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What is a Revelian test?
A Revelian test is an online assessment from the Australian publisher that is now Criteria; Criteria acquired Revelian in 2020 and retired the name in 2022, though employers in Australia still use it. The range includes the game based Cognify cognitive assessment, about a 30 minute session of mini games, the Emotify emotional intelligence assessment at around 20 minutes, and traditional timed tests such as the cognitive ability test with 51 questions in 20 minutes.
| Test types | Cognitive ability, game-based cognitive and emotional intelligence, personality, skills |
|---|---|
| Format | Online, unsupervised; mix of games, timed multiple choice and untimed questionnaires |
| Typical time limit | Cognify: about 30 minutes; Emotify: about 20 minutes; cognitive test: 51 questions in 20 minutes |
| Used by | Australian employers and graduate schemes, now part of Criteria's global platform |
What is a Revelian test?
Revelian was the Australian psychometric test publisher that is now Criteria. Criteria acquired Revelian in 2020 and retired the brand in 2022, though many Australian employers still refer to the tests as Revelian. The tests give data-driven profiles of a candidate’s personality, abilities and attributes, helping recruiters identify the most suitable person for a role, particularly for graduate schemes.
Using Revelian tests gives structure to the assessment process and eliminates recruiter bias, allowing employers to gain an objective insight into the strengths of each candidate fairly.
Revelian was one of Australia’s most widely used psychometric providers, and its tests now reach a global market through Criteria’s platform.
Revelian test categories
The Revelian catalogue was made up of 14 individual tests, each focused on a specific skill or trait, and several live on under Criteria, most notably the game-based Cognify and Emotify. The employer decides which tests are relevant for the role, and candidates then complete the chosen combination.
The 14 tests are:
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1. Cognify. The candidate is presented with six mini-games to be completed within a 30-minute session. The results give a measure of cognitive ability.
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2. Emotify. A 20-minute test that requires the candidate to complete two interactive mini-games that measure emotional intelligence.
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3. 16 Personality Factors Questionnaire (16PF). An untimed test that takes around 30 minutes to complete. The candidate must answer 170 questions designed to reveal their characteristics and behaviour, how they interact with others and handle situations in the workplace.
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4. Abstract Reasoning Test. At 10 minutes in length and consisting of 32 questions, this test presents abstract information and conceptual problems that the candidate must solve by identifying patterns and relationships.
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5. Behaviour Profile. Reveals how a candidate interacts, communicates and behaves in the workplace. Consists of 24 questions to be answered in an untimed session.
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6. Cognitive Ability Assessment. This test presents 51 questions that assess the candidate’s cognitive ability.
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7. Emotional Intelligence (MSCEIT). Designed to assess the ability to read and understand emotions, this test takes around 40 minutes to complete and poses 141 questions.
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8. Numerical Reasoning Test. A 12-minute timed assessment presenting 25 questions that test understanding of numerical concepts and relationships.
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9. Skills Test. This 20–30 minute test assesses various skills to demonstrate where a candidate may need additional training within the role.
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10. Values Inventory. Ranking a series of 20 work-related values reveals whether the candidate shares the same cultural values as the employer.
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11. Verbal Reasoning Test. A short test that assesses the ability to use words to reason and understand a situation.
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12. Work Preferences Profile. The candidate must choose which they would prefer between two suggested tasks. This allows the employer to match the employees to suitable job roles.
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13. Work Reliability Scale. This test presents 54 different statements to which the candidate must choose whether they agree or disagree, revealing their levels of honesty and integrity.
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14. Work Safety Assessment. Available in a short or long form, with 49 or 77 questions respectively. The questions assess attitudes towards safety at work.
Revelian numerical reasoning test
The Revelian numerical reasoning test analyses the ability to solve problems using numerical information presented in graphs, charts or sets of data; an important skill in any role that involves working with numbers.
The test allows 12 minutes to answer 25 numerical reasoning questions. Most candidates do not manage to answer every question in the allotted time, so it is advisable to move through the test quickly, returning to questions you find difficult.
The numerical reasoning test is not a maths test. Instead, it assesses general aptitude so there are no real ways to ‘revise’.
However, it is still possible to prepare by taking practice tests under exam conditions and refreshing your knowledge of simple arithmetic and basic mathematical concepts such as percentages, averages and fractions.
Example question and answer:
Revelian verbal reasoning test
The Revelian verbal reasoning test assesses the candidate’s ability to solve problems and identify solutions using words. The questions typically take the format of a basic written statement followed by a set of multiple-choice answers. The participant can always work out the answer from the information provided.
Good comprehension and analysis of written text are crucial for most jobs, particularly technical roles involving written communication. This assessment is useful for testing a candidate’s understanding of a text, analysis of the content, and ability to draw a logical conclusion.
The test delivers 35 questions in 10 minutes. Many candidates do not manage to answer every question. For this reason, you are advised to move through the questions quickly, answering any questions you can and returning to the difficult ones at the end. There are no penalties for incorrect answers.
Example question and answer:
Revelian abstract reasoning test
The Revelian abstract reasoning test comprises 32 questions designed to test your ability to use abstract information to identify patterns and relationships to solve complex problems. The test has a time allowance of 10 minutes.
Although the concept of this test can seem daunting, the questions themselves are often simple when approached logically.
You will be presented with a set of images, pictures or patterns and asked to identify the one that doesn’t follow the same format as the others.
The best way to prepare for this type of assessment is to practice as much as possible to become familiar with the style of questions and examples of correct answers.
Example question and answer:
Revelian cognitive ability test [RCAT]
The Revelian cognitive ability test, or RCAT, assesses overall cognitive function to ensure you have the necessary fundamental ability to fulfil the criteria required for a job role. Specifically, critical thinking and reasoning are assessed through a series of questions divided into three parts: verbal, numerical and abstract reasoning.
This comprehensive test consists of 51 questions and gives employers a broad overview of ability.
Candidates have 20 minutes to complete the test and, in most cases, do not manage to answer all questions in the allotted time. For this reason, it is recommended you focus on answering the questions you find easiest and come back to the more difficult questions at the end.
Be aware that the questions do get progressively harder as the test goes on.
Example question and answer:
Revelian situational judgement tests
As well as aptitude tests, Revelian also provides a series of situational judgement tests: Behavioural Profile, Values Inventory and Work Reliability Scale. All three tests assess a candidate’s personality and behavioural traits. The results give an employer an idea of whether they feel that candidate is a good fit for their company.
The Behavioural Profile presents 24 questions that usually take around 10 minutes to answer, although the test has no time limit. Questions are based on the popular and highly accurate DISC system of psychometric testing and produce a detailed overview of how a person responds to stimuli in the workplace.
You may be presented with written groups of qualities or traits, and asked to circle the ones that best describe you.
The Values Inventory provides a measure of whether the values of the candidate and the job role are matched. You will be presented with a list of 20 job characteristics that you must place into order of importance. There are no right or wrong answers but your response will factor into the employers’ judgement of your suitability for the role.
The third of the personality tests is the Work Reliability Scale, which measures your attitudes and approach to workplace situations, often posing dilemmas to assess your honesty and integrity. You will be asked to give your opinion on a statement, using a response scale to indicate your answer.
Practise Revelian style tests
Revelian assessments draw on the test types below. Each link takes you to free practice questions in the same format, so you can get comfortable before the real thing:
