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aptitude test

American  

noun

  1. any of various tests given to measure abilities, as manual dexterity, visual acuity, reasoning, or verbal comprehension, and used to assist in the selection of a career.


aptitude test British  

noun

  1. a test designed to assess a person's ability to do a particular type of work

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of aptitude test

First recorded in 1920–25

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

After her divorce, she went to Indiana University Southeast to sit for an aptitude test.

From The Wall Street Journal Apr. 23, 2026

After failing an aptitude test with tech company IBM as a young man in Hackney, east London, he started selling car aerials from a van, and later transistor radios.

From BBC Mar. 19, 2025

As part of the process, the Army will use a new aptitude test designed to identify soldiers who have a higher potential for being successful recruiters.

From Washington Times Oct. 3, 2023

Troops without a diploma are more likely to get a second chance if they do well on an Army aptitude test.

From New York Times Sep. 21, 2018

I remember wiping them on my slacks before the Choosing Ceremony, before the aptitude test, before every important moment, and suppress a scream.

From "Divergent" by Veronica Roth

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