Taking a Psychometric Assessment? Here’s Everything You Need to Know

You’ve been asked to complete a psychometric assessment, now what? Take a deep breath, there’s no need to be worried. In this blog post we’ll take you through a step-by-step guide of what to expect, what to ask, and how to breeze through the process. No sweaty palms needed.

In the previous post you learned what a psychometric assessment is, why it is used, and what the benefits are. Now we’re going to lead you through the process of completing an assessment.

So, let’s get started.

Things to Know Before the Assessment:

Understand the Purpose of the Assessment/s

Different assessments evaluate different aspects, such as cognitive abilities, personality traits, or behavioural tendencies. By understanding the goal—whether for hiring, career development, or personal growth—you can approach the assessment with clarity and confidence. This knowledge also helps you interpret your results meaningfully, ensuring you gain valuable insights rather than feeling uncertain or overwhelmed.

Online or in-person? Know the format.

Online assessments have become very popular since they allow you to complete the assessment from almost anywhere. There are some important things to consider once you know that you’ll be completing the test online.

• You’ll need a link to register and access the assessment. Usually such a link will be sent to your email inbox.

• You need to know whether the assessment can be taken on a mobile device or not.

• The requirements to complete the assessments (e.g. having a large enough screen when completing on a mobile device, having a stable internet connection, etc.).

• Suggestions on approaching the assessment process. Is there an order in which to complete the assessments and how to create an ideal assessment environment.

In-person assessments involve a test administrator that will guide you through the process. Beyond knowing when the assessment will take place, you’ll need to know the following before the time:

• Where you will be assessed

• Time

• Will you need anything with you (important documents, stationery, etc.)

What Types of Assessments Will You Be Completing?

Different types of assessments measure different things. We go into detail about the different types of psychometric assessments in this blog post. It helps to know which types of tests you will be completing to get yourself in the right frame of mind to complete them. Broadly speaking there are:

• Personality assessments

• Cognitive ability/aptitude/reasoning/intelligence tests

• Values questionnaires

• Interests questionnaires

• Mental health/screening

• Neuropsychology tools

• Educational/Developmental assessments

• Wellbeing/Engagement

How Long Will It Take? Plan Your Time Wisely

Your test administrator should be able to give you an estimate of the amount of time you need to block out to be able to complete the assessments, because there’s nothing worse than being interrupted in the middle of an assessment. The duration will depend on the amount and type of assessments that you need to complete. Things that influence how long it takes to complete an assessment include:

• The length of the assessment/s (e.g. number of items, sections).

• Whether the assessment is timed or untimed.

• How fast you read and process information.

• The amount of time that you spend thinking about the questions before answering.

• Your familiarity with the test format.

During the Assessment: What to Expect

• You will get step-by-step instructions on how to complete and submit the selected assessments. Make sure you understand them completely, now is the time to ask questions.

• Some assessments provide practice questions to work through. This will help you get comfortable with the format of the specific assessment.

• You will be told how and where to seek support when assistance is needed. Make sure you understand the process completely and that you have the information close by.

• When completing the assessment remember to be honest and authentic – Many assessments check for consistency, so answer truthfully rather than trying to guess the "right" response.

After the Assessment: What Happens Next?

You will be told when and in what format you can expect feedback (e.g. integrated report, face-to-face, virtual consultation, a combination of the former). If this assessment/s was part of a selection process you will also now be told the way forward, what your next steps will be, and what you can expect going forward.

Last, but not least. What happens to my results after I've submitted my responses?

At JVR we are fully compliant with the POPI Act. Once assessments are submitted, scoring and report generation generally follow. Feedback on your results is managed by the professional, usually a psychologist or psychometrist who receives the reports. Assessment answers and results are stored securely and not shared with anyone without your consent.

Concluding thoughts:

Taking a psychometric assessment doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By understanding the purpose of the assessment, knowing what to expect, and preparing accordingly, you can approach the process with confidence and ease. Whether online or in person, these assessments provide valuable insights into your abilities, personality, and potential, helping both you and the organisation make informed decisions.

Once you’ve completed your assessment, be sure to follow up on feedback opportunities and next steps. Remember, psychometric assessments are just one piece of the puzzle—they are designed to empower you with self-awareness and guide meaningful development.