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Mechanical Aptitude Test

Mechanical Aptitude Test

Mechanical Aptitude Test

(OP)
Does anyone know of a mechanical aptitude test that could be given to applicants for a job requiring ability to trouble shoot and inspect equipment?

 

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

The Army will be happy to give you one...

Check w/ a local community college or psychologist

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

farmer2,
That's difficult to answer without knowing wht the "equipment" is. (Agricultural, scientific, heavy industrial, musical, ???)

... but what could be better than actual problems with the equipment in question.

cheers

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

(OP)
Thanks to all for replies.

CoreBlimeyLimey,
The equipment is for a tree service, which has truck mounted man lifts, saws, tools, etc. So we are talking mechanical, hydraulic and I assume light electric troubleshooting. The applicant hired would also work in the field supervising job foremen.

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

Start with something simple.  I'm sure you'll sift out most of the riffraff on literacy alone.

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

Similar to Tick, keep it simple.

Are there any major problems you face everyday that you could water down, for the purpose of an interview?

Or have a failure from the past that you could have the person look over and see how quickly they know the failure mod? (I had this in one interview, and thought it was really good and practical)

I would advise against, emailing them a bunch of problems and asking them to complete them on a specific time, with out using resources –or something like this. The results prove to be inconclusive and there is a high potential to rule out the honist person who may not know it off the top of his head but can learn it really fast.   
 

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

I remember in the early eighties on oil and gas and petrochemical projects, our chief draftsman, when interviewing casuals to churn out manual isometrics, would show the candidates an iso and get them to "construct" it with an old straightened coat hanger.  It worked very well!

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

My old boss used to use a big cutaway diagram of an Iron Duke engine and would ask potentials to describe it.  The range of replies was startling:

- I think it's some kind of engine.

- Well whoever drew that balancer shaft got the gear teeth wrong - they don't mesh.

- Steve

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

If they pass the drug test - you are half way there!!

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

LOL!!!  More like 90% there!

We have had 4 new people come and go in the last 4 months because of the failing drug tests... and we just got another new one today...

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

I like to start very simple, just the use of the proper tool for the job.

I saw this approach being used by an international firm in hiring new technicians. We had a female accounting clerk who applied for a job with this company for a job as a technician. She and I had built several Heathkits and while doing so I had taught her the proper use of each tool.
In her aptitude test she was asked to replace a small motor in a piece of equipment. On the table were several tools including a small screwdriver. To get to the motor she was required to take off a cover held by several large screws. She looked at the screws and the available screw driver and without hesitation see opened the tool kit and retrieved the proper screw driver for the subject screw. At this point the tester told her she had the job.

After this incident I convinced our maintenance superintendent that this would be a good approach for future mechanics trainees instead of the current on the job evaluations. Our resultant program including several different tool scenarios, the screw driver, box end wrench vs the open end or adjustable wrench on a rounded nut, etc.

The second stage testing after there was a short exposure to some safety rules, like anything over 12 volts get an electrician, when in doubt get the manual, etc.

The third stage was for people who professed some proficiency in certain areas. For the ones who said hydraulics, there was a valve body where one was ask to change out a cartridge valve. The valve body was extremely dirty. Part of the test was to see if the first step was to clean the area where the valve was to changed.

None of the initial testing was to see if they could do a specific task rather if they had the basic understanding along with the proper approach to a job like the use of tools, safety, instructions, etc.

Anecdotal
The person mentioned above went rapidly up through the ranks and retired from upper management.


  

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

(OP)
Thanks for a lot of good ideas. The DTS test looks good but I wonder how long it would take the average person to complete.

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

DTS: interesting.  My physics teacher would have conniptions over using kg for "weight", "torque" as "force", "psi" as force.

96%

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

About 25 minutes ... 90%.

cheers

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

92% in 15 minutes.

About half the questions had an error of some sort in them.

 

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

You could ask someone to assemble the core of a bent-axis hydraulic piston pump.  Typically ~13 small pistons flexibly joined to a swashplate, that all have to be inserted in _very_ tight fitting bores in a cylinder body, while at the same time you have to align and assemble a central universal joint, too.

It requires both dexterity and patience... if that's what you seek.



 

Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

100% in 5-10 minutes.

Greg, if half of the questions had errors how did you get 92% right? Does that mean you picked the wrong answers on purpose?

ISZ

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

I answered them in the spirit in which they were intended, but for many of them it would be possible to argue in favour of another answer.

eg the air going into an engine's cylinder.

is it sucked in by the piston, or pushed in by atmospheric pressure?

Perfectly correct answer: something else, since if the VE is >100% then neither of those two mechanisms can explain it.

etc.







 

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

Sorry, hit return too quickly.

Mind that is a general problem, often you have to answer the question that the interviewer examiner meant to ask, rather than what they actually asked.

Cheers

Greg Locock

SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

I'm clearly a dunce, only 80%.  sadeyes

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

Greg, I'll grant you that one. You could also argue the question about the fans - same or opposite rotation relative to what? And the balloon question assumes that the balloons are equal thickness.

You also have to wonder how mechanical aptitude relates to knowing that oil floats on water!

ISZ

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

I can't see where the Ford test would show any mechanical aptitude by the person taking the test. Back in the my day we covered such things  starting in the eight grade. Making good on this type test which is I've seen given in various forms on pre-employment tests doesn't say anything about the practical aspect of mechanical aptitude. Though not used as a condition of employment it is normally filed and used later in evaluation in job bids. It is sort of like the test where you punch holes in the test paper which is supposed to show you a career path. This test said I should be concert pianist.
Granted this test would be a first step but I would want a little hands on prior to committing resources for training and find out the applicant is not suited for the job.

I have known and believe you have also known numerous outstanding mechanics that I don't believe could score the 80 required to pass this test.  

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

15 mins 94%

Tripped by the fan.
Manometer question. I think I was right but eh.
Gear train naming. Mixed two.  Didn't like my answer anyway.

BTW That was fun!

Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

92%  But:

Matching the drive ratio name to the proper image requires knowledge of specific terminology which I long ago forgot.  

The planet gear question could have been worded more clearly.  

Piston question….  marginal.

They got me on the fan question.

It was fun though.
 

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

96%, 10 minutes, wife babbling on in background.

The wording of some questions was vague to say the least.

I will take this to work and see how the lads do at it.
  

----------------------------------
  
If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!
 

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

Hmmm,...
Trouble shoot and inspect equipment, and it is an on site supervisory job.

So presumably this guy will not be rebuilding whole engines or hydraulic pumps on the bench with his own two hands?  Just trouble shooting in the field.  And as it is supervisory position, he should have had some prior experience in this field.

I would try to get some cut away or exploded drawings of the type of equipment you use, and start asking questions. What does this bit do, what would be some of the things you would check for a particular problem.

In another approach, ask about hobbies and outside interests. If he has a home workshop and tinkers around with vehicles or machinery, that would have to be be a plus.

If his fingernails are completely clean, be VERY suspicious.

RE: Mechanical Aptitude Test

It would sure be nice to see the candidate actually work on something.  You can learn soooo much just by watching them for maybe 10 minutes.  Attitude, focused interest, methodology, concentration, planning, assurance, and confidence would all pour out of 10-15 minutes of wrenching on something.  It would need to be the Right Something.

Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com

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