My first REAL test with SGX

Today, well, not today, but yesterday. Actually, it was on 7 October, 2010. I greeted with my first ability test with SGX. First of all, I'd like to thank SGX to give such a precious chance to get involved in the real job hunting environment and also to have been the first company to give me a good reply. Just on 6 October, I received the reject email from Accenture side, but it's okay for me. The reason was "I don't meet their qualification level.". I guess it was because of my low GPA for my master degree, but it's okay. I don't mind.

I just want to keep a record about my way going to be positioned. So it's a good start.
The ability test was consisted with two parts, one was numerical test and the other was verbal test as most of banks did before they got you to interview.

Before the test, a guy called Yi Feng just gave us a brief introduction upon the reason why we were invited to sit there. He talked a little bit about the Management Associate Program and the process of candidates selection. What most impressed me was defenitely the number they probably would hire for this year. Actually, he didn't say the exact number, but he showed the number in previous year, which were 13 altogether, among whom were 3 from NTU, 3 from NUS and 7 from SMU. It seemed to be really severe.

Okay, after the introduction, we began to be tested. Here we got another guy. Sorry, I forgot his name, but I guess he's from Pakistan. He mannered sophiscatedly as he read the instructions and regulation clearly and carefully. He also didn't bother to state why he did so was to make sure the two sessions of ability test could be held as same as possible and then people would not make any complaints about the fairness of the process or external factors.

Let's begin. The problem booklets were designed by SHL. First was numerical test. It was a little different from what I used to practise. Firstly, the diagrams were all in one page. Secondly, all of the questions were messed, not in order with the coresponding diagrams. So when you read the question, you should locate the correct diagram first. Thirdly, for every questions, there were 5 or 10 options, which were more than any of my previously sample tests. The second part was verbal test. I should finish 48 questions in 25 minutes. I forgot how many questions for numerical test, but I remember verbal's, because it was really a lot for this part. There were 12 paragraphs and each had 4 questions. Frankly speaking, the test was not too difficult, but the time was not enough, at least for me.

After the test, I just got an idea to do numerical test in this kind. I could first highlight the key words for diagram 1 and then pick up all the questions upon this diagram, then to deal with the diagram 2 in the same way. However, if I applied this method, another problem might be raised up, which was that I must be clear about the number for the questions. It is highly possible that I messed all of the questions again and what is wors that I can not get to be right even I obtain the correct answer if I circled the wrong number.

I feel like this kind of test is not only to evaluate your calculation and understanding skills but also to see whether you are able to handle your emotion such as persistence, patience and calmness. Maybe the latter is what I am now seriously short of. I am able to do it correctly in a relaxing environment. However, as long as I am squeezed, I feel nervouse and mistakes get to be more. This is my shortage and I have to improve.

Well, anyway, win or not, is no longer important. My virgin test is like this. I hope I will get more although really anxious about it. However, still wish to see the email inviting to proceed to the next stage. =)