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Test User: Occupational Ability

Formerly BPS Level A

Occupational Ability is our aptitude qualification, also called cognitive ability. Aptitude tests measure how well someone reasons with words, with numbers, and with patterns they have not seen before, which predicts how quickly they will learn the job and how they will handle it once they are in it.

This course qualifies you to run them, set the cut-off scores, and explain what the results mean to the people making the hire.  See why practitioners choose Saville.

LevelA
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Top 20

Named by Training Industry for assessment and evaluation for 6 years running.

BPS & EFPA

Full accreditation eligibility on our Test User courses

1 in 50

The odds of a mis-hire when you hire with our expert-level assessments. Without assessments, 1 in 5

THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT TRUST US

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Upcoming sessions

Test User: Occupational Ability

Qualifies you to administer aptitude tests, interpret the results, set cut-off scores and give best-practice feedback. 

8-12 Hours of E-Learning Modules
2.5 Days of Virtual Tutored Online Training
13 October 2026
10 November 2026
8 December 2026
19 January 2027
23 February 2027
16 March 2027
20 April 2027
18 May 2027
22 June 2027
20 July 2027
17 August 2027
21 September 2027
19 October 2027
16 November 2027
14 December 2027
What you're certified in

What aptitude tests measure

You qualify in three kinds of reasoning, and in both of the assessments built from them.

1

Verbal Reasoning

How well someone draws the right conclusion from written information, which is most of what lands in an inbox.

2

Numerical Reasoning

How well someone interprets figures and spots what the numbers are actually saying.

3

Abstract Reasoning

How quickly someone finds the pattern in something unfamiliar, with no advantage for language or schooling.

1

Aptitude

Verbal, numerical and diagrammatic reasoning, matched to the level you are hiring at. Used across entry roles and early careers through to professionals and managers.

2

Executive Aptitude

A deeper read for senior and leadership appointments, where the thinking a role demands is the hardest thing to judge in a conversation.

Certification qualifies you in both

More on cognitive ability assessment here.

Put it alongside a Wave® behavioral assessment and fairness improves further across gender and ethnicity, while the prediction gets stronger.

Our research team presented that finding at the International Test Commission and most practitioners choose to qualify in both. Take the combined course instead.

Why get qualified

What you'll gain

Qualifying is what lets you screen at volume and stand behind the decisions that come out of it.

The right test for the role

Run a job analysis and identify what the role actually needs measuring.

Cut-offs you can explain

Set and defend the scores that decide who goes through.

Feedback that makes an impact

Give candidates and hiring managers results they can act on.

Scores your systems can use

Integrate ability and behavioral fit scores with your applicant tracking system.

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What delegates say

In their words

The practice feedback session was structured well: I watched the course consultant deliver one first, then had a go at doing it myself.

Super professional, friendly and encouraging. It helped me grow and encouraged me to keep practicing afterwards.

Before you book

How it works

The course runs in two parts. Complete the e-learning first, then join the live virtual tutoring with other delegates.

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4 to 6 hours at your own pace

Self-paced modules covering the theory behind the assessments. A named consultant is available throughout. These have to be finished before the live sessions start.

See course dates
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1 day with a course director

Group discussion, quizzes and small-group case studies with expert-led feedback, working on real reports rather than worked examples.

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Additional extras

A named consultant and a pre-course call, a reference book, a practical workbook, a check-in call, and Knowledge Hub access.

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Ready to get accredited?

Sessions available to book every month through to December 2027 

Other routes in

Other training courses

Both, in one course

Test User: Occupational Ability and Personality, formerly Level A & B. Adds Wave® behavioral assessment to the aptitude side, which is where the prediction gets strongest. Most people take this.

Explore dates

Behavior only

Test User: Occupational Personality, formerly Level B. Requires an ability qualification first, so it suits practitioners who already hold one and only need Wave®.

Explore dates

Already qualified elsewhere

The Wave® Transfer course converts an existing personality qualification in four hours of e-learning plus a live feedback practice session, so you can use Wave® without starting again.

Convert your qualification
Help & Support

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Test User: Occupational Ability is the current name for what used to be called BPS Level A.