Spatial Reasoning: Why You Should Be Testing For It
As kids, you probably remember playing with jigsaw puzzles, legos and building blocks. While we were tinkering away, we were using our spatial reasoning skills to visualize movements and change between the shapes of our toys.
In a professional setting, spatial reasoning is important for problem-solving, analytical thinking, and information organization. Unfortunately, unlike our mathematical (quantitative) and verbal (written) abilities, a person’s spatial abilities aren’t given as much attention. So, what exactly are spatial reasoning tests? How is it significant and what value can it add to your business?
What is Spatial Reasoning?
Spatial reasoning is the ability to think about and manipulate objects in two and three dimensions. Individuals who demonstrate high scores of spatial ability can draw better conclusions about objects with limited information and more easily visualize how objects look and behave when rotating. These individuals are often good with shape recognition and manipulation, visual comparisons, mapping, block and reflection reasoning, and more.
To objectively assess this ability, a spatial reasoning test will typically evaluate a candidate’s ability to:
- Understand how various processes interact with one another
- Engage in multiple visual simulations simultaneously
- Manipulate, comprehend, and utilize visible entities
While these skills are important for all positions, they’re critical for individuals working in STEM, design, or medicine where their positions require abstract thinking, visualizing verbal information, and recognizing how details are related to big picture ideas.
Benefits of Assessing Spatial Reasoning
A well-designed spatial reasoning test offers a variety of advantages. The right spatial reasoning test can help you:
Evaluate applicants objectively: A Spatial Reasoning test is an objective test used to assess spatial reasoning abilities. That means that it allows you to evaluate applicants objectively and fairly, giving everyone an equal chance and eliminating hiring biases.
Predict job performance: This test concentrates on a few essential qualities that, in combination with other skills you can evaluate with skills assessments, predict job success more accurately than a CV, work experience, or education. As a result, skills assessments are highly reliable and accurate.
Quickly screen applicants and identify the best talent: A spatial reasoning test helps the hiring team screen applicants effectively. As a result, you don’t waste time interviewing unqualified individuals, and they don’t waste time interviewing for a position they aren’t qualified for.
At Prevue, we measure spatial abilities through our Shapes test. It is important that we do not overlook Spatial abilities when hiring for certain careers, that on the surface, may not appear to be related to these abilities. We want to ensure both employers and candidates receive accurate and reliable insights that encompass the candidate’s full profile.