Psychology aptitude test- mature student-

jackthelad321

Hello

just wondering if anyone here has done one of these. If so, what are they like? how much time do you get etc.

regards

JAK

Mona Olsen

Just bumping this up because I'd like to know more about the aptitude test too! Like is there any essay writing or comprehension? Is it all multiple choice?
Last one I did - many many years ago included a personality tests, and a section when you were asked to draw doodles.

tinkleivories

Mona Olsen wrote: »

Just bumping this up because I'd like to know more about the aptitude test too! Like is there any essay writing or comprehension? Is it all multiple choice?
Last one I did - many many years ago included a personality tests, and a section when you were asked to draw doodles.

I'm in the same boat! I got a letter today about the Trinity mature student aptitude test for psychology and need to know more! From looking at some other threads on this topic it looks to be similar to the civil servant exam, although I don't know exactly what that entails. I don't think it's all multiple choice as the letter I received said "most questions are multiple choice" instead of 'all'.

jackthelad321

tinkleivories wrote: »

I'm in the same boat! I got a letter today about the Trinity mature student aptitude test for psychology and need to know more! From looking at some other threads on this topic it looks to be similar to the civil servant exam, although I don't know exactly what that entails. I don't think it's all multiple choice as the letter I received said "most questions are multiple choice" instead of 'all'.

What time and where, did the letter say?

Mona Olsen

It's Sat 12th Feb, at 10.45
Test starts at 11.00 and ends at 1.30 so 2.5hrs *eek!!*
All you bring is a ballpoint pen and it says nothing about ID although I'd bring some just in case.
I'm still at a loss as to what to expect though.

Larianne

Have any of you contacted the department and asked for advice?

They don't spoon feed you in college.

jackthelad321

Larianne wrote: »

Have any of you contacted the department and asked for advice?

They don't spoon feed you in college.

Thanks. that was a little condescending no? I have a degree from N.U.I.G and I know you don't get spoon fed. I have emailed two lecturers, and the mature students officer, Clodagh Byrne None as of yet have gotten back to me. I went in to the department asking for help, but didn't meet anyone then. I found it very hard to get any info that i wan't given on the 13th Jan. which was scare then an amounted to get the civil service book.

Far from being spoon fed i have tried to get the info from a lot of sources and I have to say they really don't seem to want to give much away. though clodagh has ben very helpful before she might have been out etc.

Larianne

It wasn't meant to be. Some applicants haven't a clue what they should be doing to be honest. You didn't state you have tried to contact them either in your OP.

I would try contacting who ever is in charge of the department by phone at this stage if you haven't heard anything back. Sometimes emails get forgotten about etc. You have to hound them to get an answer from them - could be busy time of the year for them.

jackthelad321

Larianne wrote: »

It wasn't meant to be. Some applicants haven't a clue what they should be doing to be honest. You didn't state you have tried to contact them either in your OP.

I would try contacting who ever is in charge of the department by phone at this stage if you haven't heard anything back. Sometimes emails get forgotten about etc. You have to hound them to get an answer from them - could be busy time of the year for them.

You are right about the cluelessness of a few, i gusss. In my case i'm fairly organised but things still always seem to build up on me. Being assessed on a test is a bit nervewracking, as you know some worthy people may miss by just a few marks. One of the few bits of info I got at the department was of how many good or strong applicants who still aren't called, as the numbers are too high. No point thinking too much about that.

The thing about the hounding people is just that hate being a burden, though i know that's ridiculous and you won't get any prizes for being nice. I won't be in Dublin again until the test but i might just ring a few numbers in the morning. Nothing to lose.

To other posters on here, if i get any info i'll post it online here in this thread. Please do likewise if you hear anything or get info. Civil sevice book is recommended as far as I've heard, closest thing i've heard to a tip anyway. Even though you are the competition I wish you well (and that i do just a tiny bit better).:D

JAk

Mona Olsen

Jack - did you get the civil service book?
I've been into Hodges and Figgis and they have one for UK exams but said there isn't one for Irish civil service exams.

jackthelad321

Mona Olsen wrote: »

Jack - did you get the civil service book?
I've been into Hodges and Figgis and they have one for UK exams but said there isn't one for Irish civil service exams.

Hey Mona

Yea, I got the civil service book. It's meant to have a degree of crossover, though it won't be exact. thing is it'll give you something to work on. the main reason i think it's being touted imo is that it is the most useful book for structure and time constraints.

Honestly, aside from working too hard at a book, a better prep is to work steadily and get a great night sleep before. No cramming as that won't help in an aptitude test-- so i've been told.

I am also going to avoid stimulants on the day: no coffee, tea, maybe just a bit of chocoloate. Clear mind and feeling positive is the best approach. Do get that book though it'll give you something to work on and you will benefit from using it. Again, this is all what i've been lead to believe and the strategy i'm approaching.

Good luck

EDIT: yea, i got u.k. one. it's not that hard but hard without a calculator. there is no irish civil service book afaik, but it's based on same principals just using euro not pounds.

MinxOfInsolence

Hi Jack, Mona,

I got the letter, had actually forgotten i had applied fo Psychology with English to be honest. But now i'm intrigues and i like a challenge.

I've been reading the post, and the last one confused me. Why would one need a calculator in a psychology exam?

jackthelad321

MinxOfInsolence wrote: »

Hi Jack, Mona,

I got the letter, had actually forgotten i had applied fo Psychology with English to be honest. But now i'm intrigues and i like a challenge.

I've been reading the post, and the last one confused me. Why would one need a calculator in a psychology exam?

It's not a psychology exam, it's an aptitude test. Depends on what areas of strength they are loking for, but for the civil service book the example questions involve some relatively complicated sums (nothing advanced, just big number's) and it's easy w/ a calculator but the book recommends you do without one.

The civil service book isn't meant to be the same as the upcoming test, similar perhaps, but it's meant to be a fair way to practice or get in the frame of mind for a test. You can do iq tests, braqinteasers, corsswords, anything that will get your mind going. Watching tool academy probably won't benifit you (ashamed to say i have been watching this)

MinxOfInsolence

Ha, nice.

Thats cool, i, like you originally, didnt have a clue about the exam. And got no response from people in Trinity about it.

Thanks for the help, i guess i'll see you saturday

jackthelad321

MinxOfInsolence wrote: »

Ha, nice.

Thats cool, i, like you originally, didnt have a clue about the exam. And got no response from people in Trinity about it.

Thanks for the help, i guess i'll see you saturday

I know, right?! they really are keeping everyone in the dark. It's strange because on the open day they flashed up a summary of the aptitude test, but took it down after about 10 secs, (literally) and I can't get that information now. Just what was coming up. They did do two examples though, it was 'apple is to tree as...la is to la...' and some numbers thing. yer man said it would be stuff like that.

IT's a little strange as you are entitled to know what areas are being covered and get info. though i've tried i've found it near impossible to get anything, and people outside of psychology dep. have said that they like to keep the test a mystery. Ah well i guess everyone is in the same boat anyway.

MinxOfInsolence

See i missed the open day. I was actually on my way in on the luas and work called and i had to go into the office for conference calls with the clients for the day

I didnt see there being any helpful information at it about aptitude tests though. They wont make it easy

To be honest, im hoping for english with ancient history and archaeology, but curiosity has me doing this aptitude test now

jackthelad321

For anyone still interested this is the reply i got from the mature students officer clodagh byrne on the aptitude test:

The School of Psychology calls mature student applicants to take aptitude tests as a means of short-listing applicants for interview.
Since these are aptitude tests, rather than knowledge tests, there is no revision or preparation that can be done. Two tests are used – one is a standard widely-used aptitude test, and the other has been developed specifically for the purpose of assessing your ability to analyse the types of information that a Psychology student would be exposed to. Sample tests are not provided in advance. At the time of testing sample questions will be provided for you to work through, and assistance given to ensure that you understand how to complete the test. The only preparation that you can make is to arrive in good time and bring a working pen.

Maybe you have seen that already it look like it's taken from a website.

voxbot

Hey guys, I did the Trinity Psychology aptitude test last Saturday..and found the whole experience quite daunting! I found the guy explaining everything to be all over the place.. did anyone else find this?

He completely threw me off on more than one occasion with not telling us what was going on, length of sections etc. The first section was only 20 mins long and had so many questions and just before we started he mentioned something about going for the questions we were drawn to first but didn't explain why, obviously because there was not enough time, but he only told us after we'd finished that we weren't expected to finish them all? He also didn't give any warning that the time was coming to an end, like he did on other sections. As a result, I didn't even have time to guess the other questions, total mess! I guess everyone else would be in the same boat though..

After the first section, I kind of got into the swing of things and didn't really expect him to explain anything.. but was kind of thrown off because of how it started. Just wondering if anyone else felt similarly about the test.. or am I just being over-sensitive?

jackthelad321

voxbot wrote: »

Hey guys, I did the Trinity Psychology aptitude test last Saturday..and found the whole experience quite daunting! I found the guy explaining everything to be all over the place.. did anyone else find this?

He completely threw me off on more than one occasion with not telling us what was going on, length of sections etc. The first section was only 20 mins long and had so many questions and just before we started he mentioned something about going for the questions we were drawn to first but didn't explain why, obviously because there was not enough time, but he only told us after we'd finished that we weren't expected to finish them all? He also didn't give any warning that the time was coming to an end, like he did on other sections. As a result, I didn't even have time to guess the other questions, total mess! I guess everyone else would be in the same boat though..

After the first section, I kind of got into the swing of things and didn't really expect him to explain anything.. but was kind of thrown off because of how it started. Just wondering if anyone else felt similarly about the test.. or am I just being over-sensitive?

Exact same. My experience is more-or-less identical in every way to yours.
Do you remember the faces of everyone after the first section? lots of perplexed looking expressions. Believe me, I doubt if I passed it, but I hope that the majority did similar to me in the first section. Maybe that's where they get everyone every year?

I don't know, my gut tells me i didn't do enough. But sure we'll have to wait and see. The platitude 'what's done is done' comes to mind :pac:

tinkleivories

Has anyone heard back from the college regarding interviews?? I know they're meant to be held in late March/early April, so it's getting pretty close

Mona Olsen

I haven't heard anything, but am not optimistic as I screwed up the first part so badly.

jackthelad321

No but yea it must be in the next couple of weeks.

MinxOfInsolence

I think i did ok for the most part, but i probably messed up.

I keep thinking of those numbers though

94 take the test, 20 get interviews, 5 get places..

Slim pickings!

tinkleivories

MinxOfInsolence wrote: »

I think i did ok for the most part, but i probably messed up.

I keep thinking of those numbers though

94 take the test, 20 get interviews, 5 get places..

Slim pickings!

I'm the same. I think I did alright, but knowing me I probably didn't! I emailed the college last week and this is what I got back: "The application forms are being assessed at present and you will receive a letter from the Admissions Office in due course". So that's pretty useless. If it's anything to go by I know that DCU interviews for Psychology are beginning the week of April 11th and they will give successful applicants two weeks notice.

jackthelad321

tinkleivories wrote: »

I'm the same. I think I did alright, but knowing me I probably didn't! I emailed the college last week and this is what I got back: "The application forms are being assessed at present and you will receive a letter from the Admissions Office in due course". So that's pretty useless. If it's anything to go by I know that DCU interviews for Psychology are beginning the week of April 11th and they will give successful applicants two weeks notice.

Everytime someone bumps this thread i get a horrible fear that the answers have been sent out. Just because i'm terrified of being disapointed. :pac:

tinkleivories

jackthelad321 wrote: »

Everytime someone bumps this thread i get a horrible fear that the answers have been sent out. Just because i'm terrified of being disapointed. :pac:

I know the feeling! The sooner they let us know the better.

jackthelad321

tinkleivories wrote: »

I know the feeling! The sooner they let us know the better.

Truly hope they wait till after Paddy's day. Would ruin the craic if it's bad news.

sambuka41

Hi guys do you mind me asking what course you all applied for??? im hoping to apply for the Counselling Psychology PHD next year and Im wondering if I have all this ahead of me

Mona Olsen

sambuka41 wrote: »

Hi guys do you mind me asking what course you all applied for??? im hoping to apply for the Counselling Psychology PHD next year and Im wondering if I have all this ahead of me

The test was for entry into undergrad psychology, so as far as I know, you don't have to do the test.

jackthelad321

Has noone heard yet? I still haven't heard anything.

Mona Olsen

No, I've heard nothing either.

jackthelad321

Mona Olsen wrote: »

No, I've heard nothing either.

~Hey Mona

I guess no news is good news...??? I met a woman who had gotten a no last friday, but perhaps she was applying for Tsm, and got declined from her other course?

Still, clearly most have not gotten answers... some activity here would be noted... it's odd that they would not send them all out together, anyway I have two addresses i might have used and i don't live at both currently so i have to keep checking each day by phone which is really annoying; I thought they would have been decided by now.:pac:

Mona Olsen

jackthelad321 wrote: »

~Hey Mona

I guess no news is good news...??? I met a woman who had gotten a no last friday, but perhaps she was applying for Tsm, and got declined from her other course?

Still, clearly most have not gotten answers... some activity here would be noted... it's odd that they would not send them all out together, anyway I have two addresses i might have used and i don't live at both currently so i have to keep checking each day by phone which is really annoying; I thought they would have been decided by now.:pac:

She got a no from psychology? Means we should be hearing soon then!

jackthelad321

Mona Olsen wrote: »

She got a no from psychology? Means we should be hearing soon then!

It might have been her other tsm subject, but as far as I am aware she made it sound like psychology to my recollection. I was expecting mine on monday at latest.

Anyway that was just one person. Maybe she was mad!

jackthelad321

Got a letter from TCD this morning. Good luck to all.

Mona Olsen

Did you get an interview Jack?
am dying to get home to check the post now!

tinkleivories

Got a letter from TCD today also. Best of luck everyone.

jackthelad321

Mona Olsen wrote: »

Did you get an interview Jack?
am dying to get home to check the post now!

Yea, I did really happy . Good luck to you, Mona. If your Msap results are anything to go by — Yes, I remember those results — you should be optimistic. I know it's going to be a pain waiting... now i feel bad for posting and alerting you:o I was fortunate to get the post just as I was clambering out the door.