If your child is struggling to find their purpose, aptitude testing is an effective tool to help point them in the right direction. An aptitude is an innate talent or the natural ability to learn a specific skill or excel in a particular area. While many people can learn certain skills or information, even when the subject matter doesn’t come naturally to them, individuals who pursue careers in which they naturally excel get promoted more, tend to perform better, and generally report being more personally satisfied. Aptitude testing is the best way to help your student learn where their natural strengths and talents lie, and how they can apply their natural aptitudes towards a career that makes sense for them.
If a parent wishes for their child to take an aptitude test, but is unclear on how or where to access such a test, the good news is that there are several options. There are many different versions of aptitude tests, offered from many different companies. Aptitude testing can also vary widely in price. In today’s article, I am going to discuss the different options parents have for getting their child’s aptitude tested, and discuss the pros and cons of each format so that they can make the best decision for their family.
Free online aptitude tests are plentiful but lack scientific backing or real insights
Do a quick Google search on aptitude testing, and several ‘free’ tests pop up. While it might be tempting to have your child give these free options a try, you may wonder, will free tests give you the same results as a paid option?
The short answer is, likely no. While there may be no major harm in having your child take a free online aptitude test, most of these tests are not scientifically backed, and are not going to give you the same level of information as a test designed by a true research institution. The majority of free sites are designed without the assistance of a licensed psychometrician and lack scientific reliability and validity. Furthermore, test questions are often unstandardized and do not consider population diversity, and are not designed with control groups. Online tests are also generally written to be short and quick, and do not ask enough questions to truly test most major aptitudes. Finally, most free online tests exist for the purpose of data mining– they are either looking to capture the tester’s email address to sell to other companies, or they want to get the user to buy a product or the test’s results after they finish taking the “free” quiz. Most of these online companies are for profit businesses that do not employ researchers and do not provide information on their research, testing methodology, and have no ties to the scientific community.
While these online options may give your child a glimpse of what they could get out of aptitude testing, they are unlikely to provide truly useful information.
In-person aptitude testing may provide advantages for students who seek highly nuanced results
For parents who are seeking the most comprehensive aptitude testing, in-person testing might be the way to go. During in-person testing, your child will have a structured, quiet environment in which to work. This format might be a good fit for students who struggle with attention deficit issues and who struggle to focus when at home. The format might also be good for students who have test anxiety and who want to practice sitting for a standardized test in a low-stakes environment. Sitting for a proctored aptitude test can be good practice for the SAT or the ACT, without the student having to worry about ‘passing’ or ‘failing.’
In-person testing can offer advantages that an online test cannot. For instance, a testing proctor can offer students helpful observations about how they approach and handle problems that would not be available from an online test. An in-person proctor may be able to comment and give feedback on if a student is nervous, or what their mood and disposition was like during testing. A testing proctor can also answer any questions the student might have, and make sure that the student fully understands each task prior to beginning the test.
There are two reputable companies that offer aptitude testing in-person. The first of those is the Johnson O’Conner Research Foundation, which was founded in 1922 by Mr. Johnson O’Conner, for the General Electric Company. In 1939, the Foundation was incorporated into a non-profit educational and research organization. Today, the organization has twelve testing locations throughout the country– Austin, Atlanta, Boca Raton, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Charlotte, San Francisco, Seattle, Tampa, and Washington D.C.
Parents who are interested in their child testing with the Johnson O’Conner Research Foundation may make an appointment at any of these testing sites. The cost of aptitude testing with this company is $950, and a $100 deposit is required to hold the appointment. It is recommended that parents book in advance, and Saturdays, summers, and major school vacations tend to be busier testing times. The test is administered over the course of two sessions, which last approximately three hours each. Students may opt to complete the entire aptitude test in one day, with one session in the morning, and one in the afternoon. Or, they may opt to complete half-day sessions.
Included in the testing fee is a follow-up evaluation session with an evaluator, which will be conducted at a later date over Zoom. This session will last between sixty and ninety minutes, during which time the evaluator will discuss the results of the aptitude testing. The student will also be provided with a digital report of their results, which will also include career suggestions. The student will also be provided with a reference book, so that they can look up information regarding their results at any time in the future. [1]
A second in-person testing option is the Aptitude Inventory Measurement Service (AIMS). The AIMS company is based out of Austin, Texas, and only has testing locations within the city of Austin. Under certain circumstances, parents may be able to arrange for a testing proctor to travel to a host testing facility, for an additional fee and if a minimal number of students can be signed up to take the test. If a student wishes to test in Austin, the price of the test is $925, as of 2026. The AIMS is administered over the course of three sessions, each of which last approximately four hours. The first two sessions will involve the student solving ‘work samples’ that will test the student’s aptitudes. Work sample tests will be administered using headphones, pencil and paper tasks, and a computer monitor. The third session will be scheduled with the testing proctor to go over the results of the aptitude test. During the third session, a parent or guardian is required to attend, and may also ask questions regarding the results. In the third session, students will receive a personalized report, and will be given insights into their natural talents, as well as suggestions for future career directions. Students will also receive an audio recording of the session to take home, a copy of the AIMS Handbook for future reference and a PowerPoint discussion of scores.[2]
Students who live in the Austin area, or who live in one of the twelve cities that the Johnson O’Conner Foundation is available in, may benefit and prefer to do in-person aptitude testing. However, the additional cost of travel, in addition to multiple days in a hotel room, plus the added cost of food, may make aptitude testing at a facility a nonstarter for some families who do not live locally. In addition, while both of these companies provide a comprehensive report and a debriefing session, they do not offer ongoing support, or follow-up coaching services. Luckily, there is another solution for students who seek a scientifically backed aptitude test, but who do not have the time or money to travel to a testing facility.
The Highland Assessment Battery (HAB) is an accessible and affordable online option for students who are unable to travel
The Highland Assessment Battery (HAB) offers families a scientifically backed aptitude test, designed by a non-profit research institution, that is administered and taken completely online, and on a student’s own timetable. Like in person aptitude tests, the HAB measures a number of different aptitudes using a series of work tasks. However, unlike both the AIMS and the Johnson O’Conner Foundation, the HAB does not have to be taken in one or two continuous sittings. A student may take as long to complete the test battery as they wish, so long as they complete a work sample before taking a break.
The HAB consists of twenty-four work samples that measure a variety of abilities such as visual speed, verbal reasoning, analytical skills, musical aptitude, memory, vocabulary, and more. The test provides insights into the testee’s personality, how they are motivated, learning style, communication style, how they make decisions, and how they solve problems. At the conclusion of the test, a report is generated. [3]
Unlike other online tests, the HAB must be administered by a certified college consultant, who will analyze the results and have a debriefing session with the student once the child has finished the test battery. During the debriefing session, the consultant will provide feedback on the student’s results, answer any questions, and will provide insights into what kind of career directions the student may best thrive in. The consultant will also provide the student insight into their leadership skills, if they are more extroverted or introverted, and if they thrive in jobs that involve working with people versus working alone. Certified test administrators are located all across the country, and most college consultants conduct their consultations remotely.
In my career coaching business, I offer aptitude testing both as an à la carte service, and as part of a bundle. If a student wishes to complete only aptitude testing, I can administer the test, which the student takes entirely online from the comfort of their home, and then schedule a follow-up appointment with them at a later date. The HAB results are accompanied by a comprehensive written report, that is the student’s to keep and reference for the rest of their life. But for many parents and students, finding out the results of their aptitude test is just the beginning.
In my career coaching services, I help students take the results of their aptitude tests and plan for their futures. I help students brainstorm what kind of careers they want to pursue, and put them in touch with experts in the field. I also help students build lists of potential colleges to apply to, which are in line with their future goals and that are also compatible with the child’s individual needs. In my end-to-end college coaching services, I also help students apply to colleges, keep track of dates, workshop essays, and plan for the financial planning side of applying for college.
A college consultant can help your child maximize their potential and plan for the future
For many teenagers, learning about their natural strengths and weaknesses, and how these aptitudes can be applied towards a future career, is the first step in planning for their future. Aptitude tests can help young adults decide on their future majors and can influence what colleges they wish to apply for. In my business as a career coach, I find that many students benefit from ongoing assistance, with regards to college planning.
If you are a parent and want your child to maximize their natural gifts, then contact my team to get started. I work with families across the United States, and all sessions are conducted remotely. I will ask you questions about your student and provide a custom quote that includes any aptitude testing, career coaching, college list building, and college application help that your child may need. Give my team a call today or contact us through our website.
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