Aptitude tests have a way of making people anxious, but with how popular they have become, it is very likely that many job seekers may have to sit one of these exams at least once during their time in the workforce. These tests are not only to test the job applicant’s academic fortitude but to figure out whether their personality and behaviour traits align with the job and company. The Occupational Personality Questionnaire published by SHL is one of the many personality tests used by companies in their hiring process. Below are details about the exam, and how to best prepare for it.
What Is the SHL OPQ Personality Test?
The SHL Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ) otherwise called the OPQ32 is a much renowned psychometric evaluation used worldwide to assess workplace behavioral traits. The test was authored by Peter Saville, Roger Holdsworth, and company in 1984. The questionnaire provides organisations with a means of gaining some insight into how a prospective employee’s behaviour might affect job performance. Following the questionnaire, a series of reports are generated which helporganisations make decisions on their potential employees.
As well as recruitment, the OPQ32 is used for organisational change and team building. The test aims to:
Identify Suitable Job Candidates
Increase Interview Success Rates
Identify Leaders
What Is the Format of the SHL OPQ Personality Test?
The OPQ assessment is a computer-based exam consisting of no more than 104 questions (ipsative version) all of which measure 32 personality traits. These traits can be divided into three different domains: Thinking, Relationships, and Feelings and Emotions. The questions have four statements from which the candidate is to choose the one which best or least describes them. The test is not usually administered in an assessment centre, but rather online by the employer or other respective agencies. There is also a normative version which has 230 questions, but it is not as well promoted as the ipsative version.
The exam is offered in over 30 languages, making it widely accessible.
The OPQ32 Results/Score Report
There are quite a few options for the types of reports that the OPQ can generate. The report requested is dependent on the goals of the company. Some of the different OPQ32 reports are listed below:
Standard Manager Report
Premium Plus Report
Sales Report
Candidate Report
Leadership Report
Universal Competency Report
Team Impact Selection Report
Emotional Intelligence Report
The reports provide a detailed breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses of a candidate. A graphical representation of predicted job performance accompanies the written report.
How to Pass the SHL OPQ Personality Test?
The SHL personality test, just like any other personality test available, has no true right or wrong answers. The test is designed to evaluate a candidate’s traits and tell the employer whether the candidate’s personality suits the job in question. Therefore, either you are suited for the job, or you are not. This, however, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare for the test, especially with the weight the exam carries.
Study guides aren’t readily available for personality tests, but practice tests sure are. Having a go at an SHL OPQ practice test surely would not hurt your chances at doing well. You could even do yourself one better by finding a practice exam which provides you with both questions and answers which are tailored to suit the personality traits which best suit your prospective job (for example, doing an Occupational Personality Questionnaire ICICI Bank practice test). This not only gives you confidence but provides you with insight on how best to answer your questions.
Conclusion
Sitting for exams can make anyone uneasy. That’s one of the reasons we prepare, to reduce our anxiety levels and work towards doing the best we possibly can. Being a college graduate is simply not enough, and these tests play a considerable part in the hiring decisions made by human resource managers. It is therefore absolutely vital that you put your best foot forward. Spend the time wisely, pay close attention to the tips outlined above, use the resources afforded to you, and focus on getting the job done. It will all be worth it when you land that coveted job!
