How to pass psychometric tests

In this newsletter, we consider general tips to help you pass psychometric tests. But first...

1. Commercial awareness bootcamp (this Saturday!)

On Saturday 18th November 2023,?Jake Schogger?(Commercial Law Academy Founder) and?Peter Watson?(Watson's Daily?Founder) will be delivering a 3+ hour live virtual bootcamp, which aims to equip you with the key commercial knowledge and insights needed to ace City law commercial awareness and case study interviews.?

Check out this link?for the full list of topics that will be covered, as well as the various subscriptions / e-guides etc. that are included in the price.

2. Written feedback on previously successful applications

We've recently uploaded detailed written feedback on 21 different types of application answers!

These include a CV, a cover letter, a work experience section, and a broad range of competency, strength and commercial awareness-based questions (these are all taken from real successful applications submitted by aspiring lawyers).

The course also includes dozens of successful applications, cover letters and CVs for a broad range of Magic and Silver Circle, US, mid-market and regional law firms.

Check out chapter 2 of our Example successful applications and cover letters course to view the feedback.

How to pass psychometric tests

Before considering how to pass psychometric tests, I want to acknowledge at the outset that different approaches to preparing for and tackling tests will better suit different people. There’s no single approach that will work for everyone.

This is especially the case because psychometric tests usually require some level of natural intuition, although practice can certainly help.

With this in mind, this blog aims to provide at least some insight into what these tests can involve, and suggest some tips and techniques that I personally found to be helpful when completing dozens of tests throughout my time at university.?

What is the point of psychometric tests?

Psychometric tests, situational judgment tests and e-tray exercises are used by firms to test certain skills, abilities and thought processes that can indicate a candidate’s suitability to a particular role.

These tests are also typically used by firms to whittle down vast numbers of applicants to a more manageable pool of interviewees. When assessing the results of these tests, many firms simply require candidates to meet a certain fixed benchmark in order to progress through the relevant stage of the assessment process, although most firms won’t reveal what that benchmark is.

What psychometric tests do firms use?

The tests most commonly used by City firms include:

• Verbal reasoning tests:?these test your understanding of language, including your ability to critically analyse statements, and comprehend, evaluate and apply logic to often complex passages of text.
• Watson Glaser tests:?these assess your ability to think critically.
• Logical reasoning tests:?these assess your ability to break down/isolate information and identify patterns or sequences.
• Numerical reasoning tests:?these assess your ability to quickly and accurately identify, process and analyse numerical data, including statistics.
• Situational judgement tests:?these assess how you are likely to handle or respond to a variety of scenarios or circumstances that you might encounter if you were to secure an internship or graduate role.
• Email simulation (or in-tray/e-tray) exercises:?these usually test your ability to identify relevant information, then interpret, process and analyse that information in order to respond to questions under pressure.

What is the format of psychometric tests?

Most tests are in a multiple choice format and require you to select only one answer, although the format can of course differ depending on the test provider (and whether firms have commissioned tests that are specifically tailored to their needs). Some tests may also involve negative marking, which means incorrect answers will result in point deductions (as opposed to you simply receiving 0). When this is the case, be particularly careful about blindly guessing answers.

General tips for passing psychometric tests

Pace yourself

All these tests put you under time pressure, so you must strictly pace yourself. Find out how long you have to complete the test and how many questions you will face, then roughly work out the average amount of time that you’ll have to answer each question. Don’t forget to then monitor the clock throughout!?

Avoid getting stuck

It’s worth identifying in advance whether you can scroll back between your answers during the test – and change them if necessary – or whether clicking “submit” after selecting an answer means that the answer can no longer be amended (this differs between different types of tests).

Either way, don’t make the mistake of lingering for too long on one particular question, as you may then run out of time and miss out on the opportunity to answer easier questions later on.

You rarely (if ever) need to get 100% of the answers right, so sacrificing one or two tricky questions in the interests of answering?all?the questions you’re more comfortable with can be a more efficient and effective use of the allocated time.?

With tests that?let you scroll backwards and forwards between questions, consider noting down the number of each question that you’re unable to answer easily, then move swiftly onto to the next. If you have time at the end, you can then go back to the questions that require more thought, safe in the knowledge that you’ve answered all the others.

Don't look for answer patterns

Don’t fall into the mindset that, because one answer has come up a few times in a row, the next answer must surely be something else. For all you know, you may have answered one of the previous questions incorrectly!

For specific tips relating to the Watson Glaser test,?check out this blog.

For specific tips relating to verbal reasoning tests, check out this blog.

If you're looking for a bank of practise Watson Glaser questions (or practise questions for a huge range of other psychometric tests), I highly recommend?JobTestPrep. You can also use discount code?COMMERCIALLAWACADEMY?at the checkout to secure 10% off.

You can also complete our?Tackling psychometric tests?course to gain an in-depth look at Watson Glaser, verbal reasoning, logical reasoning, situational judgement and numerical tests, including dozens of practice test questions (with detailed explanations of the answers) and practical tips on how to improve your technique.

As a reminder, Commercial Law Academy offers 22 in-depth courses, covering: insights into legal careers, firm profiles and interview insights, expert advice on writing applications and tackling psychometric tests, dozens of example (verified) successful cover letters and applications, resources to help you prepare for interviews and internships, example interview case studies, practical content to help you understand and confidently discuss commercial concepts and current affairs, plus tips on how to network, negotiate, deliver presentations and write professionally. Check out this animated explainer video for more information.