What is the main purpose of an aptitude test?

An aptitude test is primarily designed to measure an individual's potential to perform in a job or certain tasks by evaluating their abilities across various domains, such as cognitive skills, problem-solving abilities, and technical skills. This assessment provides insights into how well a person may fit in a particular role based on their inherent skills and capabilities, rather than their previous knowledge or specific experiences.

By focusing on abilities that predict job performance potential, aptitude tests help employers identify candidates who possess the qualities necessary to succeed in a specific job, which can lead to better hiring decisions. This differs from other assessments, such as those that evaluate personality traits, assess knowledge on a particular subject, or review prior work experience, which do not directly gauge a candidate's innate capabilities related to job performance.