What are Aon Tests?
Cut-e tests, or Aon tests, are pre-employment screening tests looking at integrity, skills and psychometric abilities. Most Aon tests can be completed in less than 20 minutes, and the typical time limit is 12 minutes.
Cut-e was acquired by Aon in 2017, but the tests are still known as Cut-e assessments when you take them. Aon now administers tests to over 30 million candidates per year across the globe, in a range of different industries - from aviation to sales, tech, and even the military.
The range of tests available include verbal, numerical and logical reasoning as well as mechanical skills, memory, language skills, and personality. These tests are known as scales.
Cut-e tests are designed to be taken from home; candidates are invited to complete the test on the MapTQ portal via email and you will be told which tests you will have to complete. The Aon tests are designed to be compatible with tablets and smartphones as well as PCs or laptops - although it is best to complete these using a PC, laptop, or tablet that is running the latest browser software and has a stable internet connection.
What are the Different Types of Aon Tests?
The Cut-e/Aon tests can be categorised depending on the skills, attributes and competencies they are assessing.
Each test will be marked based on points added for each right answer, and points deducted for a wrong answer, and it is not expected that you will answer every question on the test.
Verbal Reasoning (scales verbal)
This short and focused assessment is designed to assess your ability to make logical decisions based on information provided in the text. There are five different versions of this assessment available, and the level you will take will depend on the type of role that you have applied for.
You will have 12 minutes, in which time you will be presented with up to 49 tasks consisting of a paragraph of text followed by a statement. You need to determine the truth or accuracy of the statement, based on the provided information.
Numerical Reasoning (scales numerical)
Numerical reasoning is not a maths test, but it is an assessment of your ability to quickly read, and understand and analyse data presented in graphs and tables, using basic calculations to find the right answer.
In a similar way to the verbal reasoning assessment, you will have 12 minutes to complete up to 37 tasks, where you will be given data in a table or a graph, followed by a statement. You will have to decide whether this statement is true, false, or cannot say based on the data provided.
Inductive Logical Reasoning (scales clx)
Inductive reasoning is sometimes known as abstract reasoning, and it is a test that is used to assess your ability to make logical decisions based on limited information.
In this assessment, you will have 12 minutes to complete up to 12 separate questions. Each question is structured with several images and shapes that are connected by a pattern or rule that makes them a sequence.
To answer these questions, you will need to find the rule for Set A and Set B, and then assign four extra shapes or images to the right set.
Again, it is not expected that you will answer all the questions in this assessment.
Deductive Logical Thinking (scales lst)
Another abstract-based test is the deductive logic assessment. Presented a bit like a sudoku puzzle, you will need to find a missing shape or image to fit a box in a 4x4 or 5x5 grid.
Some squares will be empty, and some will have shapes in them. Some rules must be followed to complete the grid - each shape can only appear in a row or column once, and each shape must be in the row or column once.
This is a very short test at just six minutes, and the grids get harder and harder as you progress through - with an unlimited number of grids.
Mechanical Reasoning (scales mtu)
With just 15 minutes to answer up to 24 questions, the mechanical reasoning assessment is designed to test your ability to understand basic mechanical concepts and physics knowledge, especially useful in engineering, technical, and hands-on roles.
With questions about concepts such as pulleys, gears and levers, cogs, acceleration, and gravity, this test is not scientific but does need a basic school-level understanding of the way mechanical things work. It is a graphic-based test, so you can expect to see images of mechanical processes and select the right multiple-choice answer.
Spatial Reasoning (scales spr)
Spatial reasoning is necessary for roles where you need to think outside the box, and the Aon assessment tests your ability to use your imagination and create a 3D shape.
This test is just 10 minutes long, and you will be presented with several labelled shapes, which you choose between to create the required shape.
Spatial reasoning is an important part of critical thinking, and this is an assessment that can often be found in engineering and mechanical roles.
Personality Questionnaire (shapes)
This assessment is designed to test your work behaviour and look for the personality traits that you require to be successful in the role you have applied for.
Unlike the other Cut-e/Aon assessments, the shapes test is untimed but generally takes about ten minutes to complete.
You will be presented with three statements on each page, and you need to allocate points to them. These points demonstrate how much you agree with each statement, or how well you think it describes your behaviour at work.
There are six different versions of this assessment used, and the number of statements will depend on the version you are taking. This test is adaptive, which means that the way you answer a previous question will inform the next questions that are presented.
Situational Judgement Test
As with other, situational judgement tests, the Cut-e/Aon assessment is designed to find out how you solve problems and what your work behaviour is like, by assessing your response to real work issues.
In this assessment, you will be provided with several fictional, but realistic, work scenarios. These will usually involve dealing with problematic customers, colleagues, or technology.
After each scenario, there are several possible outcomes or actions that you could take.
In the same way, as with the personality test, you will have to assign points to the actions that you would take if you were in that situation.
The scenarios are based on everyday working situations and are relevant to the role that you have applied for.
Top Tips to Pass Your Aon Assessments
1. Know what you are facing
If you are applying for a role and you will need to complete any pre-employment testing, finding out what tests you will face is an important part of your preparation.
In some cases, the careers page of the company will have details about the recruitment process, which might include which tests you will take, but it is more likely that you will find out when you are invited to take them via email.
2. Practice
Although aptitude and psychometric assessments are not knowledge tests, you can still get many benefits from practicing.
Familiarity with the test structure, the way the questions are asked, and how you need to answer them are all things that practice can give you - and feeling comfortable with the tests is one of the best ways to score well.
Practice can also help you to highlight if there are any areas where you need extra work.
3. Focus on weaknesses
As Cut-e/Aon tests are marked for both correct and incorrect answers, you must ensure your answers are correct.
You do not get marked down for missing a question, but you will if you get it wrong - so use your practice time to find your weaknesses and then focus on those to make it easier in the real thing.
4. Read the Questions
In the assessments, you will have ample time to read the instructions before you start, and there are often practice questions so you can get used to the system (although you should already know what to expect from your practice).
Use all the time you can to read the instructions, this will help you feel calm and in control before you get started.
In the assessment, be sure you know exactly what the question is asking for before you start so you do not waste time with the wrong information.
5. Work Fast
The time limits for these assessments are notoriously tight, and although the employer will not expect you to answer all the questions in the allocated time, you want to give yourself the best chance to score highly.
This means that you must work through them quickly - and move on if you don't know the answer.
