India Inc is keen to leverage psychometrics

A vast majority of organisations in India are keen to leverage advanced psychometrics for assessment and selection of candidates. This signals a need for improved awareness and access to superior psychometric tools. These are some of the findings of The State of Psychometric Assessments in India, a study conducted by global advisory, broking and solutions company Willis Towers Watson. Interestingly, more Indian domestic organisations use psychometrics as compared to MNCs.

At its most basic, psychometric assessment is the science of applied psychology which is intended to identify specific personality traits that could highlight the suitability for specific roles. The study polled over 100 of India’s top organisations and HR leaders to understand why companies in India lagged their mature market counterparts in realising the benefits of psychometrics, which can play a pivotal role in broadbased talent development. Currently psychometric assessments are used for recruitment and selection in India. Application for talent assessment and development was around 50% for most management levels, but at entry level it was a mere 7%; perhaps another indicator of the need for improved awareness around its benefits. Worryingly, despite succession planning being a key stated challenge for companies in India, the application of psychometrics to address this problem is low with only 28% using it at senior management and 13% for middle management.

Shatrunjay Krishna, director – rewards, talent and communication, Willis Towers Watson, said, “Imagine how valuable it would be to hire only those employees likely to be engaged? Psychometrics, as a science, is yet to be fully explored and leveraged in India. In an increasingly competitive world, only traditional methods such as interviews or aptitude tests may not be enough. Identifying, retaining and developing the right talent requires a precision that psychometric assessments can provide.” Investing in training and developing a cadre of psychometric practitioners are also important. This will lead to organisations understanding the impact of psychometrics on the talent cycle, said Krishna.