New Practice Pack For The Rust Advanced Numerical Reasoning Appraisal (RANRA)

Today our experts aired a new practice pack for the Rust Advanced Numerical Reasoning Appraisal (RANRA).

The RANRA is widely used in the selection of high-tier positions (professionals, managers and senior managers) and is usually combined with the Watson Glaser test.

Question formats resemble those appearing in GMAT and GRE tests, however, they include twists and traps that are not necessarily seen in the aforementioned tests.

The RANRA is a non-calculator test that takes 30 minutes to complete and includes two sections: sufficiency of data and comparison of quantities. Each section includes 16 questions. These strict time limits pose great difficulties to most candidates and this is exactly where adequate preparation steps could help improve response times.

JTP now offers three, full-length RANRA mock tests backed up by additional practice resources that lay the foundations to the skills required for this test.

Continue reading about JobTestPrep's RANRA test preparation >>

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JobTestPrep is not affiliated with Saville Consulting, JobTestPrep prepares people for psychometric tests.

Saville Swift Verbal Analysis Aptitude Practice by JobTestPrep

JTP is proud to launch its unique, tailored series of verbal tests that follow the format, concepts and time frames of Saville's Swift Verbal Analysis Aptitude Series.

Saville's Swift Analysis Aptitude Series is widely used for the selection of graduates, professionals and middle management roles. Among the companies known to use these tests you can find BP, E&Y, and more. 

Continue reading about this at JTP:

• Saville tests
• Saville Numerical Analysis practice tests
• Saville Verbal Analysis practice tests

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JobTestPrep is not affiliated with Saville Consulting, JobTestPrep prepares people for psychometric tests.

How To Get Into Oxbridge

Oxford and Cambridge or “Oxbridge” as they're known, are two of the most highly respected learning centers in the world. As a result, an overwhelming number of applications are sent in every day. There must be some filtration system, right? Correct!

Decide a course you wish to begin

Plenty of people who apply to Oxbridge have an agenda in mind, usually a career of some sorts.

But I'm sure you can imagine the dismay of a Cambridge recruiter opening an application form for a course in fast food preparation. So now is definitely a good time to decide what you want to make of yourself, if anything at all.

Luckily for you, the British Government tend to have a few options for you to not completely indebt yourself to the university to the sum of around £20,000 and you can spend your remaining money on something nice... maybe start paying back the loan! And choose wisely, some courses require an admissions test.

Decide where you will live during this part of your life

Obviously, an essential part of survival is shelter, the universities offer lots of lovely colleges with many options for you to decide which one you want to attend. Perhaps live on campus especially as travel is somewhat limited for overseas students. You could always live at home with your parents.

Submit a UCAS form by the 15th of october

Simple enough, get your form in, but not just that. You might be required to take an aptitude skills test, known as the Thinking Skills Assessment or TSA (TSA Cambridge or TSA Oxford). In some cases you will also be asked to complete an extra written task to make yourself seem brighter than the other boffins and might have to have certain qualifications (usually A’s at A-level and depending on your course, other skills required).

The Thinking Skills Assessment, the TSA

Here at JTP we want to help you get into PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) studies. We offer in-house developed practise tests with scores, explanations and solving tips, something not found anywhere webwide. Created by our psychologists specialising in psychometric tests, these will give the perfect blend of preparation as well as feedback.
Find out the TSA format here at JTP, find hundreds of TSA example questions and explanations.

Decision time

The bearded wizards who run the show over at Oxford and Cambridge are a tough bunch to please. Very hard, deep thinkers with a knack for analyzing everything about you and deciding if you match the course you want to take. Pass this and the next bit is easy, the best education known to man!

Closing statements

We have a few more handy hints and tips explaining more about getting in here.
We also offer the only place you can find in depth TSA practice tests made by real psychologists. Just a thought :)

Find more on the TSA here >>

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Psychometric Test Fusion: Royal Air Force & Royal Navy

Practice it all, secure your positions and decide! The power is now in your hands. 

Recurring requests of our clients made us offer a combined practice pack, including the Royal Navy recruitment test pack and the Royal Air Force pack. 

Many recruits can’t decide between land or sea, but before they even get to that stage they are asked to sit an aptitude/psychometric test. 

This new bundle pack offers a chance to practice both tests, something that will help you remove the above mentioned obstacle and help you perform better. In addition it will save £9 from buying these products separately. Now all you've got to do is decide between the andrew or the crabs...

Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Tests Practice Pack

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Mechanical Reasoning Practice Pack Updated!

We are proud to say that a three month project has come to an end; our mechanical reasoning practice pack has been updated.

Our test writers have added new and challenging questions that adhere to the latest trends in mechanical reasoning tests. Any candidate applying for a technical position would benefit greatly from practicing these questions.

For more information, please refer to our mechanical reasoning practice pack >>

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UKCAT Tips - Techniques To Help You Read Quickly

If the above sentence took more than about half a second for you to read then you’d do well to keep reading! Literally!

A fundamental part of any aptitude test is reading, UKCAT in particular. With the time constraints placed on you for your tests you cannot absorb the information slowly. As such, as part of our series of UKCAT Practice Tips articles, today we will be discussing reading and how to speed yours up:

• Look at and re-look at the format of the different tests you will be sitting. This will help you get a feel for the structure of the questions and you will be used to reading like this again and again until you finally sit the real test in which you will know exactly what key parts go where and how to deal with the information provided.
• Take in more than 5 words. Make sure you look at as many words as possible, this will help you digest the words you've just read and be ready for the next set. This is actually very easy to do all it requires is a little confidence, which requires a little practice. Computer programs like [If we can make our own it would be better] can help you practice this.
• Use the mouse pointer to track your position in the text.
• Start reading a new book in your spare time alongside whatever else you may be reading and set yourself a goal to read 1 chapter per two hours (depending on the size of each chapter).
• Talk about the material you will be reading! If you want to absorb something more discuss it. Our team would be happy to simply talk to you via twitter and Facebook so do not hesitate! We will help you.
• Skim material first. Read it without taking much notice of it to get a feel for the general parts in which it stands out then read it all and you’ll skip parts that are not relevant to the actual article, without even noticing you’re doing it!

There is a lot of information here and some of it might NOT be relevant to you, so speed read and take the ones that you think are most helpful and then implement them.

We must stress here at JTP that talking with people about the UKCAT and the possible questions is the most helpful in our opinion and we advise no matter who you are - DO THIS! 

If you feel you need more than just reading skills we have some of the best tutors available who are in their desired universities and willing to show you how. They can teach you everything you need to know about the UKCAT and even tell you a little about life when you're in university. Find out more HERE.

Good Luck!

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Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA), What is All The Fuss About?

A short explanation of myths and detrimental beliefs about the TSA for Cambridge, Oxford and UCL.

Applying false logic

Look online for the TSA, you’re bombarded with questions from nervous students worried about getting into their highly sought after university. But does anyone help? No.
I've come across about ninety Yahoo! question with answers like “You can’t practice it”, “It’s something you’re born with” and other pointless musings of people who are just docile and willing to not put any effort in.

Ok so perhaps you've just finished a weekend of cutting shapes to an eclectic blend of cher and daft punk but don’t let your hung over, feeble state get the better of you. Don’t believe the hype, just think for a moment... If we apply the theory that practice doesn't make perfect to education as a whole. No, to life as a whole, then absolutely nothing in the world would be the way it is. Disease would be rife, no technology would have been created, in fact we would still be cavemen. We are surrounded by constant proof that trial and error and revising old habits WORKS!

So why?

Well it makes sense doesn't it, think. The original university to start it (Cambridge) has been a longtime rival of Oxford, as such the implementation of a more stringent recruitment process is beneficial not only for the students it will filter through but also for the perception of appearing to be the more prestigious of the two universities. A very smart marketing technique. Of course Oxford would take this to keep up and add another section just to spit a little in the face of cambridgians.

So let’s say the universities now have this lovely test, they don’t want people to perceive this as something you can practice and succeed and they make sure to let people know. Because they want to prove themselves as the elite of the elite, the genetically more superior brains of our world and considering the teaching and astounding level of education offered they've become a stamp of authority when added to your CV. But that isn't genetic, that’s because they teach so well. If it was genetic the very basic ideas of education would be obsolete (practicing theories, revising, learning way to solve problems or prove ideas).

How do I get in then?

Well how else? Learn. Dissect the TSA like it’s a frog and practice each section. All of these above skills and be honed and accessed faster and more efficiently when the time comes and you will not understand everything thrown against you so why not throw it against you sooner? We are the only place that offers in-house developed, online mock tests for TSA. We have explanations and solving tips and offer REAL time limits on the practice tests followed by scores. Find more tips and view our practice packs HERE and step foot into a university of your choosing.

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The Armed Forces Recruitment is More Difficult Than Ever!

RAF poster, 1918

A few interesting and fun facts about the British armed forces recruitment tests and practices from history until now.

Recruitment in the British Armed Forces 1800’s-1950’s

Up until the late 1800’s the British army was a bad job prospect, with soldiers being forced to serve for their lifetime and military practices being based upon punishment with no mutual respect between officer and private and a pay scale of 7 shillings per week, which compared to a dockworker of 28 shillings per week made for one of the worse jobs you could financially choose, even with the promise of promotion and looting.

Up until the early 1900’s when demand for soldiers was higher and people began being conscripted, Most soldiers didn't receive adequate training or selection testing, this goes especially for the Royal Navy who practised forcible conscription for merchant sailors, pirates and anyone with any experience working with ships, sometimes people without experience would be trained on the job.

During both world wars, soldiers were trained to the very basic levels a soldier could be trained however the navy were adamant about finding skilled seamen and the Royal Air Force (RAF) applied a more difficult recruitment test (eyesight test, medical test, fitness test and a look at the educational background of each candidate) only after 1941 were army recruits tested and placed in corps that closely aligned with their abilities.

Post-war recruitment and the ability for Britain to be the best

After the wars ended, national service continued for the cold war but finally in 1957 conscription was abolished and thus the urgency for recruits was lessened, the armed forces could then tighten their requirements and brought about a rigorous recruitment process. Not everyone was to be accepted and this gave England a more capable force of soldiers prepared for the future.

In present day

The appeal of an armed forces career has increased due to pay ranges, survivability, community and patriotism during an uncertain time, the forces employ stringent recruitment tests (Verbal Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, Critical Thinking, Mechanical comprehension...) along side their physical tests, medical tests, interview and the educational requirements, also known as aptitude tests.

Aptitude tests are implemented by an ever increasing number of organisations and are proven to aid in the assessment of potential recruits, more effectively than previous forms of testing, they’re a branch of psychometric tests, tests that determine a candidate's abilities and match them to specific roles.

With the forces employing these psychometric tests alongside all previous testing it’s never been more difficult to join up and spaces are limited due to it’s effectiveness. A big step from previous conscription methods don’t you think? This is one of the many reasons why the British Armed Forces (namely the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force (RAF)) remain some of the most recognised men and women on the planet and why our armed forces customer base is increasing rapidly.

We are there to help you

So you've seen how recruitment has changed and how you need to be prepared. We offer practice packages for the Royal Air Force (RAF) Aptitude Test  and the Royal Navy Recruitment Test. The links provided will give you much more in-depth information about which tests each force is using for their recruits.

Good Luck!

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Fun Facts about Critical Thinking and Watson-Glaser Test

→ The intellectual roots of critical thinking are traced back to 2,500 years ago, to the teaching practice and vision of Socrates. Socrates revealed the fact that one cannot depend upon those in "authority" to have sound knowledge and insight. He demonstrated that people in high positions may have power yet they can be immensely irrational. He established the importance of asking deep questions that probe profoundly into thinking before we accept ideas as worthy of belief.

→ In 1958, Robert Ennis published an article about the Watson Glaser test, concluding that the test gave too high a score for the pathological doubter. If you answered “insufficient data” throughout section 1, “assumption not made” throughout section 2, “conclusion not made” throughout section 3 and 4 and deemed all arguments as “weak” in section 5, you would have had 66 correct answers out of 99, putting you in the 86th percentile (according to high school norms)! In comparison, if you answered randomly, you would probably have scored 44, putting you only in the 19th percentile.

→ The internet and newspapers today are full of wonderful, interesting, and incorrect information. How many times have you read a title such as this: “Researchers found that fewer brain cells lead to a greater love of chocolate!” just to realize between the pages of the article that the research was a correlative one (meaning you cannot infer that X caused Y).

→ Notice how logic is sometimes illogical (№1):

How a valid conclusion becomes unreasonable- 

If Jill is hungry, then she takes an afternoon snack.
If Jill takes an afternoon snack, then she has a light dinner.
Therefore if Jill is hungry, then she has a light dinner.

Makes sense, doesn't it?...

→ Notice how logic is sometimes illogical (№2):
How a false conclusion can still be logically valid-  

All bears are reptiles
Paddington is a bear
Therefore, Paddington is a reptile. 

Apparently, in order for a conclusion to be valid neither of the premises of the argument nor the conclusion deriving from them need to be true. Well, we all know Paddington is a bear (who liked to eat marmalade)!

→ Don’t worry! Many researchers believe that people are wholly rational; it’s just that psychological tests do not reflect their competence… They say that “Perfect rationality is for the angels” (Johnson-Laird, 1999). 

→ And of course, critical reasoning can be practiced! Click here and get started! 

The "HOW" of Career Change

If the future of your local government career looks fragile then you may be considering a change of career. And the same thought might occur to those who fall prey to the axe of redundancy before they had planned to, and don’t want or can’t afford to hang up their briefcase and blackberry. 


So if you are feeling stuck in a rut, facing compulsory redundancy or just feeling out of love with local authorities what are your options and how do you go about realising your new career?

You need to understand:

Yourself and what you can do: drill deep and understand your skills, your knowledge and your attributes. What have you got that you can use in another career?

Your motivations and values: 

• What is that you want to do with your life? 
• What is important to you in our work? 
• Where would you not countenance working?

Your interests and enthusiasms: it’s not easy to keep changing jobs, so what would create an enduring field of interest?

Explore your options – in depth. Ensure that before you ‘give up the day job’ you really understand what it means to do that job day in day out. It might look glamorous but actually be repetitive and dull. 

• Would you enjoy it on a long term basis? 
• What additional skills will you need? 
• How do you get entry into that sort of work?

Once you have done all your research you are ready to take the plunge. Or are you? Only 5% of those who think of changing careers actually do so because it is very hard!

In order to be successful you will need to overcome significant barriers:

→ You will need a financial cushion; you will probably need to take a lower paid job on a new ladder, buy a business or take time to build one from scratch. You may need money to train and money to see you through the search process.

→ You will need to come to terms with the loss of status, authority and support. If you have had any seniority the lack of people to delegate to may come as a shock and you may have to expend a lot of time and energy overcoming the reservations of your stakeholders (wife/partner/kids/parents/ friends) all of whom may make you justify your actions... or just be jealous of your courage.

→ You will need to overcome your self doubt and nagging feelings of insecurity. You won’t know if you can be a success unless you try. You can minimise the risks but you won’t know. So you’ll need lots of courage and confidence, self belief and perseverance are critical.

Key advice for any career changer is that they need to leverage off their networks to find opportunities. Large firms have formalised recruitment processes and lots of gatekeepers, small organisations may well be prepared to take a chance on someone because they see the potential and the owner makes the decision.

So gird your loins, garner your confidence and get exploring your talents and your options to create a realistic exit strategy.

Try our Free Personality Test >>

About the author: Mary Hopes is a careers coach, for more information about Mary you can visit her website.

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New Inductive and Logical Reasoning tests added!

We're glad to announce that many of our packs have gone through a serious update today.

After more than two months of hard work, our test writers have completed the addition of ~200 new practice questions that follow the latest trends in inductive reasoning/logical reasoning tests. These questions rely on an extensive research we made in the past 6 months, that involved candidate feedback and intelligence.

New elements and concepts seen in the assessments of SHL, Kenexa and Talent Q have been incorporated into these questions. As with each of our products, the packs include all the basic features of our testing system, with score reports, explanations and solving tips.

Of course all of our bundle packs will be updated to include these tests as well. To learn more about the changes, you are welcome to visit our inductive reasoning product page.

Also, our free inductive reasoning test has now been updated to include some new and challenging questions.

Good luck to all!

Simmons & Simmons Recruitment Process

Simmons & Simmons is a silver circle leading City law firm. As such, they receive thousands of job applications every year and have recently toughened the recruitment process for graduate training schemes. They have lengthened the application procedure so that only the most committed will make the effort and they have added the Watson-Glaser critical thinking test as an online test to filter out weaker applicants.

After completing a competency based application form, candidates will be asked to remotely sit the Watson-Glaser. They will need to pass the test in order to be invited to the final stage of the recruitment process – an Assessment Centre in London, including an interview, written exercise and a document exercise.

The Watson-Glaser test, favoured because it tests higher order cognitive abilities, tests a candidate's strengths at evaluating, analysing and interpreting information.

See sample questions on the JTP site >>

There are five sections to the Watson-Glaser test:

• Inferences
• Assumptions
• Deductions
• Interpretation
• Argument Evaluation

Answers are multiple choice and are usually of the format 'assumption made' VS 'assumption not made', apart from the Inferences section where you must determine to what extent an assumption can be made based on a five-point scale. It is recommended that you do as much practice as possible in order to succeed during the Simmons & Simmons recruitment process.

Up until recently, there have been scarce resources to practice the Watson-Glaser, but here at JTP we received your requests and have created new Watson-Glaser practice pack! Here you can practice a full Watson-Glaser test, as well as hundreds of bonus questions and practice guides. Each question comes with broken down explanations and our test writers have included tips that you will find throughout the explanations.

Have you taken a Watson-Glaser test? We would love to hear about your experience!

JobTestPrep's Affiliate Programme

JobTestPrep – UK psychometric test preparation leaders, welcome you to our affiliate scheme. Many universities refer their students to our services because they know they can rely on us to get their students up-to-scratch for the recruitment process.

At JobTestPrep we strongly believe in reciprocity and rewarding our affiliates according to how much we know you are worth. That is why we offer one of the most generous affiliate schemes with a 50% revenue split from day one. We also offer other incentives for large volume websites.

This month we have been busy working on our affiliate programme. We have re-done our affiliate page to try to include everything you would want to know about our programme before becoming an affiliate. We have also included answers to the most frequently asked questions from our affiliates. Becoming an affiliate couldn't be easier – simply fill out the form at the bottom of our affiliates page and an affiliate manager will contact you shortly.

You will then be sent step-by-step instructions on how to incorporate JobTestPrep on your site. This is usually as simple as creating a link with a few extra characters at the end; you will receive full instructions on how to create such links. You will be allocated an affiliate manager who will always be available to you in case you have any questions.

What else?

• We send you transparent information on how many visitors you have sent to our site and what and how much they have purchased.

• 50% revenue split (this one is so good we had to mention it twice).

Any questions or comments, feel free to contact us in the comments section below!

MI6 (SIS) Verbal Reasoning Test

What is MI6 (SIS)?

MI6 is the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service.

What is the difference between MI5 and MI6?

While MI5 is responsible for protecting the UK against threats to national security, MI6 is responsible for security threats internationally.

Is MI6 the same as Her Majesty’s Secret Service?

You may have heard of MI6 from the Bond films, that’s right - Her Majesty’s Secret Service.

What are the requirements for a role in MI6?

MI6 is keen to recruit graduates from all backgrounds to reflect the diversity that this job entails. This especially includes employing more women, as MI6 is running a little low. In short, you must be British, have a clear drugs history and not be on any Most Wanted lists. A 2.1 is also a minimum requirement – specific positions require other specific qualifications. Main graduate positions are in the following areas: Technology Positions, Language Specialists and Operational Officers. It can also take about 10-months for all clearance checks to run before you can take up a position so bear that in mind.

What skills will I need to demonstrate?

In general, MI6 requires the following skills and aptitudes: Integrity, Commitment and a strong team ethic; Technical Improvisation and Lateral Thinking; Emotional Detachment and Instinct; Strong Analytical and Communication Skills.

What is the recruitment procedure like?

If you fit the nationality and security criteria, you will be sent an online verbal reasoning test (some roles also require a numerical reasoning and situational judgement test). If you pass this stage you will be asked to complete and online competency based application form. If successful, you will be invited to an interview where you will also be asked to complete some more psychometric tests and a written exercise. The final stage is an Assessment Centre where you will be put in scenarios similar to what you are likely to face on the role to assess your suitability for the role you have applied for.

Can I practice for the MI6 Verbal Reasoning Test?

On their website, MI6 recommend practicing tests online. This should make you familiar with the type of test you will face and you may pick up a trick or two along the way. The test is of the format True, False, Cannot say. You will be given several texts and you will have to verify if certain statements are valid based on the text. Learn more about verbal reasoning tests, take a free verbal reasoning test with JobTestPrep.

What happens next?

This is where you will have to receive satisfactory clearance. You will then be given a formal offer and can begin induction and training.

Read more about MI5 >>

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Hogan Lovells Critical Thinking Test

If you are planning on working at the international law firm Hogan Lovells, you should know that the application process includes sitting the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Test.

Hogan Lovells' graduate careers section online includes a sample practice session of Watson-Glaser questions. While answers to questions are available, there are no tips or extra practice questions for you to use. This is exactly where JobTestPrep can help. We have recently launched a Watson-Glaser Practice Test pack, which includes a full-length test with normalized score reports and hundreds of additional practice questions. The pack also includes comprehensive explanations, tips for solving critical thinking questions and other popular verbal critical reasoning questions (true/false/cannot say) that might be part of your selection process at other reputable law firms.

Hogan Lovell's online critical thinking test - not the only hurdle.

Candidates who have successfully passed the online test will be invited to an assessment day. During the day, a verification test will be administered to validate your test performance. Training contract candidates will face a commercial business exercise which is a version of a group exercise. In addition, all participants will attend an interview with the company's associates.

To Summarise, if you are about to apply to Hogan & Lovells, make sure to prepare in advance.

Study more about the Watson-Glaser Test

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When to Re-take the GMAT?

People tend to obsess over their GMAT score, but more often than you might expect, re-taking the GMAT isn't necessary. This is the case for three major reasons:

1) The GMAT is a bit less important to MBA program admissions than many realize – the GMAT is just one of many factors. For example, the personal essays are probably as important. 

 As a reminder, those factors include:

• Undergraduate school, major, and GPA
• GMAT score
• Personal essays
• Recommendations
• Business, leadership, and community service experience

2) Most applicants don’t have unlimited time to study for the GMAT – there are always trade-offs in deciding to take the test again, including being unable to spend that time working on your aforementioned essays.

3) If you've already done a good amount of studying, especially if you’ve already worked with a private tutor or taken a good class, you have to be realistic about how much runway you have to improve your GMAT score.

Ultimately, this article will provide 5 potential reasons that you should consider re-taking the GMAT. However, to hammer home the above three points about why you may not need to, I’d like to provide a personal example.

I worked with an individual, let’s call him Frank, who had attended Northwestern University and majored in Mathematics, was promoted rapidly at our consulting firm, and scored a 760 on the GMAT. He was also a genuinely great guy and a natural leader who was also involved in a variety of community service related activities. He was not accepted into Kellogg’s MBA program at Northwestern University. I worked at the same firm and was promoted less rapidly, attended Indiana University, and scored a 710 on the GMAT. Frank, in fact, was sort of my boss. However, I was accepted at Kellogg, and Frank was not. The difference, I suggest, was clearly the essays. I somehow must have better explained why I wanted an MBA from Kellogg and what I was going to do with it in my essays, even though Frank went to a better undergraduate school, had a similar job, and scored significantly higher on the GMAT.

That said, I recognize the GMAT remains an area of intense focus and a source of significant stress for many applicants. Certainly it is important, and it’s one area where the playing field is level. No matter where you went to school or what your job is, everyone takes the same GMAT, and thus MBA schools can easily compare readiness for their MBA curriculum across applicants by using this test. Here are five reasons to re-take the GMAT:

1) If your score is not in the middle 80% of accepted applicants at your target school (s), you should consider re-taking the GMAT. For example, at Kellogg, 80% of individuals score between 660 and 760. So, if you scored a 640, you will be at a disadvantage, and should consider retaking the GMAT.

2) Your scores on timed practice tests were significantly better than your actual score. If you know you scored 700+ on all of your practice tests, but scored a 660 on the actual test, you’re still in the middle 80th percentile range, per point 1. However, there is clear evidence you can do significantly better. So, you should consider retaking the GMAT.

3) You didn't really study. Some people can perform really well on the GMAT without much studying. However, most can’t. When I sat down to study for the test, I couldn't remember the rules of triangles well enough to answer most of the trigonometry questions on the test. If you haven’t taken a class, worked with a tutor, or at least dedicated 2-4 hours a week for at least 6 weeks and taken several practice tests, you can probably do much better on the GMAT after study appropriately for it. It’s not an IQ test – you can and should prepare for it.

4) You are trying to compensate for other areas of weakness in your application. If you are an English major and have not taken a class that’s quantitative in nature since high school, you need to score well on the quantitative section of the GMAT. In that case, if you’re trying to go to a top 20 US MBA program, you should be scoring in the 80th percentile or better on the quant section.

5) If you have a really imbalanced score on the GMAT, you might consider re-taking it. Business schools are looking for well-rounded applicants who can think critically, engage with data, and communicate well. If you scored reasonably well on the GMAT by completely acing one section and struggling through the other, you might consider re-taking it. Schools may not accept your overall score at face value if your scores on each section are really imbalanced.

What are your thoughts on the GMAT? Do you have any questions about whether/when to re-take the test? Let us know.


About the author:  Mark Skoskiewicz is a graduate of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL near Chicago, one of the top 10 MBA programs in the U.S. He’s also the Founder of MyGuru, a provider of in-person and online 1-1 tutoring and test prep. MyGuru maintains a GMAT blog and provides customized, GMAT tutoring. Mark can be reached at mskoskiewicz@myguruedge.com

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New Video Tutorial Guides for Ratios, Percentages and Tips

Here at JobTestPrep we know that learning is done through two important tools – practicing and learning. At JobTestPrep we are always looking for new ways to make learning easier – so we have created new video tutorial guides. Here we talk you through concepts such as ratios, percentages, time saving tips and advanced topics such as inflation.

What is does a video tutorial contain?

We explain the basics of a concept and show you how it applies in numerical reasoning tests. That is, after an explanation of each concept we will present you with relevant examples from our practice packs. We work through the example using the material pre-explained, so that you can be sure how to get to the answer. The examples get progressively more difficult as you work through the tutorial – from beginner to advanced difficulty levels.

Where can I buy these packages?

These video tutorials will be added to all relevant packages for free! This includes all numerical reasoning test preparation packages, including out numerical reasoning package, numerical and verbal package and all full packages.

We are confident that this extra help can make a change in the way you perceive numerical reasoning concepts. Looking forward to having you on board!

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How to Sell Yourself Effectively in an Interview

It is easy to have a casual attitude towards interviews, particularly if you have attended many in the past. However, you may find this isn’t working anymore. Why?


The jobs market has changed drastically since the recession forcing recruitment to take a new form. Of course, CVs are still the backbone of any job application, but there are also ways in which to stand out amongst other candidates when it comes to your interview. First impressions count and you will get a very small window to show off what you can offer.

This is why it’s important now more than ever to learn how to ‘sell yourself’ as effectively as you can. Think of it as if you were selling a product to a customer in a store. Remember to keep in mind what you are selling, who you are selling to, and what the unique selling point is.

What are you selling?

Remember that in this situation it is yourself that is the product up for grabs. You want to highlight your strengths to maximise the conversion rate, like you would do if you were selling an item on eBay.

So, how do you make yourself look as good as possible? Firstly ensure that you have the correct qualifications needed for the position. It is true that more employers are looking for people with experience, but for many academic careers, a minimum educational level is a must. If you don’t have the formal qualifications to argue that you’re knowledgeable on a topic, why do you think you’d be good for this position? Make sure you have adequate experience to make up for this.

Alternatively, turn to the internet. There is a wealth of free information online, so although you may not have the means to attend an education establishment, it doesn’t mean you can’t advance your knowledge.

In terms of experience, get out there and get some! It’s important to bear in mind that employers will consider your past performances as an indication of your potential future accomplishments.

Phil McCabe of the Forum of Private Business lobby group has stated that the education system doesn’t produce the right level of work-ready young people.

More than one million 16-24 year olds are now unemployed in Britain and study after study has shown that employers would rather hire someone with some work experience under their belts, than a degree.

If you’re new to the jobs market, try some unpaid work experience. The fact that you have sacrificed your time and money to advance your career prospects speaks volumes to an employer. They don’t always want the finished package. They want someone who will develop and grow within a company. If this is you, state it explicitly in an interview. The employer will be impressed at your straightforward approach and willingness to progress.

What’s most important to a company is proven results. Whether you get this from a previous job or from an unpaid internship, it doesn’t matter. Better yourself, not just for the interview, but for you career in the long term.

Who are you selling to?

Make sure you research the market you are looking to enter. The majority of interviews fails due to a lack of preparation or because of nerves. Kill two birds with one stone here by over-preparing. If you are well researched, you will come across as more confident.

Also think about how you match up against their criteria? Is it a small business? If so, they may want someone who can multi-task and take on more responsibilities from the beginning.

If there is a minimum requirement for the position, then it would be necessary to make sure you pay attention. Recruiters prefer when their instructions are followed. Saying this, if you feel you have ways to make up for a lack of experience, for example, make this clear in your covering letter, and it’s worth a shot.

One way to stand out in your interview is through questions. Look through the job description and other company literature to find relevant questions you could ask.

This shows enthusiasm and confidence. If you ask about the company’s plans, it shows you are thinking about long term plans. Furthermore, asking questions in reference to their website, or business strategy, or press they have received, is evidence that you’ve done your home, and makes a fantastic first impression. You’d be amazed how many people don’t research prior to interviews. Make sure you’re not one of them.

What’s the USP?

Put yourself in the position of the interviewee. What is it that you offer that someone else can’t?They might see a large number of candidates in one day, so find a way to be memorable, whilst professional.

When discussing experience, you don’t always have to reference an employment example. Perhaps an unusual hobby of yours has given you some desirable skills for the job.

There are three Ps to think about when it comes to your USP: Performance (what have you achieved so far in your career?), Potential (what are you capable of in the future?), and Perseverance (enthusiasm can speak volumes).

Go through these prior to the interview and think of evidence where you have shown these traits. If you have any documentation or a portfolio to back it up, always bring it with you.

But most of all, relax and be yourself. Just because the situation is formal, doesn’t mean you can’t be cheerful. Most people are so nervous, showing your smiley bubbly side could be the easy solutions to stand out amongst the crowds.

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About the author: This guest post was written by Karen Asbury from The Coaching Academy, the world’s largest training organisation for coaching.

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Is Your Career the Right Kind of Equestrian Event?

A guide to selection processes...

The word career has a number of possible origins, one of which is the French word for horse race ‘carriere’. But if a career is a horse race, what kind of event would it be? Over the summer we have watched a range of equestrian events: cross country, show jumping, dressage, team and individual.

There are also flat races, steeplechases and point to points.

A cross country career would involve lots of twists and turns, different gradients and a series of
challenges some more unexpected than others. A dressage career would be one where perfection would matter, a slow and precise exercise after years of training and practice. It might be a career that is one of the exercise of consummate skill. A show jumper learns simple  jumps and keeps on progressing to higher and higher jumps. Horse racing is more of a career  of tactic, at what point in  the race do you go flat out? Where do you position the horse on the  course? How well will your horse respond to the ground conditions? Breeding and training are the foundations of a good racer.

Going over the jumps in a steeplechase adds an extra challenge, and unlike show jumping it does not matter if you knock the fences down!

Careers are not really horse races, but there are some things to be learnt by considering the
parallels. And in another respect we would do well to remember the similarity.

When it comes to applying for jobs and going through a selection process you could do worse than think of it as an equestrian event; but more of a three-day event than a dressage or show jumping.

You need the right breeding, i.e. background of education, skills and aptitudes; and then you need the preparation and practice. Just as a jockey or rider walks the course and tests the ground, you need to familiarise yourself with the territory and plan out how you are going to win the race - because in selection there is only one winner. It is a first past the post event.

And because it is a first past the post event it is not a cumulative event. In show jumping you
accumulate (faults) points as you progress around the course, you can knock the first fence down and still end up with the best score and take the gold. In recruitment/selection if you fail at the first hurdle then you fail. If your CV is not spot-on, then you are out of the race. And what you put in your CV may count for little once you get into the interview; it is your performance in that interview that carries your forward to the assessment centre. The assessment centre is a three day event in its own right and less of a race and more of a show jumping event. And if you are successful you can progress to the Grand National equivalent of a final interview.

One of the lessons we have learned from the fantastic sporting summer is that every athlete needs their trainer or coach. If you want to excel at any sport or in any selection event, get yourself a coach. Someone who understands what it takes, who will give you great feedback, who will correct your faults and give you all the encouragement and confidence building you need.

So remember, applying for a job is a steeplechase, get round the course and get past the post first... and do it better with a coach!


About the author: This is Mary Hopes second blog article. She is a careers coach, for more information about Mary you can visit her website.

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