Cognitive aptitude tests are some of the best tools for predicting job performance. A strong and long-standing body of research demonstrates that cognitive aptitude tests are valid, reliable, and significantly more predictive than job experience and unstructured interviews.
What is it about cognitive aptitude that makes it so good at predicting job performance?
Cognitive aptitude is the ability to think critically, solve problems, learn new skills, and digest and apply new information; essentially these tests measure many of the qualities that employers look for in almost every job description they create. Because cognitive aptitude is associated with decision making ability and situational judgment, pre-employment aptitude tests often have even greater efficacy as a predictive tool the higher you move up the job ladder. The abilities that aptitude tests assess are well-suited for hiring employees who are, for instance, tasked with making independent decisions, coming up with big picture ideas, or managing others. While the abilities measured by aptitude tests are drivers of performance for almost any job, they tend to be less predictive for roles that involve a lot of repetition and routine than they are for jobs that require problem-solving and frequent decision-making.
While cognitive aptitude tests measure general intelligence, they are not the same as pure IQ tests. Cognitive aptitude tests measure many of the same things that IQ tests measure, but they also measure other abilities that are more specifically relevant to job performance. For example, cognitive aptitude tests often measure attention to detail, an ability that is nearly universally applicable to every type of job, but is less commonly associated with “pure intelligence.” These are the types of abilities that drive job performance because they’re so relevant to the day-to-day tasks of many employees. Ultimately by blending practical abilities with general aptitude, pre-employment cognitive aptitude tests are highly successful at identifying the candidates who are most likely to succeed in their positions.
