Aptitude Tests. Get prepared for aptitude tests! AbilitUs

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1 Aptitude Tests Get prepared for aptitude tests! AbilitUs

2 Content The objectives of the document are to help candidate in their preparation before taking aptitude tests, and in particular Situational Judgment Tests (SJTs). Be fully prepared and confident with these tests before taking them in a recruitment procedure. How to establish a Preparation Planning How to get prepared for Situational Judgment Tests (SJT) Your life-style can make the difference during your preparation Before the recruitment procedure Through our books and articles, we will share what we know and what we learn about aptitude tests and define the actions that can ensure your success! «Preparation to Aptitude Tests» by ABILITUS Online Training Company Copyright This document can be shared freely without any modification. Date of publication: 20 March ABILITUS - Online Training Company Copyright All Rights Reserved.

3 How to get prepared for Aptitude Tests? How to prepare efficiently for aptitude tests? A big question that you may ask yourself to get the job you want! And be prepared for aptitude tests for a job that you absolutely want is CRUCIAL. In this article, you can find some tips that may help you to prepare aptitude tests, and especially for Situational Judgment Tests: preparation planning, tips for an optimal preparation, how to work, which frequency How to establish a Preparation Planning Before practicing aptitude tests, a first step in the preparation is to fix a detailed planning, that you will have to follow during the entire preparation period. Have a strong time table and follow it closely will significantly increase your chances to succeed aptitude tests. How to prepare a planning? 1. Establish a preparation period: number of days and/or number of months. The more time you have, the better it is. And for recruitment procedure where the number of candidates is important (i.e. EPSO competition), the optimal preparation period is around 4 months (almost every day) to practice all the aptitude tests (not only SJTs). 2. Determine the number of hours per week and per day, available for your preparation. You should plan at least 1h-1h30 when you practice aptitude tests. 3. Allocate 2h-3h on regular basis to study the e-books, articles or tips to understand the test types, the method to solve them in order to master aptitude tests before practicing. 4. Per week, you should have one day where you do not practice tests in order to rest your mind. 5. Have an agenda only dedicated to your preparation planning: determine exactly what you are going to do/practice and on which day. You will have to stick to it closely! 6. Have a notepad only dedicated for your preparation: put comments, results and learnings. 7. Take time to gather information on the recruitment procedure that you will face: identify the type of tests used (and the instructions), number of tests, time dedicated to the test, information on the organization (structure, values and mission). Based on the information you have, you can adapt your preparation plan. 8. If you need to practice several types of aptitude tests, you should identify your strengths and weaknesses. More time should be allocated to the tests on which you are not confident. Having a detailed planning and follow it will not only help you on the knowledge part. But it has other benefits: strong and optimal work organization, increase your concentration level, remain focus for longer period, be confident and well prepared before the recruitment procedure. How to get prepared for Situational Judgment Tests (SJT) Candidates are in most case considering Situational Judgment Tests (SJTs) as the most complex aptitude test. Why? STJs are not measuring hard skills (knowledge), but soft skills (competencies, skills) and behaviors. A strong preparation is therefore important to be confident with this kind of test. ABILITUS can help you in the preparation of SJTs. Our advices for the most optimal preparation are: 1. Fix a timeframe of 1h30 when you start practicing Situational Judgment Tests 3 ABILITUS - Online Training Company Copyright All Rights Reserved.

4 2. One practice test of SJT is taking around 45 minutes. The SJTs available on ABILITUS have a length of 42 minutes (1 30 per question). It sounds long, but we did it on purpose to optimize your preparation. 3. Revision of the practice test should be done right after the test (30 minutes), where you will analyze the right/wrong answers. Take notes or do a summary. You should identify your strengths and weaknesses. Use the study materials to improve 4. Compare your performance for the two runs of each test. Your performance should increase. 5. Before doing the first practice test, you should study the e-books to master the method that will help you to solve SJT (2h-3h). 6. You should at least wait 2-3 days before retaking the same test (depending your preparation period). If you do it too quickly, the preparation won t be optimal and you will remember the situation too easily. 7. Number of SJT practice tests per week. It will depend on the length of the preparation period Preparation period less than 2 weeks : 4 practice tests per week Preparation period between 2 weeks and 2 months : 3 practice tests per week Preparation period longer than 2 months : 2 practice tests per week The more SJTs you do, the best preparation you will have with this kind of test. You will face many working situation with possible actions. It will increase the knowledge of SJT, the speed to solve them (save time), have a better understanding of the core competencies assessed by recruiters. Your life-style can make the difference during your preparation Your life-style can strongly influence your performance and chances of success. Preparation should not only be done on the knowledge part, but also your mind to be fully prepared and confident. Depending the aptitude tests you will face, the preparation can be difficult (to be above the average candidates) and your motivation can be impacted. This is why it is important to create a positive environment to optimize your preparation. Our advices are: 1. Select a proper atmosphere dedicated to study and practice: the study environment has a very important role and will influence your results. Select a place where you feel comfortable, feel relaxed and can concentrate. Keep television, internet, books or other subjects away so you are not disturb or tempt by them. 2. It is better to study early morning when all the surroundings will be in silence and your concentration level is higher. After a day of work, it is sometime hard to find the motivation to study and practice tests. Your concentration really counts. Never study close to a mirror as it can lead to a lack of concentration. 3. Do sports and/or have a walk outside. Preparation is not only in the mind but also in the body. Having sports activities will stimulate your mind. Your sleep can also be more optimal by practicing sports. 4. Eat healthy: fruits, vegetables, drink a lot of waters, teas. Avoid sugar products (candies, chocolates) or fat food (chips, French fries, hamburger ). Our state of mind is influenced by what we eat. Eat healthy, and it will positively impact your mind, your motivation and attitude. Don t fast on exam day (avoid diet), but eat healthy. And don t forget to have a glass of water before you go to bed. It is essential to keep your brain cells charged! 5. Rest and sleep well. Study shows that optimum hours for sleep are 6h-7h (depend for each person). Be tired will negatively impact your motivation and the way you prepare yourself for aptitude tests. 4 ABILITUS - Online Training Company Copyright All Rights Reserved.

5 6. Be dedicated and persevere. Aptitude tests are not always easy. And at the beginning, you may have the feeling that the preparation is not useful (results are not increasing). But the results of a good preparation are measured over a time period. Remain focus and you will take the benefits. 7. Never fear or have practice tests. Be confident in your chances to succeed. Be afraid is generating a negative state of mind. You will get distracted, be less motivated and it will impact the preparation. Leave all your fears and free your mind before starting the study. Be positive and confident. It is probably the most essential power you have for attaining victory! Before the recruitment procedure The day before the recruitment procedure, you have to adapt yourself to be ready and optimize your abilities to succeed the procedure. 1. If you can afford a long preparation period, we strongly advice you not to do practice tests the day (or 2 days) before the recruitment procedure. Your mind will be clear, rested and full of energy to take the aptitude tests. 2. You should go to bed in time or early the night before. And have at least 7hours of sleep. It will help you to be relaxed and minimize the stress level that you might have. 3. Before entering the assessment center, put your mind under positivity. Say to yourself I am the best, I will make it, I will succeed. Positive energy stimulates positive results. It will put your body and mind in the best conditions to succeed. Remember that the preparation is not only about knowledge, but your attitude and state of mind during the preparation period are also playing a strong role to succeed a recruitment procedure. Be prepared, be confident, be positive and you will see the benefits! Good luck! Abilitus Team 5 ABILITUS - Online Training Company Copyright All Rights Reserved.

6 Questions? Thank you for choosing AbilitUs! Our team is dedicated to answer you quickly and support your preparation. AbilitUs