Personality Test Preparation – Experience the Tests Employers Use

Preparing for Personality Tests

It is very likely you will take a personality test as part of your job selection process. The purpose of this test is to assess the match between your personality profile and the required job profile; thus, to screen out candidates whose personality profiles are incompatible with that of the position being filled.

While the job interview examines your overt behaviour, the personality test aims to reach deeper and expose those areas you might not be aware of, thereby providing recruiters with a more comprehensive profile of your personality.

Why Simulate an Online Personality Test?

The importance of preparing for personality tests lies in understanding the principles that underpin each personality questionnaire. Such an understanding assists you in building a personality profile that exposes your strengths and increases the odds of creating a match with the profile required for the job. As a start, you can study in advance with the Free Personality Test Sample.

Performing well on a personality test is easy if you practise beforehand, get feedback on your performance and receive guidance on how to improve in the future. JobTestPrep can offer you just this type of preparation.

There are several different personality test question formats. The most popular formats are the OPQ32 (used by SHL), 16PF, NEO and CPI. JobTestPrep's personality test consists of questions in these formats.

A screenshot of the test report, showing 8 of the 50 analysed traits:

Eliminate the Element of Surprise

Assessment centres and other test administrators keep a veil of secrecy around personality tests. The reasons for this are obvious:

1. Assessors are interested in obtaining the most spontaneous response possible from the test taker.
2. Their assumption is that the less the examinee knows about the personality test, the more honest and sincere his or her answers will be. Thus, the results would indicate a more accurate reflection of the candidate's personality.
3. Personality tests are rarely updated because the process of ensuring validity is long and expensive. Changing the contents may undermine the validity of the test and therefore reduce its accuracy.

Clearly, if the contents of personality tests remain unchanged, test developers have to keep both the questions and the method of analysis a secret. Unlike aptitude tests and other tests that are updated on an annual basis, e.g. GMAT and GRE, personality tests very rarely change.

Luckily for you, JobTestPrep's experienced team knows exactly what you can expect on personality tests. Our comprehensive preparation package was designed to help you succeed, so start preparing today. 

More About Personality Tests

JobTestPrep offers more information about personality tests with sample questions, tips and more.