Online tests

Online tests are reliable, valid, and objective tools for measuring aptitude, personality traits, or technical skills that relate to the role, and allow for accurate comparisons between candidates. Usually conducted online, they often appear early in the recruitment process and range from relatively short timed psychometric tests to a few days in which to complete a coding exercise.

• Aptitude or Ability Tests – these assess specific skills needed for a role, with questions typically involving verbal, numerical, and diagrammatic reasoning. The required academic knowledge is often basic, but the question formats may be unfamiliar. Practice is the best way to improve.
• Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs) – these assess your problem-solving approach in workplace scenarios. You'll choose or rank responses to a hypothetical situation. Our top tip is to align your answers with the organization’s values, consider ethical aspects, and be aware of industry trends. Focus on what benefits the business, clients, and team.
• Personality Questionnaires – these assess characteristics to identify candidates best suited for a role and help employers decide which team or department you might join if hired. There are no right or wrong answers, but your responses reveal if your personality fits the ideal candidate profile. These untimed assessments can’t be prepared for and feel less like an exam. Follow the instructions and respond naturally without second-guessing.
• Game-based Assessments – these use puzzles and simulations to evaluate skills like logic, problem-solving, and decision-making. Preparation is challenging due to the unpredictability of the tests. While scoring and time limits add enjoyment, consider what traits the organization is assessing. For instance, a high score from risk-taking may not be ideal if caution is preferred. Read instructions carefully, be yourself, and enjoy the process.
  
  These tests are designed to be fair and not influenced by prior gaming experience. The same games may be used by different employers, but scoring systems are tailored to each role, so results can vary between applications.

• Virtual Reality (VR) – a growing number of employers use VR to create immersive, interactive assessment environments. Candidates may tackle simulated workplace scenarios such as preparing for a meeting using some provided items, or may consist of in imaginative challenges, such as breaking into a vault or Egyptian tomb!
• Immersive Assessments – these may combine elements from a variety of the tests listed above. You may be required to answer SJTs questions, undertake psychometric tests, or tackle written assessments. You may have to watch videos, listening to recorded messages, or respond to emails, all designed to more accurately replicate the workplace and assess your role suitability. 
• Coding assessments - in fields related to software development, data science, or engineering, you may be required to take various types of coding tests. These assess your programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and how well you can apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios, and could include coding challenges, bug fixing, system design or technical screening questions.

Whichever type of test you encounter follow this advice. Use a range of practice resources to become adept at different types of tests and scenarios. It is good practice to review the organization's values, read related business report, and practise extracting key information from paragraphs of text through speed reading. Treat the test like an exam, taking it in a quiet, distraction-free environment.

We’ve collated the following resources with information and practice assessments for aptitude and psychometric tests. Those listed were found to contain useful practice tests, questionnaires or other material at the time of inclusion, but we do not control the contents of the sites and all links are provided in good faith. The websites listed typically provide some free materials however please note we do not control their content or endorse their services.

To suggest additional resources or for concerns about site content, contact us at careers@imperial.ac.uk. You may also attend our psychometric test workshops, which can be booked via JobsLive.

• Assessment Day – a huge variety of information and sample free practice tests covering all major types of assessments.
• Assessment-Training – a range of free tests covering all types of assessment styles.
• Cubiks – various information and tips for online assessments.
• GraduateFirst – access to various practice resources (free access near the bottom of the page)
• Job Test Prep – a wide variety of information and sample questions are available free of charge however costs apply to access many practice resources.
• Profiling For Success, Kogan Page - Team Focus - complete verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning tests and receive a personalised feedback report.
• Practice4Me – a large variety of free to access aptitude and personality tests including study guides.
• Practice Aptitude Tests – a full spectrum of psychometric tests including numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, diagrammatic reasoning, situational judgement and many more.
• Practice Reasoning - created by the founder of WikiJob this comprehensive resource of training materials and practice tests covers a variety of test styles and provides success tips and guides.
• Practice Reasoning psychometric guide - a complete guide to passing and getting hired plus 16 free tests.
• Practice Reasoning Tests - access to free practice tests including numerical, verbal, spatial, critical thinking (Watson Glaser) and many more.  
• Psychometric Success – access free aptitude tests and a comprehensive selection of eBooks covering a wide variety of selection tests.
• Psychometric Tests – access to a range of assessment information and practice tests.
• Quant Riddles & Answers – a collection of riddles, logic or lateral puzzles to help train your brain.
• Saville Assessment – a variety of timed practice with feedback.
• SHL Practice Tests – example assessment tests covering a variety of formats.
• Situational Judgement Test – trial assessments and receive personalised feedback reports.
• TalentLens – access a Critical Thinking (Watson Glaser) test and Numerical Data Interpretation test.
• The Online Test Centre – various practice assessments.
• Verbal Reasoning Test – three practice tests that feeds a database of research.
• WikiJobs – detailed background information on a variety of assessments and various free practice resources.
• 123test - has a range of free tests including numerical and verbal reasoning.

Game-based assessment:

It’s hard to find practice resources for these types of assessment due to the commercial value and intellectual property but Artic Shores and Criteria are two of the leading providers in this growing market.

We’ve located a few practice simulations that could help you become familiar with the style of games you may encounter:

• NATS Skills Games – 5 games that assess spatial awareness, memory and coordination.
• MindmetriQTM by Test Partnership – six practice games testing spatial awareness, memory, visual processing, and quantitative reasoning etc.
• Memory Cards by AssessmentDay – Memory/Sequential simulation game.

We’ve collated the following for coding assessments along with other resources that can assist your performance in online tests. We do not control the contents of the sites and all links are provided in good faith. The websites listed typically provide some free materials however please note we do not control their content or endorse their services.

To suggest additional resources or for concerns about site content, contact us at careers@imperial.ac.uk. You may also attend our psychometric test workshops, which can be booked via JobsLive.

Specific support for coding assessments:

• CodeAcademy – explore programs and courses in an online community of 45 million learners.
• Coderbyte – improve your coding skills and become and better developer in preparation for technical interviews and coding challenges.
• HackerRank – practice coding test for assessment and interview. 
• Leetcode - practice for coding interviews and assessments.

Support to help improve numerical skills:

• Math Tutor - video tutorials, support documents, diagnostic tests and exercises to help develop and improve your maths skills.
• Math Centre – self-study guides and tests to help improve your math skills.
• Pearson Math Skills – exercises and fully-worked solutions
• BBC Skillswise Maths – collection of resources to improve your maths.

Support to help improve English language skills:

• English Conversation Forum – open to all members of Imperial this online community encourages conversation and cultural exchanges.
• CLCC Language Exchange – practice pronunciation, idiom and vocabulary in a peer learning environment with a native English speaking volunteer.
• BBC Skillswise English - collection of resources to improve your English.
• The Centre for Academic English – work with Imperial staff and students, both native and non-native speakers to achieve effective STEMM communication.

LinkedIn Learning:

As a member of the College you have access to LinkedIn Learning. Using LinkedIn Learning’s instructional videos you can teach yourself how to use various software packages and business-related subjects.

Many employers using online tests as part of their recruitment process can make adjustments for disabled candidates. Read Psychometric tests - a guide for disabled and neurodivergent applicants [pdf] (from the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Service's Psychometric Assessment Task Group) to find out more.