Buyers Guide to Choosing Pre-employment Testing Software

Pre-employment testing software can help companies save a lot of time and cost in the hiring process. However, there are over 80+ online assessment tools and vendors. Each one claims to be the best. There may be many reasons to use assessment software. After all, every company wants to hire the best talent..

So, how do you choose the right assessment vendor? We’ve got you covered. Keep in mind this 12-Point checklist when selecting an assessment vendor. Download the Checklist.

Budget and Pricing Options

Companies of all sizes face hiring problems, so they all use pre-employment testing software. You’d want a vendor that fits your budget. 

Let’s understand how these companies may charge you.

A few vendors may charge you per job role, while others may charge per test invite. Some vendors may ask you to provide a minimum time commitment, and there may also be a fee for admins and users.
Per-invite-based pricing may be appropriate for casual hiring. However, it may be prohibitive if you have multiple openings or perform high-volume hiring. So, make sure you choose a tool that fits your budget.

Understand if the Software fits your Usecase

There are various use cases for pre-employment testing. The assessment tool you choose should have features relevant to your needs. For example, most software comes with a question bank. Ensure that you verify the quality and relevance of these questions.

Some tools are great for tech screening, while others may be suitable for psychometric tests. For example, aptitude tests may be helpful if you have a high-volume recruitment strategy. The right software fits your needs perfectly. It must match your hiring scale and fit into your hiring process.

Reporting Mechanism in your Pre-Employment Testing Software

The main purpose of skill tests is to help recruiters and hiring managers make data-driven hiring decisions. However, it may be challenging to review each test response manually. Instead, it’s best to choose assessment software that can rank candidates based on their test scores.

Most recruiters like reports to be concise and insightful. They prefer automatic generation of reports and scores. A holistic candidate report illuminates various aspects required to succeed at the job.

A rubric serves as a scoring guide. Ensure the report reflects the criteria outlined in your rubric. Lastly, confirm that the software enables the export of reports.

Ease of use

Many of us have experienced using software that feels like a clunky ERP. If you need to check this list of ERP software in Dubai, It may take multiple clicks to achieve a simple objective. However, it is essential not to be rash. After all, shiny and new may not be better. Top assessment vendors deliver an exceptional user experience. Their goal is to make users happy and feel productive. As the saying suggests, bigger isn’t always better. Sometimes, it’s the tiny details in design that truly count!

Understanding the ease of use is simple. Just a glance at the vendor ratings can make it obvious. Next, contrast them against the category’s typical performance.

Candidate Friendliness of your Pre-Employment Testing Software

Tests should be a breeze for test-takers. However, this is only sometimes the case. A few vendors expect the candidate to visit an assessment center. Others may want the candidate to download. There have also been instances of test-takers being asked to download Chrome extensions. All these elements introduce resistance into the test-taking procedure, resulting in a cumbersome experience for the applicant.

The best platforms let candidates start the test from any device. There are also no restrictions on using any browser. Moreover, since everything is on the cloud, there is no need for test-takers to install any software.

Anti Cheating Features

Assessments must be fair for all. Therefore, it is important to weed out anyone who tries to game the system. You’d prefer applicants who excel in both the test and your interviews.

Three types of behaviors can affect the test’s integrity. 

Impersonation, i.e. attempting on behalf of someone else.
Cheating, i.e. disclosing and sharing answers.
Plagiarism, i.e. Using a trusted plagiarism checker to measure the originality of content.

The leading assessment providers offer a variety of features aimed at preventing these unethical behaviors. You could use all or some of these features. The most popular methods are webcam proctoring and copy-paste detection 

Check out how Xobin prevents cheating in online exams.

Ease of Onboarding

Only some people are tech-savvy. You and your hiring team may need help getting onboarded. The best approach is to ask your vendor about the typical time frame. Some new software requires a week to implement, while others follow a self-service model. 

Check if your vendor has ready-to-use help docs. The best assessment platforms may also provide live training sessions. In addition, you should spend time viewing public reviews. They can help you analyze the quality of support.

Support

Recruiters may not possess technical knowledge related to the software. Hence, they may need support at each stage, from creating tests to generating reports. 

Not just recruiters but even test takers may face glitches while taking the test. In such cases, time is critical. In such scenarios, a good platform must offer support to both test takers and recruiters, making support only a phone call or live chat away.

Ask your pre-employment testing software vendor these questions:

What type of support do you provide for different pricing plans?
Do you provide Live Chat Support and Phone Support?
What is the typical turnaround time for any support requests?

Customization and Branding Options In Pre-employment Testing Software

Employer Branding is critical in today’s hiring market. Companies prefer the test to be in line with their brand identity. The top assessment software not only reflects the company brand but it enhances it. 

Choose assessments that reflect your organizational culture. Your brand is more than just colors or logos. For example, a simple welcome message goes a long way in enhancing the brand.

Questions to ask your vendor:

• Can the look and feel of the test be customized?
• Does the test showcase the company logo?
• Is the platform white-labeled?

Integrations with other Apps

Isn’t it wonderful when the entire process is seamless? Of course, this is easier said than done since there are many touchpoints in the hiring process. Some teams may want to connect it to their ATS so that no candidate slips through the crack. Others may want to sync it with Slack. Integrations ensure that everything is organized in one place.

Questions to ask your assessment software vendor :

Is it a standalone tool, or can it be integrated with your current HR systems?
Are there Webhooks and public APIs
Does the integration come at an additional cost?

Compliance for Pre-employment Testing Software

Employers aim for fairness and democracy in their hiring practices. As part of your risk assessment, it’s crucial to see if your vendor is compliant with your hiring practices. Familiarize yourself with the data collected by your assessment software, how it’s stored, and its location. 

While it is just a checklist, it’s essential to ask your vendor:

• If the software or tool is ISO-Certified
• If the software or tool is EEOC-compliant.
• Does the software or tool have GDPR Certifications 
• How are personal data safeguarded?

Deployment Method

Most companies today use cloud-based assessment software. However, some IT teams still choose to host applications using on-premise servers. The IT Team mainly sets this requirement. In our experience, schools and colleges prefer self-hosting their online exam software.

On-prem or cloud, make sure your vendor’s deployment style is in sync with your IT Team.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Every company wishes to attract the best talent in the market. Once you have decided to buy, use this 12-point checklist before finalizing your pre-employment testing software.