For candidates > Background information for candidates

The TMA is a diagnostic instrument which looks from different angles to your thought processes. The TMA analysis measures in addition to cognitive ability - more than 22 behavioral and personality characteristics (talents) and your basic construction on 50 competencies. Thanks to the interdependence of these components a comprehensive picture of someone is obtained.

The TMA consists of two parts. The first part of the analysis is focused on your talents. Completing TMA takes approximately 1 hour in the case of TMA 312 and half hour in the case of TMA 170.

Afterwards you will always receive a copy of your report. This is done in consultation with our client. The client receives in addition to the research results also an expert report.

Preparation
The TMA is about your personality, and so there is no best way to do the analysis. You do not need to prepare, actually, it is undesirable. You are advised to answer the questions honestly, because that is the only way an objective and true picture of yourself will be the result of the TMA. And you can use the results as an advice about your working career.

A number of practical issues (and general matters relating to doing a personality analysis) is recommended for everyone. Please find these below:

Be relaxed
An assessment is a strenuous days that requires a lot of your energy and stamina. Make sure you get enough sleep and are in a normal physical condition. In case you are tired or ill, you better postpone the assessment

Travel relaxed
Travel in the morning traffic is often stressful. Make sure you leave home earlier so that this stress is minimal. Find out what is your least stressful way to travel, make sure you informed of the usual traffic jams and train delays.

Career and CV at a glance
The competency based interview during the assessment may be partly a repetition of the interview(s) you already had. Psychologists use your career path in order to understand your personality and ambitions. Important is the major line not the details.

Representative clothing
Take a note that psychologists view yourself as a potential representative of the organization for which you want to work. Thus examine yourself this way. Please dress in a way you think represent the organization.

Read a book preparation
The preparation of an assessment you should not resort to the last evening. If you have one or two weeks in advance of the assessment reading a book on this subject is recommended

Be positive and physically fit
Good preparation starts with a positive attitude and physical fitness. On such a day your energy and also your endurance is tested.

Be soft on the relationship, hard on the content!
Kindness is the strongest weapon in your assessment. Too rapid demonstration of dominant unfriendliness is a big pitfall. Being too nice is also a big pitfall. So: be soft on the relationship and hard on to the content.

Instructions are very important!
Before each test you get an instruction. This can be written or oral. If the intent of the test is not entirely clear, ask the assistant than to add explanations. Only when you understand the instructions, you can show yourself of your best side.

All the same questions
During the assessment you are given multiple personality questionnaires. These lists consists of statements where you have to give your opinion. You must choose between the multiple choice answers. Sometimes you get the impression that multiple times you answer the same questions and sometimes this is true. Most questions are different. Anyway it is best to rely on your intuition. Your first impression is usually the best!

Ask questions!
In case you do not understand the purpose of the test, ask your question to your contact person. It is no downside if you do not understand something. It would be much worse if you blow the test, because you did not completely understand the instructions. You want to show yourself of your "real" side. And that is only if you understand what is required of you

Why intelligence tests? I have diplomas.
You might think it is pointless to do intelligence tests, because your intelligence level is proven by achieved diplomas. To put it popular: intelligence tests are not only to look how smart you are, but also how you're smart. What are the strengths in your construction? Are you more theoretically or practically, logically, or intuitively thinking, more verbal or more precisely, how creative and original are your solutions etc.

The data in the exercises are "far from my bed '.
For example you work at a bank, and you get an exercise where you need to sell technical stuff. No problem. You will not be assessed on how well you're in your craft. But how you score on commercial skills and persuasion, customer focus, performance and such. This kind of exercises does not require any specific knowledge about the industry.

Prepare yourself well, but do not exaggerate!
Know what you can expect from the assessment. Which different parts include in the assessment? You can think of: personality tests, ability tests, role plays and an interview with the consultant. Practice one or two tests on a web site or from a book. This gives you an advance idea of the tests. Consider what your strengths and weaknesses are. Then you are well prepared and make the assessment with a good feeling of preparation.

Same test as your colleagues, but apply for another function?
During your assessment you can get the same tests as a colleague, even though they are tested for a completely different function. Each assessment exercise has different scenarios. Thus, the gravity of the exercises is tailored to the level, different emphasis on certain skills and sometimes on other competencies.

Make sure you're on time!
This tip seems obvious, but it's not so. Candidates for example who have suffered 45 minutes on traffic stress are often quite stressed. In their car they have nearly eaten their drivingwheel and are irritated. It is important that you are relaxed when you enter the assessment. It takes all your concentration. You want to show your best side, and that succeeds only if you're at ease.

Why always that math?
You cannot head count by use of the calculator. The numerical construction tests measure understanding of numbers and constitute an important part of intellectual abilities. The assignments are so that it can be done without a calculator and the processed results, called standards, take into account the fact that everyone uses a calculator.

Do not go 'crazy' by the time pressure on cognitive ability testing.
Try to do the tests with time constraints as well as possible and try to get as far as you can. Do not have the time pressure distract you. You will have better results on tests if you give the best possible answers and try to come as far as possible.

Use the assessment as a learning experience!
The consultant, who has written your report, had an in-depth interest in you. Try to learn from the perception that your consultant has of you based on the interview, tests and other assignments. Ask him for learning points and how you can work on your weaknesses. Or ask him how you can better use your strengths.

Personality Testing: Your first impression is usually the best!
By filling out personality questionnaires your best bet is your first impression. Try not to think too long before you make a choice. Your first impression is usually the best. Do not waste time with discovery of logic in the questions or the desire for consistency in your answers. The questions may look like each other but usually differ. Trust your first impression.

Be honest!
Do not only give socially desirable answers, but be honest. This is about you and how you function in a particular situation. An honest answer brings you further.

Get out what is in you!
Grab your opportunity: get out what's inside. The assessment gives you insight into your capabilities and limitations. Your adviser can provide you with useful insights and tips to develop yourself and use your strengths.

Do you have a bad performance on a 1 part of the assessment? No problem!
The TMA is a diagnostic instrument which looks from different angles to your thought processes. The TMA analysis measures in addition to cognitive ability - more than 22 behavioral and personality characteristics (talents) and the basic construction on 50 competencies which make the difference in a job. Thanks to the interdependence of these components a comprehensive picture of you is obtained.

Use the feedback!
During the feedback from the assessment your adviser will give you useful information about your talents. Ask for an explanation of the report.

Be yourself
Simply be yourself. It is important to give an honest picture of yourself. Only then an optimal match between you and your possible job will be achieved.