Is it possible to fake a psychometric assessment?
Ability tests are extremely difficult to fake, and most instruments that are used in selection and recruitment have built-in measures that enable a qualified practitioner to identify where faking or distortion has occurred. For example, the Saville Aptitude Assessments have measures of test-taking styles, speed, accuracy and caution, and the 16PF questionnaire contains Response Style Indices that tell the practitioner about Impression Management, Acquiescence and Infrequency. It is also worth noting that distortion in test results is not always the product of deliberate faking. Respondents may feel nervous or cynical about the assessment, or they may have misunderstood the instructions. Different cultures also respond differently to the test-taking situation. Psychometric instruments are not open to any more bias than interviews, where people can be trained in interview technique. People are best prepared by being relaxed and rested on the day of testing.
