So what's with all the, seems like, psych exams I'm coming across when applying for a job? When did that become a standard?

I've been applying for a range of jobs, and if I did not need one so bad, I'd be dismissing the ones requiring these exams.

I'm mostly focused in the IT field, but hell, I put in for a few customer service jobs, and they all included these exams.

I suppose it would not be so bad if they were short, quick exams, but on average the ones I take are usually an hour. One of the last was 297 questions! Give me a freaking break! And if it didn't already take enough time having to fill out a profile to apply, even though I uploaded my resume, now there goes another hour wasted looking for work while i do the exam.

Some of the questions are just absurd also. "Do you believe in luck?" "Should society stop telling individuals how to act?" "Would you like to be seen with a celebrity?" "What is more positive, a lovers embrace or a life of adventure?" I understand having some shrink come up with questions to evaluate people's attitudes, but comon, I'm not interviewing to run the company. At least ask me about my technical knowledge.

When did this become so common? I have not had to look for a job in 8 years, and do not recall ever doing one of these exams before.

It's getting bothersome as some jobs I have been a great fit for, I'll get a rejection email within minutes of the exam. Which leads me to believe it's all assessed against some database or algo. I'm lost why. Never had any issues at work before, get along with others. It's a shame to be turned down because of that, and never even getting a chance to have an actual interview.

/Rant off. I'd ask for suggestions, but these exams don't seem to follow any reasoning. Being honest or choosing the most positive answer do not seem to help. Oh well, new world for me. Better not let myself get started with the one way video interviews also....