Cubiks Assessments

PAPI personality assessments

The PAPI (Personality and Preferences Index) is a personality questionnaire created to assess how a candidate behaves and performs in a working environment.

This allows the recruiter to understand more about the personality of the test taker and discover their strengths and weaknesses – either to assess them against other candidates, or to provide a baseline for Continuous Professional Development.

PAPI N test

The PAPI N (Personality and Preferences Index Normative) is usually used as part of a pre-employment screening process. The questions are presented as statements and the candidate must rate them according to how much they agree or disagree.

There are no right or wrong answers, so it is important that these questions are answered based on the way the candidate believes they behave at work.

As part of a recruitment process, the answers will be compared against a control group to highlight the candidates that are most suitable for the role in terms of personality and work preferences.

The PAPI N test is untimed, but usually takes 25–30 minutes to complete.

Source: https://practicetests.cubiks.com/

Answer: As this is a personality test, there is no correct answer.

PAPI I test

The PAPI I (Personality and Preferences Index Ipsative) test assesses the candidates preferences and personality at work, using three statements about behaviour. These statements allow the candidates to select the ones that are most like and least like their personality at work.

In a similar way to the PAPI N test, there are no right or wrong answers. It is untimed, but usually takes 30–35 minutes to complete.

The PAPI I test results are not used to compare to others; instead, they are used to help form a development and training plan as part of the employee’s Continuous Professional Development.

Source: https://practicetests.cubiks.com/

Answer: As this is a personality test, there is no correct answer.

Situational judgement tests

Situational judgement tests assess a candidate’s suitability for a role based on their decision-making skills. A work-based scenario is presented with several options for a suitable course of action; the candidate must choose what they would do in that particular situation.

In the Cubiks SJT, a brief description of a scenario is presented, along with possible actions. The candidate must select the next steps, based on their effectiveness at dealing with the situation in the best way.

For a candidate, this is a great way to demonstrate their problem-solving and leadership skills, as well as getting some insight into the role they are applying for.

The Cubiks SJT is a simply presented online assessment suitable for many roles in an organisation, from supervisory to upper management.

Source: https://practicetests.cubiks.com/

Answer: In the same way as the PAPI tests, the Cubiks SJT does not have a right or a wrong answer - it depends very much on your own problem-solving methods.

Which employers use Cubiks tests?

In the UK, the National Audit Office is an independent group that audits the government and parliamentary agencies. It uses the Cubiks test battery to assess candidates before interview, and as part of its graduate recruitment scheme.

Shell uses various Cubiks tests to screen candidates during the recruitment process as well as to develop employees in role. KPMG relies on Cubiks tests to help screen potential job candidates.

Other well known employers that use Cubiks tests include:

• Audi
• BMW
• Deutsche Bank
• NHS
• EY
• Scania
• Arcadis
• DHL

How to prepare For Cubiks tests

Because the Cubiks test batteries do not require any formal knowledge or training, there is no need to have extensive knowledge beforehand.

The day of your online Cubiks assessment, be sure to have had a good night’s sleep and a decent breakfast to set you up well for the test.

Find a quiet space where you are unlikely to be disturbed, and leave yourself plenty of time to complete the assessments in case there are any problems – such as with your internet connection, for example.

Bear in mind that you are being assessed on your abilities, innate knowledge and personality during Cubiks tests.

How to pass Cubiks tests (5 key tips)

1. Practice

Although you might have taken similar tests in the past, practicing Cubiks assessments will help to make sure that you are as prepared as you can be on the day. Familiarity with the question style and assessment structure will give you confidence to answer the questions quickly and accurately. Try out a free Cubiks practice test here.

Where some assessments might ask for a single answer, others (like the PAPI) might ask you to rate or rank more than one.

2. Make sure you are prepared

Alongside the preparation tips above, make sure that when you sit down to complete the test you have everything you need. This might include a notepad and pen, a calculator, or even just a drink.

Minimising distractions during the test will help keep you focused so you can perform at your best.

3. Read the information provided

There are no ‘trick’ questions in the Cubiks tests, and all the information you need to find the answers are available in the instructions and in the provided information. Take time to ensure that you read the instructions thoroughly, so that you can answer in the right way.

4. Be quick but do not rush

Some of the Cubiks tests, like the Logiks, are timed. You need to be aware of the time you are taking answering the questions – so if one seems particularly tricky, leave it and come back to it at the end if you have time.

While working quickly through the Logiks questions is a good idea, you do need to be sure that you are giving yourself enough time to read and absorb the given information before answering.

5. Use the questions to help you

As previously mentioned, the information you need to answer correctly is provided – you just need to find it. It might be in a table or graph as part of the numerical test, or written in a block of text on a verbal test, but it will be there.

Use the questions, statements and any other given information to help you throughout the process.