Showing posts with label Pre-Hire Written Test. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pre-Hire Written Test. Show all posts

Monday, May 9, 2011

Supervised versus Unsupervised Online test


Unsupervised or unproctored online tests are cost effective and saves time for assessed as well as assessor. If you are looking to hone your skills, these unsupervised tests provide you all the flexibility that you need at a very little cost as I believe that you will be honest to yourself. For behavioral assessments, where there is no clear right or wrong answer, unsupervised tests provide very reliable results.
However, as you would have guessed easily, unsupervised tests expecting specific answers are prone to identity fraud and can be compromised. Many organizations hesitate to use unsupervised test for this reason. But organizations can gain from the flexibility provided by unsupervised tests without losing the integrity of assessment by using one or more of the following methods.
1.       Post-test Validation:
Follow up with questions based on the test during the interview for the shortlisted candidates. This can be very effective if planned right.
2.       Unsupervised screening followed by supervised test for shortlisted candidates
By comparing the scores achieved in different modules of the two tests, one can filter out majority, nut not all, of identity frauds. Assessor also has a choice of using only the latest test score or a suitably weighted average of two tests.
3.        Access control
Allow only previously validated users (student or job candidates) to take the test at a specified time, possibly in conjunction with extra identity validation features like keylogging or webcam snapshot recording.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

6 things to keep in mind while administering written tests to job applicants

1.       Make it short and snappy. Unless, you are hiring IBM’s new CEO or new Secretary General of UN, your written test for almost any job applicant should never go beyond an hour or 40 questions.
2.       Make your tests before the actual need arise and pre-stress them.
3.       If you need to administer tests to a large pool of candidates, take advantage of technology to
a.       Auto-randomize questions  or use Computer Adaptive Testing to improve test results quality and reduce possibility of cheating.
b.      Allow tests to be taken at different times and locations.
c.       Provides quick result and statistical analysis
4.       Don’t forget to explain the scope and objective of the test before the start and then make sure that you provide feedback to test-takers on their performance
5.       Provide a comfortable, secure and quite place to test-takers to minimize extraneous factors affecting results
6.       Keep refreshing your test contents at regular intervals.