BE PREPARED
Go over the advice on this and other pages on this site. Practice assessment questions and familiarize yourself with the questionnaire format.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE ASSESSMENT?
If you have already received your invitation to the assessment, you should also have been informed about its purpose. If you do not know - or are not sure - about the purpose of it, firstly look through the information/links sent to you. If this does not help you, then contact the employer before you take the assessment. You may ask:
- What is the assessment supposed to measure, and why is it a relevant measure in the given situation?
- How long will the assessment take?
- What kind of feedback (if any) will you receive to your response?
ONLINE ASSESSMENTS
Make sure you will have a place where you can work without being disturbed for the entire test. If other people are around you, make sure they know what you are doing. Try to avoid interference by other devices, mail-clients etc. by switching them off.
OVERCOMING TEST ANXIETY
If you feel nervous about an assessment consider the positive aspects. People that get nervous are usually better at preparing properly before important tasks – including assessments. This will help you optimize your performance, and make sure you do not under perform due to lack of preparation.
Do not think you are the only one to feel some kind of uncertainty or tension before an assessment. This is quite common. If you have not already done so, make an effort to talk to others about it. It often helps to hear how others experience and cope with similar situations.
Create stability: Schedule your time as you approach the day where you will take the test. It may be a good idea to plan some practical tasks to keep your mind off the test, but make sure not to add extra stress by making your schedule to tight. Make sure you also schedule time for a good night’s sleep the day before your test.
Use relaxation techniques: There are a number of techniques readily available on the web and through other sources that can help you reduce nervousness. Many of them provide simple techniques that can easily be applied in most situations to calm you down. Physical exercise is often also a good way to take your mind off the test, and will often positively impact your quality of sleep and ability to stay calm.