'I'm going to pass those tests dead easy'

You can't actually look inside as I have stolen this from Amazon

Recently, the time has come upon us, that we must apply for internships. Now most of us will know, for large companies this is not an easy process. There is a rigorous selection process, involving usually around 3 if not 4 stages. For those of you that don't know, here is what they may involve: 

- Online application

- Verbal and Numerical Reasoning tests

- Skype or telephone interview

- Assessment centre day

Here we will focus on the most dreaded of them all - the reasoning tests. 

Now for many of my friends studying more maths based subjects, there was a general feeling that these would be a breeze. However, many of them have fallen at this hurdle. The questions were worded in a very specific way, a business-like way, or they felt the pressure, they ran out of time, and that was it - game over. Internship opportunity over. 

This all sounds rather worrying doesn't it? Especially for those of you applying for internships from a less maths-based background. But never fear, there is a solution. 

Firstly, depending on which role you are applying for, the reasoning test will vary. So if you're applying for a financial role, the questions will be substantially more difficult than for someone say, applying for a marketing role. But that is to expected as the role you will carry out on the job will require a substantially larger proportion of your time crunching numbers. 

Secondly, the tests are largely from the same provider. Usually when applying for internships, the company will direct you to a sample questions site. It is really important to practise first but  we will come on to that next. Anyway, the questions are likely to come from similar companies if not the same one, as they are usually externally sourced. Therefore, once you get an idea of the questions, if you complete one and manage to work it out, it would be wise to keep these notes/ your workings for when you complete the next one. This will both save you time and prevent a large feeling of annoyance at yourself that you are 'sure you've seen this question before'. 

Finally, the practise really is key here. Don't go in feeling over confident. Invest in at least one book with example questions in, a large range are available from Amazon. As well as giving you tips on the workings of the questions, they will also explain how to approach them and the way to feel relaxed whilst doing them. It's simple things like, you're against the clock, but don't panic because realistically you are not expected to finish the test. It is also important to buy a book that was recently published as changes in psychometric tests are likely to occur and so an older book may leave you ill-equipped for a newer test. 

Additionally, remember that the verbal reasoning test is just as important as the numerical one, as it gives an indication to how you would cope in different situations, letting the company quickly know if you're the kind of person they would be looking to employ. 

*It is also important not to get someone to do the test for you as when you are invited to an assessment centre it will definitely look a bit off if the person who got 70% on the online test now only gets 5... 

If you're applying or have applied - good luck when your tests come up and remember preparation is key.