Amitabh Sharma
Features Coordinator

How many times have you been confused about the choice of your subjects or if you are feeling stuck in the job? There are times when you think that there is no excitement or challenge. This could be a result of not choosing the right course or a 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 highlight 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 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 "sifting out" large number of applicants at an early stage and so saving the 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 of time and costs 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 globalization 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 the 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 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 the how the assessment worked for professionals, she said a certified accountant came sit the assessment test as she did did not find her job challenging.

"After the assessment, two key findings came out," Knowles said. "One, she was as strategic planner and 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 doing well for herself. "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 the professionals, the test identifies what sort of job or company they should choose. "At times the 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 the awareness about Psychometric assessment is one the rise, majority come to assess when they see that they are not going anywhere with their professional or academic life.

Knowles felt that this assessment should not be seen as a last resort but the first step to effectively choose 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