Essential skills tests for clerical or business skills are ideal for entry-level roles where education or experience may be poor predictors of job performance. These online tools provide a quick and cost effective way of determining whether your candidates will have the basic skills required to do the job.
Essential business skills tests
The broad range of assessments available allow you measure a range of skills that are essential in the business environment but cannot be easily predicted by education history or through interview. These tests allow you to measure a candidates understanding of English and business vocabulary and their ability to communicate effectively via business letters and presentations.
Basic clerical skills such as checking, filing and data entry can also be assessed to ensure candidates have the required level of ability and attention to detail to be able to perform these tasks quickly and accurately.
A number of assessments are also available to assess whether candidates have the fundamental skills required to use a computer, including tests to determine a candidates ability with Microsoft office and project programs.
Assessments available:
| Name | Product Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Arithmetic - UK | "The Basic Arithmetic - UK assessment measures the candidate's ability to quickly perform basic mathematical computations including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Candidates must answer each question by performing the appropriate computation and selecting the correct answer. Candidates may use paper and pencil to solve problems, but calculators are not allowed." |
| Business Communication (adaptive) | The Business Communication assessment is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge of communicating in the workplace. It measures the skills necessary to communicate effectively with co-workers at all levels and with external business contacts. Designed for the average business worker, this test includes the following topics: Electronic Communication, Employment Communication, Listening, Meetings, Nonverbal Communication, Verbal Communication, and Written Communication. |
| Business Communications Writing Sample - General | The Business Communications Writing Sample - General assessment is an instrument used to gather writing samples using job-related scenarios. It aids in the assessment of a candidate's writing proficiency. Candidates are required to compose original answers to job-related scenarios. Detailed scoring guidelines are provided to assist hiring managers with a standardized method to score written responses. |
| Business Letter Compose - UK | The Business Letter Compose - UK assessment measures typing ability, including spacing and formatting. Additionally, this test measures text errors, including spelling mistakes. This is a timed test and it begins when the candidate selects OK on the computer screen. Candidates are provided a printed text original that contains the unformatted text they will need to complete the test: address information, greeting, body text, and closing information. Candidates are asked to type the correctly formatted version of the text into a word processing program. Note that the same text is used in both the Business Letter Compose and Business Letter Edit tests. Therefore, we advise clients not to use both tests in a given test session, as experience with one of the tests may influence scores on the other. |
| Business Letter Compose - US | The Business Letter Compose - US assessment measures typing ability, including spacing and formatting. Additionally, this test measures text errors, including spelling mistakes. This is a timed test and it begins when the candidate selects OK on the computer screen. Candidates are provided a printed text original that contains the unformatted text they will need to complete the test: address information, greeting, body text, and closing information. Candidates are asked to type the correctly formatted version of the text into a word processing program. Note that the same text is used in both the Business Letter Compose and Business Letter Edit tests. Therefore, we advise clients not to use both tests in a given test session as experience with one of the tests may influence scores on the other. |
| Business Letter Edit - UK | The Business Letter Edit - UK assessment measures a candidate's ability to accurately make corrections from a business letter containing punctuation, spelling, and formatting errors. In this assessment, the text of the letter appears in the word processing program. Candidates are instructed to correctly format and edit the letter provided in the program, rather than having to type in the letter from a text original. Note that the same text is used in both the Business Letter Compose and Business Letter Edit tests. Therefore, we advise clients not to use both tests in a given test session as experience with one of the tests may influence scores on the other. |
| Business Letter Edit - US | The Business Letter Edit - US assessment measures a candidate's ability to accurately make corrections from a business letter containing punctuation, spelling, and formatting errors. In this assessment, the text of the letter appears in the word processing program. Candidates are instructed to correctly format and edit the letter provided in the program, rather than having to type in the letter from a text original. Note that the same text is used in both the Business Letter Compose and Business Letter Edit tests. Therefore, we advise clients not to use both tests in a given test session as experience with one of the tests may influence scores on the other. |
| Business Math | The Business Math assessment measures the candidate's knowledge of mathematics commonly used in business. Designed for all professionals, this test includes the following topics: Calculating Mark-up and Markdown Percentage; Interest, Invoicing, and Net/Gross; Markdown Price; Mark-up Price; Original Price Before Markdown or Mark-up; Price from Total without and with Tax; and Total from Algorithm, Chart, or Formula. |
| Business Vocabulary - UK | The Business Vocabulary - UK assessment measures the candidate's ability to correctly identify words common in business communications. In this test, the candidate reads a sentence containing a highlighted word. The candidate is required to select the synonym of the highlighted word from a list of four choices. |
| Business Vocabulary - US | The Business Vocabulary - US assessment measures the candidate's ability to correctly identify words common in business communications. In this test, the candidate reads a sentence containing a highlighted word. The candidate is required to select the synonym of the highlighted word from a list of four choices. |
| Classifying and Coding - UK | The Classifying and Coding - UK assessment measures the candidate's ability to classify and code items by categories. In this test, the candidate reviews a table containing broad categories and assigned code numbers. The candidate is then required to classify specific items by selecting the code that corresponds to the appropriate category in which the item is classed. |
| Classifying and Coding - US (R1) | The Classifying and Coding - US assessment measures the candidate's ability to classify and code items by categories. In this test, the candidate reviews a table containing broad categories and assigned code numbers. The candidate is then required to classify specific items by selecting the code that corresponds to the appropriate category in which the item is classed. |
| Computer Fundamentals - Mac OS X 10.4 (adaptive) | The Computer Fundamentals - Mac OS X 10.4 is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge on the Macintosh computer. Designed for all computer users, this test measures the candidate's knowledge of the most commonly used aspects of the computer-- from using the Macintosh Operating System 10.4 and peripherals (printers, scanners, disk drives) to performing common tasks in popular software programs. This test has the following topics: Applications, Internet and Networking, Graphics and Printing, The Finder, System Preferences, User Accounts and Security. |
| Computer Fundamentals - Win XP (adaptive) | The Computer Fundamentals - Win XP assessment measures the candidate's basic knowledge of using a personal computer. The test questions assume the use of the default Category View in Windows XP. While the test focuses on the skills of using any PC, it uses the Windows XP platform as its basis. Designed for all computer users, this test includes the following topics: Basic Windows Features, Control Panel, Desktop and Taskbar, Files and Folders, Hardware, Help and Support Centre, Networking, Office Applications, Performance and Maintenance, and Troubleshooting. |
| Computer Literacy - Windows XP (adaptive) | The Computer Literacy - Windows XP assessment measures the candidate's knowledge of how to use a computer. Test questions are based on a computer running the Windows XP Professional operating system in the default (not classic) mode and default configuration. Designed for entry level computer users, this test includes the following topics: how to install and launch applications; connecting with other users through networks and file sharing; and using input/output devices such as printers, monitors and other peripherals. The test also covers basic Internet concepts such as email, firewalls and the world wide web; maintenance and settings of the XP environment; storage and management of files; audio and video features; and using multiple windows to work efficiently. |
| Contact Center Virtual Scenario | The Contact Center Virtual Scenario assessment is a simulation and is designed mainly for entry-level positions in a contact centre environment. Sample tasks for these jobs include: Interact with customers on the phone to provide information, take orders, and solve product or service issues; respond positively to difficult or irate customers; navigate within multiple open applications to find and view customer account details; and type information quickly and accurately. Potential job titles that use this solution are: Call Centre Representative, Contact Centre Representative, Customer Service Agent, and Customer Service Representative. |
| Contact Center Virtual Scenario - AUS | The Contact Center Virtual Scenario - AUS assessment is a simulation and is designed mainly for entry-level positions in a contact centre environment. Sample tasks for these jobs include: Interact with customers on the phone to provide information, take orders, and solve product or service issues; respond positively to difficult or irate customers; navigate within multiple open applications to find and view customer account details; and type information quickly and accurately. Potential job titles that use this solution are: Call Centre Representative, Contact Centre Representative, Customer Service Agent, and Customer Service Representative. |
| Contact Center Virtual Scenario - UK | The Contact Center Virtual Scenario - UK assessment is a simulation and is designed mainly for entry-level positions in a contact centre environment. Sample tasks for these jobs include: Interact with customers on the phone to provide information, take orders, and solve product or service issues; respond positively to difficult or irate customers; navigate within multiple open applications to find and view customer account details; and type information quickly and accurately. Potential job titles that use this solution are: Call Centre Representative, Contact Centre Representative, Customer Service Agent, and Customer Service Representative. |
| Data Entry Alphanumeric Form 2 - UK | The Data Entry Alphanumeric - UK assessment measures a candidate's ability to enter alphabetical and numerical information into fields within a simulated screen on the computer. Candidates are provided a printed text original that contains tables of information that they must enter exactly into a similar table in a word processing document using a keyboard. The information includes business-related text and numbers such as office number, company name, address, mail code, and billing code. The test assesses for speed and accuracy. |
| Data Entry Alphanumeric Split Screen - US | The Data Entry Alphanumeric Split Screen - US assessment measures a candidate's ability to enter alphabetical and numerical information into a table in a word processing document using a keyboard. The text original information is displayed directly above the area in which the candidate responds. The information includes business-related text and numbers such as office number, company name, address, mail code, item number, model number, and billing code. Candidates will be scored on speed and accuracy. |
| Data Entry Numeric Form 2 - UK | The Data Entry Numeric Form 2 - UK assessment measures the speed and accuracy at typing numbers into forms. Candidates are provided a printed text original that contains tables of information that they must enter exactly into a similar table in a word processing document using a keyboard. The information candidates must enter includes business-related records including numeric fields such as item number, model number, and quantity. Candidates may use either the keyboards numeric keypad or the number keys at the top of the keyboard. The test has a total of 26 records, and it is designed such that most candidates will not complete the test. |
| Data Entry Numeric Split Screen - US | The Data Entry Numeric Split Screen - US assessment measures the candidate's speed and accuracy at typing numbers in a form using the numeric keypad or the number keys at the top of the keyboard. The text original information is displayed directly above the area in which the candidate responds. The information includes business-related numbers such as office number, item number, model number, and billing code. Candidates will be scored on speed and accuracy. |
| Data Entry Ten Key Split Screen | The Data Entry Ten Key Split Screen assessment measures the candidate's ability to enter numbers using the numeric keypad on the keyboard (the number keys art the top of the keyboard are disabled). The text original information is displayed to the left of the area in which the candidate responds. The information includes positive and negative numbers. Candidates will be scored on speed and accuracy. |
| English Vocabulary | The English Vocabulary assessment measures the candidate's knowledge of English vocabulary. Designed for all English speakers, this test covers the following topics: Analogies, Challenging words, Foreign words used in the English language, and Professional terms. |
| Filing - Names (R1) | The Filing - Names assessment measures a candidate's ability to sort names in alphabetical order. Candidates are shown a graphical display of four folder tabs -- three contain alphabetized names and one is blank. The candidate is required to select the name from a list that belongs on the blank tab. |
| Filing - Numbers | The Filing - Numbers assessment measures a candidate's ability to sort items in numerical order. Candidates are shown a graphical display of four folder tabs -- three contain numbers and one is blank, and all are sorted in numeric order. The candidate is required to select the number from a list that belongs on the blank tab. |
| Following Instructions - UK (R1) | The Following Instructions - UK assessment measures a candidate's ability to follow detailed instructions and then select the correct course of action. Candidates are presented with a set of rules and need to choose the appropriate response for various situations based on the rules given. |
| Following Instructions - US (R2) | The Following Instructions - US assessment measures a candidate's ability to follow detailed instructions and then select the correct course of action. Candidates are presented with a set of rules and need to choose the appropriate response for various situations based on the rules given. |
| General Clerical Grammar (R1) | The General Clerical Grammar assessment measures the candidate's ability to correctly use the various parts of speech in written communication and covers subject-verb agreement, sentence structure, and punctuation. |
| General Clerical Spelling - Multiple Choice (R1) | The General Clerical Spelling - Multiple Choice assessment measures the candidate's ability to identify correctly spelled words in written communication. It is a timed assessment that covers the following topics: plurals, prefixes, suffixes, abbreviations, and common errors. There is also a short answer version of the test. |
| General Clerical Spelling - Short Answer (R1) | The General Clerical Spelling Short Answer assessment measures the candidate's ability to correctly spell words in written communication. The General Clerical Spelling short answer assessment covers plurals, prefixes, suffixes, abbreviations, and common errors. |
| Marketing Concepts | The Marketing Concepts assessment is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge of the core areas of marketing. Designed for all professionals, this test covers the following topics: Advertising & Sales Promotion, Buying Behaviour, Demographic Decision-Making, Distribution & Channel Selection, Information Analysis, Internal & External Company Evaluation, Market Analysis, Marketing Control Systems, Marketing Plans, New Product/Service Development, Pricing, and Selling Issues. |
| Marketing Strategy | The Marketing Strategy assessment is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge of the strategic issues involved in developing a marketing plan. It is designed for experienced marketing professionals and covers the following topics: Planning, Assessing Opportunities, Segmentation, Satisfying Customers, Cost of Entry, and Integration. |
| Math Fundamentals | The Math Fundamentals assessment is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge of the core areas of mathematics that are important in everyday life. Designed for everyone who is familiar with the Imperial Measurement System, this test covers the following topics: Arithmetic Computations, Basic Geometry, Decimals, Fractions, Percentages, Problem Solving with Arithmetic, Ratio and Proportion, and Statistics and Graphs. |
| Math Fundamentals (Metric) | The Math Fundamentals (Metric) assessment is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge of the core areas of mathematics that are important in everyday life. This test is based on the Math Fundamentals - U.S. test, but where applicable, items have been converted to the Metric Measurement System. This test covers the following topics: Arithmetic Computations, Basic Geometry, Decimals, Fractions, Percentages, Ratio and Proportion, and Statistics and Graphs. |
| Math Problem Solving - US | The Math Problem Solving - US assessment measures the candidate's ability to use basic mathematic computations to solve real-world problems. Calculators are not allowed, but candidates can use paper and pencil to answer questions. |
| Mathematical Problem Solving - UK | The Mathematical Problem Solving - UK assessment measures the candidate's ability to use basic mathematic computations to solve real-world problems. Calculators are not allowed, but candidates can use paper and pencil to answer questions. |
| Microsoft Excel 2007 - Essentials | The Microsoft Excel 2007 Essentials assessment is a simulation that evaluates the candidate's experience in sorting and filtering data, entering basic formulas, modifying cell formatting and content, inserting and labelling charts, using templates, saving workbooks for earlier versions of Excel, viewing and printing workbooks, and managing workbooks and worksheets. The Essentials test utilizes a simulation format and consists of the 20 most important, most frequently performed tasks. |
| Microsoft Excel 2007 (adaptive) | The Microsoft Excel 2007 assessment is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge of Excel 2007. Designed for experienced users, this test includes the following topics: Charts, Data Entry, Data Manipulation, Formulas/Functions, Graphics, Software Interface, VBA Interface, and Web Interface. |
| Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 - Essentials | The Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 Essentials assessment is a simulation that evaluates the candidate's experience in creating and saving presentations, adding and modifying illustrative graphics, applying effects and animations, formatting slides and presentation content, and reviewing and delivering presentations. The Essentials test utilizes a simulation format and consists of the 20 most important, most frequently performed tasks. |
| Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 (adaptive) | The Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 assessment is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge of Microsoft PowerPoint 2007. Designed for experienced users, this test includes the following topics: Animation and Slideshows, Content, Interface, Objects, Presentation Management and Delivery, Presentations, Proof and Review, Slide Setup and Presentation. |
| Microsoft Project 2002 | The Microsoft Project 2002 assessment is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge of Microsoft Project 2002. Designed for experienced users, this test covers the following topics: Features and Functionality, Programming and Customization, Project Budgeting, Project Planning, Project Reporting, Project Resources, Project Scheduling, Project Tracking, and Project Views. |
| Microsoft Word 2007 - Essentials | The Microsoft Word 2007 Essentials assessment is a simulation that evaluates the candidate's experience in using templates to create new documents, saving documents for previous versions of Word users, printing and viewing documents, creating and formatting tables, paragraphs, fonts styles, graphics, and bulleted and numbered lists, modifying page layout options including footers, margins, and pagination, and using mail merge features to create documents for mass mailings.. The Essentials test utilizes a simulation format and consists of the 20 most important, most frequently performed tasks. |
| Microsoft Word 2007 (adaptive) | The Microsoft Word 2007 assessment is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge of Microsoft Word 2007. Designed for experienced users, this test covers the following topics: Document Creation, Document Window Views, Graphics and Tables, New Features, Page Layout, Protecting Documents, Reviewing, and Options. |
| Presentation Skills | The Presentation Skills assessment is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge of the concepts of preparing, delivering, and evaluating a presentation. Designed for any professional who makes presentations, this test includes the following topics: Gathering Information, Learning Material, Pre-Design & Preparation, Presentation Conclusion, Presentation Delivery, Presentation Structure, Presentation Types, Speaking Anxiety, and Types of Visual Aids. |
| Proofreading - UK | The Proofreading - UK assessment measures the candidate's ability to read for errors involving spelling, punctuation, grammar and word choice. It also measures the candidate's ability to correct those errors. |
| Proofreading - US | The Proofreading - US assessment measures the candidate's ability to read for errors involving spelling, punctuation, grammar and word choice. It also measures the candidate's ability to correct those errors. |
| Reading Comprehension - English (US) | The RDBMS Concepts assessment is adaptive and measures a candidates ability to read and comprehend written text. Candidates are instructed to read passages and answer questions regarding the content of the passages or inferences that could be made based on the passages. There are five passages in the test that relate to the 30 items in the test. |
| Retail Sales and Service Simulation | The Retail Sales and Service Simulation measures the ability of a candidate to choose effective sales and service techniques while interacting with customers. Situations are presented to the candidate via computer-based animation, and the candidate is offered a set of behaviours from which to choose the most and least effective responses. The behaviours vary in the extent to which the sales associate may: direct a conversation toward a commitment or sale, listen carefully to customers and provide options that address what they really need/want, put aside work to assist a customer, and focus on meeting customer needs. Responses are tracked and compared against expert ratings of effectiveness. The test produces an overall score, as well as scores on two subscales, Customer Service Effectiveness and Sales Effectiveness. |
| Reviewing Forms - UK | The Reviewing Forms - UK assessment measures a candidate's ability to detect errors in forms by comparing text in a form to text in a paragraph format. Based on information in the paragraph, the candidate must select the answer that indicates the incorrect information. |
| Reviewing Forms - US (R1) | The Reviewing Forms - US assessment measures a candidate's ability to detect errors in forms by comparing text in a form to text in a paragraph format. Based on information in the paragraph, the candidate must select the answer that indicates the incorrect information. |
| Split Screen Typing Test UK - Form 1 | The Split Screen Typing Test UK assessment measures a candidate's speed and accuracy in typing text presented on the computer screen. In this assessment, the text original is displayed directly above the area in which the candidate must enter the response. The candidate will not need a printed original for the evaluation. This test calculates a score based on the total number of keystrokes, time taken, and number of errors made when typing six passages. |
| Split Screen Typing Test US - Form 1 | The Split Screen Typing Test US assessment measures a candidate's speed and accuracy in typing text presented on the computer screen. In this assessment, the text original is displayed directly above the area in which the candidate must enter the response. The candidate will not need a printed original for the evaluation. This test calculates a score based on the total number of keystrokes, time taken, and number of errors made when typing six passages. |
| Verbal Reasoning - UK | The Verbal Reasoning - UK assessment measures a candidate's ability to combine separate pieces of information and determine true statements based on that information. The candidate is required to review a list of facts and select the correct conclusion from a list of four statements. |
| Verbal Reasoning - US (R1) | The Verbal Reasoning - US assessment measures a candidate's ability to combine separate pieces of information and determine true statements based on that information. The candidate is required to review a list of facts and select the correct conclusion from a list of four statements. |
| Visual Comparison - UK | The Visual Comparison - UK assessment measures the candidate's ability to efficiently compare information and detect errors. The candidate is required to examine four pairs of numbers and select the set of numbers that are not identical. |
| Visual Comparison - US | The Visual Comparison - US assessment measures the candidate's ability to efficiently compare information and detect errors. The candidate is required to examine four pairs of numbers and select the set of numbers that are not identical. |
| Written English (U.K.) | The Written English (U.K.) assessment is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge of English grammar and English reading comprehension. Designed for experienced users, this test covers the following topics: Articles, Comparisons, Conjunctions, General Questions, Misused Words, Nouns, Parallel Structure, Prepositions, Pronouns, Specific Questions, and Verbs. |
| Written English (US) | The Written English assessment is adaptive and measures the candidate's knowledge of English grammar and English reading comprehension. It is designed for experienced users and covers the following topics: Articles, Comparisons, Conjunctions, General Questions, Misused Words, Nouns, Parallel Structure, Prepositions, Pronouns, Specific Questions, and Verbs. |
Next steps?
Get in touch today and speak with one of our highly experience consultants to discuss you requirements and how we can support you getting started.
View an A-Z listing of all our products
At a glance
Purpose
To assess basic business skills
Target group
Entry level roles
Administration
Varies per assessment
Can be used alongside
Personality, motivation and other ability tests
Delivery options
Fully outsourced to be managed by Getfeedback or, providing that the user meets the accreditation requirements, can be managed in-house
Accreditation requirement
No formal training required however a knowledge of assessments is beneficial
Recognition as a high quality tool
Conforms to BPS and American Psychological Association guidelines
Order Product
To order this product or for more information please contact: info@getfeedback.net
or call:
+44 (0) 333 090 2580
