Contract Role - Online Assessments

[BrilloPad]

I object to doing them. But mostly because I am rubbish at them!

It seems to encourage those who learn by rote. And recent graduates.

A great Java question I always remember. ABS(x) = -1. What is x?

Now I would know where to look that up. I would rarely use it. What is the point of that question?

[kaiser78]

My concern is doing the personality assessment and finding out I don't actually have one

[Draco]

Personally I would stop the contract application there and then. One of the major reasons for dumping permiedom was to avoid exactly this type of crap.

If they're not competent enough to interview me properly then it's not worth going any further with them.

WHS. And those who demand insane proof and references.

[northernladuk]

I had taken an online assessment test on C++ for a client first time about 4 years ago. I had found 3 questions were incorrect and with those mistakes no one could have scored their pass mark. I had the email of the HR and had informed them. When I had applied for the same client recently and found the assessment test was still the same and with same mistakes.

But like Crapita still asking you to complete the BET's to assure status after the government withdrew them.

[raphal]

I took a technical test online and regretted it. The client had outsourced the testing to another company, who evidently knew nothing about Unix. Nearly all of the Unix questions made no sense. I used the notes area to explain how some of the questions were in error. After I completed the test, a dialogue popped up which accused me of cheating (I hadn't).

I would thus be reluctant to any online technical test. Face to face is okay of course, or phone.

I had taken an online assessment test on C++ for a client first time about 4 years ago. I had found 3 questions were incorrect and with those mistakes no one could have scored their pass mark. I had the email of the HR and had informed them. When I had applied for the same client recently and found the assessment test was still the same and with same mistakes.

[unixman]

I took a technical test online and regretted it. The client had outsourced the testing to another company, who evidently knew nothing about Unix. Nearly all of the Unix questions made no sense. I used the notes area to explain how some of the questions were in error. After I completed the test, a dialogue popped up which accused me of cheating (I hadn't).

I would thus be reluctant to any online technical test. Face to face is okay of course, or phone.

[BolshieBastard]

Personally I would stop the contract application there and then. One of the major reasons for dumping permiedom was to avoid exactly this type of crap.

If they're not competent enough to interview me properly then it's not worth going any further with them.

Spot on. i was up for a contract some years ago and rocked up for interview. Was 'told' Id have to sit a literacy test as the product was for schools so they needed people who could spell (I kid not).

Wot, dont ya have spellcheckers on them there computer thingies ya want me to work on? I said.

Er, every one has to take it they said.Not me thanks. Be seeing yer! And I promptly left.

[cojak]

I have been applying for new contract roles whilst I did not know if my current role would be extended and have been progressing a particular role. The client via the agency has asked me to undertake some online logic reasoning and personality assessments before progressing to interview.

I have not come across this for any previous contract roles (I have for permanent in the past) - are there any concerns with this (IR35 for example) or should I just see this as part of the application process ?

Personally I would stop the contract application there and then. One of the major reasons for dumping permiedom was to avoid exactly this type of crap.

If they're not competent enough to interview me properly then it's not worth going any further with them.

[northernladuk]

No IR35 concerns. Nothing wrong with testing the capability of anyone you are going to pay for in whatever capacity IMO.

[kaiser78]

I have been applying for new contract roles whilst I did not know if my current role would be extended and have been progressing a particular role. The client via the agency has asked me to undertake some online logic reasoning and personality assessments before progressing to interview.

I have not come across this for any previous contract roles (I have for permanent in the past) - are there any concerns with this (IR35 for example) or should I just see this as part of the application process ?