The Psychometrics Cafe'

When a client asks you to process psychometric test data for their employees, and pay you for this service, there may be tendency for the client to assume that the data belongs to them. However, this is not the case. Psychometric test data belongs to the test user/participant as the data has been construed from them, and it is about them

Besides the above, psychometric test data is referred to as 'special category' data, because it provides information about a persons health. Specifically, it comments on a persons intellectual and emotional capacity. In view of this, greater protection is required when handling such sensitive data, as it could cause harm to test takers/psychometricians. 

If you are a user of psychometric tests, this week's The Psychometric Cafe' is likely to be of interest to you. We will be exploring the UK GDPR position and advice on psychometric test data, and the Personal Data Directorate also.  Our resident psychometrician Dr Michelle Hunter-Hill will be taking questions on the sensitivity of such data, and ethical considerations such as 'consent' and 'withdrawal' in relation to testing.

Dr Michelle Hunter-Hill is a Chartered Psychologist and Scientist who has been delivering training in psychometric training (BPS Test User) qualifications for over a decade in the UK and Middle East. She has trained hundreds of practitioners. Beyond this, Dr Michelle provides additional support to all qualified practitioners, as she runs The Psychometric Café’. Dr Michelle designs and delivers assessments and interventions to identify and develop talent internationally, namely in the UK and UAE.

How will you know whether the candidates you have selected will be a good fit for the job? What can you do to improve the way that candidates are selected? Psychometric profiles of a candidates ability, personality, and occupational interests are underestimated in terms of the value and time-saving benefits they can bring to the table.  

If you are a user of psychometric tests, this week's The Psychometric Cafe' is likely to be of interest to you. We will be examining profiles and discussing what they mean, including the value of these.  Our resident psychometrician Dr Michelle Hunter-Hill will be examining the topic of reading and making sense of psychometric profiles for making selection decisions.

Join us on Thursday 21st September 2023. Use the QR code to join. 

Dr Michelle Hunter-Hill is a Chartered Psychologist and Scientist who has been delivering training in psychometric training (BPS Test User) qualifications for over a decade in the UK and Middle East. She has trained hundreds of practitioners. Beyond this, Dr Michelle provides additional support to all qualified practitioners, as she runs The Psychometric Café’. Dr Michelle designs and delivers assessments and interventions to identify and develop talent internationally, namely in the UK and UAE.

Despite the many benefits associated with using psychometric tests, 'objectivity' being a main one, some are still not convinced that it is without flaws. This includes the validity and reliability of the test, that some tests may have adverse impact on certain groups, and that users of such tests should be fully trained and qualified. Beyond these factors is the major issue concerned that some test takers admit, and have been found to fake results.  This presents a major problem because psychometric tests are predominately considered a robust and scientific method for selecting suitable candidates for roles.

The topic of discussion at this week's Cafe' will focus on examining evidence to assess whether psychometric testing is STILL fit for purpose.  The discussion will be lead by Dr Michelle Hunter-Hill, and responded to by our special guest Dr Lakshmi Chandrasekaran. Dr Lakshmi Chandraskaran will present her research on ways to reduce faking in psychometric testing. She is a people science and talent management, organisational psychologist from Dubai. Currently she works with Mercer, and has worked for YSC (UK) and Accenture.  Perhaps you have a perspective to contribute that is based on empirical findings or professional practice. Please join us - use the link provided to book your place. 

Lakshmi is a People Science and Talent Management Consultant at Mercer based out of the Dubai office and serving the MENAT region. She is an Organizational Psychologist with over 5 years of experience in psychometrics, data management, building employee potential, employee engagement, organizational well-being and productivity.   

Do you know who your hi-potential employees are? According to Harvard Business Review these high-potential employees account for on average 5% of each company's workforce. Despite this, in line with the Pareto's Principle or "80-20" rule ther are many advantages of being able to identify these individuals as they promise greater retun on investments.

The topic of discussion at this week's Cafe' will focus on psychological assessments used to assess talent: potential and performance. Katie Page and Faiqa Ali  will present the 9-Box Grid assessment. Dr Michelle Hunter-Hill will discuss high-potential based assessments/tests. You may find this article on the topic interesting also: https://hbr.org/2017/10/what-science-says-about-identifying-high-potential-employees

• Practical dillemmas 
• Psychometric tests and measures
• New research in testing, assessment, and coaching
• test administration
• delivering oral feedback sessions
• reliability and validity
• ethical dilemmas
• test reviews and specific tests
• scoring and interpreting profiles
• choosing psychometric tests