What is The Bridge Ability Suite?

The Bridge Ability Suite is the online cognitive ability test from TestGroup. It measures different types of cognitive skills, such as numerical, verbal and abstract reasoning. The reports are easy to read and show how an employee scores compared to a relevant norm group.

Can cognitive ability tests help identify high potentials?

Yes. Employees with strong scores on cognitive ability tests often pick up new tasks quickly and can handle complex information. In combination with performance and motivation, this helps you identify high potentials in a structured and objective way.

How do cognitive ability tests support development and training?

The reports from The Bridge Ability Suite show where someone is strong and where they may need more support. This helps you choose the right training, adjust the pace of learning and tailor development programs to the learning ability of employees.

Are cognitive ability tests fair and objective?

Cognitive ability tests from TestGroup are scientifically developed and standardized. Every employee receives the same questions under the same conditions. This makes the outcome more objective than a subjective impression in an interview or performance review.

Can cognitive ability tests be combined with personality tests?

Yes, and that is often the best approach. By combining cognitive ability tests such as The Bridge Ability Suite with a personality test like The Bridge Personality, you get a complete picture: how someone thinks, learns and solves problems, and how they behave and cooperate in practice.

For which decisions in talent management can I use cognitive ability tests?

You can use cognitive ability tests for promotion decisions, internal selection procedures, leadership development programs, succession planning and the selection of participants for talent pools. They help you base these decisions on data instead of only on gut feeling.

How are TestGroup’s cognitive ability tests administered in practice?

Employees receive a personal login and complete the test online, at a time and place that suits them. After completion, HR and managers receive clear reports with scores, interpretation and practical advice that can be used directly in talent management discussions.

What is a cognitive ability test?

A cognitive ability test measures how quickly and accurately someone can think, reason and solve problems. It looks at skills such as logical reasoning, numerical insight and verbal understanding. This gives you an objective view of someone’s learning ability and potential.

Why are cognitive ability tests useful for talent management?

For talent management you want to know not only what someone can do now, but also how quickly they can grow in a role. Cognitive ability tests help you identify employees with strong learning ability who can handle complex tasks, pick up new information quickly and grow into future key positions.

How does TestGroup use cognitive ability tests in talent management?

TestGroup uses cognitive ability tests, such as The Bridge Ability Suite, to support decisions about internal mobility, promotion and development. The tests give clear, practical reports that HR and managers can use when selecting participants for talent programs, leadership tracks or specialist roles.

Cognitive ability test for talent management

The use of cognitive ability tests for talent management

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Cognitive Ability Test

Short Cognitive Ability Test

Sales Assessment

Monday 08 December 2025

Talent management is a crucial part of any business. After all, when you are looking for individuals for specific positions, you’d prefer to employ someone with talent and the right qualities to excel.

On one hand, this can be talent from the outside. The goal is to pick out the best choice among the applicants. On the other hand, talent management also takes place within companies. For example, when someone wants to move internally to a better position.

Different types of talent

Talent is a relative term. In fact, there are different types of talent. These can best be divided into the following groups:

Natural talent: Describes being naturally good at something. This is an innate quality. You didn't have to do anything to get it. It is purely the 'luck' of your genes. This is therefore a very pure description of the term. Thereby, there is a dichotomy as to whether these talents can be further developed (growth mindset) or whether they are immutable (fixed mindset).
Talent as a promising employee: Here, there is purely an expected return on an investment in a person. The combination of knowledge, characteristics, and potential returns to the organization are central. Within the company, this 'talent' is of added value. Talent management is, if possible, based on development, established characteristics, or seeing potential.
Talent as an excellent employee: This definition involves personnel who already perform excellently. The company gets more out of this than average. A lot is earned on the talent. The talent is, as it were, head and shoulders above the rest. This can be approached with a focus on risk, low cost, or return.

Using cognitive ability tests during talent management

Through administration of a cognitive ability test, it is possible to find out exactly what a person has to offer. As mentioned, this can involve people from outside and internal staff.

This is extremely valuable information, especially when, as an organization, you want to spot talent as early as possible. After a while, you let them flow through a little further. This way, you train the right people from the inside, for the highest possible yield, however your company defines it.

The Bridge Ability Suite examines the capabilities of a specific person in various areas. For example, you get valuable information about:

Maximum level of performance (education or profession)
Work and thinking level (Vocational, Bachelor, or University level)
Numerical aptitude
Verbal aptitude
Logical thinking
IQ

For convenience and quick access to valuable information, this test is available within just 30 minutes. In addition, the test itself is available at the Vocational, Bachelor, and University levels.

In no time at all, it provides the desired insight. Does the candidate indeed possess the right qualities to meet the requirements? A capability assessment basically indicates what the potential of a talent is, what they are capable of.

It is always possible to use the results of a test – such as a cognitive ability or sales assessment – to support the development of each individual talent. However, the main value of a capabilities test is that it helps you quickly determine whether further development is worthwhile at all. This allows you to make fast, informed decisions and easily switch between potential candidates.

Applying The Bridge Ability Suite or The Bridge Sales Assessment to multiple candidates is no problem at all. In fact, it makes comparing candidates even easier. These assessments offer an effective way to identify which person has the best combination of qualities to succeed in a specific role.

Video: How to use a cognitive ability test

A cognitive ability test – or IQ test – is a strong predictor of job performance. The Bridge Ability Suite is widely used by companies worldwide.

Each candidate gets a unique set of questions, so cheating isn’t possible. You can order it per candidate or use it via your own account on the Bridge Assessment Platform.

Used by 10,000+ organizations worldwide

Frequently asked questions about using cognitive ability tests for talent management

What is The Bridge Ability Suite?
The Bridge Ability Suite is the online cognitive ability test from TestGroup. It measures different types of cognitive skills, such as numerical, verbal and abstract reasoning. The reports are easy to read and show how an employee scores compared to a relevant norm group.

Can cognitive ability tests help identify high potentials?
Yes. Employees with strong scores on cognitive ability tests often pick up new tasks quickly and can handle complex information. In combination with performance and motivation, this helps you identify high potentials in a structured and objective way.

How do cognitive ability tests support development and training?
The reports from The Bridge Ability Suite show where someone is strong and where they may need more support. This helps you choose the right training, adjust the pace of learning and tailor development programs to the learning ability of employees.

Are cognitive ability tests fair and objective?
Cognitive ability tests from TestGroup are scientifically developed and standardized. Every employee receives the same questions under the same conditions. This makes the outcome more objective than a subjective impression in an interview or performance review.

Can cognitive ability tests be combined with personality tests?
Yes, and that is often the best approach. By combining cognitive ability tests such as The Bridge Ability Suite with a personality test like The Bridge Personality, you get a complete picture: how someone thinks, learns and solves problems, and how they behave and cooperate in practice.

For which decisions in talent management can I use cognitive ability tests?
You can use cognitive ability tests for promotion decisions, internal selection procedures, leadership development programs, succession planning and the selection of participants for talent pools. They help you base these decisions on data instead of only on gut feeling.

How are TestGroup’s cognitive ability tests administered in practice?
Employees receive a personal login and complete the test online, at a time and place that suits them. After completion, HR and managers receive clear reports with scores, interpretation and practical advice that can be used directly in talent management discussions.

What is a cognitive ability test?
A cognitive ability test measures how quickly and accurately someone can think, reason and solve problems. It looks at skills such as logical reasoning, numerical insight and verbal understanding. This gives you an objective view of someone’s learning ability and potential.

Why are cognitive ability tests useful for talent management?
For talent management you want to know not only what someone can do now, but also how quickly they can grow in a role. Cognitive ability tests help you identify employees with strong learning ability who can handle complex tasks, pick up new information quickly and grow into future key positions.

How does TestGroup use cognitive ability tests in talent management?
TestGroup uses cognitive ability tests, such as The Bridge Ability Suite, to support decisions about internal mobility, promotion and development. The tests give clear, practical reports that HR and managers can use when selecting participants for talent programs, leadership tracks or specialist roles.