This is it, You’ve submitted your best CV that begins with a golden personal statement. You hit ‘Submit’ and send it off. A few days later, you get this email:

"Congratulations! You’ve been shortlisted. Please complete the aptitude test as the next step in our process."

You’re confused..

What the heck is an aptitude test?
What types are there?
What are they testing in your application?

Don’t worry - we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll explore these popular tests that help employers understand how you work.

What Are Aptitude Tests?

An aptitude test is a type of online test that is completed by a candidate under timed conditions during an application. They test you on a range of topics, such as:

Numerical reasoning
Verbal reasoning
Logical reasoning
Situational judgement

Think of them as a way for employers to predict your potential—not just what you know, but how you think and how quickly you can learn new skills.

Depending on the industry, you may have different aptitude tests. For example, applying to an engineering apprenticeship often means you need to do a mechanical aptitude test.

Why Do Employers Use Aptitude Tests?

Employers receive hundreds of applications for degree apprenticeships. They need a quick way to shortlist candidates and to understand their working style.

How They Affect Your Application:

Aptitude tests make or break your chance of making it to the next application stage
Some employers require you to pass a certain level in the aptitude test to progress
Even if your grades are perfect, you can redeem yourself by performing well on aptitude tests

Below, we'll give you the top 4 most common aptitude tests, and examples of how questions might look.

The 4 Types of Aptitude Tests You’ll Encounter

1. Numerical Reasoning

Numerical reasoning tests are pretty similar to doing maths in school. Expect questions on graphs, ratios, percentages and basic operations like adding and multiplying.

Pro Tip: Practice using many of the free resources online under timed conditions to mimic the real thing

2. Verbal Reasoning

This type of test looks at how well you can work with written information. Expect questions on things like grammar and spelling of different text examples.

Pro Tip: Read questions carefully, and make sure you study any texts. Try to stay calm and don’t overthink.

3. Logical Reasoning

These tests assess your ability to spot patterns and think critically. You’ll often see sets of shapes or numbers and be asked to identify the next one in the sequence.

Pro Tip: Practice pattern-recognition puzzles to sharpen your skills.

4. Situational Judgment Tests (SJTs)

These tests look at what you’d do in real life scenarios at work. These questions may be based around a problem that arises at work, or how you’d work alongside others in a team. Most of the time, questions are multiple choice.

Pro Tip: Always focus on teamwork, respect and problem solving in your answers

How to Prepare for Aptitude Tests Like a Pro Applicant

Check out some of our tips for peak preparation.

1. Practice Makes Perfect

No, seriously. The key to passing these tests in a breeze is to practice them as much as possible. That way, you’ll have the best chance of knowing what to expect.

Pro tip: The most important thing is to practice these tests under timed conditions. That way, you’ll be less stressed about the real thing when you've got limited time to answer.

2. Focus on Your Weak Spots

Struggle with percentages? Spend extra time on numerical reasoning and get confident so you don’t flunk in the real thing.
Not confident in logical reasoning? Practice real mock tests online and focus on solving puzzles.

3. Manage Test-Day Nerves

Get a good night’s sleep and eat a light meal before starting so you have energy.
Read the instructions carefully before diving into the questions. Give yourself the best possible chance!

4. Remember: It’s Not About Perfection

You don’t need a perfect score to succeed—just try your best to reflect your skills on each type of test.

Make sure you keep an eye on the time, so you don't cut yourself short on each question!
Make sure you understand the question before answering!

Why Aptitude Tests Matter for Degree Apprenticeships

Aptitude tests speed up the application process for employers. Job hiring is expensive, and most recruiters don't have the time to shortlist hundreds of applicants themselves. They also want to find candidates who:

Can think on their feet quickly.
Have the potential to succeed in their role and industry.
Are willing to put in the extra effort to succeed.

But don’t stress! With the right preparation and effort, you can easily pass your aptitude tests and succeed onto the next stage of your degree apprenticeship application.

Your Next Steps

We get it. Aptitude tests can be scary, not just because they make or break your chances of success, but they are also timed tests. The key to passing these tests is lots of practice, as well as fine-tuning your skills. Master these, and you should have them in the bag!

You’ve got this! 😊

👉 Uncover our reasons for why you've been rejected from assessment centres, and how to fix them!

👉 Be different from the competition by using our tips on how to stand out as a degree apprenticeship candidate!

👉 Rejected? Read our guide on how to turn this rejection into degree apprenticeship success!