British Psychological Society

The BPS Occupational Psychologists Division provides lots of useful information. It publishes annual directories, which include reviews of all the major personality tests and aptitude tests currently being used. These books are expensive, but they may be available at some university libraries and good reference libraries. Test reviews are currently being put on to the society’s new psychological testing website (www.psychtesting.org.uk). The test reviews are helpful for employers who are considering using aptitude and personality tests in their selection processes.

The BPS also produces a booklet called Psychological Testing – a test taker’s guide. This includes information on testing in all settings, with sections on occupational testing, information about preparing for tests, obtaining results and codes of practice for both test users and test takers.

British Institute of Graphologists

Provides information on all aspects of handwriting analysis. It offers advice to employers who are considering using graphology and also to anyone who wishes to obtain an analysis of their own handwriting to find out what sort of profile it produces.

The Disability Rights Commission

Provides information on employment and the Disability Discrimination Act.

Royal National Institute for the Blind

Can help employers to choose fair and appropriate selection methods, and also works with some test developers and publishers to look at alternative ways of presenting test material.

The Dyslexia Institute

Advises on any issues connected with dyslexia.

University careers services

Many university careers services run practice test sessions for current and recent graduates. Some may charge for this service, especially past graduates, but this is not likely to be as expensive as having tests done privately. It is certainly worth following up if you are currently a student or have graduated within the past two years.

The Prospects website

The website at www.prospects.ac.uk contains a very useful section on psychometric testing. You can only access this site through a password system since it is geared to current and recent graduates, but it is well worth using if you are entitled to do so. The psychometric testing section has information about the Saville and Holdsworth GAP series, the MBTI, the OPQ, the Civil Service selection test and some tests set by individual employers.

The Fulbright Commission

The organisation that administers the GMAT tests in the UK. Although these tests are designed for people who wish to study in the USA, the practice material may be of some interest. You can purchase practice books and CD-roms from the Fulbright Commission in London.

Test publishers

All have their own websites and these contain a range of valuable information, including advice for employers about which tests may suit which situations. Websites develop all the time, so check them all for information on helplines, advice to candidates and sample practice material.