What do cognitive abilities tests assess?

Cognitive abilities tests are designed to measure mental capabilities that are essential for performing various tasks and solving problems. These tests typically assess a range of cognitive functions, including reasoning, problem-solving skills, memory, and the ability to learn new information. By evaluating these mental abilities, employers can better understand how well an individual can handle job-related challenges and adapt to new situations.

This focus on mental abilities is what sets cognitive ability tests apart from assessments of social awareness, emotional intelligence, career motivation, and consistency in personal behavior. While those aspects are important in the workplace and can contribute to an employee's overall effectiveness, they do not reflect the specific mental faculties that cognitive abilities tests aim to measure. Thus, option C accurately captures the primary function of cognitive abilities tests in the context of assessing an individual's capability to solve tasks.