Blog, Career Advice, CV Writing in Kenya, Interview Tips

Irene has a first-class honours degree, 9 years of financial analysis experience, and a CFA Level 2. She failed a numerical reasoning screen. Not because she couldn’t do the maths. Because nobody had told her what a psychometric test actually is.

What Psychometric Tests Are Actually Testing

Psychometric tests are not primarily measuring intelligence. They are measuring familiarity with the test format. Speed under timed pressure. Pattern recognition from repetition. All of which are trainable skills not fixed traits. If you’re applying to global companies, international NGOs, UK graduate programmes, or multinational banks you will face a psychometric screen. Preparation is not optional. It is the job.

The 4 Types You’ll Face

⭐ Numerical Reasoning: Tables of data. Calculations under time pressure usually 50-75 seconds per question. The maths is GCSE-level. The challenge is speed. Practice daily for 2 weeks. Speed improves more than accuracy from practice.

⭐ Verbal Reasoning: Reading comprehension with a twist. Answers are True, False, or Cannot Say strictly based on the passage. If the passage doesn’t explicitly state it the answer is Cannot Say. This trips even very intelligent candidates.

⭐ Situational Judgement Tests: There is a ‘right’ answer and it reflects the company’s values and the competencies in the role profile. Read the job description 3 times before sitting an SJT. Then answer as the ideal candidate for that specific role.

⭐ Personality Assessments: There are no wrong answers in theory but the questionnaire measures fit with the role profile. Answer naturally and consistently. Contradicting yourself across similar questions triggers a validity flag.

Free Practice Resources

🔗 JobTestPrep.com: Provider-specific practice tests. The most comprehensive preparation resource available.

🔗 AssessmentDay.co.uk: High-quality free and paid tests across all major providers.

🔗 SHL Direct (shldirect.com): Free practice tests directly from the most widely used assessment provider.

Irene’s Result After Preparation

After a 3-day focused preparation programme 45 questions per day on the exact provider used by the company, Irene passed the numerical reasoning screen that had eliminated her previously. She proceeded to final stage and accepted an offer with a major development finance institution.

READY TO TAKE ACTION? Facing an assessment centre or psychometric screen? Book our Psychometric Prep session — 90 minutes, real practice tests, timing strategies, and a 3-day preparation plan. DM us ‘PSYCH’ to book.  📧kethafrica@gmail.com | info@kizunaedgetalenthub.com | 📞0742118284 | 0116327531 🔗Join our community: https://forms.gle/pJZXzQznoxrDPGam9