Amitabh Sharma, Features Coordinator

How many times have you been confused about the choice of your subjects or felt stuck in a job? There are times when you think there is no excitement or challenge. This could be a result of not choosing the right course or career path. A psychometric test could address most of these problems and help give clearer guidelines to incumbents.

What is psychometric assessment?

"Psychometric tests assess the ability or personality in a measured and structured way," said Lisa-Anne Knowles, chief consultant at The Queen of Hearts Consultancy.

Knowles explained that the test highlights three key traits in an individual - ability, personality and interest.

The uses of psychometric assessments are varied. "Individuals and organisations have been using these tests for assessing one's academic functioning, psychological disturbance, and ability to perform a job, career interests, leadership style, aptitude, values, teamwork and other areas," Knowles said.

These assessments can be done by the traditional pen-and-paper method or via computer.

Benefits

Psychometric tests are in nascent stages in the region, but they have been used by individuals, institutions and companies to help in the decision-making process.

It is common for employers to use psychometric tests as part of their selection process. Organisations believe tests help them recruit the right people with the right mix of abilities and personal qualities. They are also useful for shortlisting applicants and hence saving employers both time and money.

"This is relatively new field, but there is sufficient demand and need for psychometric assessment today," said Knowles, whose company offers assessment, coaching, business and personal development and counselling services.

Relevance

Knowles outlined some benefits of psychometric assessments, which include saving time and cost to the employers, the ability to compare between individuals for a job profile and greater understanding of where an incumbent will best fit in the organisation.

Psychometric testing is becoming a preferred tool for assessment, owing to rapid globalisation and changes in the job market.

"The fact of the matter is that the traditional vocations are becoming saturated, new avenues are opening up in CARICOM (the Caribbean Community) and the world," said Knowles. "We need to explore the potential of our young people in this world of constant change."

Right track

Students who traditionally seek the help of their parents to make choices are turning to psychometric assessment to choose the right curriculum.

"Sometimes, the area of study that is chosen by the parents for their children might not suit them or their personality," Knowles said.

She detailed that based on the tests, the students are advised on the choices they should make.

Explaining how the assessment worked for professionals, she said a certified accountant came to sit the assessment test as she did not find her job challenging.

"After the assessment, two key findings came out," Knowles said. "One, she was a strategic planner. Second, she did not like details. How can you be an accountant when you do not have a knack for detail?"

Based on the test results, the incumbent changed her career and now is a project manager. "She is my star," Knowles remarked.

World of work

A psychometric test in a workplace can help select managerial staff, reduce the training costs by identifying the strengths of an individual and suggesting the best-suited job profile, said Knowles.

She explained that for professionals, the test identifies what sort of job or company they should choose.

"At times, there is a job or cultural misfit. A person is not able to fit into a company's culture and starts getting frustrated," Knowles said. "One would want to be in that situation if one wants to change the culture of the company altogether."

The psychometric consultant said an objective assessment process will help an individual to discover the career that best fits his or her combination of talents, abilities and personality.

She said that though awareness about psychometric assessment is on the rise, the majority participate when they believe they are experiencing professional or academic stagnation.

Knowles felt that this assessment should not be seen as a last resort, but the first step to effectively choosing one's course or job.

"You will always have a head start; if you can fit into a role that best suits you," she said.

amitabh.sharma@gleanerjm.com