What is a Cut-e test?
The Cut-e test assesses a specific skill or aptitude and is typically of short duration, ranging from 5 to 15 minutes. Cut-e tests are also known as Aon tests (these are the same thing; Aon acquired Cut-e in 2017).
The Cut-e system has several ‘scales’ – the name given to each type of test – and has proved popular in many business sectors. Over 30 million candidates now take Cut-e tests each year.
Cut-e tests are administered through an online testing portal called MapTQ, which is compatible with smartphones and tablets. For optimum user experience, it’s recommended that you use a PC, laptop or notebook with a stable internet connection.
Which employers use Cut-e tests?
Cut-e tests are used in many industries, with some industry-specific question sets used for different sectors (eg financial, consumer and industrial).
Employers such as O2, Jury’s Inn, Siemens, Deloitte and ISS use Cut-e tests for talent acquisition and staff progression.
The type of Cut-e test used in your application will depend entirely on the type of job applied for; each type of test is assessing a specific skill.
The different types of Cut-e tests and how they work
In basic terms, the Cut-e tests can be separated into what they are assessing: skills, knowledge and personality. There are several different tests in each type, but the formats are generally the same. Let’s look at each in turn.
Cut-e numerical reasoning tests
In the Cut-e scales numerical reasoning test, you will have 12 minutes to complete as many tasks as you can (out of a total of 37). You will be asked to say whether a statement is true (or not) based on the numerical data provided.
The data will be provided on separate tabs, and you will need to navigate to the appropriate tab to find the information you need, and then analyse it to determine if it is true, false, or whether there is insufficient information to decide.
We have some practice questions and more information about the skills needed for numerical reasoning tests here.
Cut-e verbal reasoning tests
As with the numerical reasoning tests, you will be presented with several tabs containing verbal information and asked to determine the accuracy of the statements provided. For this test you will have 12 minutes and a total of 49 tasks, although you are not expected to finish them all.
The Cut-e verbal reasoning tests do not contain long paragraphs of information like other test publishers, but it is nevertheless important to practice verbal reasoning skills. If you need some tips or further information, you can read more on our verbal reasoning tests page.
Cut-e mechanical reasoning tests
As a job-specific test, the mechanical reasoning assessment is typically used for industrial-based employment assessments.
In this test, you will be presented with mechanical graphics, and will need to demonstrate your technical and mechanical understanding. There are 24 tasks that you will need to complete in 12 minutes.
You can practice mechanical reasoning tests for free, and read more about how these tests work, via our mechanical reasoning tests page.
Cut-e inductive logic tests
In the Cut-e tests, there are two main types of inductive reasoning tests. Both relate to patterns, but the way the tasks are presented are different.
In Option 1, there are 12 tasks. For each task, you need to understand the common rule in the pattern, and then assign new images to the relevant patterns. There is a 12-minute time limit, and you are required to complete as many as you can in the time assigned.
In Option 2, there are 20 tasks. You need to understand the patterns, and then select the item in a series of 9 that doesn’t fit. This has a shorter time frame (5 minutes), and you need to complete as many as you can.
Inductive logic, also known as inductive reasoning, assesses your ability to recognise patterns and use this ability to find the answer. For practice tests and to find out more, see our inductive reasoning tests page.
Cut-e deductive logic tests
In the Cut-e scales deductive logic tests, you will have 6 minutes to understand the pattern in the graphic, and then use logic to fill the empty cell. The graphic is a square with similar rules to a Sudoku game – each shape must appear only once in any row or column.
Deductive logic is sometimes referred to as deductive reasoning; further information and practice tests are available on our deductive reasoning tests page.
Cut-e personality tests
The Cut-e personality tests are known as Cut-e shapes, and the test questions are simple and precise. The assessment has three different statements on each page, and the test-taker needs to rate how accurately the statements describe them.
There are three versions of this test, depending on the role: sales, graduate, or management.
You can get more information about personality tests, including a free practice test, on our personality tests page.
