For Candidates
Preparing for your assessment

Psychometric assessment

Psychometric assessment is a standardised method of evaluating individual capabilities and personality, and provides objective comparisons with a particular group of people, e.g., managers and professionals, executives, graduates, team leaders, etc.

They are not “pass or fail” tests. Rather, the assessment results are used to identify strengths and areas for further checking (e.g., in interviews or confirmation by referees). As such, psychometric tests complement other methods of assessment used in employee selection and development.

The kind of tests you may complete

The assessment process is tailored to measure the competencies that are relevant to the role to which you have applied. Different companies require different assessments for different roles. However, the typical kinds of assessments that candidates complete include:

  • Ability tests. These tests measure your verbal, numerical and problem solving skills. They are multiple-choice timed tests that require both speed and accuracy in your analysis and decision-making.
  • Personality Questionnaire. This is an untimed multiple-choice questionnaire exploring your work preferences. There are no right or wrong answers. It is recommended that you “go with your gut feeling” and answer as openly and honestly as your can.
  • Motivation Questionnaire. This is an untimed multiple-choice questionnaire exploring factors that drive or motivate your performance.
  • Other assessments. If you have been advised you will be doing other tests, go to our talent identification services page for additional information, or speak to our assessment coordinator.

Time required

The time required for the completion of our psychological assessments varies widely from 20 minutes for some roles to 5 hours for others. You will be advised by our assessment coordinator of the time required to complete your assessment.

Steps in the assessment process

At Allworth Juniper, we aim to make the psychometric assessment experience as comfortable as possible for candidates. This is what you can expect:

  • Candidate briefing. We want you to be fully informed of the nature and purpose of the assessment you are about to undertake. Prior to completing your assessments, our assessment coordinator will phone you to offer a full explanation of the kind of assessments you will complete, how long they will take, how the tests will be administered, etc. If you are required to complete the assessments under supervision, an appointment will be made. To ensure that you fully understand the assessment process and are well prepared, please ask any questions you may have during this phone briefing.
  • Email confirmation. After your briefing, you will receive an email confirming the details of your assessment and, if relevant, the details of your appointment. You will also receive the login details for any online assessments you need to complete in your own time and information about relevant sample questions.
  • Informed consent.  Before you commence your assessment and once you are comfortable that you have a good understanding of the assessment process, you will be asked to give consent to your results being forwarded to the employer that has requested them.  If you are doing the assessment under supervision, we will obtain your consent in writing.  If you are doing your assessment online in your own time, your completion of the assessment will be an indication of your consent for us to release the results to the company that has requested the assessment.
  • Completing the assessment. Ensure you know how long each assessment will take before you commence. Read the instructions carefully. Complete the example items and make sure you understand what is required of you before you start the test. Work as quickly and accurately as you can, but avoid wild guessing. On the questionnaires in which you are asked to describe yourself, be as honest as you can. Ensure you are well prepared (see test taking tips below).
  • Our feedback and report to the company.  We will provide verbal feedback on your assessment results to the company within 24 hours of your completing the assessment and will deliver a written report within 48 hours (unless agreed otherwise).
  • Feedback to you on your assessment results. Anyone who has completed an assessment with Allworth Juniper, regardless of the purpose of the assessment, is entitled to feedback on their results.  If you have completed the assessment as part of your application for a role, verbal feedback will be available to you after you have been advised of the outcome of your job application. Feedback is available to you regardless of whether you have been offered the job or not.

Test taking tips

  • Preparation or study for the assessment is not required. However, you may wish to access some sample questions to give you an indication of what to expect on the day of assessment.  Our assessment coordinator will refer you to the appropriate test guides.
  • Only complete the assessments if you are feeling fit and well. Let our assessment coordinator know if you feel you may not perform as well as usual.
  • Make sure you have given yourself enough time to complete the assessment. Our assessment coordinator will advise you of the time required for each test.
  • If you are completing the assessments at home or at work, make sure that you have absolute peace and quiet; that your laptop/computer will not run out of power; and that you are not going to be disturbed.
  • Before you start, ensure that you have everything you need to complete the assessment e.g., calculator, writing paper for working out, refreshments.
  • You will need to be able to concentrate and think as clearly as possible during the assessment. Have a good night’s sleep beforehand; minimise any potential disturbances; turn off your mobile; and focus your mind on the assessment only.

If you have questions about your assessment, please do not hesitate to call our assessment coordinator on +61 2 9223 2774. As we are committed to the continuous improvement of our services and seek to offer the highest standard of candidate care, we appreciate any feedback that you have to offer on your assessment experience.