Cognitive and Reasoning Tests

Research has found that cognitive and reasoning skills are good predictors of how well someone will do at their job. Most jobs today need people to have basic reasoning skills to succeed.

Tests can show if applicants can be trained, think deeply, and understand both easy and hard ideas.

People who do well on these tests are usually fast learners and good at following a step-by-step process to find an answer. They’re also good at solving complicated problems.

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TARGET JOBS

Admin/office support
Accounting
Managers
Freelancers
All entry->mid-level roles.

QUESTION TYPE

Multiple Choice

DIFFICULTY

Basic to Intermediate

ADMINISTRATION TIME

12-20 minutes

What does cognitive ability mean?

Here are workplace examples where cognitive ability or mental aptitude may be important:

Analyzing data and forming conclusions when complete information isn’t available.
Developing solutions to complex customer problems.
Reading large amounts of information and understanding the business-related issues involved.
Generating creative ideas or “work-arounds” to common situations.
Suggesting ways to improve company operations.

Read more about the value of cognitive skills tests in our Recruiter’s Toolbox Essentials.

How we help

Cognitive ability, or mental aptitude, is challenging to evaluate during an interview. Without using an assessment before hiring, you might discover after 60-90 days that the new employee lacks the necessary skills. Our approach reduces that risk.

Without testing, you might miss an outstanding candidate with high cognitive ability but limited job experience, like entry-level applicants or recent college graduates.

For a great candidate, you may be more flexible about previous experience, wouldn’t you?

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Cognitive and Reasoning Test Options

Elite Cognitive Profile

This test takes 12 minutes and has 40 questions. Part 1 covers logical reasoning (20 questions), which is the applicants’ ability to reason logically and to solve basic/complex mathematical, logical and abstract problems. While research shows that logical reasoning is important for most jobs, this ability is especially critical for jobs requiring problem solving.

Part 2 covers verbal reasoning (20 questions), which is the ability to understand relationships among written or spoken words, which includes word comprehension and associations. This ability is especially important for jobs requiring quick thinking and jobs requiring that conclusions be drawn from moderate to complex verbal or written communications.

View Sample Cognitive Score Report

Workplace Reasoning Test

This 15 minute test includes questions to assess mental processes that are critical to numerical, logical and verbal problem solving in work-related environments.

View Sample Score Report

Avoiding bias

Using pre-employment tests, such as cognitive tests, is one way to avoid bias in the hiring process. Bias can be conscious or unconscious and recruiters may not be aware that they have them.

Using research-based pre-hire tests reduces bias that may come from work or educational experience. It’s actual intelligence being measured, with a “concrete” numerical score that can be compared with other candidates.