Graduates proudly clutching their 2:1 and desperate to snag that all-important first job increasingly face psychometric testing by top employers, it has emerged.
According to the Association of Graduate Recruiters, which published its 2007 summer survey today, the vast majority of its members said such tests were useful to the recruitment process and influenced who they decided to recruit.
Psychometric tests have been around for decades and broadly fall into two camps: ability or personality.
Ability tests usually judge candidates' verbal, numerical or analytical reasoning, whereas personality tests assess the character or temperament of potential employees.
The whole idea of the tests is to gauge innate ability, so in theory it's not possible to improve your results - but there are some things you can do to help yourself.
According to John Rust, the director of the University of Cambridge's Psychometrics Centre, being familiar with the tests is important. Firms using reputable tests will inform candidates that they will be tested and send out practice examples beforehand. If you haven't been told, you are quite within your rights to ask if there are practice tests available.
Prof Rust also advises to relax as much as possible, follow the instructions and make sure you know whether the test is timed so you can pace yourself accordingly.
For personality tests, being straightforward and honest is your best bet. By all means paint yourself in the best possible light, but don't put yourself in danger of getting a job you hate because it doesn't fit your real personality.
Kim Stephenson, a chartered occupational psychologist who specialises in testing, says preparation is the key to getting the best results you can.
Get a good night's sleep, be on time and think positive. "See the test as an opportunity to show what you can do and don't panic if the test is hard, it's supposed to push people," he says. And if you don't get the job, always ask for feedback.
But what are your experiences of psychometric testing? Tell us your top tips.
