Anyone take a psyc exam before?

Drakeon

Hey, was wondering if anyone had any experience with psychological examinations? I have one upcoming for a probation officer position and just trying to get a handle on what to expect from it. I've heard it's 900-1000 questions and takes 4-5 hours but that's most of what I know.

Thundyrkatz

Just answer the questions honestly, don't try to guess what they are looking for. For a test of that size, you will be asked the same question many, many different ways. Then they will take all the answers and run them through an algorithm to see how you place on the scale they have developed to see how you will fit with the job.

Most likely the questions will be multiple choice, and will be a "What would you do if..." type of questions.

Darkewolfe

I can never pass those damn things because I always over-analyze. The two things I've heard are to not try to predict the answer they want (because you'll inadvertently have that show through when you aren't consistent) and don't ever pick the middling choices. There's usually answers like: Strongly oppose, oppose, support, strongly support. Don't ever pick anything but the two polar answers.

Enc

Darkewolfe wrote: »

I can never pass those damn things because I always over-analyze. The two things I've heard are to not try to predict the answer they want (because you'll inadvertently have that show through when you aren't consistent) and don't ever pick the middling choices. There's usually answers like: Strongly oppose, oppose, support, strongly support. Don't ever pick anything but the two polar answers.

Not necessarily the best advice, especially if they are looking for someone in the middle ground.

Just answer honestly and if it works it works.

zerg rush

Darkewolfe wrote: »

I can never pass those damn things because I always over-analyze. The two things I've heard are to not try to predict the answer they want (because you'll inadvertently have that show through when you aren't consistent) and don't ever pick the middling choices. There's usually answers like: Strongly oppose, oppose, support, strongly support. Don't ever pick anything but the two polar answers.

I've actually heard the exact opposite re: polar answers.

If you do nothing but pick the 'strong' options it makes you look like you're a hard liner, an extremist, or bipolar.

Jam Warrior

It's a pych test, there is no right answer! The chances are any attempt to game the system is more likely to go wrong and give you odd results than it is to help you get the job. Just answer honestly.

SpongeCake

It's not going to be ink-blots, or some guy sitting down asking you about your parents if that's what you're worried about - you're looking at a series of "Strong agree, agree, disagree..." questions around a number of personality traits like extraversion, openness etc. The test will be to figure out if you're capable/a good match for the job. The sensible option would be to just answer honestly, as if it turns out you're not suitable for the job (but manage to cheat a "good" answer anyway) you'll suck at your job.

As a probation officer they'll probably just be looking for signs that you've got good people skills, that you have some concept of empathy and you're emotionally stable enough to handle the work.

LewieP's Mummy

I use these as part of my new job - Myers Briggs, Emotional Behaviour at Work, then stuff like Belbin and Honey and Mumford for training purposes. Just answer honestly - you won't be able to consistently pretend to be something else in the hope of meeting what they want, and you'll just come out as weird. Just answer them exactly how you feel.

Mad Jazz

There is a fuckton of research that has gone into these tests. If you try to game them somehow, the test will show that. They're designed to find out stuff like that, so answer honestly. Also, keep in mind that pretty much everybody who takes these things will have a few oddball answers (because everyone is odd in some way or another). They're not dealbreakers. Just relax and remember that there are no right/wrong answers.

I don't know if your interview has this, but when I took my last round for a paramedic job, there was a followup with the staff psychologist to discuss the results, and they'll ask you about anything that stands out. For example, I had a couple of questions that indicated I had some manic tendencies (even though that's not close to my actual personality), just because of the way I interpreted the question.

Drakeon

Thanks for the advice guys, had my psyc earlier today and passed, got the job! Now to plan the move (4 hours away)