Pymetrics Test: Complete Guide to All 12 Games
Everything you need to know about Pymetrics — every game explained, what traits they actually measure, how Goldman Sachs and Unilever use results, and the evidence-based preparation strategies that make a difference.
What is Pymetrics?
Pymetrics is a game-based assessment platform developed using neuroscience and machine learning. Instead of traditional aptitude tests with right-or-wrong answers, candidates play 12 short games that measure cognitive and emotional traits — such as attention, working memory, risk tolerance, learning agility, and generosity.
The Pymetrics algorithm compares a candidate's trait profile to a benchmark built from high-performing employees in the same role at that company. There is no universal "good" profile — different roles require different trait combinations. A successful trader profile differs from a successful analyst profile, which differs from a successful operations hire.
Unlike numerical or verbal reasoning tests, Pymetrics measures how you naturally respond under time pressure, how you adjust strategy when feedback changes, and what your baseline risk and social preferences are. These traits are stable and not meaningfully changed by preparation. The goal of preparation is to understand the games, read instructions carefully, and ensure your environment is optimal — not to "game" the platform.
How Employers Use Pymetrics Results
Employers set role-specific benchmarks by having current high-performers complete Pymetrics. Candidate results are then compared to this benchmark using Pymetrics' AI model. Candidates whose profile closely matches the benchmark advance; others may be redirected to different roles they're a better fit for (Pymetrics' "fair matching" feature). Your results are yours — you can share them with multiple employers without retaking the assessment.
All 12 Pymetrics Games Explained
The 12 games in the standard Pymetrics assessment are consistent across most employers, though some employers use a subset. Each game takes 2–3 minutes and measures one or more specific traits.
🎈 Balloon Game (BART)
Pump up a balloon to earn more money — but if it pops, you lose everything. Measures willingness to take calculated risks vs. excessive risk-aversion or risk-seeking.
💰 Money Exchange 1
Receive money and decide how much to give to a partner who can accept or reject your offer. Measures social fairness norms and strategic social thinking.
💎 Money Exchange 2
You invest money with a partner who can return some or none of it. Measures trust propensity and response to social uncertainty.
🃏 Card Sort Game (IGT)
Draw cards from four decks with hidden reward/penalty structures. Measures ability to learn from feedback and adjust strategy — a key predictor of job performance.
🔵 Digits Memory
Sequences of numbers are shown; reproduce them forwards and backwards. Measures short-term working memory capacity — correlates with analytical reasoning performance.
⚡ Attention to Detail
Respond to a target stimulus while ignoring distractors. Measures sustained attention, processing speed, and resistance to distraction under pressure.
😊 Emotion Recognition
Identify emotions from brief facial expressions (shown for 20ms). Measures emotional intelligence and social perception — key for client-facing and team-based roles.
⏱️ Stop Signal Task
Respond quickly to stimuli but stop when a signal appears. Measures inhibitory control — the ability to stop an automatic response, linked to decision quality under pressure.
📦 Tower of London
Move coloured balls between pegs to reach a target configuration in minimum moves. Measures forward planning and systematic problem-solving.
🎯 Arrow Task
Indicate the direction an arrow points while ignoring surrounding distractors. Measures cognitive flexibility and selective attention — ability to focus on what matters.
🔢 Keypress Task
Press specific keys in response to prompts as quickly as possible. Measures psychomotor speed and accuracy under time pressure.
🌟 Reward Learning Task
Choose between options with different reward probabilities that change over time. Measures sensitivity to reward signals and ability to update expectations based on experience.
The Iowa Gambling Task (Card Sort game) is one of the most research-validated neuroscience assessments used in hiring. Candidates who initially draw from high-reward-but-risky decks and fail to switch strategy when they lose money consistently score lower on the learning agility dimension. The game measures whether you update your mental model based on feedback — a core predictor of success in analytical and consulting roles.
What Traits Pymetrics Measures
| Trait Dimension | What It Predicts | Relevant Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Risk tolerance | Comfort with uncertainty; willingness to make decisions with incomplete information | Trading, investment management, entrepreneurial roles |
| Learning agility | Speed of adapting strategy based on feedback; updating mental models | Consulting, strategy, any fast-changing environment |
| Working memory | Analytical capacity; ability to hold and manipulate information simultaneously | Analyst roles, data-heavy positions, legal and consulting |
| Attention & focus | Sustained performance on detail-oriented tasks; resistance to distraction | Operations, finance, audit, compliance |
| Emotional intelligence | Social perception; reading clients and colleagues; empathy in complex interactions | Client services, HR, management, advisory roles |
| Generosity / fairness | Collaborative orientation; team vs. individual mindset; negotiation style | Team-based, client-facing, and leadership roles |
| Impulse control | Decision quality under pressure; avoiding impulsive errors; regulatory compliance mindset | Risk, compliance, operations, high-stakes decision roles |
| Planning | Structured thinking; forward planning; systematic problem-solving | Project management, operations, consulting |
Which Companies Use Pymetrics
| Employer | Where in the Process | Roles | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goldman Sachs | After online application, before HireVue | Analyst, spring week, summer associate | Goldman Sachs Guide → |
| Unilever | Stage 2 of CV-free process (after application) | Future Leaders Programme, internships | Unilever Guide → |
| J.P. Morgan | Early screening, varies by division | Spring week, summer analyst, graduate roles | JPMorgan Guide → |
| Accenture | Cognitive assessment stage | Technology, Strategy, Consulting streams | Accenture Guide → |
| Screening for business analyst and ops roles | Business analyst, operations, sales | — | |
| Kraft Heinz | Early application screening | Graduate programme (all functions) | — |
Once you've completed Pymetrics for one employer, your results are stored on your Pymetrics profile. You can share them with other participating employers without retaking the assessment — saving time and allowing you to apply to multiple employers using a single completion. Log into your Pymetrics account to manage which employers can see your results.
How to Prepare Effectively
Pymetrics' algorithms are specifically designed to detect strategic responding — when candidates try to give answers they think the employer wants rather than behaving naturally. Inconsistent response patterns across correlated games are flagged. The most effective preparation focuses on optimising your performance conditions, not manipulating your trait scores.
What You Can Do to Optimise Performance
- Choose optimal conditions: Complete Pymetrics when you are well-rested, in a quiet environment, on a stable internet connection. Attention-based games are particularly sensitive to interruptions and fatigue.
- Read every game's instructions fully: Each game begins with a brief tutorial. The most common avoidable error is misunderstanding the task — especially the Stop Signal game, where candidates often press when they should stop. Read carefully; the instructions are short.
- Use a desktop or laptop: Mobile is technically supported, but fine motor tasks (keypress, stop signal) are harder on touchscreen. Desktop performance is consistently better.
- Don't rush at the start of each game: Most games have a practice phase before the scored section begins. Use the practice phase to understand the rhythm and rules — then apply that understanding in the scored section.
- Familiarise yourself with the game types: While you can't change your underlying traits, knowing what each game is measuring means you understand the task without surprise. Read through the games in this guide before your session.
Research the Role's Benchmark
Pymetrics compares you to an employer-specific, role-specific benchmark. Understanding what traits the role actually requires helps you interpret whether you're likely to be a strong match. For a Goldman Sachs analyst role, the benchmark will prioritise analytical capacity, learning agility, and risk calibration. For a client-facing advisory role, emotional intelligence and generosity will carry more weight.
Pymetrics vs Other Assessment Types
| Assessment | What It Measures | Can You Prepare? | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pymetrics | Cognitive & emotional traits via neuroscience games | Familiarise with games; optimise conditions. Trait scores are stable. | 25–35 min |
| SHL Numerical Reasoning | Data interpretation from tables and graphs | Yes — highly trainable through practice | 17–25 min |
| SHL Verbal Reasoning | True/False/Cannot Say text comprehension | Yes — technique and practice significantly improve scores | 17–19 min |
| Game-Based Assessments (other) | Varies — cognitive, personality, situational | Partially — understand the platform; reduce anxiety | 30–60 min |
| Situational Judgement Tests | Judgement and values in work scenarios | Yes — research employer values and SJT principles | 20–30 min |
Frequently Asked Questions
Prepare for the Full Hiring Process
Pymetrics is one stage — aptitude tests, HireVue interviews, and assessment centres follow. Build every skill with our free practice platform used by thousands of candidates at Goldman Sachs, Unilever, and J.P. Morgan.