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General Skills Assessment for Applicants

Our General Skills Assessment for Applicants gives you a fast, objective read on the skills that show up every day at work. Grammar, spelling, basic math, and logical reasoning, all in one pre-employment skills test you can send in minutes.

Some candidates look great on paper. But can they actually communicate, do the math, and think through a problem on the job?

SHRM research says that 79% of HR professionals say skills assessment scores are just as important, or more important, than traditional hiring criteria. Stop guessing. Start measuring.

A sample question from Elite Profile Test also known as general assessment test.

What the General Skills Assessment Covers

This employee skills assessment tests four core areas that predict how well someone will perform from day one:

Logical Reasoning: Can they think through a problem step by step? 

Grammar: Can they write a clear email? Avoid errors in client-facing work? 

Spelling: This section identifies candidates likely to make costly spelling and reporting errors.

Basic Math: Can they calculate totals, verify invoices, or follow a simple budget?

Together, these four areas cover the skills your team counts on every week. Questions are multiple choice, and the test takes about 20 minutes to complete.

What Your Score Report Includes

Elite Skills Profile: Score Report

Every completed test delivers an instant Elite Skills Profile report. No waiting. No manual scoring. Results emailed directly to you the moment your candidate finishes.

Your report includes:

  1. Overall percentile score (Caution / Moderate / High) compared to the EmployTest applicant pool
  2. Scores by skill area: grammar, spelling, math, and logical reasoning
  3. Performance breakdown showing how the candidate did on each question category
  4. A structured Interview Guide with scored follow-up questions, targeted at the areas where the candidate needs further review

This skills-based hiring assessment gives you more than a number. It tells you what to ask in the interview and where to look closely before you hire.

Read: How to use percentile vs. percentage scores when comparing candidates

Who Should Use This Test

This job skills test for applicants works for any role where clear communication, basic calculation, and sound judgment matter from day one.

That includes a wide range of general business, office, and operations positions. Use it for:

  1. Administrative and office coordinator roles
  2. Customer service and front desk positions
  3. Operations and logistics support
  4. Accounting assistants and billing staff
  5. Government and nonprofit program staff

If the role involves written communication, number work, or daily problem-solving, this test gives you a clear signal before you schedule the first interview. It’s also a solid starting point when you’re hiring for multiple roles at once and need a fast, consistent screen across all candidates.

Pair it with a cognitive ability test for employment to get a fuller picture of how a candidate thinks and learns.

Hiring managers reviewing candidates for admin, customer service, and operations roles using the General Skills Assessment.

How to Add This Test to Your Hiring Process

Getting started takes minutes. Here’s how it works:

  1. Buy credits and sign in to your EmployTest dashboard
  2. Invite candidates by email. They get a direct link to the test
  3. Candidates complete the timed workplace readiness test at their convenience
  4. You receive instant, standardized score reports the moment they finish
  5. Compare candidates using percentile rankings and the structured Interview Guide

According to a McKinsey & Company report, hiring for skills is 5x more predictive of job performance than hiring based on education alone. That’s why more employers are moving toward skills-based hiring over resumes. 

Pricing is pay-per-test in blocks. No subscriptions. No auto-renewals. You only pay for what you use.

Curious how skills testing stacks up against other tools? Read: Skills Assessment Test: Pros, Types, and Examples for a breakdown of when each method works best.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the General Skills Assessment test measure?

The General Skills Assessment measures four workplace-ready skills: grammar, spelling, basic math, and logical reasoning. These are the skills that predict how well someone will communicate, handle number-based tasks, and work through problems independently. It is designed for general business, office, and administrative roles where these abilities come up every week.

How long does the test take?

The Elite Skills Profile, also known as the General Skills Assessment, takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. Candidates work through multiple-choice questions across all four skill areas. Results are delivered to your account the moment they finish, so you do not have to wait to move your hiring process forward.

What roles is this test best suited for?

This test works well for any role that involves written communication, basic calculations, or daily problem-solving. Common fits include administrative assistants, customer service staff, data entry roles, operations coordinators, accounting support staff, and healthcare administrative positions. If clear communication and accurate thinking are part of the job, this test is a good screen.

How does the score report work?

Every candidate who completes the test generates an Elite Skills Profile report instantly. It includes an overall score on a Caution / Moderate / High scale, individual scores for each of the four skill areas, a question-by-question breakdown, and a structured Interview Guide with scored follow-up questions. You get everything you need to compare candidates and prepare for interviews.

Can candidates see their own scores?

No. Candidates never see their results. Scores go directly to you through your EmployTest account. This keeps the process objective and gives you full control over how you use the data in your hiring decisions.

How much does this cost?

Pricing is simple and flexible as your needs change. Each test completed uses one test credit. (See pricing for credits)

Can I get a free sample before I purchase?

Yes, just visit Try for Free to provide your information and we’ll send a free sample of the test you request.

How it Works

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BUY TEST CREDITS
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SIGN INTO DASHBOARD
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CHOOSE TESTS
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EMAIL TEST SESSIONS