South African Police Service SAPS Psychometric Test 2024-2025
ABOUT PSYCHOMETRIC TESTS
Psychometric tests are commonplace in many selection processes. They are an effective way for an employer to assess a candidate’s suitability for a specific post or position. The type of psychometric tests used will normally be reflective of the role you are applying for. For example, a banker would normally be required to carry out numerical based psychometric tests whilst a police officer would be required to carry tests and assessments based around the ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally (verbal comprehension).
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TOO MANY QUESTIONS, NOT ENOUGH TIME?
In the majority of psychometric test assessments you are not expected to answer all of the questions. When you turn over the test paper or when you start your online test you may see that the total number of question in the test is excessive for the time given to answer them. If this is the case, do not panic, you are not required to finish the test. The key to remember is that you must answer as many questions as possible but you should also aim for accuracy. Far too many test-takers sacrifice speed for accuracy and as a result they fail the test.
Many people are interested in the pass mark for their forthcoming assessment. The truth is that many test administrators will score and assess candidates based on an average score for the entire group of applicants. Therefore, you should not become overly concerned about reaching an actual pass mark of say 70%, but instead concentrate on answering as many questions in an accurate manner.
TRUE, FALSE OR CANNOT SAY PRACTICE QUESTIONS
One of the more common types of psychometric test used in today’s selection processes involves verbal comprehension tests when the candidate is required to answer questions as either TRUE, FALSE or CANNOT SAY based on the information provided. The key to answering these questions is that you should only answer the questions based solely on the information within the passage or text. For example, let’s assume that one of the questions following the passage is:
Q. RSPCA inspectors are required to wear a uniform.
Answer the questions as either TRUE, FALSE or CANNOT SAY.
Many people fall in to the trap of answering this question as TRUE, simply because this statement is fact. However, you could only answer this question as TRUE if in fact the statement is contained within the passage. The important tip to remember when answering verbal comprehension questions is to only answer the questions based solely on the information provided in the passage.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
Let’s take a quick look at the type of psychometric test question that is contained within this guide.
Read the following information before answering the 3 questions that follow.
Car A is red in colour and has 11 months left on the current MOT. The tax is due in 4 months time. The car has a full service history and has completed 34,000 miles. The car has had 3 owners.
Car B is black in colour and has a full 12 months MOT. The tax is not due for another 12 months. The car has completed 3,445 miles and has only had 1 owner. There is a full service history with the car.
Car C is red in colour and has no tax. The MOT is due to run out in 12 weeks time and the car has no service history. The speedometer reading is 134,000 miles and the car has had a total of 11 owners.
Car D is black in colour and has 11 months left on the current MOT. The tax is due in 6 months time. The car has no service history and has completed 34,000 miles. The car has only had 1 owner.
Car E is red in colour and has 7 months tax. The MOT runs out in 7 months time. The car has a partial service history and has completed 97,000 miles. It has had a total of 4 owners.
TIPS FOR PASSING PSYCHOMETRIC TESTS
There’s no two ways about it, the most effective way in which you can prepare for psychometric tests is to attempt as many sample test questions as possible. When we say many, we mean many! But before you get your copy of our exclusive guide, here are a few important tips for you to consider that will go a long way to helping you to pass your psychometric tests.!
TIP 1
It is important that, before you sit your test, you find out the type(s) of test you will be required to undertake. You should also take steps to find out if the tests will be timed and also whether or not they will be ‘multiple-choice’ based questions. If the tests that you will be required to undertake are timed and of multiple-choice in nature, then we strongly advise that you practice this type of test question.
TIP2
Variety is the key to success. Even if you are only required to sit one type of psychometric test, for example numerical reasoning, we still recommend that you attempt a variety of different test questions, such as verbal reasoning, fault analysis, spatial reasoning and mechanical reasoning etc. This will undoubtedly improve your overall ability to pass the test that you are required to undertake.
TIP3
Confidence is an important part of test preparation. Have you ever sat a timed test and your mind goes blank? This is because your mind is focused on negative thoughts and your belief that you will fail the test. If you practice plenty of test questions under timed conditions then your confidence will significantly grow. If your confidence is at its peak at the commencement of the test then there is no doubt that you will actually look forward to sitting it, as opposed to being fearful of the outcome.
TIP4
Whilst this is a very basic tip that may appear obvious, many people neglect to follow it. Make sure that you get a good night’s sleep the night before your assessment. Research has shown that those people who have regular ‘good’ sleep are far more likely to concentrate better during psychometric tests.
TIP5
Try practicing numerical test questions in your head, without writing down your workings out. This is very difficult to accomplish, but it is excellent practice for the real test. Also, practice numerical reasoning tests without a calculator. If you are permitted to use a calculator at the test, make sure you know how to use one.
TIP6
You are what you eat. In the week prior to the test eat and drink healthily. Avoid cigarettes, alcohol and food with high fat content. The reason for this is that all of these will make you feel sluggish and you will not perform at your peak. On the morning of your assessment eat a healthy breakfast such as porridge and a banana.
TIP7
Drink plenty of water, always. You need to be hydrated in the build-up to sitting your psychometric tests and also during them.
TIP8
If you have any special needs that need to be catered for ensure you inform the assessment centre staff prior to the assessment day. We have met people in the past who are fearful of telling the assessment staff that they are dyslexic. You will not be treated negatively; in fact the exact opposite. They will give you extra time in the tests which can only work in your favour.