"What next?" is a question, which troubles millions of students, parents and professionals. This could, perhaps, explain the increasing popularity of psychometric tests among students and professionals.

What is a psychometric test? In simple terms, Psychometrics deals with psychological assessment or measurement of one's capability. A psychomteric test helps to assess an individual's potential with tools that measure knowledge, abilities, attitudes and personality traits of the individual.

Who can take a psychomteric test? Anyone who is about to take vital educational or career decisions could consider taking one of these tests, say experts. Students who have to take a decision about the stream they should opt for in Plus-Two or college could use the tool to identify their strong areas. Professionals who think they are not right for a particular job or a job is not particularly right for them, could find out what other options would be feasible, given their experience, talent and skill.

Academicians Dr. Kailash Tuli and Dr. V. Natarajan (advisor, Aspire Learning) mention in a paper that there are several examples of testing service centres in the U.S. such as John O'Connor Research Foundation, Human Engineering Laboratory, where they certify people with psychometric records. In many cases, this testing record has fetched several of them good jobs, irrespective of their academic record.

"We find many bright students taking these tests to find out scope for further improvement. A few others are brought by proactive parents who want to give the best advantage to their child in understanding his or her strengths."
There is another category who feel they have made a mistake while choosing streams in school or college. And some of them who think they are not able to perform effectively at work could also take this test," says Kalavathi, head of the career division at BODHI-Organisational and People Development Consultants. Aspire Learning has been conducting psychometric tests for over 5,000 school students (in classes VIII to XII) for the last two months. "Our tests were specifically designed to help students decide between a course — Engineering or Medicine," says Madhumathi N., who heads their corporate communications department.

For the right mix.

Essentially designed to measure one's capability with respect to what one wants to or aspires to do, these tests give candidates a fair idea of whether they would fit into a particular stream or profession. Not just students, professionals too use this tool at various levels. In fact, several companies have been using these tests as they think the ability to innovate, take initiatives, think independently, and lead and network are as crucial as a good academic and professional record. While conventional tools such as application forms, references, observations, interviews and group discussion continue to be an integral part of the selection process, psychometric tests are seen as an additional tool, which helps them recruit candidates with the right mix of professional abilities and personal qualities.

S. Swaminathan, vice-president, HR, Rane Group of Companies, says, "We use these tests for recruitment particularly at senior level, during the final round of selection. The profile emerging from their responses is one of the inputs considered, in addition to their qualification, their performance in the interview, managerial skills and functional knowledge."

But how reliable are these tests?

Academicians and psychological analysts note that the reliability of such tests is primarily based on the framing of the questions. "All psychometric tests are only indicators and results reveal one's traits clearly. Aptitude tests are 90-95 per cent accurate and I would give the personality test a 75-80 per cent rating," Ms. Kalavathy notes.

Professor Natarajan says that though testing intelligence helps in many ways, assessment of personality gives a holistic approach to testing.

"There are numerous good tests, which reveal a lot about the temperaments, personality, likes and dislikes, and styles of functioning of any individual," he adds.

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