Psychological job assessment (evaluación psicolaboral): what it includes and how to prepare

Reviewed: October 2026

An evaluación psicolaboral (or psychometric exam) is a hiring process in which a psychologist combines an interview, reasoning tests, personality questionnaires and sometimes projective tests to judge your fit for a role. In Chile, Mexico, Colombia and Peru it is common for office, sales and management jobs. There is no single format: it depends on the company and the role.

What it usually includes

The starting point is the job profile: the tasks, responsibilities and competencies sought. From that, the evaluator chooses the instruments. No single technique is enough, so more than one is usually combined.

  • Interview: about your background, motivations and concrete situations (competency-based interview).
  • Reasoning tests: Raven-style matrices, figure or number series, verbal and numerical reasoning.
  • Personality questionnaires: such as Cattell's 16PF, SHL's OPQ32 or the Cleaver, which describe how you tend to act.
  • Projective tests: such as Wartegg, Zulliger or drawings (HTP, human figure, person in the rain).

Reasoning tests

They measure the ability to solve new problems with logic. A widely cited case in the region is the domino series (D-48), a nonverbal test where you find the piece that continues a series. We do not reproduce items from real tests. This site does not have a dominoes test yet, but it does have original figural and numerical reasoning material, which asks for a similar kind of mental operation.

These tests are timed and usually get harder as they go. Practicing similar formats helps you recognize the type of task; it does not change your underlying ability.

Personality and projective tests

The 16PF is a 170-question questionnaire measuring 16 traits, used mainly for middle and senior roles according to press reports. The OPQ32 has 104 questions where you choose the statement most and least like you. Both describe tendencies; neither is pass or fail.

Projective tests ask you, for example, to complete eight boxes with drawings from small prompts (Wartegg). Their use in hiring is debated: a classic scientific review concludes that most indexes from projective tests like the Rorschach lack empirical support and that evidence for human figure drawings is even more limited. That is why a trained professional should interpret them and they should not be the only criterion.

Who evaluates and how long it takes

It is usually administered by a psychologist, either in-house or at a recruiting firm. It can be in person or online and take one to several hours depending on how many instruments are used; confirm the time with whoever schedules you. The sources we reviewed give no standard duration.

Honest preparation

Sleep well the night before, eat something and arrive early. Bring the ID they ask for and your glasses if you wear them. Practice reasoning formats against a clock so the type of task does not surprise you.

On personality questionnaires, answer consistently and honestly. Many include scales that flag inconsistent answers, and even if you managed to project an ideal image, you could end up in a job that does not suit you. We do not teach faking. If a health or learning condition affects your performance, tell the evaluator in advance.

Practice this here

Practice here with formats similar to reasoning tests: matrices, figural and numerical series, verbal reasoning and attention to detail. These are original exercises, not copies of real or restricted tests.

Start with these tests

How to solve each type

Frequently asked questions

What is an evaluación psicolaboral?

It is a process in which a psychologist evaluates your fit for a role by combining an interview, reasoning tests, personality questionnaires and sometimes projective tests.

Which tests are used most?

They vary by company. In the region, the 16PF, Cleaver, OPQ32, Raven-style matrices, the D-48 domino series and projective tests such as Wartegg are often mentioned.

Can you study for a psychometric exam?

You can get familiar with the format of reasoning tests. There is no content to study for personality questionnaires; answering consistently is what helps.

Does this site have dominoes?

Not yet. We have original figural, numerical and verbal reasoning practice, which exercises similar mental operations.

What should I do if I am asked to draw or take projective tests?

Follow the instructions without trying to guess what they are looking for. The evaluator interprets these tests, and you can ask how the results will be used.

Related guides

Sources

We are not affiliated with any assessment provider or their tests. This guide is independent, based on public sources and may change.