HiPeople’s Dr. Jantje H. de Vries on Cognitive Ability Assessment

What do we mean when we talk about cognitive ability?

Cognitive ability is a very general mental capability that, among other things, involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn from experience. 

A more scientific definition is: Cognitive abilities capture ways in which ‘individuals differ from one another in their ability to understand complex ideas, to adapt effectively to the environment, to learn from experience, to engage in various forms of reasoning, to overcome obstacles by thinking’.

At HiPeople, we provide three different modules which assess cognitive abilities

Every module is timed and takes around 10 minutes to complete.

1. Numerical Reasoning

A numerical reasoning test measures the candidate’s ability to solve problems with numbers. Numerical reasoning is part of a person’s fluid intelligence which implies solving unfamiliar problems. This performance does not depend on prior learning, but rather on abstract reasoning.

2. Problem Solving 

This test is about deriving a conclusion from formal premises by a valid process of reasoning (= deduction). It uses linear syllogisms to measure the deductive reasoning ability of a candidate, which is one of the predictors of intelligence.

3. Logical Thinking 

We assess logical thinking with figural analogies which measure inductive reasoning of a person. Inductive reasoning describes the form of reasoning in which inferences and general principles are drawn from specific observations and cases. Inductive reasoning is a cornerstone of the scientific method in that it underlies the process of developing hypotheses from particular facts and observations. Logical thinking assessments have been found in studies to be one of the best predictors of work performance.

Quality of Cognitive Ability Assessment

All of our cognitive ability assessments are benchmarked against hundreds of participants globally. We update our modules constantly while every module is timed and includes an introduction on how to perform the assessment. If you want to learn more about our quality measures and benchmarks don’t hesitate to have a look at our assessment library!

When should I use a cognitive ability assessment?

You can use the cognitive ability assessment at any stage of the hiring process but it may be most relevant in an early stage when getting to know the candidate.

For what kind of jobs should I use the numerical reasoning assessment?

Any role that involves the ability to use logic, creativity, and analytical skills to assess and respond to complex situations. This includes but is not limited to job roles like finance and accountants, administrative assistants, consultants, and researchers. 

We wish you success using HiPeople cognitive ability modules to hire the best talent. 

Happy hiring!

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