Bogus psychometric tests

weeta_bix

joolsybools wrote: »

So has anyone on here actually been asked to fill in one of these tests? I haven't.

I don't think I have yet. I think I have just completed the Work Programme readiness for work ones.

missapril75

Literacy tests were introduced for all new claims in 2003. I assume they or something similar continued after I left the DWP.

Dogger69 wrote: »

I can't speak for all areas, but in mine they are only done if the advisor feels there may be an issue. Many people cover up literacy problems very well.

Indeed. The old "sorry, can you read me what it says, I left my glasses at home" is a well known one.

But that's why - when introduced, they were compulsory for everyone, regardless of the advisor's feeling. I vaguely remember having a degree was an exemption while several years continuous administrative type work was not. :rotfl:

Morlock

ILW wrote: »

I'll fill it in for £71.00

Are you happy to hand over £500,000 of public money to implement a meaningless, psychometric test for the unemployed? Not forgetting that Cameron's buddy and pseudo-scientist Dr David Halpern receives a £100,000 salary out of that budget, all from taxpayers.

clemmatis

Morlock wrote: »

Before the bogus nature of the test was exposed, it was possible to just click 'Next' without answering any questions, and still receive the same results.

They probably haven't fixed "answer very differently, get the same result", though.

I came across someone who knows the test this one was taken from (based on), and how it works. He said if someone chooses the "neutral" option each time, they're allocated five Strengths randomly. Of course as it's "nudge", that doesn't matter (to the DWP).

missapril75

Morlock wrote: »

Before the bogus nature of the test was exposed, it was possible to just click 'Next' without answering any questions, and still receive the same results.

That reminds me of that questionnaire thing on the BBC website about class.

I answered it for when I was in the UK, working and with a mortgage and came out as a New Affluent Worker.

Then I did it for now - equity used to buy a home and a rental property, mortgage free - and I'm Traditional Working class. :question:

It's all a bit weird.The only real change is I don't work now, so that lowered the income - and removed the mortgage expenses. But I went back through again and input the original UK income and I stayed in the TWC. :question:

I've done it a few times with identical answers except going to gigs.

If I go to gigs I'm a new affluent worker, if I don't go I'm traditional working class. Makes no sense.

Nothing to do with this particular subject, just an illustration of limited use of such assessments.

jackyann

ILW wrote: »

Still cannot see why anyone sees this as a problem.
Fill it in, get given free money.

Because some of the people filling it in are not as savvy as most MSEers.
It is fine to ask people to fill in a questionnaire; it is not fine to mislead them about the validity of their answers.
Also, I don't believe this is "free" money - I paid NI all of my working life in order to be able to claim if I became unemployed.

clemmatis

missapril75 wrote: »

That reminds me of that questionnaire thing on the BBC website about class.

I answered it for when I was in the UK, working and with a mortgage and came out as a New Affluent Worker.

Then I did it for now - equity used to buy a home and a rental property, mortgage free - and I'm Traditional Working class. :question:

It's all a bit weird.The only real change is I don't work now, so that lowered the income - and removed the mortgage expenses. But I went back through again and input the original UK income and I stayed in the TWC. :question:

I've done it a few times with identical answers except going to gigs.

If I go to gigs I'm a new affluent worker, if I don't go I'm traditional working class. Makes no sense.

Nothing to do with this particular subject, just an illustration of limited use of such assessments.

There was more than one version of the questionnaire when I did it. I gave the same answers -- insofar as I could -- both times. First, I was Tech Middle Class. Next, I was Traditional Working Class. I think my classification's a bit like yours in that it depends on the q. about museums (I'm not a fan), and income/savings; the second questionnaire must have missed a q. about assets.

All rather useless.

missapril75

clemmatis wrote: »

I gave the same answers -- insofar as I could -- both times. First, I was Tech Middle Class. Next, I was Traditional Working Class. I think my classification's a bit like yours in that it depends on the q. about museums (I'm not a fan)

All rather useless.

It's probably the IT equivalent of those fortune telling machines in amusement arcades where it all depends on the order the cards go in:rotfl:

Morlock

missapril75 wrote: »

It's probably the IT equivalent of those fortune telling machines in amusement arcades where it all depends on the order the cards go in:rotfl:

The psychometric test devised by the government's 'nudge' department is of no more use than an arcade fortune telling machine. It may as well be compulsory to read the local paper's horoscope on a daily basis for 'motivation'.

clemmatis

missapril75 wrote: »

It's probably the IT equivalent of those fortune telling machines in amusement arcades where it all depends on the order the cards go in:rotfl:

Could be