How do I pass a computerized pre-employment exam?

I had my resume on Monster and Progressive called me because they liked my resume. I have worked 2 years in technical support and 6 months selling insurance. I wasnt sure I passed the first test but they told me I did, and I also passed the second test. They scheduled a phone interview, I did well so I took another interview. After those two I took a phone interview to test my spanish since i applied for a bilingual position. I finally took 2 face to face interviews, and they said they would call me on wednesday. They called me and offered me a job. I wont start till October, but I was very happy with the pay. They were all very friendly and profesional. I cant wait to start! The whole process took about a week and a half including the back ground check.

Hi all,

I just took the assessment tests today and passed both. I found this thread very helpful and wanted to contribute.

After reading the comments, I was really nervous about the first test but it went fine! Beforehand, I printed out a few Wonderlic sample tests and went an hr early. I sat in the car and did the practice tests to help get my mind "warmed up". Doing this calmed my nerves and helped me feel more prepared/confident. I highly recommend doing so if you are anxious.
I used the ESPN practice test and the three found at www.testprepreview.com/wonderlicpracticequestions1.htm. The questions are formated very similarly.

The second test was not timed and was just personality questions like "You work best under pressure". With answer choices- Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree. Answer honestly and as a good employee would and you will do fine! * I did not have the breaking the law question so I guess they no longer ask this*

I am scheduled for the first phone interview and will update as the process continues. Hopefully this helped someone! Wish me luck!

To John in Denver: Progressive one of the best companies in the world? For who? Because it does not appear in any list of "Best companies to work for" noy even in America. So, if we assume you work for Progressive and that is why you are talking so high about that company, then we can conclude the people working over there, either they lie too much, or they are so ingnorant that can make so stupid statements about the company they work for. Therefore, their stupid test does not work! Do not get me wrong, I did very well in the test, I got the interviews face to face, first one was wonderful, second one, a woman that kept asking me questions around her fear that I was not going to stay for too long with the company, even though my job history shows the opposite. She asked me if I have plans to finish my MBA, I told her yes, and I could see her face changing. At the end, it does not matter how intelligent you are, or how much qualified are you to do the job, it is more about the personal "feelings" they have about you.

These tests are not hard. The 50 questions in 12 minutes is designed to start easy and get harder the further you get. I got to question 43, it wasn't until about question 40 that I started getting complicated math problems. I would say I got about 35 right.

The test is all about using common sense. If you don't have common sense problem solving skills you won't pass. I have read a lot of posts about how people have Master's and Bachelor's Degrees and didn't pass, that is because having 'Book Smarts' will not help you on this test. I know a lot of people that have said degrees but they have absolutely no common sense. If you are one of these people, then you will probably have difficulties on this.

The second test was about 100 questions and not timed. You have to answer all the questions. Just get yourself in the frame of mind that you are a perfect person before starting. You will get questions like... "Do you get frustrated easily at work", answer NEVER (even though we all know everyone get's frustrated sometimes), or they will ask you "what is most important to you at work", answer that you enjoy a challenge, helping people, career advancement, health benefits, etc. Don't answer you want an easy job, or the pay is important to you, or having a lot of friends at work, etc.

Hope this helps!

John from Pennsylvania in Denver, Colorado said: You must be prepared for your interview, know your work experience inside and out. Show examples of flexibility and leadership in your past work experience. Show up for the written test in professional attire, yes, just to take the test. You are being screened from the moment you walk in to a progressive office for your test, by the way, believe it or not. They are looking for younger motivated, intelligent people and those who are striving for the top. It's one thing to say you are like this, it's another to convey it to an employer with out being over the top. Find your happy medium, prepare immensely for the interview, and another tip, it's a good idea to have at least 4 or 5 facts pertaining to the company, so do your research as well. I have already been hired, so if anyone has any specific q's, please feel free to ask, I'd be happy to hook all you people up with the insider info. I did a lot of research and preparation for my interviews. Here's a hint, the interview process is behavioral, so do your research with that. For those of you who take the hint, run with it, for those who don't understand what to do now, believe me, I'm not being an arrogant or mean person, but you won't make it through the interview unless you know how to proceed from here.. Good luck to all of ya, even you john hancock.

Hi,

Thank you for the opportunity to ask you questions. I have been reading the forum, and there are so many various answers. People say to lie on the Personality Test, that is not my nature, and in regard to have you ever broken the law, most people say to lie. But I had a DUI in 1994, they will find out that I lied if I do.

Also, it states that they only want young people, will I am a mature very experienced Professional. Also, since my business slowed down to nothing, and I lost everything in the stock market. My 850 credit score is a thing of the past. I have 3 outstanding depts.

I just went through the entire hiring process and here's what I found. The best way to get in is to be refered by a current employee. The test is not hard at all. It's common sense and basic 9th grade math( word problems that are all mult. choose) and middle school grammer. There are a few trick questions in there to make sure your reading the questions carefully. Some examples are...
1.All students take test, some of the people in the room are students. All the people in the room take test. True or false answer- false
2.Put the sentence in order. Answer by giving the last letter of the last sentence- must sentences all a have verb. answer-b
3.A gumball cost 6 cent. There are 15 gumballs in a bag, how mush would 3 a bag of gumballs cost? a)$1.35 b)$2.70 c)$.90 ans-b
They gave 20 min to answer 50 question. Do not try to answer all questions as much as get them right, you must complete so many correctly to pass but don't spend to much time on any one question. You can skip some if it will take to long but be warned the questions get harder around #20. I skipped most of the math and pasted just fine. They let you know soon as your done if you pass and if you can go on to the personality test. That test is easy as well. Just imagine what type of person you would want working for your mulit million dollar company and stay consistant with your answers. It's mult choose, with answers like a) stronly agree b) somewhat agree ect.... They let you know as soon as your done if you pass this as well, and if so you go on to a phone interview. That's a little tougher but it's not that hard either. If you need more info just reply. Hope it helps!

I'm so sorry that I am having major computer problems. I passed the test, and personality test. Flunked the phone interview. If you go to Wonderlink, and I believe that it is WSPN. It will give you a sample. Although on the test it is not mulitiple choice. I really studied my math for the word questions that they ask. The math will be there, I did it. But you can skip over it, and go to an easy question.

Also, with the Personality test. Just tell them what they want to here. Never stay in the middle. Just say that you are great at it, and you love either crossword puzzels, or games with words. Also, you can see questions that they ask on the Progressive Forum.

I didn't do it, and flunked the telephone interview due to not reading what they have on the Internet. It would have made it so simple for me. I have no money, and I am trusting God.

Yikes!

Good Luck

Diana in Painesville, Ohio said: Hello Everyone!

I took the Progressive test last week. Pasted the first half but not the personality portion. A represtative came back in the room and read from a script that simply said I did not qualify in their eyes for a customer service position. I was shocked! I have 23 years call center and customer service experience and love that kind of work. I can't figure out what they are looking for. My sister has been employed with them for a very long time and loves her job. She said no one she works with seems to know how the test works either. Does anyone know which kind of test they use for the personality portion? I thought the representative said PEQ but I cannot find any information about it on the internet.

I dont feel so bad then, they shot me down for the same reason and I only have 12 years call center experience. I guess we are damaged goods now.

I dont get how people dont pass the personlity test. YOU LIE!!!
The way you answer is basically, nothing ever bothers you, your the happiest person alive, you have lots of close family and friends and talk to them every day, youve can always control your temper, so on and so forth just whatever makes you the happiest shiniest little person, you dont be truthful lol... every answer is either a 1 or a 5 on the scale..

John from Pennsylvania in Denver, Colorado said: To All, I was hired by Progressive and continue to work there on a daily basis. My position is a claims adjuster, you basically do all the work that a claim rep does at another insurance agency, with the additional appraisals and estimates, which you also handle. It's a one stop shop at Progressive, which by the way, has paved the way and changed the way all other large insurance companies now do business. As for what exactly they are looking for on the test. I can tell you this: dress professionally just to go and take that test. The individual at the front who will let you in, passes on you customer service to him and your appearance and demeanor are all screened as well. So, don't think, oh, just a nice pair of shorts and a collared shirt will do, dress to impress. Additionally, the test administrator has a larger role in screening you, and the real test has begun before you even begin your written test. There is no magic answer for this test and really no way to prepare, contrary to what some people may think, so just be honest and use common sense, overly honest answers that put you a predicament should probably be omitted. Be smart people, that's all. Progressive is looking for young, intelligent people who are charasmatic, driven and motivated. It's one thing to say you are these things, it's another to convey it during the interview process. I know the interview process really well because I made it through all 3 interviews. So, be extremely specfic, succinct and straight to the point. Also, try to show examples of how you are a flexible person, that's all I'm gonna say about that, believe me, these are 2 VERY CRITICAL components to Progressive's specific interview analysis. Lastly, be prepared to know your work history inside and out, your positions, and examples of YOUR situations where you experienced intense pressure of discomfort, and how did you handle it and what did you do to impr

To John from Pennsylvania: You mentioned in your post that Progressive is looking for younger motivated, intelligent people and those who are striving for the top. Are you saying that if one is over 50, that he or she probably doesn't have a chance of being hired? You also mentioned that in the post prior to this post.

Camile Anderson in Tampa, Florida said: I just went through the entire hiring process and here's what I found. The best way to get in is to be refered by a current employee. The test is not hard at all. It's common sense and basic 9th grade math( word problems that are all mult. choose) and middle school grammer. There are a few trick questions in there to make sure your reading the questions carefully. Some examples are...
1.All students take test, some of the people in the room are students. All the people in the room take test. True or false answer- false
2.Put the sentence in order. Answer by giving the last letter of the last sentence- must sentences all a have verb. answer-b
3.A gumball cost 6 cent. There are 15 gumballs in a bag, how mush would 3 a bag of gumballs cost? a)$1.35 b)$2.70 c)$.90 ans-b
They gave 20 min to answer 50 question. Do not try to answer all questions as much as get them right, you must complete so many correctly to pass but don't spend to much time on any one question. You can skip some if it will take to long but be warned the questions get harder around #20. I skipped most of the math and pasted just fine. They let you know soon as your done if you pass and if you can go on to the personality test. That test is easy as well. Just imagine what type of person you would want working for your mulit million dollar company and stay consistant with your answers. It's mult choose, with answers like a) stronly agree b) somewhat agree ect.... They let you know as soon as your done if you pass this as well, and if so you go on to a phone interview. That's a little tougher but it's not that hard either. If you need more info just reply. Hope it helps!

Camile,
This was very helpful especially with the examples that you provided. Can you tell me what kind of phone interview questions they ask?

i just took the test last week. its wasnt bad at all. after reading the comments on here, i was a little freaked out.
most math problems consisted of the ability to recognize trend from pie charts and graphs. I had a calculator handy in case i needed it.
the personality portion should be treated like "yes or no" questions. and DONT read more into the questions that are asked...take them at face value.

good luck!

LMNOP in New Orleans, Louisiana said: i just took the test last week. its wasnt bad at all. after reading the comments on here, i was a little freaked out.
most math problems consisted of the ability to recognize trend from pie charts and graphs. I had a calculator handy in case i needed it.
the personality portion should be treated like "yes or no" questions. and DONT read more into the questions that are asked...take them at face value.

good luck!

can you please go on detail ... am taking the exam in 2 days ?
like what type of questions and how many parts is the exam

216DZ in Cleveland, Ohio said: can you please go on detail ... am taking the exam in 2 days ?
like what type of questions and how many parts is the exam

sorry. i just saw your question. so by now you've taken the test....what did you think? did you pass?
i passed the phone interview so i now have the face-to-face interview coming up. i'm googling behavorial questions like crazy

Yeah I passed also the computer test .... can u give some tips about the phone interview and what type of questions ... it will be great help.
Hopefully you get back to me before I do the phone interview.

thanks in advance.

LMNOP in New Orleans, Louisiana said: sorry. i just saw your question. so by now you've taken the test....what did you think? did you pass?
i passed the phone interview so i now have the face-to-face interview coming up. i'm googling behavorial questions like crazy

Yeah I passed also the computer test .... can u give some tips about the phone interview and what type of questions ... it will be great help.
Hopefully you get back to me before I do the phone interview.

thanks in advance.

i totally forgot all about this thread. i was offered the job!!!

do your homework when it comes to the company. the recruiter asked what i knew of progressive and the position.

the best advice i can give you is to google behavioral questions so you will get an idea of what will be asked. as far as specifics: what would you change about your current company; tell me about a time you handled a difficult customer, yet kept within company guidelines.

be sure to get VERY VERY specific! even if its a task you do everyday, pick a time that stands out in your memory.

good luck!