What are cognitive skills and why do they matter?
Psychometric research shows that cognitive skills assessments are strong predictors of future job performance. For over a century, studies have demonstrated a close link between cognitive ability and various life outcomes, such as academic achievement, health behaviors, social interactions, and creativity. A 2016 study by Schmidt, Oh, and Shaffer concluded that general mental ability (or cognitive ability) is the most reliable predictor of future job performance and learning.
Traditionally, three cognitive skills—logical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and numerical reasoning—have been recognized for their strong correlation with cognitive ability. Recently, attention to detail has emerged as another key predictor of job performance, making it an important factor in candidate selection.
Cognitive ability tests are valuable for hiring, performance appraisal, career development, and talent management across various occupations. Their primary strength lies in their ability to effectively forecast job performance and other organizational outcomes through objective and cost-effective evaluation methods.
📍Note: The assessment of cognitive skills—verbal, numerical, logical reasoning, and attention to detail—differs significantly from IQ tests. While IQ tests measure overall intelligence and cognitive potential across a broad range, our cognitive assessment specifically targets reasoning skills and attention capabilities relevant to job-related problem-solving and decision-making. This evaluation does not provide a comprehensive measure of intelligence; instead, it evaluates specific skills critical for success in targeted tasks or jobs.
What’s the Bryq Approach?
The Bryq Assessment employs a series of questions to evaluate cognitive abilities in four key areas: Attention to Detail, Logical Reasoning, Numerical Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning. By adjusting the weight of each of the skills, it is possible to predict future performance within a given role. Many individuals are strongest in two of the four skills, therefore it’s important to consider the profile of the skills and scores as opposed to simply considering the total cognitive score.
Below, you can find the key cognitive ability skills that we measure in Bryq.
Numerical Reasoning
Numerical reasoning is the ability to interpret, understand, and draw logical conclusions from numerical data. Questions on numerical reasoning assess an individual’s capacity to analyze figures, work with numerical information, and perform accurate calculations—essential for quantitative decision-making.
→ How it Works: Individuals are given numerical data in formats like graphs or tables. They must interpret this data to answer questions or solve problems accurately.
📍Numerical reasoning differs from math skills in focus: it emphasizes interpreting and analyzing data—like charts or graphs—to identify trends and make decisions, rather than performing calculations. Math skills, on the other hand, assess proficiency in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and other mathematical principles, focusing on accurate computation and formula application.
Verbal Reasoning
Verbal reasoning evaluates the ability to understand, interpret, and critically assess written information. Questions assess skills in evaluating arguments, understanding context, judging argument validity, and identifying relevant information—key for effective comprehension and judgment.
→ How it Works: Individuals are presented with a short passage of information, followed by multiple-choice questions. They must select the best answer from 3-5 options based on the information provided.
📍Verbal reasoning and language tests have different focuses: verbal reasoning evaluates the ability to understand, interpret, and critically assess written information to make judgments, while language tests assess proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, and language rules. Verbal reasoning emphasizes comprehension and logical thinking, whereas language tests focus on language mechanics and usage accuracy.
Logical Reasoning
Logical reasoning measures a person’s ability to solve problems using logic and pattern recognition. This skill is critical for structured problem-solving and sound decision-making, particularly when dealing with complex issues or limited information.
→ How it Works: Individuals encounter questions involving shapes, missing parts, or sequences following specific patterns. They must choose the correct answer from 4-6 options based on the observed pattern.
Attention to Detail
Attention to detail assesses an individual’s ability to handle tasks requiring focus and precision. The Bryq assessment emphasizes selective attention—focusing on specific information while filtering out distractions. This skill is vital for tasks that demand concentration, precision, and effective decision-making.
→ How it Works: Individuals are presented with alphanumeric data in different formats. They must quickly decide which of the options matches the given information.
📍Attention to detail and selective attention focus on the ability to concentrate on specific details while disregarding distractions, which is vital for tasks that require precision. In contrast, pattern recognition involves identifying trends or sequences in data or images. This skill is essential for logical problem-solving and predicting outcomes based on observed patterns, often linking it to logical reasoning and other analytical skills.