What Is the Industrial Skills Test?
The Industrial Skills Test, commonly abbreviated IST, is a broad assessment that examines the necessary abilities associated with industrial occupations. This includes operations, manufacturing, distribution, construction, and maintenance roles. If you are a job seeker interested in pursuing an industrial occupation, you will more than likely be asked to take the IST.
The Industrial Skills Test gained popularity due to its capacity to vet applicants and prevent hires that could potentially cause costly and dangerous accidents or mistakes. The IST consists of three sections that ensure the quality of the candidate. Each section probes at a different skillset but continues to ask questions relevant to the role. The sections of the Industrial Skills Test are:
- Reading Comprehension
The reading comprehension section of the IST is 25 multiple-choice questions. Applicants will be asked to read a passage, typically containing a hypothetical scenario, and choose the correct answer using context, reasoning, and inferences. While most questions will be relevant to the job, some will contain paragraphs about a completely random subject. The testing companies do this to highlight your comprehension skills when given novel information. Candidates will have thirty minutes to complete the reading comprehension section.
- Numerical Reasoning
The numerical reasoning section of the Industrial Skills Test is twenty-five multiple-choice questions. This section focuses on the candidate’s understanding and proficiency in math. Questions in this section will include fundamental word problems, analysis of charts and graphs, and the use of the four fundamental operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division). Applicants will be allotted thirty minutes to complete this portion of the IST.
- Mechanical Principles
The mechanical principles section is the longest and most important of the IST. With thirty-six questions, the mechanical principles portion covers the most material in the shortest amount of time—20 minutes. This section is the most relevant to the job and asks questions about machinery, tools and other physical concepts. Questions in this section are commonly accompanied by images and diagrams to illustrate the principle at hand.
Although it is never explicitly asked or stated, the IST also evaluates an applicant’s ability to follow instructions and pay attention to detail. Due to the nature of the work, these qualities are of great significance because a careless error could result in a serious injury.
When Will I Take the Industrial Skills Test?
The Industrial Skills Test is a steppingstone toward employment. It is usually administered after the initial screening as an objective measure of the candidate’s mechanical and basic aptitude. If you are successful during the first stage of the interview process, you will be sent the IST via email to be completed within a specified number of days. Depending on the assessment company that provided your potential employer with the test, you will hear back in one of three ways: the assessment company will send you a feedback report, you will simply be notified of your standing, or you will hear back exclusively from your interviewer whether you will be proceeding to the next stage of the hiring process.
How to Prepare for the Industrial Skills Test?
The Industrial Skills Test may seem troublesome at first glance; however, with enough preparation, it can be a piece of cake. You can prepare for each section individually, or you can prepare for the test as a whole.
If you have decided to prepare for the sections independently from one another, it might be in your best interest to utilize sample questions and online practice tests. The sample questions will imitate the content of the IST, but not the conditions. The sample questions might be more useful toward the beginning of your preparation, so you can target the areas you need to work on and be more thorough in your understanding of the material. Online practice tests reflect the nature of the IST because they simulate the time constraint. Using online practice tests are beneficial in helping you find the pace that works best for you, as well as preparing you for the real deal. You can find online practice tests that cover all three of the test sections.
If you have decided to prepare for the Industrial Skills Test as a whole, online practice tests will be the way to go. Taking mock ISTs will aid you in understanding the material, help you practice working under the pressure of a running clock and lastly, build your confidence for your upcoming assessment. The online practice tests offer a generous advantage because you will be going into the IST essentially having already taken it. Best of luck!
