Wondering how to choose the best career? A career assessment test can help you get clarity. Here's how to choose the best career test for you.

One of the best ways to get clear on your future career is to complete a career assessment test. Yet, there are literally hundreds of career tests out there.

Is a career test the same as a career aptitude test? What about a career personality test? What is a psychometric test? This article will help you understand the differences decide which career test is best for you.

1. Career test vs. personality test

Is the career assessment quiz specifically designed to provide career guidance? Personality tests only tell you about your character traits whereas a career assessment gives specific career advice.

Of course, it helps to know whether you're an extrovert or an introvert and perceives by sensing or intuition. For instance, finding out that you're an introvert might help you decide to choose a data analyst job, which is a good career for introverts.

On the other hand, cabin crew jobs would require a more extroverted personality type. Personality tests such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Enneagram are quite useful as background information.

Making the leap from simple awareness of your personality type to specific career strategies is very difficult, however. If you want a new job or career, it's better to take an assessment that is specifically geared to providing career guidance.

You can also do a psychometric test before you apply for a job, as employers use these psychological assessment tools to screen job applicants for suitability.

2. Specific vs. general

Does the career assessment give concrete recommendations that you can use immediately rather than vague observations that are open to interpretation and not actionable?

Aside from the change itself, the hardest part of changing careers is narrowing down your choices. But if you don't get specific, you won't be able to take action. A good assessment should not be general like the astrological horoscopes in the newspaper.

3. Motivation rules

Do the tests for career assessment also measure motivation? Motivation is a far better career indicator than skill or personality because what you like to do is what you WILL do and what you will get very good at (if you aren't already).

Why force a square peg into a round hole? When you base your decisions on what motivates you, you'll probably feel much more fulfilled, and be much more successful, too.

4. Is it reliable?

A good career assessment quiz should include hard data, as well as sufficient detail and explanation to help you interpret the results.

Is the career assessment scientifically valid? An effective career assessment should have high predictive reliability. Such things can be measured statistically. Anything over 95% is quite good.

Statistical validity is important for a number of reasons. Obviously, you want to feel that the assessment provides an accurate picture of what motivates you and you don't want to be misled by grossly inaccurate results.

But another point is that when the results of your career assessment are believable this provides a boost to your self-confidence. Remember that ultimately it's up to you to decide whether a set of results makes sense or not. However, it helps to use a highly reliable assessment.

5. Will it help you achieve your career aspirations?

Are additional tools available to help you take your results and develop a clear career roadmap for yourself? A lot of people take a free career quiz and get brilliant insights.

Unfortunately, many of them are never able to turn their insights into results. What's needed is a support infrastructure of materials and people to help you apply your results over time so you can achieve your career aspirations.

6. Does it give quick results?

Even in the internet age, there still are a lot of tests that you can only take on paper. It takes 30 minutes or even over an hour to take the test. Then you have to wait while the test is scored and processed.

You may only get your results after several days or weeks. Personally, I prefer a free career test that I can take online and that give me my results immediately. A career test is just a tool and just one step on your career change journey.

Nonetheless, it's worth spending some time to understand what types of tests are available and which is best for you. Just remember that even the best career quiz is only a tool to offer guidance. Ultimately, it's up to you to take charge of your own career.

So where can you find an online career aptitude test free? This 60-question free career quiz will give you a career report with tips to help you find your dream job.

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