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
Why Use Ability Tests?
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 Reasoning – Measures spatial ability through questions that assess the ability to visualise patterns in three dimensions
- Visual Acuity – Measures 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.
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.
People Central are our go to for any of our testing requirements. Steve and the team are always knowledgeable and helpful ensuring we get the right tools for the job. Highly Recommended.
We have been working with People Central for a few years now, and we have always found Steve and his team to be super helpful and responsive to all of our requests.
The psychometric testing that they support us with has become a key component in our decision making process. The reports are clear and easy to understand, and they provide an objective analysis of applicant’s strengths and weaknesses. There is no doubt that this has improved our selection process, and I would highly recommend their services.
Rural Directions Recruitment and HR have utilised People Centrals services for many years now. We find People Central to be very helpful in determining which testing would be most beneficial for our clients as we recruit for a lot of diverse roles. The results and feedback is always received promptly and communication is always easy as the team are all very friendly and responsive.
Exceptional customer service with accurate results. People Central has been delivering psychometric assessments for me for more than five years across different organisations I have worked for. They are good at forming a partnership with the business and customising assessments to meet the customers’ needs. Always get timely responses along with reports that are easily understood by all stakeholders. Thanks, Steve and the team for the professional service and looking forward to continued business.
Overseer Limited contacted People Central to assist with a recent recruitment process. We found exactly the type of tests we needed and had results back from candidates together with analysis within 48 hours of first making contact with Steve. We now have every confidence we have made the right hire. I am very happy to recommend People Central based on both the product and stellar service.
Steve assisted us with team development and personality testing for our Head of Departments. The feedback from the staff was that they all felt really comfortable with Steve and found his hands on approach going through their personality profiles a very informative, positive and helpful one. It was a great exercise as it helped our team all recognise each other’s different strengths and approaches and in turn work better together. Steve was always very prompt with replying to correspondence and more than happy to help with any questions during the process. Overall a really good experience and we would look to use Steve again in the near future for other areas of our organisation.
People Central have always being able to locate valid and reliable Testing & Assessment products suitable for our varied professional and technical roles. Any organisation looking to step up their staff selection and development processes should give them a call.
Firstlight Foods utilises the assistance of People Central during our recruiting process. One of the services provided by People Central is the opportunity to objectively test the competencies of an applicant and this is an important part of the decision making process when selecting new team members for our business. Their advice is both timely and professional.
Great service – really sharpened our process and our evaluation of candidates, uncovering some surprising information on the way. Support from People Central was comprehensive and insightful. We would definitely use them again.
What would a salesperson operating at 120% of their target be bringing into your business? What would a poor selection decision of someone delivering only 50% of their target be doing to your bottom line? If selecting the sales staff most likely to succeed in your business is important to you, then talk to People Central.
Tribe engages the services of People Central to assist in our recruitment selection process. Getting the right people on board is absolutely critical to our on-going success, and the team at People Central have an impressive arsenal of testing and profiling tools available to assist in this. In addition to the “soft” skills profiling, they have a wide range of technical/IT based tests that help us determine technical capability before someone joins the organisation. This enables us to bring people on with no surprises, and also to plan their development and training needs before they even step through the door! A big thanks to the team at People Central for the on-going prompt and informed support.
NZCU Baywide has found great benefit in People Central’s services, particularly in relation to psychometric testing. This process really validates the assumptions we have made during our selection process. We’ve found it gives us a great understanding of what will motivate an individual in a work situation, we can also measure their working style and discover their strengths and weaknesses. It also provides us with information as to that candidate’s future performance. These are key factors in matching an applicant to a position as it’s essential to get the right person at the outset. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend People Central to other would-be employers: We really value Steve’s expert knowledge in this area.
People Central has delivered psychometric testing and assessment services for me for twelve years in two very different organisations. Their degree of expertise and range of tests is excellent, as is their partnership approach in supporting us to use assessments most appropriate to the role and business. Add to this their responsiveness in delivering on time when assessing candidates anywhere in New Zealand and the lengths they go to in ensuring hiring managers receive feedback to support them in making selection decisions, I would recommend any business talk to People Central whether they are existing users of psychometric products, or looking to introduce testing and assessment into their HR processes.
Industrial Proficiency Testing provided by People Central has allowed Napier Port to understand individuals’ ability across a range of functions, including numeracy skills, attention to detail, and the ability to follow instructions. The testing process has improved our recruitment standards and helped us to better understand our learner base, contributing to more efficient and streamlined training programmes
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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.
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