Is it possible to fail psychometric test

Psychometric testing helps companies establish answers as to why some individuals may not be performing optimally in their roles and why others are better suited for a particular position; what areas in the company require attention and how best to go about developing these areas; who to consider for succession planning; and where best to harness the skills and potential of employees in the company.

Psychometric testing usually falls under three categories. These are ability testing, aptitude testing and personality testing. Aptitude testing is also job related, but focuses on specific job areas and how the test taker would perform in a defined role. Typically, the strongest candidates cannot wait for the test to start. They work incredibly hard during the test and make every second count.

They never forget why they are there, and they never give up. And remember to let go. When something bad happens, not everything is the end of the world! From now on, treat psychometric testing as the route to the career of your dream.

What exactly are they? Testing, testing … psychometric ones are designed to discover who you really are. Photograph: Alamy. They're about discovering who you are "When people talk about psychometric tests, they sometimes mean questionnaires," says Mark Parkinson , a business psychologist who puts together both for organisations.

They need to be part of a process "If you're recruiting for senior people these days, you will usually do something called an assessment centre — this will involve an interview, a work sampling and a psychometric test," says Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health at Lancaster University. They only work if the employer knows what they want Parkinson says they are only any good if the recruiter knows what they are trying to measure and why.

You can't pass or fail a personality test "You can't actually 'ace' a psychometric test — the recruiter is using it to see what your strengths and weaknesses are, and how they match up with the job requirements," says Cooper. They have a dark side Some questonnaires now try and establish the "dark side" of your personality and how traits might be displayed if things go wrong and you find yourself under pressure.