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Reading Comprehension Tests

Can your applicants understand reports, instructions and basic information?

This is a subtle, yet hard-to-gauge skill that most job positions require.  Our tests can help determine if applicants have this skill.

Test Versions

  • General Reading Comprehension
  • Basic Reading Comprehension
  • Industrial Reading Comprehension

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TARGET JOBS

Admin/Office Support
Accounting
Marketing
Industrial

QUESTION TYPE

Multiple Choice

DIFFICULTY

Basic to Intermediate

ADMINISTRATION TIME

20-25 minutes per test

What is Reading Comprehension?

Reading comprehension in a work environment is the ability to understand and analyze written information, such as emails, reports and other business documents. This skill is essential for effective communication and decision-making and involves the below tasks:

  1. Identifying the main ideas and supporting details in a document.
  2. Drawing conclusions based on the information presented.
  3. Evaluating the reliability of information sources.
  4. Summarizing complex information for clarity.
  5. Integrating new data with existing knowledge to support decision-making processes.
  6. Communicating the key points to team members.

Having strong reading comprehension skills is key for navigating work, as it helps employees to stay informed and work effectively with others.

 

Hiring Tests for Job Interview

Reading Comprehension Test Versions

  • General: Suitable for most jobs with standard business text.

 

  • Basic: Easier questions, targeted at entry level or customer support jobs.

 

  • Industrial: Basic level questions targeted at industrial based jobs requiring basic comprehension.

View Sample Score Report

Pre-employment tests for job applicants

Avoiding bias

Using pre-employment tests, such as our Reading Comprehension Tests, is one way to avoid bias in the hiring process. Bias can be conscious or unconscious and recruiters may not be aware that they have them.

Using research-based pre-hire tests reduces bias that may come from work or educational experience.

All of our tests follow the guidelines of the EEOC and US Department of Labor’s Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection.

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Pre-employment tests for job applicants
EmployTest FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a reading comprehension test?

A reading comprehension test measures a job candidate’s ability to understand written text. It assesses skills like identifying main ideas, understanding details, and making inferences. Employers use these tests to ensure candidates can effectively read and process information, which is vital for many job roles.

What kind of questions are on the reading comprehension assessment tests?

Reading comprehension assessment tests include multiple choice questions that reference an included paragraph or written text. Candidates are asked to read the paragraphs and answer questions about the context. 

How to test job candidates for their reading comprehension skills?

To test job candidates for their reading comprehension skills, employers can use standardized reading comprehension tests. These assessments include passages followed by questions that evaluate understanding of the main content and details. This method provides a clear measure of a candidate’s ability to comprehend and interpret written information.

How are reading comprehension skills tests measured?

Reading comprehension skills tests are measured using standardized scoring systems. Job candidates’ responses are compared to correct answers, and scores are presented as percentage correct, along with percentile scores to compare to other candidates. These tests assess how well candidates interpret written information, which ensures they can process information accurately.

How do pre-employment tests assess candidates' reading comprehension skills?

Pre-employment tests assess candidates’ reading comprehension skills by evaluating their ability to understand information that is on a screen. These tests measure key skills such as identifying main ideas and getting the key details correct. By analyzing candidates’ responses, employers can determine the job candidate’s ability to process information.

What specific reading comprehension skills are covered in the pre-employment reading comprehension test?

The pre-employment reading comprehension tests can cover basic skills, standard business reports, or technical reports. Within each of those, the test assesses the job candidates’ skill in determining the meaning of words in context and recognizing the author’s tone and purpose. These skills are crucial for effective reading and understanding of workplace instructions or reports.

Why is your pre-employment test valuable for testing reading comprehension skills in candidates?

Our pre-employment test is valuable for testing reading comprehension skills because it provides a detailed evaluation of a job candidate’s ability to understand and interpret written words. By measuring skills like spotting main topics and making inferences, the test ensures candidates can process information accurately, which is essential for most job roles.

How can your pre-employment assessment ensure that candidates meet our reading comprehension skills requirements?

Our pre-employment assessment ensures candidates meet your reading comprehension skills requirements by thoroughly evaluating their ability to understand information that is written on a screen or paper. The test includes report-like text and questions that reflect real-world scenarios. By comparing candidates’ scores to other job candidates, employers can identify who has the top reading comprehension skills.

How to help an employee with their reading comprehension skills?

To help an employee with their reading comprehension skills, you can provide literacy training programs focused on improving understanding of written text. Offer reading materials and practice exercises that challenge their comprehension abilities. Mentoring can help employees develop better reading strategies and improve their skills over time.

Why should businesses prioritize reading comprehension skills in pre-employment tests?

Businesses should prioritize reading comprehension skills in pre-employment tests because these skills are crucial for effective communication and quality assurance. Strong reading comprehension skills ensure that employees can analyze written information and make informed decisions. By assessing these skills before hiring, businesses can select candidates who are well-prepared for their roles.

How do reading comprehension skills help businesses ensure quality?

Reading comprehension skills help businesses ensure quality by confirming job candidates can comprehend the information they see. Employees with strong reading comprehension skills can follow instructions, which reduces errors, improves decision-making, and enhances overall productivity, leading to higher quality work and better business outcomes.

Why are reading comprehension skills important for businesses?

Reading comprehension skills are important for businesses because they ensure that employees can be relied on to handle information correctly. These skills are essential for following instructions or other analyses. Strong reading comprehension abilities help keep the quality levels up in any organization.

Which reading comprehension skills should businesses prioritize when hiring?

Businesses should prioritize reading comprehension skills such as identifying main ideas, understanding details, and making inferences when hiring. These skills ensure that employees can accurately process and interpret information and communicate well. Prioritizing these skills helps businesses select candidates who can do the job more quickly.

Why do businesses use pre-employment reading comprehension tests?

Businesses use pre-employment reading comprehension tests to make sure job candidates have the required skills and to avoid costly hiring mistakes. These tests assess critical skills like understanding details and making inferences about the written information.

How does a reading comprehension test for employment benefit businesses in evaluating candidates?

Reading comprehension tests for employment benefit businesses by providing a reliable measure of a candidate’s ability to understand and interpret written information. These tests are data driven and do not account for the hiring committee’s opinion about which candidate is the best, which can lead to better hiring outcomes.