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They will set it up in a location close to your proximity. It's all on the computer, but you do get pencil, paper and calculator.
Took it last spring. There is not much you can do to prepare, but I recommend this website (http://www.psychometric-success.com/). Based on MY experience, I would focus on the abstract reasoning, data interpretation and spatial ability sections of the website. The other parts of the test were reading comprehension and a set of 100 personality questions.
Reading comprehension you should be familiar with, and the personality questions should be easy to answer. You know what type of person they are looking for, so you can either fudge your answers or be honest. If you're going to fudge, make sure to be consistent because the questions essentially repeat themselves 4 or 5 times, just with different wording.
good answer concealed. it's basically an IQ test. there is some time pressure. you can't really prepare but just do the normal pre-test taking thing (sleep, eat well, etc)
definitely fudge the personality section but be careful because it basically asks the same 2 questions in 50 different ways each.
completely unaware of this psychometrics exam...can someone give slight elaboration as to why you'd want to/need to take it? as some sort of entrance exam to grad school (never heard of it but who knows)
you only take this as part of the interview process for macquarie, no other reason. you have no choice if you want to work there (I don't but have taken the test). the firm just wants a base level of intelligence in all of its employees i guess. i know they use it to weed out candidates. not really sure beyond that.
I don't know why they ask for the test, all I know is that I've got to take it next week !
So what was the outcome for you ponzi ?
i made it past the test stage but didn't get an offer after final round
Moi aussi.
The test is easy, I passed it and got an offer. The personality section is just annoying and long. Sets of 4 items pick most and least, as long as you are consistent they don't really care. Use the practice test they give you just to know what its like and it'll go easily.
guy above is right, just be consistent. the other abilities section just keep a watch out for time.
Consistency is definitely important for the personality test. Don't rush yourself, the personality test isn't timed.
With the abstract reasoning, make sure you work quickly, but get the first 20 questions or so right even if you don't end up finishing it. (from memory it was 30 questions for that section?) I personally ran out of time with about 8 questions left in that section and still got invited to the final interview (and eventually got the offer)
The numerical testing is just reading charts and graphs and picking up the trends, calculating the % changes, etc. Basic stuff you should be familiar with if you're interested in banking.
The verbal test requires you to read a passage and answer a few questions based on it. Make sure you read it carefully, scrutinizing how the words are used in the sentence.
The final part (after the personality test) is a sales type questionnaire. It asks you things like "if you had to sell a new product what % of your sales would come from people you know?" "would you sell a product which you did not personally find useful, if it was required of your job?" etc. Obviously they're looking at how your personality fits with the pitching/selling requirements of the job.
Look for any decent psychometric testing prep book at a bookstore (or possibly a careers centre), I found it reasonably helpful.
I've written quite a few of these tests over the years throughout my intern job search + FT job search processes
Standard Chartered (Passed) HSBC (Passed 2x, Failed 1st time during freshman year--Had no idea what the heck it was and ran out of time) Macquarie (Passed) RBC (Passed) CLSA (Passed)
The verbal and numerical parts are fairly easy. If you can't do them.. you probably shouldn't be in banking. Abstract I found much harder. Especially with the time limits.
Once I got this super-weird puzzle where I had to decipher the codes on library books. Not so fun.
Just buy a book off Amazon.com on psychmetric tests if you are worried...
Macquarie testing is fairly standard with other banks
they end up comparing you to the Macquarie employee population to see whether you are above avg, avg or below avg
Macquarie Psychometric Assessment (Originally Posted: 10/07/2008)
I have a few questions on this, hopefully someone here who has taken the Macquarie Psychometric Assessment or someone who works at the company can answer: 1. Do you meet and interview with employees, or is it just a 4 hour test? 2. Are you supposed to wear a full suit (it says to "dress comfortably")
Any other insight would be appreciated. Thanks.
http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/macquarie-interviews-130-131 http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/macquarie-capital-usa-interviews http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/mck-prob-solv-test http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/macquarie-1 http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/macquarie-bank
I can't answer your questions, but there might be something in one of those posts that will help you.
Its just a simple test that doesn't last nearly that long unless you are mentally handicapped. The only person you will see is the HR person who logs you into the test.
Do what they tell you and dress comfortably.
They give you a sample test online, take it so you at least know what to expect.
I did the test last yr, assuming it hasn't changed. It was really just like PowerMonkey said. You meet HR, quick info, they log you on, broken into 3 or 4 components, with breaks in between.
You can dress comfortably or a little more formal, not a big deal.
Thanks guys, and I did look through the forums before posting. To be sure, business casual then will be acceptable?
i've seen someone rock up in boardshorts and thongs
you'll be fine
they're australian -- board shorts are actually recommended.
Actually, I took the test last year -- Khaki pants and a polo. Made it to the final round. The test takes 2 hours if you're smart.
Bump
Macquarie psychometric test (Originally Posted: 02/25/2010)
Any idea how long it takes to hear back from them after taking the psychometric test? Has anyone been rejected after the test?
Heard back within hours. Dominate and you're good. Don't and who knows?
Took 2 days for me. Yes I know someone who was rejected after the test, but it might have been because of his first round interview...
Was the first round before the psych test? And did the person get rejected because the psychometric test results were inconsistent with the personality he conveyed during his first round interview or was it because his scores were poor? Thanks
thanks for the info astonmartin. was this for ny?
^yes
the test was easier than the SATs lol
Mine took a week and a half to get back but I passed lol. Proud to say I dominated the circle/square/next shape crap.
Test is normally after the first or second interview (depends on how many interviewed are planned).
Rejection is normally based on candidate crapping out in some area needed for their job eg analyst IB candidate craps out on the quantitative or has shocking comprehension.
Usual practice I've seen is binary - HR comes back either thumbs up or down. If we're curious or the recruit is coming into our team, we can look at the results. No one focuses on them that much beyond that.
How many more rounds of interviews should a candidate expect after having gone through 3 rounds before taking the assessment for a lateral move?
For banking or for research?
(Yes, I do see you posted on IB forum but just making sure)
Is this the test where they show you four squares and ask which one does not belong? I got dinged after that test.
x
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