Everything you want to know about online assessments as a candidate
Have you been invited to an online assessment and want to prepare properly? Or have you already completed the assessment program and want to know about what happens to the results or how the online assessment is evaluated? Then read on.
Preparing for an online assessment
It is essential that you know exactly what an online assessment entails and what is expected of you. We provide tools to help you prepare effectively for the assessment through instructional videos and frequently asked questions.
Fast forward to:
- How is an online assessment structured?
- What can you expect in an online assessment? (instructional video)
- Assessment example
- Assessment completed? Here’s what’s going to happen next
- Frequently Asked Questions
1. How is an online assessment structured?
Online assessments include various ability tests and personality questionnaires. The combination of these tests and questionnaires are determined by the competencies needed for the job.
Common tests include:
The most optimal sequence for taking the online assessment will be determined in advance. You may pause between test items.
In an online assessment, you always get:
- Brief introduction describing the exercise or questions.
- An introduction so you know how the system works. (Follow the steps carefully, this is not about the answers yet).
- Sample questions so you know what to expect.
- A summary of key points.
What types of tests can be used in an online assessment?
There are several tests that can be divided as follows:
- Ability tests – to determine skills such as: ability to concentrate, logical reasoning or text comprehension.
- Personality questionnaires – to determine traits such as: willingness to cooperate, ambition or sensitivity.
- Knowledge tests – to determine specific subject knowledge, such as: a language test or mechanical reasoning.
Want to know which tests can be used in an HRorganizer online assessment? Visit the test library.
2. What can you expect in an online assessment?
Tips & instructional videos
Prepare as best you can for an online assessment with our preparation tips for common tests in online assessments
Verbal reasoning
Verbal Reasoning says something about how well you are able to distinguish main and secondary issues from complex textual information under time pressure. Verbal reasoning is not easy, but this skill is developable over time.
- Read carefully
Try to read all the information of the assignment carefully. Try to notice the most important points in advance.
- Base answers only on the information given. Be aware that there may also be answers among them that are not about the information given.
- Know what to expect
Watch the instructional video to get an idea of what to expect. There is also a lot of information online about verbal reasoning.
Numerical Reasoning
Numerical Reasoning, like Verbal Reasoning, says something about how well you are able to distinguish main points from minor points from complex tables and graphs. Only now it’s about numerical information. Numerical reasoning is not easy either, but it is developable in the long run.
- Read the task carefully
In numerical reasoning, it is important that you read carefully and look carefully at the tables and graphs. As you can see in the video, there are several tabs you can look at. So don’t rush into the task.
- Search online for numeracy and numerical reasoning
In addition to our instructional videos, there is a lot of information online about numeracy and numerical reasoning. That way, you’ll know what to expect and get started feeling confident.
- Get a calculator
Always have a good working calculator handy. And try to use a separate calculator instead of your cell phone. That way you won’t be distracted during the test.
Inductive Logical Reasoning
Inductive Logical Reasoning says something about how well you are able to analyze information and discover “rules” or a particular algorithm in it. This skill is not easily developable; it is a complex cognitive process.- Practice with “brain teasers” Examples of puzzles include: number sequences, completing matrices or identifying the concept that does not fit into a sequence of concepts. Do these puzzles to become familiar with inductive logical reasoning.
- Follow the instructions carefully With these exercises, it is important that you fill in all answer options. Therefore, not one answer should be completely blank.
Deductive Logical Reasoning
Deductive Logical Reasoning says something about how well you are able to relate causes and effects in complex processes and systems. This skill is not easily developable.
Do a Sudoku regularly
It may sound crazy, but a sudoku is similar to a deductive logical reasoning test.
3. Assessment example
Before you begin an assessment, you will naturally want to practice. Unfortunately, we don’t offer practice assessments, but we do have some sample questions that will give you an idea of what to expect. The sample questions are fairly easy. The assessment itself will have more difficult questions.
Sample questions
The main point of these assignments is to read carefully. Don’t think too quickly that you already know the answer. Read slowly through the question and all the information given.
Sample question 1: verbal reasoning:
Indicate whether the statement is true, false or indeterminate. In the actual test, you can click through the different tabs. For this sample task, you will automatically see the correct tab already.
Sample question 2: numerical reasoning
Indicate whether the statement is true, false or indeterminate. In the actual test, you can click through the different tabs. For this sample task, you will automatically see the correct tab already.
Sample question 3: inductive logical reasoning
The images marked green belong together as do the images marked gray. Recognize both patterns and for the bottom row of images, indicate which pattern they belong to (green or gray). Each image must have one marking, i.e. green or gray.
Sample question 4: deductive logical reasoning
The test is based on a grid with a number of figures. In one cell of the grid is a question mark. Each figure appears only once per row and per column. Your task is to figure out which figure fits in the cell with the question mark.
Answers
Click here for the answer to question 1
The answer is indeterminate.
One cannot tell from the text that Top Box has an intermediate warehouse. Therefore, the answer is indeterminate.
Click here for the answer to question 2
The answer is incorrect.
There are just 4 more working men than women in fiscal year 3.
Click here for the answer to question 3
As you can see, the images with a green highlight have a clear pattern. The other images do not have this pattern. So these will be grayed out.
Click here for the answer to question 4
The answer is the round.
Each figure may only be used once. The circle is the only figure missing from the sequence.
4. Assessment completed? Here's what happens next.
Your potential employer will be in touch to provide feedback on the results and to discuss next steps.
The organization has the ability to generate several reports from our system, including the personal report. You can contact your potential employer whether it is possible for you to obtain the report.
This report provides insight into who you are, what you want and what you can do. You will also discover what specific skills and personality traits you have, as well as your Work-related interests and motivations.
What else can you do?
Make sure you learn about the company you applied to through their website or social media. Often companies have interviews with new hires or trainees on their website or information about the selection process and what it’s like to work there.
We wish you good luck with your continued application!
Frequently asked questions about online assessment
No, unfortunately it is not possible to take a practice assessment. We do have instructional videos and sample questions.
There is no standard answer to this question because it depends on the number of items in the online assessment. In most cases, there are a maximum of 5 parts and a part lasts about 15 minutes. The invitation sometimes indicates how much time you should set aside to complete the assessment.
You usually have several days to complete the assessment. It is possible to spread the different parts over several days. We recommend that you complete everything by the deadline indicated in the invitation.
Ability tests usually include a time limit, unlike personality questionnaires which do not.
Participation in an online assessment can be challenging for people with certain disabilities.
For people with visual or motor impairments, or other disabilities, special arrangements must be made with the organization that invited you.
The premise is to ensure accurate and fair assessment of all candidates.
Occasionally a technical problem, such as a browser crashing, can cause a test to become unresponsive. This is not a disaster, in this case contact the person who invited you, they can reset the assessment or take the necessary action. Sometimes there is a minor glitch. After a few minutes, try to start your assessment again using the link in your invitation email.
Most importantly, your data remains yours. A company you apply to should never – without your explicit consent – use your data for any other reason than the application process. The test results are stored securely. Good arrangements have been made for this, both with our customers and with our suppliers. You can of course always ask the company in question to remove your data.
There is no standard answer to this question because it depends on the number of items in the assessment.
In most cases, there are a maximum of 5 parts and a part lasts about 15 minutes.
The invitation sometimes indicates how much time you should set aside to complete the assessment.
You can contact the person who invited you to the assessment for your results.
You may not be able to take the assessment before the completion date. Your best bet is to contact the organization that invited you to the assessment.
You can take the assessment on any device as long as you have a good internet connection. The best way to take the assessment is via a desktop/laptop with a stable Internet connection.
For assessments, most tests are also time-based, so there you cannot stop in the middle of a test, then the answers are not saved. You can, however, pause between sections, for each completed section the results are saved.
You can set the language by clicking ‘Start’ in the invitation email. Then in step 3 “Program” he is given the option to set the language for each test item.
It is helpful to keep pen and paper with you. In addition, you can use a calculator. But remember the time!
Once you have started a part, you cannot break it off in between. Usually a test takes no longer than 15 minutes.
Often an assessment contains several parts. You can pause between the different parts or even complete them on another day. Please note the deadline.
The time required to complete all tests is not monitored and has no effect on the result.
Yes. You have the opportunity to retake one test item from the assessment program. The highest score ultimately counts, and so that is the score your potential employer will see.