Emotional Intelligence Tests

What are emotional intelligence tests?

An emotional intelligence test is an assessment for awareness and understanding of emotions and how they affect people. It also assesses the ability to manage emotions, both in oneself and in others.

There are a variety of emotional intelligence tests that measure different aspects of emotional intelligence. Some common tests include the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), the Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i), and the Schutte Emotional Intelligence Scale (SEIS).

This particular test is inspired by Mayer-Salovey-Caruso's Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) focusing on perceiving, using, understanding, and managing emotions. Candidates are given 16 multiple-choice questions to answer in 10 minutes. The questions assess emotion-related skills that provide insights into each candidate's EI (emotional intelligence).

What do emotional intelligence tests measure?

Emotional intelligence tests measure a person's ability to perceive, understand, and manage emotions. This includes being able to recognize and understand your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others.

Some emotional intelligence tests also measure things like empathy and self-awareness. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. Self-awareness is the ability to be aware of your own emotions and how they affect you.

Emotional intelligence tests can be used for a variety of purposes, such as hiring decisions or determining whether someone is suitable for a particular job. They can also be used to help people develop their own emotional intelligence skills.

What employers use emotional intelligence tests and why?

Emotional intelligence is closely linked with job performance since certain jobs require stronger emotional intelligence levels than others. Industries that are customer facing such as sales or customer service would benefit most from hiring candidates with strong EI. Other industries such as caregiving, hospitality, and jobs where strong teamwork is required would also benefit from using this test.

If a candidate has strong emotional intelligence, they are good at understanding their own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. Identifying this skill means that your future hire will have strong self-awareness and be able to read other people's emotions.

What are the benefits of using an emotional intelligence test in your hiring process?

Organizations that use emotional intelligence (EI) testing as part of their hiring process report a number of benefits.

EI can help identify individuals who are likely to be successful in a given role and who will work well with others. In addition, EI testing has the potential to improve team productivity, reduce interpersonal conflict, and enhance the overall working environment.

The assessment is typically sent during the early stages of the recruitment process. The results of the test are point based which you can easily compare across your pool of applicants. Additionally, a global average is also provided which you can use as a benchmark for shortlisting.

The data from the assessment provides valuable insights into an applicant's emotion-related abilities. For example, an applicant who demonstrates high EI is likely to be more self-reflective and aware of their impact on others. This can be beneficial in roles that require high levels of interpersonal skills.

A high EI score also illustrates better understanding and responsiveness to the needs of others. This can be beneficial in customer-facing roles or roles that require caregiving.