Proficiency Tests for Frontline Process & Production Staff & Supervisors
  • Technical Testing Ability for Engineers & Technicians

Take a look at a sample range of ability tests and sample reports below, or contact us today to see how ability tests can help you choose the right candidate for the job.

Sample Ability Tests & Reports

Abstract Reasoning Tests

When testing for potential, Abstract Reasoning Tests quickly provide insight into whether a candidate is likely to make sense of workflows, sequences of events and grasp new concepts in induction and ongoing training. Our clients identify the candidates who are likely to be worthwhile recipients of the time, dollars and effort invested in their training and development.

Abstract reasoning test scores also provide guidance on how to tailor training and development to the individual, with low scorers likely to respond well to highly structured step-by-step instructions and high scorers readily grasping new concepts outside of their previous experience and more suited to self-directed learning.

Click here for a sample report, then give us a call.

General Cognitive Ability Test (GCAT)

Designed in New Zealand as an online test, the GCAT is aimed at a broad range of roles and is suitable for any candidate who has completed secondary education.

Tests include Numerical, Verbal and Abstract reasoning in one combined assessment.

Click here for a sample report and give us a call with any queries on replacing your current general reasoning tests with a home-grown online combined test.

Technical Test Battery – TTB2

The Technical Test Battery (TTB2) is designed to assess the core abilities associated with success in Engineering and Technical roles.

The TTB2 is comprised of three tests that comprehensively assess whether a candidate can take technical concepts and apply them to practical use in:

  • Mechanical Reasoning – the ability to understand mechanical concepts and physical principles in operation
  • Spatial ReasoningMeasures spatial ability through questions that assess the ability to visualise patterns in three dimensions
  • Visual AcuityMeasures the ability to work with highly detailed technical material such as wiring or circuit diagrams

Click here for a sample report, then give us a call.

Health & Safety Indicator (HSI)

Health & Safety Indicator (HSI)

With the introduction of New Zealand's Health & Safety at Work Act (2016) aimed at managing workplace risks and the pleasing trend towards focusing on workplace wellbeing, most organisations are aiming to reduce health and safety incidents and workplace accidents.

The Health & Safety Indicator Test (H&SI) assesses a range of ability and personality characteristics that represent an individual’s tendency towards safe behaviour in the workplace.

The H&SI is a combination of targeted personality and ability measures in one assessment which allows for the identification of health and safety risk factors. It includes an overall score as well as specific ability and personality scores.

Specific measures include:

Ability to Operate Safely

  • Understanding instructions
  • Checking and attention to detail
  • Understanding the safety environment

Safety Focused Personality

  • Safety motivation
  • Safety diligence
  • Adherence to rules
  • Openness to guidance
  • Safety confidence
  • Safety composure

Take a look at the sample reports for high and low risk test-takers below to see the readily interpreted graphical assessments that are helping New Zealand employers identify, manage and reduce risks in potential hazardous environments, then give us a call.

Sample Low Risk Employee H&SI Report

Sample High Risk Employee H&SI Report

Numerical & Verbal Critical Reasoning Tests (CRTBi)

Critical Reasoning Tests are essential for roles that require clearly defined abilities to make logical decisions from complex text and raw data by quickly and accurately turning it into meaningful management information.

Aimed at Graduate to Director Level, the CRTBi series consist of Numerical and Verbal Critical Reasoning Tests, which can be run individually or together.

Clients find the CRTBi series questions, which focus on business scenarios, relevant and valuable in identifying candidates who can tease out strong from weak arguments, true from false information, spot anomalies and trends in data and turn blocks of raw data into relevant management information.

Click here for a sample report, then contact us.

Acumen - Critical Reasoning Test 

Acumen is a critical reasoning test designed to measure a person's ability to conceptualise, analyse, question and evaluate ideas.

Critical Reasoning is an important component of decision making as in influences how well somebody can understand and make use of complex information. The Critical Reasoning Test assesses aptitude in the following areas:

Recognising assumptions, evaluating arguments, drawing conclusions, identifying trends, making effective decisions.

Aimed at Graduate to Director Level, the Acumen Assessment consists of Numerical and Verbal Critical Reasoning Tests, which can be run individually or together.

Clients find the Acumen series questions, which focus on business scenarios, relevant and valuable in identifying candidates who can tease out strong from weak arguments, true from false information, spot anomalies and trends in data and turn blocks of raw data into relevant management information.

Click here for a sample report and give us a call with any queries on using the Acumen assessment.

Admin Staff Ability Assessment

Aimed at people who have completed secondary school education, the Admin Staff Ability Assessment is a custom combination that blends GCAT with a Checking test with applications in a wide range of admin, clerical and customer services type roles.  The assessment includes:

  • Verbal Reasoning to test effectively communicating in everyday business English
  • Numerical Abilities in making sense of everyday office arithmetic and numbers
  • Abstract Reasoning to test how quickly they can learn and grasp new concepts outside of previous experience
  • Clerical Checking Test to test conscientiousness, attention to detail and accuracy in performing repetitive administrative tasks

Click here for a sample report, then give us a call.

Industrial Proficiency Test – IPT

Designed and developed in New Zealand, The Industrial Proficiency Test (IPT) is a robust measure of cognitive ability specifically designed for industrial, trades and process orientated jobs.

The test has strong face validity, which is to say candidates and clients see rational reasons for the questions in relevant work settings, enabling clients to use the IPT when:

  • Recruiting new staff
  • Spotting potential & development needs in existing staff

The IPT is ideally suited to individuals with a basic level of formal education and includes measures of Numerical and Symbolic Reasoning, Following Written Instructions and Checking.

The Symbolic Reasoning Test also identifies the potential to learn among people who may not have performed well in formal education.

Click here for a sample report, then give us a call.

Contact us today to see how ability tests can help you choose the right candidate for the job and make the most of your existing workforce.

Ready To Up Your Hiring Game?

The average cost of bad recruitment is 140% of the salary for the role*. That’s a $70,000 mistake on a $50,000 a year job.

Save time, money, stress and your reputation with our online ability and aptitude tests.

*Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD) Study