Interview question thats bugging me

[Lee]

I attended a job interview this week and part of the interview was doing a McQuaig test

The test for those that don't know is designed to annoy the living crap out of you and give employers an idea of your English levels, maths levels and observation skills

One part being that you do one side of the questions, then as you about to flip the page over, you notice that you have to ask permission to do so

The question that bugging the crap out of me

A solid object - 5cm tall, 10cm long and 2cm wide, whats the volume

Or very similar worded.

5 x 10 x 2 = 100 cm cubed

But that wernt the answer I gave

I gave 0

With the onus being "a solid object"

If it had been "a box" or "a  container", I would have said yea I can fit bits in there

Can any clever people please put me out of my misery

[Bobsbeer]

Seems like a logical answer to me. Good luck with the job.

[calnorth]

I'd say it has a volume and in this case a weight (mass) also. G forces it out of your hands and heads it off to hit your toes? So it has a theoretical volume of 100 cubic cms similar to most objects defined by such parameters/dimensions.

"you notice that you have to ask permission to do so". WTF is that about?

[yahoo2u2]

"you notice that you have to ask permission to do so" LOL

Its about being able to follow written instructions, although I would have turned it and used my initiative, thats what they would want you to do...A leader would turn, a follower would ask....simples

But "hehe" they may think you cant follow instructions and be a trouble maker 

[Bob]

This might answer your question: www.harpercollege.edu/tm-ps/chm/100/dgodambe/thedisk/labtech/solvol.htm

[blakey]

To accurately answer a question on volume you would need the INTERNAL diameter of the object because the information as to how thick the walls of the object are have been omitted rendering the equation impossible. So I would say that your answer of 0 is correct given that the title states that it is a solid object.

[blakey]

Or - if the object in question is say - metal, then the volume of metal would be 5 x 10 x 2 = 100 cm cubed.
This leads me to believe that it is a trick question and both answers would be correct

[Postmodern Smoking]

The definition of volume is "the amount of space that a substance or object occupies, or that is enclosed within a container."
So in my opinion the volume of the solid cube above is 100cm³

[blakey]

Glad I already have a job, I'm too old for brain busters

[calnorth]

It occupies a space/place on the planet and is defined as a volume whether full or empty. One atom/molecule or a foot thick makes little difference. Usable volume is another question.

[digicig]

lee I think the clue is in the

is designed to annoy the living crap out of you

Maybe the test was to see whether you showed your workings for basic volume and then either made a comment or asked about 'usable' volume - in the same way as asking permission to turn the page?

[calnorth]

Apr 29, 2016 11:16:26 GMT digicig said:

lee I think the clue is in the

is designed to annoy the living crap out of you

Maybe the test was to see whether you showed your workings for basic volume and then either made a comment or asked about 'usable' volume - in the same way as asking permission to turn the page?

Is this the test of 50 questions in 15 mins...vote for joe aka multiple choice. Looks like it?

[Lee]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that its given a brain fart moment to

35 question and fifteen minutes to do them

Ranging from re arrange the words to make a sentence and put the last letter of the last word into a box
Through to basic maths, things like what larger 5/16 or 1/4

The one about volume, was the one that bugged me and still is

[charliehorse]

Is that the one where the top of the first page says read the test before you start then the last thing on the last page says something like, now fill in your name but do not answer any of the questions

[calnorth]

Apr 29, 2016 11:43:18 GMT Lee said:

I'm glad I'm not the only one that its given a brain fart moment to

35 question and fifteen minutes to do them

Ranging from re arrange the words to make a sentence and put the last letter of the last word into a box
Through to basic maths, things like what larger 5/16 or 1/4

The one about volume, was the one that bugged me and still is

I've never heard of the McQaig test and have sat numerous tests and exams. As regards formal tests at interview I saw it once and that was all science Q's. I suspect that this type of test has more to do with the inadequacy of the interviewer(s) than the interviewee. In that the interviewer(s) are rather too thick to ask any meaningful questions.

It simply needs a face to face interview by relevant experienced and qualified staff....the problem likely starts right there!