Game-based & gamified assessments explained: Pymetrics, Arctic Shores, and more
Game-based assessments (GBAs) replace traditional multiple-choice with short, interactive games — balloon pumping, card matching, digit recall, facial emotion reading. They feel casual, but every click and reaction time is being measured. For the broader hub, use game-based assessments; for Pymetrics-specific prep, use Pymetrics-style games.
- Game-based assessments measure decision patterns, not memorised answers.
- You can prepare by learning the mechanic, not by faking a personality.
- Consistency matters because algorithms compare behaviour across tasks.
- Use the practice round to understand controls before performance is measured.
Game formats are less stressful when the mechanics are already familiar. Explore Pymetrics practice
What to focus on first
| Focus area | Why it matters | Best drill |
|---|---|---|
| Risk games | They infer risk tolerance and reward sensitivity. | Balloon or card-risk mechanics. |
| Memory games | They test working memory and attention. | Digit span and grid recall drills. |
| Emotion tasks | They measure speed and accuracy in social perception. | Short facial-expression practice. |
| Planning games | They test forward thinking and rule control. | Tower and route-planning tasks. |
Common traps
- Trying to reverse-engineer the algorithm. Inconsistent behaviour can hurt more than a natural profile.
- Ignoring instructions. The first missed rule can poison the entire game.
- Over-clicking. Fast but erratic responses can look like poor attention.
How to practise from here
Before the real assessment, rehearse the control pattern for each game type: what earns points, what ends the round, and whether speed or accuracy matters more.
Why companies use them
Traditional tests have a practice effect — the more you drill, the better you score. GBAs are harder to game because they measure how you decide, not just what you decide. Banks like JPMorgan and Citi use Pymetrics. Consumer firms like Unilever and McDonald’s use them too.
The main game types
Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART)
You pump a balloon. Each pump earns money, but the balloon can pop at any time. This measures risk tolerance — are you cautious or aggressive? Neither extreme is ideal. Companies look for calibrated risk-taking.
A relatively cautious risk profile. The algorithm compares your average pumps to the role’s ideal range — a trading role wants higher risk tolerance than an audit role.
Digit Span / Memory Grid
Numbers or patterns flash on screen. You reproduce them. This measures working memory — how much information you can hold and manipulate at once. Start with easy sequences and build.
Emotion Detection
Faces flash for a fraction of a second. You identify the emotion. This measures emotional perception — useful for client-facing roles.
Tower of Hanoi / Planning Tasks
Move disks or objects to reach a goal state in minimum moves. Measures planning and strategic thinking.
Common mistakes
- Trying to game the system. Algorithms detect inconsistent patterns. Play naturally but attentively.
- Rushing. Speed is measured, but erratic clicking flags low attention. Be steady.
- Ignoring the practice round. Every game has a practice phase. Use it to calibrate — it does not count.
How game-based screens combine with other stages
Game-based assessments rarely sit alone. A bank may pair games with SHL-style reasoning. A consultancy may pair them with a digital case. A consumer employer may follow with a video interview. Build the full process map before deciding how much time to spend on each stage.
In review, do not ask whether you won the game. Ask whether you understood the rule, stayed consistent, and avoided panic-clicking. Those are the parts preparation can actually improve. A clean attempt with stable choices is more useful than a frantic attempt that happens to score well once.
Source notes
forge checks game-based guidance against Harver’s gamified assessment overview and Arctic Shores’ game-based assessment glossary.
Try Pymetrics-style games on forge
Practice each game type with explanations of what is being measured and what good performance looks like.
Explore Pymetrics practiceFrequently asked questions
Can you prepare for game-based assessments?+
Yes, but preparation means learning the mechanics and reducing format surprise. It does not mean memorising answers or faking a profile.
What do game-based assessments measure?+
They can measure risk tolerance, attention, working memory, planning, emotion recognition, fairness and learning from feedback.
Should I try to maximise every game score?+
No. Many platforms compare your trait profile to role benchmarks, so extreme behaviour can be worse than a consistent natural profile.
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