"A career aptitude test does not affect you or your choices in any way. All it does is to throw some more conventional options in your already confused mind," says Prashant Borade, a B.Com graduate who took one recently.

Prashant wanted to be a Radio Jockey and had won numerous awards for extra-curricular activities during college festivals.

"I am an outgoing person. Plus I have been complimented for my voice. My parents asked me to go for a career counselling session. After spending Rs. 1500 and three written tests, I was given the option of Chartered Accountancy as a lucrative career option for someone with my academic background," he declares.

What does a Career Aptitude Test Involve?

Most career guidance centres ask you to take tests for personality, IQ, English, Mathematics and logic. Based on the results of these tests, a career counsellor is supposed to provide a "tailor made career path" for you. The entire process takes atleast five hours and requires you to shell out anything from Rs. 1,500 onwards.

A Reality Check?

According to Suchitra Surve, a career counsellor from Growth Centre India Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai a aptitude test and career counselling is supposed to help you in assessing your strength and weaknesses and accordingly find a suitable career option.

Plus, a counsellor is supposed to give you a reality check if you happen to harbour any glorified ideas of your desired job profile.

With the different types of jobs available in today's market, these traditional tests and interview sessions may not necessarily be right for you.

Look at it this way. Say for example you want to be a radio jockey. A language, analytical, IQ or personality test will in no way be able to indicate whether you can be a good radio jockey. Or for that matter if you plan to pursue a career in professional sports, a written test will in no way prove your talent on field.

However, remember not to be carried away by glamorous looking jobs. Say you are totally enamoured by the job of a television journalist. It may seem glamorous to be in the shoes of a Barkha Dutt or Rajdeep Sardesai.

Remember, a job in broadcast journalism where you want to reach the top means you have to put atleast 12 to 16 hours of work daily. And you won't get fame and recognition instantly either.