What Is A Cut-e Assessment?
Cut-e (sometimes referred to as Aon) is an online aptitude test provider that produces tests used by hiring employers who want to learn more about applicants' strengths and skills.
Cut-e tests are characterised by their short length (they usually take no longer than 15 minutes to complete) and the fact that every candidate sitting a Cut-e test will have slightly different questions to reduce the risk of cheating.
The tests are hosted on a platform called MapTQ which supports online access across smartphones, tablets and computers.
Over 30 million Cut-e tests are taken every year in industries including tech and finance.
Which Tech Employers Use Cut-e Assessments?
Cut-e assessments are popular with tech employers as the fast-paced nature of the test and the targeted questions can help employers to select the best candidate(s) for the tech role they're applying for.
Employers such as O2 and Siemens use Cut-e tests as a core part of their recruitment process.
How Cut-e Tests Work
If you've been asked to take a Cut-e test as part of a job application process, it's important to understand how the tests work so you give yourself the best possible chance of success.
Cut-e tests are taken online and hosted on a bespoke platform called MapTQ. You'll be given all of the details you need to get started and progress through the test.
Make sure you know which Cut-e test(s) you'll be required to take so you can practice a few sample tests.
Verbal Reasoning: Scales Verbal Test
The Scales Verbal Test is a type of verbal reasoning assessment which involves reading information from a 'data sheet.'
As well as locating the relevant information to answer the question, you'll also need to employ your logical and analytical skills by deciphering what you've read in order to answer questions with 'true', 'false' or 'cannot say.'
At the start, you'll be given five minutes to read through the instructions and get to grips with the test with three practice questions.
The actual test is 12 minutes long. There are a possible 49 questions, but you're not expected to answer them all — just as many as you can.
Numerical Reasoning: Scales Numerical Test
Tables and charts are used in this numerical reasoning test to assess your understanding of basic mathematical principles.
However, unlike most mathematical tests, you won't be required to give your answers as numbers. Instead, you'll be asked if data is 'true', 'false', or you 'cannot say' as there's not enough information to draw a logical conclusion.
All of the information you need to answer each question is listed in the data sheets that you can navigate through using the tabs on the screen. This type of test is sometimes referred to as a diagrammatic reasoning assessment.
Logical Reasoning: Inductive Scales CLX Test
Logical reasoning tests are designed to assess how strong your analysis and problem-solving skills are.
In this test, you'll need to look at the patterns in front of you to determine the rules that connect the patterns.
You'll be given a set of tables containing colour coded numbers and letters, as well as four tables without colour coding. Using all the information in front of you, you'll be required to work out which group each of the tables belongs to.
For this test, you'll have five minutes of practice time, followed by six minutes of actual test time.
Deductive Reasoning: Scales LST Test
The deductive reasoning test starts with eight minutes of practice time to help you familiarise yourself with the task at hand.
The task involves a grid featuring different objects and a question mark. You'll need to work out which symbol should replace the question mark based on the rule that each symbol can only appear once in each column and row.
The grid increases as the test progresses to make things more complex. It's important to note that you only have six minutes to complete the test, so don't worry about filling out the whole grid, you just need to gather enough information to work out the correct answer to the problem.
Mechanical Reasoning: Scales MTU Test
Often tailored to the specific company you're applying for, the mechanical reasoning test aims to assess your mechanical and technical skills and is only set for job roles where this would be relevant.
On the test, you'll have 15 minutes to work through multiple choice questions related to a series of diagrams and drawings.
Personality Questionnaire (Shapes)
Personality questionnaires help employers to get a better understanding of your unique character traits, and how well you're likely to fit into the role and team you're applying for.
You'll be asked to give a certain number of points to various statements depending on the extent to which you agree or disagree. The test is adaptive, which means the questions you get will be reflective of the answers you give.
Overall, the test takes around 10 minutes to complete.
Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
A situational judgement test uses hypothetical workplace scenarios to better understand how you're likely to perform in the job you're applying for.
Honesty is always the best policy in these tests, but it doesn't hurt to think about the type of candidate your employer is likely to be looking for.
Spatial Reasoning: 3D Scales SPR Test
Spatial reasoning tests seek to understand how comfortable you are working with 3D shapes.
In this test, you'll be presented with a series of shapes and asked to find the net of the shape you're looking at.
You'll start with five minutes to read the instructions and practice, before the 10-minute test.
How To Pass Cut-e Publisher Tests
Get your timing and pace right
The best way to do this is to ensure you've practiced as many Cut-e tests as you can. Not only will this help you to improve your speed and accuracy, it'll also instil you with more confidence on the day as you'll have a good idea of what you need to do.
On the test day itself, make sure you read the instructions carefully and take time to do the practice questions, even if you think you know what's being asked of you.
Practice questions you get wrong
The best way to improve is to work on the areas you find more challenging.
After every practice test, go back and look at the questions you got wrong, or the problems you spent longer on. This will help you to focus your revision and give you the best possible chance of success on the day.
Understand the assessment format
Cut-e tests are truly unique in both their style, length and format.
Practicing Cut-e tests is the best way to get acquainted with the pace at which you need to work through them, and the knowledge you need to succeed at them.
