Psychometric Appraisal
Psychometric appraisal, in the form of ability and aptitude tests, interest inventories and personality questionnaires are becoming increasingly popular as a method of gathering information about candidates for selection. However, selection is not the only way in which they can be used. Tests and questionnaires are now being used more diversely in areas such as personal development, promotion, career counselling, job analysis and organisation-wide planning.
The term Psychometric Appraisal is used to describe a wide variety of tests and questionnaires used to measure the personality, skills or abilities of an individual, ranging from:
- Ability Tests, such as numerical, verbal and diagrammatic reasoning
- Interest Inventories, which seek to measure the direction in which an individual wants their career to go. Particularly useful for career counselling
- Personality Questionnaires aimed at measuring individuals' preferences for ways of behaving, thinking and feeling
Different tests are used depending on the factors important to the job role, and once completed, the individual's test score is compared against those obtained by an appropriate reference group (norm group) to give a meaningful evaluation.
Our Approach
 Corinium HR Management offers a full range of psychometric appraisal services, from test administration and help in identifying the most appropriate tests, to detailed personality assessment and feedback. We can meet your test requirements for most job roles, and are fully committed to best practice and the fair use of psychometric tests.
Our consultants are fully trained in the use of a range of psychometric tools and are registered with the British Psychological Society. We are able to offer a full range of ability tests, as well as being qualified to interpret Saville & Holdsworth's Personality and Motivation questionnaires, NEO PI-R, and Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
Whilst psychometric appraisal is just one part of the recruitment and development process, we can also offer your organisation full support in interviewing, assessment centres and recruitment strategy.
Benefits of Psychometric Appraisal
Psychometric appraisal can be used to enhance the decision making process and the development of employees in a number of ways:
 Providing accurate, reliable and valid information in a quick and focussed manner- Providing factual, objective data about individuals that can be used to support the normal selection process. This information is often not obtainable from other selection methods and can decrease the risk of bias and therefore the cost of making selection errors
- Supporting ongoing training and development activities, by offering a means of measuring the effectiveness of the training interventions
- Increasing the individual's awareness of their own preferences of behaviour, through the use of personality questionnaires, and effecting improved performance through greater self awareness.
Examples of using psychometrics to gain business benefit
A management team from a utility company wanted to improve the working relationship, both within the management team and with their own teams. The managers completed the Myers Briggs questionnaire. A group session was then held in which the principles of Myers Briggs was explained and the particular characteristics of the different types was discussed. This was followed by one to one feedback sessions in which the individuals were encouraged to think about the way they interacted with others and the impact of their style on the way they lead others, cope with change and communicate with their colleagues, amongst other things. Once individual feedback sessions had been held, the management team then met together and discussed how to recognise the needs and preferences of others and how this greater understanding could improve the quality and effectiveness of their own working relationship and their relationship with their teams. At the end of this process the team felt that the whole Division would be more effective as a result of this greater understanding.
If you would like to talk to anyone about how Psychometric Appraisal or any of our other services can help your business and HR objectives, please contact us.
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