Photo: Victor Schrager
We asked the Johnson O'Connor Research Foundation to adapt career five aptitude tests for you to try at home—no props or proctors necessary.
Instructions: Download each of the tests listed below. Once you've completed a test, go to Page 2 to find out how you did—and what your results mean.
Test #1: Step by Step
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What it measures: Concept organization, or the ability to break down complicated ideas and make them more easily understood.
Jobs that require this skill: Engineers, computer programmers, editors.
Test #2: Three of a Kind
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What it measures: Inductive reasoning, which means you can quickly see a common element among seemingly unrelated ideas.
Jobs that require this skill: Research scientists, police detectives, lawyers.
Test #3: Paper Folding
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What it measures: Structural visualization, or how well you can picture three-dimensional objects in your mind.
Jobs that require this skill: Engineers, architects, physicians.
Test #4: Number Series
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What it measures: Numerical reasoning, or the ability to decipher numerical patterns and concepts.
Jobs that require this skill: Economists, financial analysts, accountants.
Test #5: What Comes to Mind?
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What it measures: Foresight, or the ability to imagine lots of possibilities—and anticipate potential problems.
Jobs that require this skill: Politicians, entrepreneurs, physicians, activists.
Get the answers
Test #1: Step by Step
Print the test
What it measures: Concept organization, or the ability to break down complicated ideas and make them more easily understood.
Jobs that require this skill: Engineers, computer programmers, editors.
Test #2: Three of a Kind
Print the test
What it measures: Inductive reasoning, which means you can quickly see a common element among seemingly unrelated ideas.
Jobs that require this skill: Research scientists, police detectives, lawyers.
Test #3: Paper Folding
Print the test
What it measures: Structural visualization, or how well you can picture three-dimensional objects in your mind.
Jobs that require this skill: Engineers, architects, physicians.
Test #4: Number Series
Print the test
What it measures: Numerical reasoning, or the ability to decipher numerical patterns and concepts.
Jobs that require this skill: Economists, financial analysts, accountants.
Test #5: What Comes to Mind?
Print the test
What it measures: Foresight, or the ability to imagine lots of possibilities—and anticipate potential problems.
Jobs that require this skill: Politicians, entrepreneurs, physicians, activists.
Get the answers
From the November 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.
Answers:
Test #1: Step by Step
Story
Publish
Print Online
Magazine Book
What it measures: Concept organization, or the ability to break down complicated ideas and make them more easily understood.
Jobs that require this skill: Engineers, computer programmers, editors.
Test #2: Three of a Kind
1. Basketball, globe, grapefruit (spheres)
2. Conch, lobster, eggs (shells)
3. Saxophonist, speakers, trumpet (loud sounds)
What it measures: Inductive reasoning, which means you can quickly see a common element among seemingly unrelated ideas.
Jobs that require this skill: Research scientists, police detectives, lawyers.
Test #3: Paper Folding
1. I
2. H
3. D
What it measures: Structural visualization, or how well you can picture three-dimensional objects in your mind.
Jobs that require this skill: Engineers, architects, physicians.
TEST #4: Number Series
1. 18 (+3)
2. 16 (+1+2+3+4+5)
3. 7 (+3-4)
4. 68 (1st+2nd= 3rd)
5. 61 (-1x3-5x7-9)
What it measures: Numerical reasoning, or the ability to decipher numerical patterns and concepts.
Jobs that require this skill: Economists, financial analysts, accountants.
TEST #5: What Comes to Mind?
If you wrote a dozen things each time, you see lots of possibilities. You can envision long-term goals and see beyond immediate obstacles to complete educational or career goals.
If you wrote just a few things, you are more literal and immediate in your thinking. You would prefer living in the present, perhaps getting what you want right now. To set goals, breaking them down into short-term, more attainable steps will be to your advantage.
What it measures: Foresight, or the ability to imagine lots of possibilities—and anticipate potential problems.
Jobs that require this skill: Politicians, entrepreneurs, physicians, activists.
More ways to find your calling:
Test #1: Step by Step
Story
Publish
Print Online
Magazine Book
What it measures: Concept organization, or the ability to break down complicated ideas and make them more easily understood.
Jobs that require this skill: Engineers, computer programmers, editors.
Test #2: Three of a Kind
1. Basketball, globe, grapefruit (spheres)
2. Conch, lobster, eggs (shells)
3. Saxophonist, speakers, trumpet (loud sounds)
What it measures: Inductive reasoning, which means you can quickly see a common element among seemingly unrelated ideas.
Jobs that require this skill: Research scientists, police detectives, lawyers.
Test #3: Paper Folding
1. I
2. H
3. D
What it measures: Structural visualization, or how well you can picture three-dimensional objects in your mind.
Jobs that require this skill: Engineers, architects, physicians.
TEST #4: Number Series
1. 18 (+3)
2. 16 (+1+2+3+4+5)
3. 7 (+3-4)
4. 68 (1st+2nd= 3rd)
5. 61 (-1x3-5x7-9)
What it measures: Numerical reasoning, or the ability to decipher numerical patterns and concepts.
Jobs that require this skill: Economists, financial analysts, accountants.
TEST #5: What Comes to Mind?
If you wrote a dozen things each time, you see lots of possibilities. You can envision long-term goals and see beyond immediate obstacles to complete educational or career goals.
If you wrote just a few things, you are more literal and immediate in your thinking. You would prefer living in the present, perhaps getting what you want right now. To set goals, breaking them down into short-term, more attainable steps will be to your advantage.
What it measures: Foresight, or the ability to imagine lots of possibilities—and anticipate potential problems.
Jobs that require this skill: Politicians, entrepreneurs, physicians, activists.
More ways to find your calling:
From the November 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine
As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.
