Job candidates innocently assume that if they take an assessment test on their tablet or smartphone, they’ll achieve the same result that they’d get on a desktop computer. However, providing exactly the same test experience across every device is a complex challenge.
Assessment specialist cut-e has launched 16 new ‘device-agnostic’ tests which have been designed to consistently predict job performance, regardless of whether candidates complete them on a desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone. These assessments supplement the 34 mobile-optimised tests that the company launched in 2015-16.
“Candidates, particularly those for entry-level positions, like the convenience of completing assessments via their mobile devices,” said Richard Justenhoven, Product Director at cut-e. “However, employers need to be confident that the tests they’re using to make hiring decisions provide accurate scores, no matter which device the candidate chooses. Some tests might play on a mobile device but they’re not optimised for that format and this penalises candidates because they’re not given the same testing experience that they’d get on a desktop computer. To rectify this, we now have a complete series of 50 ‘mobile-first’ tests which have been designed and built specifically for mobile devices. If a candidate takes these tests via a desktop, they’ll get exactly the same test experience.”
cut-e’s 50 mobile-first assessments include personality and interests questionnaires, language tests and aptitude tests (such as numerical and verbal reasoning, concentration, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, mathematical thinking, short-term memory, mechanical understanding and multi-tasking tests). All of these assessments have been built in the HTML5 programming language (instead of Adobe Flash), to ensure that they display properly on different devices and that they’re compatible with different web browsers.
Technical challenges had to be overcome to create the new series of tests. For example, cut-e’s developers had to ensure that the test content adjusts correctly for different screen sizes; that candidates are able to complete their tests offline if they lose their internet connection; that randomly-generated test items are created and that ‘adaptive testing’ – which responds to the candidate’s answers – works effectively, and that candidates cannot cheat on the tests, for example by changing the time settings on their device.
cut-e will continually update its new series of mobile-first tests to ensure they remain compatible with new devices and future browsers as they are launched. To identify which assessment tests will best meet your needs, please click here
