The engineering placement season is near and many 3rd-year students have already started prepping to get placed in their dream companies. The campus recruitment process is a must-know before you sit for any company. A pre-knowledge about the process can help you understand the expectations of the company which can further prepare you in that direction.

Here is what an overall recruitment process looks like

In this article, we will focus on the first stage of a campus recruitment process flowchart i.e. the Aptitude Test.

What is an Aptitude Test?

In general, aptitude means the ability to perform a certain task with success. An aptitude test can also be called a psychometric test which encompasses everything from skills and knowledge to personality traits, abilities, attitude and professionalism. All companies go with their set of assessment tests but your question is, what is an aptitude test for engineering placements?

will more or less include the following types of aptitude tests:

1. Quantitative Aptitude
2. Verbal Ability
3. Logical Reasoning
4. Technical Aptitude Test

Some other forms of Psychometric Tests are:

1. Behavioural Test
2. Versant Test
3. Essay Writing Test
4. Video Synthesis Test
5. Group Discussions
6. JAM Session

Not all companies that come for engineering placements include the above psychometric test but to give an example Deloitte conducts the Versant Test which is a test conducted via IVR to test English speaking, pronouncing, analyzing and reading skills. Capgemini conducts an essay writing test to test the English communication capabilities, and MuSigma conducts behavioural tests, and video synthesis during their campus placements. However, all companies conduct tests for Quantitative Aptitude, Verbal Ability, Logical Reasoning, and Technical Aptitude. These can be conducted in a single test or can be divided into 2 rounds as well. Let’s undergo each section separately,

Click here to learn more about FACE Prep PRO

WHAT IS QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE?

This assessment is number-based. Mathematics is crucial in everyday life and in almost all professions which makes it an essential criterion to assess any candidate. The topics come mostly from your high school mathematics class and can be solved if one is strong in the basics. It tests your knowledge of basic math aptitude for employment. The test is a multiple-choice type and approximately 1 minute is given per question.

Click here to learn more about FACE Prep PRO

WHAT IS VERBAL ABILITY?

Verbal ability tests are based on language to see how efficiently a candidate can read and analyze and also understand logically. The questions that come in this section measure everything from vocabulary to text analysis, and grammar. The questions may require basic reading comprehension and the ability to draw conclusions based on the information provided. This section is also a multiple-choice test. If you are strong in your basic English, then a little practice will make you competent in

this Verbal Test.

WHAT IS LOGICAL REASONING?

In these types of tests, a logical conclusion has to be drawn from the given information. The information presented in the question may be anything – pattern, shape, statements, blood relations, and words. It needs the use of logic and accuracy to complete these types of tests and generally come in the form of multiple choice questions.

WHAT IS TECHNICAL APTITUDE TEST?

A Technical aptitude test will check your technical competency in the area of your study. To clear this test successfully, you should be in touch with your Engineering subjects. Software Engineering companies that visit for engineering placements mostly ask questions from IT and programming. The topics range from Data Structures, Algorithms, OOPs with JAVA and basic coding abilities. This test is also a multiple-choice type.

HOW DO YOU START APTITUDE PREPARATION?

Let us get back to our question, how to prepare for aptitude tests for software companies? Now each of these sections demands its own time to be learned and practised. Here are some ideas on how to start aptitude preparation:

1. Research the companies and note down the important topics for placements that come in all types of aptitude tests. The topics in all companies will more or less be the same.
2. How to start aptitude preparation? – start by brushing up on the basics of each topic. You can use placement preparation sites for this purpose.
3. After your basics have improved, get ready to solve questions. Start from the basic level and gradually move to advanced-level questions.
4. Once you are confident with your question-solving abilities, start practising time management by giving mock tests. The mock test is held within a time frame and helps students increase their speed while solving the questions.
5. Review your mock test scores and find out the weak points – improve upon them by practising more and more questions.
6. You can save time knowing some of the aptitude test tips and tricks.
7. Research on what is a good score in an aptitude test. You should always aim to get 80% of your answers correct in all types of aptitude tests.