Aptitude Testing for California Students
Choosing a College Major Comes with Risks
Without trustworthy advice…
Parents end up spending excessively on tuition fees.
Students spend valuable years without clear direction.
The result is often just student loans and prevailing uncertainty.
The cost of college poses a daunting challenge for every parent and student. The typical Bachelor’s degree comes with a price tag of $101,584 and demands four years from a student’s life. These commitments are far from negligible. Moreover, a significant number of graduates find themselves in jobs that lack satisfaction, do not provide a sustainable income, or offer a clear route to professional advancement. Many students make career choices without truly understanding if those roles suit them. We believe there is a more effective approach.
Helping California Students Prepare for College Pick Their College Major Through Advanced Aptitude Testing
Imagine if your child had a clear vision of their dream job, their ideal occupation. Selecting their college major would be a straightforward choice. Unfortunately, this clarity is rare among most students. How can one choose a career path with no real-world experience post-graduation? Our advanced aptitude assessments equip students with the necessary insights to select a career that aligns with their dream job. Beyond serving the Irvine area, we extend our support to students across California and the entire United States.
Sophisticated Aptitude Assessments Enable High Schoolers to Select Their Major Confidently
A striking 88% of college newcomers state that securing a desirable job is their main motivation for enrolling in college. However, the focus for most students and their families often leans more towards gaining admission into prestigious institutions rather than pinpointing the career for which they’re attending college. Armed with a scientific grasp of their innate abilities, students can approach the selection of their majors and the mapping out of their career paths with enthusiasm instead of apprehension.
Utilizing the Highlands Ability Battery (HAB) – the gold standard in aptitude evaluation – students can craft a career strategy they can trust. By identifying their inherent strengths, we equip students with a tailored list of professions where they are predisposed to thrive.
Discover Your Student’s Strengths with Aptitude Assessments
Aptitude assessments for high school students offer numerous advantages. These tests offer objective evidence to students (and their guardians) about the types of tasks where they naturally excel. The advantages encompass the following:
- Recommendations for careers based on data, tailored to your student’s inherent abilities
- Insights into your child’s optimal learning styles, memory retention, and information processing methods
- Advice on particular professional tasks and challenges your student is adept at addressing
Mapping Out Your Aptitude Testing Strategy
- Book Your Aptitude Assessment
Secure your student’s aptitude evaluation slot. Upon purchase, you’ll arrange a session with one of our aptitude experts. They will prepare your student for the assessment, monitor their progress, and guarantee the precision of their results. - Complete the Evaluation
Your student will undertake the evaluation remotely, using a desktop or laptop. Although the assessment is comprehensive, requiring around 3 hours, it doesn’t need to be completed in one go. The test can be divided into several sessions for convenience. - Pick Your Major
After the assessment, a qualified evaluator will deliver your student’s aptitude results, offering a detailed discussion on interpreting the scores and accessing career guidance reports. This essential session, lasting between 1.5 and 2 hours, empowers students and parents to use these insights for selecting the most suitable college major and plotting a career path that complements your student’s natural talents.
Frequently Asked Questions about Aptitude Testing
What Benefits Will My Student Gain from an Aptitude Test?
Your student will uncover a wealth of insights about themselves. They’ll discover their unique problem-solving style, mechanical inclinations, aptitude for learning foreign languages, natural musical talent, and preferred learning methods. More impressively, they’ll receive a career exploration report detailing ideal job opportunities, necessary educational paths, and potential earnings.
What’s the Name of This Aptitude Test?
It’s known as the Highlands Ability Battery (HAB), hailed as the pinnacle of aptitude testing. It evaluates 13 different aptitudes, three personal style traits, and one skill, providing a comprehensive assessment of a student’s natural abilities.
Can Students Outside of Irvine, California Take The Aptitude Test?
Yes! While we primarily serve students and families in Irvine, California, we can virtually serve students anywhere. Students from New York, Florida, and even Australia have taken our assessments. As long as you have a computer, you can take work with one of our aptitude testing consultants.
How Does the HAB Differ From Online Personality Quizzes?
The HAB focuses on measuring aptitudes — inherent talents and cognitive strengths — rather than interests, personality traits, or acquired skills. Aptitudes are innate and remain consistent over time, crystallizing around the ages of 14-15. The HAB offers concrete data to guide students towards careers where they’ll naturally excel.
How Does Aptitude Testing Prepare My High Schooler for College?
The test reveals students’ aptitudes in areas like foreign language proficiency, problem-solving skills, and learning preferences. High aptitudes naturally seek expression, meaning students will be driven to use these talents. The results help students choose majors and careers that match their strengths, ensuring engagement and fulfillment.
Is the HAB Complex to Understand?
Following the assessment, a detailed 1.5-2 hour debrief with an aptitude specialist will clarify the results. This personalized session goes over all measured abilities and aligns them with potential careers. Our experts provide thorough explanations and remain available for any further queries.
What if My Student Scores Low on the Test?
Aptitude tests aren’t about scoring high or low; each outcome has its advantages. For instance, high scores in observation might suit visual careers like architecture, whereas lower scores could indicate suitability for roles requiring less visual distraction. Our specialists will help interpret these results, emphasizing how to leverage any score positively.
How Does the HAB Compare to the Johnson O’Connor Test?
While both stem from a long history of aptitude research, the HAB, developed from the Johnson O’Connor framework, allows for remote assessment and flexibility in completion. Additionally, our specialists provide ongoing support, using the results for practical career and major selection advice.
What’s the Cost of the Aptitude Test?
The comprehensive package is $550, covering an introductory meeting, a detailed debrief, and access to personalized reports, including career recommendations. Group sessions are offered at a reduced rate of $300-$350, depending on participation numbers.
Will an Aptitude Test Restrict My Child’s Career Choices?
Aptitude tests illuminate tasks a student naturally excels at, not limiting but empowering them to make informed decisions. While they might need to work harder at tasks outside their natural aptitudes, knowing their strengths allows for a more intentional career and educational planning.
When Should My Child Take the Test?
The ideal age is between 14-15 when aptitudes become more defined. Testing at this age provides valuable insights for academic and career planning, helping to navigate high school and college preparation effectively.
Can the Test Guide College Major Selection?
Absolutely. The test offers critical insights into careers that match a student’s natural abilities, aiding in the selection of a college major that fosters long-term success and satisfaction.
How Can This Test Assist With College Applications and Interviews?
Understanding their strengths helps students articulate their unique abilities in applications and interviews, guiding extracurricular and internship choices to bolster their college profiles.
Is Retaking the Test an Option?
Aptitudes generally stabilize by mid-teens, but significant life changes may warrant a retest. Consultation with a specialist can help decide if a reevaluation is beneficial.
Does the Test Connect to Scholarships or Programs?
While not directly linked, the insights gained can steer students towards scholarships and programs that align with their aptitudes, enhancing their chances of success.
How Relevant Are the Test Results in Today’s Changing Job Market?
The fundamental aptitudes assessed remain applicable across various careers, including new and evolving fields, ensuring the test’s enduring relevance in career planning.
Can the Test Help Develop a Career Plan?
While aptitudes provide a foundation, a comprehensive career plan also considers interests, values, and goals. Additional resources like career counseling and job shadowing can refine this plan, guiding students toward fulfilling career paths.