How apt are aptitude tests in guiding you?

With the SSC results expected on Monday, a number of students are rushing to aptitude test centres for counselling and to clear their confusion.

These tests have been one of the most trusted options for them. However, there is a section of students who say these tests are highly subjective and do not take into account factors like mood swings. Counsellors, of course, differ.

Niti Shah, for instance, took an aptitude test when she was in the first year of her Bachelors in Mass Media. She was unable to decide whether to opt for advertising or journalism in her third year.

The well-known counselling centre guided her to take up journalism. But it was only when she chanced upon an internship in client servicing did she feel the counsellors were wrong.

“They told me that my tests indicated client servicing wouldn’t be my cup of tea because I was an introvert. But during my training, I loved it and I am now happy about it,” she says.

Shilpa Shukla, who had also taken the test, talks on similar lines. “I had taken the test when I was in my tenth to figure out which stream I should opt for. The counsellors said my tests indicated that I should do engineering. They asked me to take up Science, but I finally took Commerce. I am quite happy happy about my decision,” she says.

There are many such students who were not satisfied with the results, which they say was because of the nature of the tests.

“The questions are very subjective. They can have different answers depending on the mood. A question like ‘How would you like to work (group/individual)’ can have a different answer every time one asks,” adds Niti.

To this Varsha Rebello, senior counsellor at Career Launcher, says, “For negating mood swings we conduct the test for two days. And at the time of counselling we make it a point to tell them to talk to different people from the industry before making their decision. Many a times what you see is not what you get. Aptitude tests certainly help students by narrowing their choices and helping them decide their ultimate goal. But with exposure and age, choices and interests change.”

Another counsellor of a leading aptitude test centre says, “I would advise the students to adopt a three-fold approach. First, they should introspect and find out what they are really interested in. The student should then take an aptitude test. One should not only depend on the aptitude tests but also do some spadework like talking to people who are working in that field before making a decision.”