The Advanced Numeracy Test Workbook - Mike Bryon [2]
How to Pass Advanced Verbal Reasoning Tests (2008)
How to Pass Diagrammatic Reasoning Tests (2008) – includes practice for data input-type questions
How to Pass Graduate Psychometric Tests, 3rd Edition (2007)
The Graduate Psychometric Tests Workbook, 2nd Edition (2010)
Undertake two sorts of practice. First, practise in a relaxed situation, without time constraints. Focus your practice on questions you find challenging and examine any you get wrong to try to work out why.
Once you feel you can answer all the major types of question, practise on the tests in this book. Practise on these questions against a strict time limit and under circumstances as realistic to a real test as you can manage. The aim is to get used to answering the questions under the pressure of time and to build up speed and accuracy while under pressure.
If you are finding it difficult to identify sufficient material relevant to the test that you face, by all means e-mail me at help@mikebryon.com, describing the test, and I will be glad to inform you of any sources that I know.
Psychometric tests and the value of practice
It is common for job seekers to improve their CV or interview technique but few seek to improve their performance in employers’ tests. Not enough test candidates realize that they can significantly improve their score through practice.
Your performance in these demanding tests will only stand out from the crowd of other scores if you revise forgotten rules and build up speed and accuracy through practice. You must attend on the day of the test fully prepared and full of confidence and once it begins you must really go for it and keep going until you are told to put your pencil down.
The best candidates are the ones who see the test as an opportunity to demonstrate just how good they really are. Use this and other Kogan Page books to revise your maths and develop a really sharp exam technique. Other candidates will have adopted this strategy so go fully prepared or risk coming a poor second.
Practice makes a significant difference in your performance in this type of test. The motivated candidates who spend the weeks before the exam revising their maths, practising on similar questions and taking realistic mock tests will score better than they would otherwise have done. For some, practice will mean the difference between pass and fail.
If you have always excelled at something other than maths then now is the time to correct the situation. Anyone can master the operations examined in advanced numeracy tests. Some people need a little more time and practice but that goes for everything. Employers want all-round candidates and there are no prizes for being rejected as a great candidate except for the maths!
Occupational psychologists accept that a lack of familiarity with tests, low self-esteem, nervousness or a lack of confidence will result in a lower score. It is equally true to say that hard work, determination and systematic preparation will lead to an improvement in performance.
Avoid any feelings of resentment over the fact that you have to take a test. Concentrate on the opportunities that will follow if you pass. Have confidence in yourself and really try your best.
Your confidence will grow with practice. Practice will also help because it will mean that you make fewer mistakes and work more quickly against the often very tight time constraints. It will ensure that you are familiar with the test demands and enable you to revise forgotten rules and develop a good exam technique. If passing is important to you then you should be prepared to make a major commitment in terms of the amount of time you set aside for practice.
The best-scoring candidate arrives very well prepared. You should attend on the day of your test fully aware of what the test involves, the type of questions it comprises and how long you have. Before