Career aptitude tests are a great way for individuals to better understand what jobs fit their interests, personality, and skills. There are many types of these tests available, and each measures a different factor that can affect your career choice and overall job satisfaction. Taking these assessments can help you determine the next steps in your professional path.
Recommended
In this article, we discuss career aptitude tests and explore the different types of tests available, plus we list eight free career aptitude tests for adults, including what you can expect from each one.
What is a career aptitude test?
A career aptitude test is an assessment that provides career suggestions based on your personality, skills, interests, and values. Whether you’re entering the workforce or are curious about what a career change may look like for you, these tests can provide useful insights into the kinds of jobs that would best suit you. They can also help you learn about the type of work environment you’d do best in and whether you’d excel in a more people-oriented or individual-based career.
Self-awareness is essential for personal career satisfaction. Take advantage of assessment resources to learn more about yourself and your natural preferences. Yet, keep in mind that no one tool can fully assess your unique character. Instead, enjoy learning about you, then glean the key themes and recommendations and leverage them in your decision making.
Carolynn Bruce, SHRM-SCP
Types of Career Aptitude Tests
It’s best to take multiple career aptitude tests to get a fuller idea of the jobs in which you’d likely do well. Here are a few of the tests you may find:
Personality tests
These tests base their results on your unique personality. For example, how you make decisions and how well you work under pressure are all components of your personality. These factors might influence the type of career you may enjoy.
Skills
Aptitude tests that evaluate your skills can help you identify vocations that are ideal for your unique skill set. They might measure skills such as problem-solving, attention to detail, and communication. For example, if you’re an exceptional writer, a test may suggest looking for a job that involves producing content for a website or writing books for children.
Values
Understanding your values can be helpful when determining which career you want to pursue. A career test based on your values may suggest that you consider jobs that align with both your personal and professional values. It may also help you find a role that motivates you in the workplace.
Interests
Many people find they do best in a job that relates to their unique interests. For example, if you’re interested in animals, a career as a veterinarian may be a great fit for you. Career aptitude tests that analyze your interests can provide you with suggestions for jobs suited to your interests.
8 free career aptitude tests for adults
There are several career aptitude tests that you can take on the internet. Many of these tests are free and only require a short amount of time to complete.
Assessments can provide a starting point of careers to explore. Keep your options open and create the career that best aligns with your talents and natural abilities.
—Carolynn Bruce, SHRM-SCP
Here are eight career aptitude tests to explore:
1. 123 Career Test
The 123 Career Test is a simple and easy-to-use career aptitude test that helps identify careers that best match your personality. It also suggests which work environments would best suit your particular needs. This test requires you to select “yes” or “no” based on your preferences for various pictures of people performing work-related tasks. Then, it suggests careers based on your results.
2. O*NET Interest Profiler
This test, which the United States Department of Labor supports, provides career suggestions based on your interest tendencies. The tendencies used in this test include investigative, social, enterprising, artistic, conventional, and realistic. For the O*NET Interest Profiler, you provide answers to 60 questions in which you rate various work activities from “strongly dislike” to “strongly like.”
3. Keirsey Temperament Sorter
The Keirsey Temperament Sorter helps identify your temperament within the work environment and your personality type. Based on your results, this test labels your personality as either guardian, artisan, rational or idealist. It provides you with a description of your temperament and personality profile, with the option to pay for a complete report.
4. The Princeton Review Career Quiz
This career aptitude test offers career suggestions based on your style and interests as they relate to the workforce. It has 24 questions that ask you to choose between two work-related options. At the end of the quiz, you receive a color based on your results. You then receive a list of potential careers best suited to people in your color group.
5. TestColor
In this test, you complete a two-part selection process in which you choose various colors. Based on the colors you select, the test gives you an initial analysis of your personality and career aptitude. You have the option to purchase a more in-depth analysis of your results and further career suggestions based on them.
6. Humanmetrics
Humanmetrics combines methods from the Typology Central Jung Personality Test and the Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator. This career aptitude test rates your personality based on both scales. It then provides you with various suggestions for your career, personal development, and other business-related assessments.
7. PathSource
PathSource is an app for your mobile device that provides you with career options based on your personality and interests. It also provides an extensive database of jobs based on academic achievements, such as different types of degrees. In addition, you can research colleges based on various factors, such as financial aid and the majors offered.
8. MAPP Career Test
The Motivational Appraisal of Personal Potential (MAPP) Career Test is an assessment that provides career suggestions based on your personality. It also helps you determine what your career motivations are and the top vocational categories in which you’re likely to excel. This test takes about 22 minutes to complete.
I hope you find this article helpful.
