Aptitude

Aptitude predicts the ability of an individual to acquire knowledge or skills and perform specific tasks. Testing for aptitude uses tasks that can be solved through ad-hoc reasoning.  Sometimes a problem may demonstrate familiarity with a particular subject.  For example, a probability question involving compound event probability demonstrates some exposure to probability theory.

Key competencies:

• Probability and statistics - This measures an ability to apply statistical methods to a situation, for example, mean, standard deviation, probability of an event's occurrence. 

• Algebra - This requires a basic knowledge of math and will include tasks like solving for variables in a system of equations or finding the next value in a series.

• Geometry - This subject requires an aptitude for spatial relationships or knowledge of geometry.  Tasks require reasoning to determine relationships of angles or finding intersection points for example.

• Numbers and Number Theory- This is primarily a reasoning subject.  The theory problems are not classic, and generally do not require previous knowledge.  An example is to count the number of integers within a range that are palindromes.

• Combinatorics - These problems generally do not require previous knowledge, but can be reasoned through.  They include tasks such as counting the number of combinations that meet some criteria.  An example is to count the number of 3 digit numbers consisting of strictly increasing digits, i.e. 123 and 124 but not 111.

• Patterns - This is applied reasoning such as determining the next or missing value in a series of images, numbers, or letters.

• Logical Reasoning - Apply logic to infer conclusions or resolve problems, recognize assumptions, draw distinctions between similar concepts, and effectively analyze the implications of a given set of facts.

• Reading Comprehension - Understand, interpret, and analyze written text effectively.