Generally speaking, error checking tests evaluate your ability to compare a string of figures or numbers and work out which of the options offered is the best match relative to the question posed. Error checking tests are conducted under severe time constraints. A typical test will give you 20 seconds per question. Therefore, without an understanding of how they work, what they look like and how to answer them quickly, you will not be able to do yourself justice. With proper practice, you will be able to achieve a much better score result. Practice does not mean years or even months. In fact you could improve your test performance in a matter of weeks, if not days, so it is well worth putting in a little bit of effort beforehand.
Is an Error Checking Test an Aptitude Test?
Error checking tests are commonly (and perhaps, mistakenly) categorised as an aptitude test (the latter referring to a candidate’s ability to easily detect errors in complex data sets). However, practice shows that anyone can rapidly improve their error (data) checking skills by understanding types of data strings, errors, and through practice. Therefore, labelling it as an aptitude test is questionable; it is better to think of them as tests of ability.
Success in error checking tests is about being able to identify abnormalities quickly.
Practice Makes Perfect
Since an error checking test is not really an aptitude test, it is possible to improve your performance much more quickly than you would for a numerical or logical reasoning test. Aptitude test tutorials, or ‘aptutorials’, can be used to achieve this goal. The best way to prepare is to use a combination of tutorials and practice tests.
What Is a Data Checking Test?
A data checking test is very similar to an error checking test, though there are some slight differences. One key difference is that you have less data to work with. As such, the data checking test is a more simple form of the error checking test, with fewer items to check through. For example, you may be given a table containing many alpha-numeric strings and have to compare them to one string that you have been given. You will then have to identify the correct match from the table of strings.
Who Takes Error Checking Tests?
Error checking tests are used by employers for applications in a variety of roles, including::
Administrative staff in the private and public sector Commercial sales Marketing Business development and financial services Call centre operations Education Health Hospitality and leisure Operational staff in engineering, construction, manufacturing and transport
Kenexa-Style Error Checking Test
In this type of test, you will be provided with two sets (or lists) of data strings to compare such as codes, currency values, credit card numbers, dates, car licence numbers, etc. For each given string of data, you should say whether the two sets contain the same or different items. An example is provided below:
