IBM Trait Based Assessment – Prepare and Ace the Test [2026]
Last updated: January 2025
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IBM's methodology for sorting applicants relies heavily on personality traits and workplace behavior assessments. These include questions that may feel as if you are being pigeonholed into picking one of two equally bad or good statements.
As much as these can be terrifyingly confusing, fear not! Whether you are applying for an internship or an entry-level position and have been invited to take the IBM Trait Based Assessment, we’ve got you covered!
Our IBM assessment test preparation will teach you how to intelligently fit IBM’s spirit.
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IBM Assessment Test Preparation
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The IBM assessment test is a pre-hiring tool that evaluates your skills and behavioral tendencies to ensure you fit the role you applied for.
Each candidate receives a different set of assessment tests, depending on the position. For example, candidates for programming and tech positions will take a coding test to assess their ability for the specific job.
However, the common link for all applicants is the IBM Trait Based Assessment, which evaluates your behavioral tendencies and workplace styles.
If you pass the first IBM assessment tests, you will receive an invitation for a pre-recorded interview before moving on to a face-to-face live interview with your recruiter.
Let’s take a look at each of the IBM assessment tests!
The next IBM assessment test is the IBM Trait Based Assessment. Provided by AON, this test, also known as the Adept assessment, evaluates your workplace behaviors, characteristics, and traits.
You will be presented with statement pairs and asked to choose the one that best aligns with your viewpoint while indicating your level of agreement.
There are 55 questions to answer, and there's no time limit; most participants complete it in approximately 10 minutes.
Here is how it looks –
Where would you align yourself on this axis?
When I'm offended, I want to pardon and move on
I rarely make hasty decisions
When picking your answer, consider the traits and characteristics that are desirable for the position you applied for.
For example, suppose you are going to work with a team. In that case, you should consider collegiality and collaboration and choose the statement “When I'm offended, I want to pardon and move on,” indicating that you are a pleasant person to work with.
Suppose you are applying to a managerial position or a role requiring taking risks. In that case, you should refer to the statement “I rarely make hasty decisions ”, which indicates that you are a calculated person that doesn’t risk without consideration.
The answer is dependent on your personality and on the type of position you are trying to get hired for.
As you can see, these pairs can cause quite a headache, as they will strongarm you to choose between what seems to be equally important traits, or to the contrary — major red flags from the employer’s perspective. Don’t sweat it though, as these dilemmas can be easily solved when understood correctly.
JobTestPrep's IBM Assessment Test PrepPack will help you surpass your competition. Understand the big picture that suits your specific job with full simulations mimicking the real test, detailed explanations, and study guides tailored for your position!
The last IBM assessment test is the IBM video assessment, which is a pre-recorded interview designed to assess various facets of your personality, skills, capabilities, ambitions, and motivations.
The IBM video assessment does not replace the traditional in-person interview, but it is a way to gain a first impression of you and your characteristics.
You will be presented with common HR questions, and you should respond to each by recording yourself. There are usually 5-8 questions; you will have about 30 seconds to prepare your answer and up to 3 minutes to record it.
Begin your preparation today with JobTestPrep's exclusive interactive Video Interview Guide, miming the real IBM Video Assessment format, and expert tips and real-world examples on how to best approach each question coming your way!
For most candidates, the first step of the hiring process is the IBM coding assessment. Provided by HackerRank, this assessment is designed to evaluate your programming skills and problem-solving abilities. The specific content and format of the assessment varies depending on the position and the requirements of the job you applied for.
However, you will usually be presented with 2-3 questions with a time limit of about 45 minutes to complete the test.
You can practice for the IBM Coding Assessment on the official HackerRank site.
For some positions, you will be asked to take the IPAT test.
The IBM assessment is a series of tests designed to ensure you have the skills and traits required for the job and the organization’s culture. It can include the IBM Coding Assessment, which evaluates your professional abilities; the IBM Trait Based Assessment, which evaluates your characteristics and work-related behaviors; and the IBM Video Assessment, which aim to get a first impression of you.
For the IBM coding assessment, you can practice and sharpen your professional skills on the test provider site – HackerRank. For the IBM Trait Based Assessment and the IBM Video Assessment, you need to prepare by familiarizing yourself with the assessments’ format and learning how to address each question best.
