Census Test Online Preparation – 2024
What Is the Census Test?
The United States Census Bureau provides the nation with up-to-date quality data about the people living in the country and the economy. Accurately reporting this information is a big task, and the Census regularly seeks applicants to help with their mission.
Those wishing to work with the Census must complete the census aptitude test to prove they have the basic skills necessary to complete the job. Candidates can expect to complete several sections during the census aptitude test, including the following:
Situational Judgment Test
The situational judgment test, or SJT, will measure how an applicant will likely behave on the job. You will receive a simulated scenario, usually presenting something similar to what you will encounter in your role, and possible responses to the situation. You will then have to select which option is the most effective or how you would likely handle the situation and which option is least effective or how you are least likely to handle the situation.
Employers can learn a lot about their candidates through this exam, including their morals, values, and how they treat others. Companies seek employees who embody their values and will be professional when interacting with others, so you will want to keep these things in mind when answering these questions.
Personality Test
Candidates will also take a personality test to show their future employer they have the right personality traits and characteristics to do well on the job. Depending on your role within the Census, you must have certain temperaments and interpersonal skills. For example, if you are a canvasser who goes door-to-door to get people to complete the census, you must be good with people, have excellent communication skills, and be outgoing.
The personality test will present several statements, and you will rate how much you agree or disagree with each one. There are no right or wrong answers on this part of the assessment. However, remember the traits the Census seeks for someone in your role and use that to guide your answers.
Experience Test
The Census aptitude test may also include questions related to your past experiences. They are looking for someone with a proven level of experience or skill in specific tasks they will require for the role.
The questions will be a statement, and you will select the multiple-choice response that most closely aligns with your experience. For example, they may ask if you have any experience with cold calling or canvasing, and you will respond on a scale from “I do not have experience with this task” to “I have extensive experience with this task.”
It is essential to be honest in this assessment. While the employer is looking for people with experience, you do not want to lie and say you have extensive experience with something you have never done. However, you can relate skills or experiences that are non-work related if they are relevant to boost your experience level on specific tasks. For example, if you have never done door-to-door canvasing but volunteered in a phone bank for a cause you believe in, you can count on that experience.
Logical Reasoning
Logical reasoning is another topic you will encounter on the Census aptitude exam. Logical reasoning tests examine your thinking ability and use information to draw logical conclusions. The questions on the Census exam will present a statement or a passage, and you will need to analyze the scenario or evaluate the argument.
You’ll want to read through these questions and answer choices carefully, as they may initially seem confusing. Focus on the information provided and if there is enough information to support whatever claim you are evaluating.
Reading Comprehension
Candidates taking the census aptitude test will also complete a reading comprehension exam to assess your ability to read written text, analyze the information, and draw conclusions. You will need this skill in any profession that relies on written communication, documentation, or reporting. Because the Census Bureau relies on all three, they are looking for employees who are strong in this area.
The test will present text passages that you will read and questions about the given information. All the information you need to do well on the exam will be presented, so try not to use outside information.
Reading the questions before the passage may be helpful so you know what details to pay attention to. This tip can help ensure you aren’t missing critical information and save time since you won’t have to refer back to the paragraph to answer the question after the first reading.
Numerical Reasoning
You may also encounter numerical reasoning questions on your assessment. This exam will depend on your role, but all applicants should prepare to answer questions relating to basic mathematical concepts and calculations.
While some questions may be direct equations you need to solve, others will present data you need to interpret, such as in a table or a graph. You will not need advanced mathematical skills to do well on this exam and will likely only encounter basic operations (addition, multiplication, etc.), ratios/percentages, and some introductory algebra.
How to Prepare for the Census Exam?
The Census prides itself on producing quality data for the nation. Therefore, they are looking to hire skilled, honest, and capable people. The best way to show the Census that you are the right person for the job is to do well on the census test.
Preparing for the aptitude assessment is easier when you use online practice tests. These great resources will show you what you can expect on the census test and allow you to practice answering sample questions. They will also provide answer solutions to better understand why you got an answer correct or incorrect and can use that information to answer more questions correctly in the future.
Those who prepare for the Census aptitude assessment do significantly better on the test than those who do not study. Therefore, give yourself as much time as possible to use this resource and adequately prepare.
