A wrong hire is expensive for any company. For a small business, it can set you back months. Our pre-employment testing for small businesses gives you real data on every candidate before you make a job offer.
The Basic Employment Skills Test is a great starting point for most small businesses. It checks grammar, math, reading, and accuracy the skills that show up in daily work.
It takes about 20 minutes and you get the score report the moment the candidate finishes. No waiting. No guesswork. Just clear results you can act on.
Interviews tell you how someone presents. A skills test tells you what they can actually do.
According to SHRM, the average cost per hire is nearly $4,700, and when a hire does not work out, employers can spend 3x of a role’s salary to replace them. For a small business, that kind of loss hurts. A small business hiring assessment puts objective data in front of you before the offer, not after.
Want to understand how testing fits into your full process? Read our guide on hiring good employees for your small business.
This employee skills test for small business covers four areas that predict how well someone handles daily office tasks:
Grammar and Spelling: 15 questions, 8 minutes
Checking for Accuracy: 15 questions, 4 minutes
Basic Math: 10 questions, 8 minutes
Reading Comprehension: 5 questions, 7 minutes
Every question is timed and multiple-choice. Candidates complete it on their own schedule. You see results the moment they finish.
Every completed job applicant skills testing session generates a score report the instant the candidate finishes. You read it without needing any technical knowledge.
Each report includes:
Reports are saved in your dashboard. Compare candidates side by side. No additional tools needed.
The Basic Employment Skills Test can be the starting point, and depending on the role, you can add one or two more to get a fuller picture.
Attention to Detail Test: checks accuracy and data-handling precision. Good for admin, billing, and records roles.
Cognitive Ability Test: measures reasoning and problem-solving. Strong predictor of job performance across roles.
Emotional Intelligence Profile: helps with customer-facing and team-focused positions.
Microsoft Word and Excel Test: use when document or spreadsheet work is part of the daily job.
Not sure which tests fit your roles? Read more about which skills assessment tests work best for your team.
This is for hiring managers and company owners who need a fast, reliable answer before making a job offer. You do not need an HR department and don’t need a testing background.
GREAT FOR THESE ROLES
If someone ever interviewed well and struggled on the job, this test can fill that gap.
Candidates never see their own scores. Results go directly to you, keeping the process objective.
What types of jobs can pre-employment testing for small businesses be used for?
The Basic Employment Skills Test fits any role where communication, math, and accuracy show up in the daily work. That includes admin staff, customer service, billing, data entry, and operations coordinators. If accuracy matters on Day 1, this test gives you useful data before you hire.
Do I need HR experience to read the score reports?
No. The reports are written in plain language and built for fast decisions. You see an overall score, a percentile ranking, and a topic-by-topic breakdown. No HR background needed to know what the numbers mean for the job.
How do I send a test to a candidate?
Sign in to your dashboard, choose a test, and enter the candidate’s email address. They receive a direct link and complete the test on their schedule. Results appear in your account the moment they finish. Nothing to install on either end.
Why is structured pre-employment testing better than interviews alone?
Interviews measure how someone presents. A structured test measures what they can do. Research from Aberdeen found that hiring managers who use pre-employment assessments report 36% more satisfaction with their final decision than those who don’t. For a small team, that difference matters.
What other tests can I add for a more complete picture?
Pair the Basic Employment Skills Test with a Cognitive Ability Test for problem-solving data, or an Attention to Detail Test for accuracy-heavy roles. For customer-facing positions, the Emotional Intelligence Profile adds useful behavioral context. All tests use pay-per-test in blocks; add only what each role actually needs.
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.
