How to Choose the Right Online Assessment Software? Here’s All You Need to Know

Online assessments are crucial recruiting tools that are rightly interposed between the initial screening process and the final interview to enable recruiters to make an objective, data-driven hiring decision. A well-structured assessment provides validated and refined metrics for hiring managers to base their evaluations on, helping them ascertain the suitability of candidates based on their skills, knowledge and competencies for various roles.

Right assessments are critical for leading organizations to improve results and productivity, paving the way for a more carefully regimented hiring process that leads to better cost savings and top talent retention. Talent assessments, however, are prone to hassles. Such assessments can be significantly time-consuming and even organizations, sometimes, tend to stray from their primary intent by evaluating prospective hires on the wrong parameters. That is where online assessment platforms come in handy in enhancing the hiring process’s defensibility, making it efficient and immune to challenges and bottlenecks.

This blog will detail the intricacies of online assessment software packages and the factors to consider when selecting a suitable assessment tool.

Online assessment software is a web-based system to assess specific skills or abilities of candidates. It enables HR professionals to ascertain candidates’ suitability for particular roles. This digital assessment tool helps streamline the hiring process and assess job applicants efficiently.

Assessment software provides the means to build and deploy online assessments that evaluate job applicants’ skills, knowledge, proficiency and characteristics. Additionally, this online assessment system includes tools to inspect and interpret test scores. These assessment tools may be integrated with onboarding or talent management software. They are generally available as SaaS or subscription-based services.

An online assessment platform comes loaded with many valuable features, statistical insights, and styling options that can help recruiters screen candidates online without compromising convenience, scalability and security. It works as a centralized system where one can quickly set up online tests, create standardized or customized assessments, monitor candidates’ performance and generate insightful reports.

”Your company is unique, and you have developed a distinct culture among yourself, your employees, and your consumers. A person who does not fit your organization well might be detrimental to productivity, regardless of their suitability for the position. A bad hire that disrupts the equilibrium of your work environment not only costs time and money but can also influence your other employees and customers’ retention. Online assessment software can assist in filtering out those aspects before introducing them into your company’s ecosystem,” says Eric McGee, Senior Network Engineer at TRGDatacenters.

Hence these platforms seem aptly suited for users with varying needs. These needs might include administering tests for skills assessments, pre-screening assessments, online certifications, employee assessments and training and development, etc.

Going through the routine of organizing recruitment drives, job fairs, and convincing company board members are scenarios that are not new to hiring stakeholders. The constant challenge of maintaining a good headcount for unique business requirements, be it a new project, service offerings, or a new line of business, is evident.

However, it is no secret that hiring experts have limited functional capacity when sifting through vast volumes of candidates, and board members are aware of the perils of such undertakings. Several suggestions are usually proposed to improve the hiring process, such as contacting recruitment agencies, creating a job portal, investing in employer branding activities, etc.

All these methods involve higher costs and are more likely to affect the bottom line. However, automated online assessment platforms can enable organizations to integrate proctoring, assessments, video interviews and onboarding to secure top talent that, otherwise, eludes them.

Here we have listed the top 14 benefits of online assessment platforms:

While you may weigh your options before zeroing in on the suitable assessment tool, it all comes down to some key factors that make all the difference, some of which are listed below:

Selecting an online assessment platform can be a complicated decision. With a steady increase in the number of service providers offering online assessment tools, how will you determine whether you have invested in the best assessment tool? Some things must be factored into the decision-making process when selecting that perfect tool.

1. An Assessment Battery

What makes  an online assessment platform stand out among other assessment tools in the market is its ability to screen candidates effectively using a battery of assessments. A test battery is a set of clustered assessments to evaluate candidates’ skills, personality and ability for a particular position. Assessment batteries vary from role to role, based on the needs of the employers and job requirements. With the provision of an assessment battery, recruiters can better conduct pre-employment assessments with ease.

For instance, organizations looking to hire coders may want to administer a coding test to assess applicant’s knack for coding. They may also want to conduct a psychometric test to evaluate important underlying characteristics such as trustworthiness, honesty, and motivation. Similarly, administering domain tests would simplify technical hiring and training for organizations. Then tests like sales profiler and aptitude critically assess candidates’ sales competencies and functional skills. All these tests cumulatively constitute a test battery, which can also be administered as a sequence of assessments.

2. An Integrated Platform

An enterprise-grade online assessment platform will enable users to deliver safe and secure exams faster than its counterparts.  With its multi-question formats, AI-enabled remote  proctoring and extensive reports for varying needs, be it for education, recruitment, and training, it will customize to every organization’s needs. The platform must include multi-section workflows that simplify complex candidate processes.

Implementing well-laid-out hiring processes using the best candidate evaluation software is critical. There is nothing like a self-manageable recruitment management software that helps structure online interviews, track applicants, and evaluate them via comprehensive assessments for the final interview round.

3. Customization

Online assessment software with inadequate features will never strike a chord with evaluators and candidates. What is needed is a versatile and customizable assessment platform that suits everyone’s needs. Such a platform allows users to either pick a custom-built test from its vast library or helps them create their test by either using standardized questions or providing an option to add new items, depending on a job-specific competency framework.

The platform’s responsiveness is also essential in every aspect of the user experience – adaptability across all screen sizes enables users to access the tool on different devices. A well-designed online assessment system is equipped to conduct systematic and fair assessments. It is also flexible enough to administer many tests, namely psychometric, cognitive, coding, and much more.

4. Better Candidate Experience

A comprehensive assessment tool caters to varied organizational requirements:

• Creating effective talent acquisition strategies
• Building a strong HiPo (high-potential performers) pipeline
• Renewing training and development processes

What makes a platform remarkable is its ability to deliver a perfect candidate experience. In addition to an easy user interface, questions available on the platform should be in a language comprehensible to the candidates. It helps candidates take those tests with the utmost ease, not to mention the compatibility of images, videos, flash, and other rich media content also works wonders.

5. Online Proctoring

Reliability and security are two crucial features of any credible online assessment software. Conducting an assessment in a highly cheating-proof environment is vital for evaluators. It will become much more convenient for them to detect all forms of malpractices using AI-backed, anti-cheating solutions that include real-time monitoring, secure browsing, and authenticity checks.

Administering assessments on a large scale is no mean feat. However, online remote proctoring makes it easy to prevent candidates from cheating. Indulging in malpractices can be kept at bay with essential features such as facial recognition, multiple device detection, device detection, distraction detection, etc. A secure online assessment platform ensures that any candidate who indulges in cheating gets flagged during the assessment.

6. Data Security

With the objective of data security, reliable online assessment platforms assure safety. While monitoring applicant activity during an online assessment, there is much at stake, including everything ranging from candidate data and question sets to benchmarking reports.

Hence organizations must have their data stored on the cloud. If the assessment data is well encrypted, the chances of misusing it are minimal. Data encryption prevents unauthorized access to question sets. Undoubtedly, employers can be assured of the sanctity of the results in such a secure environment.

7. Different Types of Test Questions

Ascertaining the justifiability of assessments without the inclusion of competency-based questions would be a futile exercise. Evaluators need to include various question types during pre-employment testing. Well-rounded online assessment software allows users to conduct recruitment assessments well-embedded with multiple question types to measure candidates’ knowledge levels.

Below are some commonly used question types that aim to understand the applicants’ thought process in a much better manner:

• Case studies
• Multiple-choice questions
• Subjective writing
• Coding simulators
• Guesstimate questions
• Diagram-based questions
• Spreadsheet questions
• Fill-in-the-blank questions

8. Analytical Reports

An in-depth analysis of an individual’s performance is possible with comprehensive analytical reports generated by an assessment software. What makes an online assessment software worth considering is its ability to tailor-make the offerings as per the clients’ needs.

Today, a data-driven recruitment strategy is the best approach to hiring top-quality employees. Custom reports are more helpful in providing critical insights into candidates’ performance than standard template reports. When addressing specific organizational needs, flexible reporting is a quicker, more convenient way of going about it.

9. White Labelling

A white label is a legal approval to allow one party to place its brand name on a product/service produced by another party, typically for a reasonable fee. White labeling boosts a brand’s public awareness and enhances the credibility of the company’s products/services.

Online assessment platforms with white-labeling features can help organizations build a strong brand rather than accrediting someone else for their services. These platforms make it easy to customize the testing interface for companies to reflect their brand personality succinctly. Besides, they take personalization to another level by allowing brands to upload their logos, change the interface background, and the color schemes as needed.

10. Secure API Support

APIs have made life much easier by reducing the need for human intervention and allowing the construction of custom workflows that significantly lower cost, time and effort. With APIs, users or companies can customize their most-in-demand services. API is a software-to-software interface with its set of programming standards and instructions that allow easy access to a web-based software application.

Moreover, it is evident to see some of the most sought-after online assessment platforms releasing their APIs so that web developers can work conveniently with these core applications. For example, Mercer | Mettl’s assessment platform offers its REST APIs that work exceptionally with search engines and seamlessly support all major LMSs – Moodle and Blackboard, to name a few.

11. Invest in a Multi-Linguistic Platform

Suppose you need to conduct exams in several remote locations in the country and beyond. In that case, you must consider selecting an assessment tool available in multiple language options for different regions and nationalities.

12. Compatibility Across Devices

The proliferation of mobile devices offers several opportunities for learners to take their online tests on the go. Simultaneously, it has necessitated technologies that allow for seamlessly conducting computer-based exams on any device, including desktops, tablets and mobiles. It simplifies the entire procedure and makes it enriching for the candidates.

13. Periodic Result Analysis

You can make data-driven decisions by selecting an online assessment system that offers systematic result analysis and reports. These reports provide a detailed summary of candidates’ performance considering performance criteria. Such a comprehensive analysis simplifies the timely reporting of results.

14. 24×7 Support

A proficient online assessment software ensures global multi-channel support with a quick turnaround time.

A tabular presentation of the most coveted features that one should expect, ideally in an online assessment platform*

The emergence of online assessment platforms for hiring and workforce development has helped organizations hire and groom the right talent for competitive advantage. With online assessment software, recruiters can efficiently perform candidate evaluation across domains, regardless of time and place. Such advanced platforms can provide customized assessments for a highly diversified clientele, such as the corporate sector, educational institutions and government bodies.

• The shift from human to automated processes is continual. However, it is undeniable that a particular sect of employers still cannot think beyond traditional hiring. Once acquainted with the benefits of online assessment software, they are sure to change their preferences. Aside from that, most organizations have started leveraging online assessment platforms to expedite their recruitment processes and onboard the best talent with the least effort and time.
• The ease with which entry-level and experienced professionals’ potential is assessed highlights the platform’s practicality. Moreover, the platform helps companies make data-driven recruitment decisions to hire the best talent and identify the workforce’s essential needs. Undoubtedly, these tools allow organizations greater leeway in assessing candidates for cognitive, behavioral and communication skills and gauging the depth of their domain knowledge.
• An organization is only as good as its best employees. A well-thought-out, strategic approach to adopting assessment-based hiring supports identifying and retaining the best talent. These assessment platforms speed up recruitment processes, enabling companies to assess high volumes of candidates, optimize their operations, bring down costs, and improve hiring quality.
• As organizational needs are ever-evolving, assessment software is immensely helpful in matching candidates’ skillsets to business requirements. Additionally, these platforms can help facilitate upskilling programs for developing the workforce for emerging opportunities. Using software’s data-driven assessments, employers can recruit and retain high-potential candidates with the utmost ease, eventually translating into enhanced productivity and better job performance.

• Educational institutions seek reliable and foolproof technology service providers to ramp up online examination drives after the pandemic-induced disruption. That is where an online assessment platform will come in handy for automating academic examinations completely while maintaining their sanctity. Even when normalcy is restored, academia can continue leveraging the power of robust assessment platforms to manage end-to-end examination drives.
• Reinventing examination models through online assessment tools is essential for academia amid digitalization. With the advent of online assessment systems, the examination process has become much more streamlined, be it a semester or entrance test. And it bodes well for universities and colleges that want to ensure quality education, alongside an in-depth analysis of students’ knowledge and skills. Besides, test administrators also need the ease of measuring relevant competencies with precision while keeping exams updated and relevant without worrying about impersonation.
• Ensuring transparency while administering examinations is critical for getting valid and reliable results. That is why online assessment platforms encompass everything within their ambit, from easy application processing, online test scheduling, and advanced remote proctoring to end-to-end exam management. Thus, planning and delivering secure examinations have become incredibly easy for leading institutions.

The public sector is also not left untouched by the merits of online assessment software. These computer-based assessment tools help recruit top talent for various state and central government departments. An in-depth skill assessment, backed by analytics and well-defined test reports, can help identify credible candidates. By adopting an online assessment platform, public sector organizations can scale up their hiring and find highly skilled professionals in a competitive market.

• Mercer | Mettl
• iMocha
• ESkill India
• MeritTrac
• ExamOnline

Here is a quick rundown of some handy features in each of these tools:

Mercer | Mettl

Founded in 2010, Mercer | Mettl is a leading online assessment software company. The company provides a sophisticated slew of online assessment tools for corporates and academic institutes. Mercer| Mettl’s online assessment software is a holistic talent assessment tool that helps you conduct customized online assessments on its powerful cloud-based platform, secured with best-in-class proctoring. It is an all-in-one, integrated solution to conduct skills assessments, online examinations, campus and lateral hiring, training and development initiatives, certifications, etc.

Client size: 4000+ clients across 90+ countries

Salient features:

• Self-manageable online recruitment management software
• An extensive test library that caters to the clients’ diverse needs
• Easy-to-use user interface that provides the best user experience
• AI-powered online proctoring solutions to keep cheaters at bay
• Highest level of data security available in a well-encrypted cloud infrastructure
• Diversity of question types, instrumental in measuring the depth and breadth of a candidate’s knowledge
• In-depth analytical reports that can be tailored as per varied business requirements
• Intuitive white-labeling feature to customize testing interfaces that reflect a brand’s identity
• Secure API support to construct a custom workflow
• Round-the-clock assistance

iMocha

iMocha (erstwhile known as Interview Mocha) is a Delaware, US-based, online assessment solution provider that helps organizations test candidates’ skills as per the job requirement. Founded in 2012, the company caters to the entire skills assessment ecosystem, enabling organizations to screen candidates in the best possible manner. iMocha’s platform, product, and custom services have found favor with various organizations across industries.

Client size: 1500+ clients

Key features:

• Highly valid and reliable assessments
• A variety of question types
• Video interview-based questions
• Customizable tests
• Easy configuration of test settings
• Easy invitation options for campus and bulk-hiring
• White-labeling feature

eSkill

eSkill is a Massachusetts-based talent assessment company, which was founded in 2003. The company offers employment-related skills testing solutions to its clients worldwide. With the aim to provide customizable online pre-employment assessment tests, eSkill Corporation launched its online assessment software in 2003. eSkill solutions enable organizations to deliver well-structured pre-employment and skills gap assessments.

Client size: 4000+ clients

Key offerings:

• Pre-employment skills assessment, behavioral assessments, Employees’ skills gap assessments, etc.
• Easy integration with leading ATS and ERP systems
• Online test management system for third-party assessments
• Libraries of job-based tests

MeritTrac

Founded in 2000, MeritTrac is an India-based testing and assessment provider. The company provides assessment solutions to corporate entities, government organizations and educational institutions. MeritTrac’s online assessment platform enables recruiters to hire the right talent through its comprehensive suite of assessments. Using this online assessment tool, recruiters can filter out candidates, improve the hiring process and make informed hiring decisions.

Client size: 400+

Key offerings:

• A hybrid assessment platform (can be used on cloud, on-premise and even on smart devices)
• Linux and Windows support
• Plug-and-play functionality
• Easy to integrate with any existing system
• Instant report generation
• Streamlined test delivery
• Performance benchmarking

ExamOnline

Established in 2009, ExamOnline is an active player in the assessment and examination industry. The company provides a fully integrated platform for delivering end-to-end assessment services to clientele globally.

With over a decade of experience in online examinations, the company aims to provide economical, efficient and secure examination and assessment services to its clients. It offers a comprehensive online examination tool, mainly designed to conduct online examinations, recruitment examinations, entrance tests, skill assessments, certifications, lateral and campus hiring, etc.

Client size: NA

Key offerings:

• An end-to-end cloud-based examination platform to create, schedule and report online exams
• A highly scalable software system
• Anti-cheating technology support
• Readily available exam configuring tools
• E-mail-and SMS-based exam-day notifications
• A consolidated exam reporting system
• Immersive interface
• 24X7 Support

Selecting the right online assessment service provider with the most intriguing features is half the battle won. Now that we have discussed some of the most popular players in the assessment ecosystem, you must do a comparative analysis to make the right decision on choosing a vendor.

• Mercer | Mettl’s online assessment platform is a holistic tool that provides talent assessment solutions, hiring solutions, L& D (learning and development) solutions, coding assessment solutions, and much more besides.
• The platform is built for accuracy and efficiency and supports various assessments to screen candidates online with the utmost ease.
• With its decades of expertise in high-stakes employment testing, Mercer | Mettl’s online testing platform is the industry’s most versatile and proven talent assessment platform to measure skills, personality, and ability customized to your organization’s needs
• The state-of-the-art platform boasts a comprehensive suite of new-age tools that enable remote online assessments on the platform. It easily allows both human and AI proctoring, ensuring the integrity and security of the assessment process.

Advantages of Mercer | Mettl online assessment platform:

• It is an integrated system that obviates the need for relying on multiple vendors and partners.
• It allows recruiting managers to organize and conduct assessments efficiently, besides executing answer-sheet evaluation securely, using intuitive workflows and dashboards. This entire process occurs online without logistical hassles.
• It offers holistic pre-employment tools to assess the acquired skills and core traits of candidates. This tool suite comprises psychometric assessments, technical assessments, coding assessments, cognitive assessments, communication skills assessments, role-based assessments, etc.
• This cloud-based online software is immune to disruptions, such as pandemics, natural calamities, social disturbances, etc. It allows test-takers to take assessments online without the need to visit a physical location. Moreover, the system is an ideal substitute for offline pen-and-paper-based assessment tests, making the assessment process easier for both recruiters and candidates.

The world of work is changing rapidly, and so is recruitment. Long before the COVID outbreak -when not many organizations were well-versed with the idea of remote hiring processes – a vast majority of recruiters were already leveraging online assessment tools for hiring. To keep up with the times and stay relevant, today, a vast majority of companies perceive virtual recruiting and onboarding processes as the new norm. When done right and with the right online assessment system, virtual hiring yields positive results. By including online assessment tools in the talent selection process, all companies can exercise better control over the quality of the talent pool, regardless of size.

As online assessment tools get their fair share of attention, they are sure to supplant redundant assessment practices and processes. There are significant benefits of using assessment tools because any attempt to hire the right candidate without a strategic approach might be a wild-goose chase. Hiring managers can make better hiring decisions by opting for data-driven evaluation of candidates, making the online assessment platform a critical element of organizational progress.

Which is the best online testing platform for recruitment?

The choice of a particular assessment platform depends on three key factors: the platform’s intended user, the tool’s purpose, and the type of assessments to be administered. No one-size-fits-all approach helps find the ”best” online testing platform because what works for one user may not work for another. While the specific requirements may vary, one should invest in a holistic online assessment platform that is future-ready and provides industry-leading assessment solutions.

Why is online assessment software necessary?

The reason is that ensuring timely and uninterrupted assessment delivery poses a crucial challenge for recruiters, organizations, and examination bodies alike. Administration of paper-based tests and evaluation of results are time and resource-consuming activities. Online assessment software enables them to simplify and accelerate the assessment delivery process securely and conveniently.

An online assessment software enables administrators to schedule assessments, conduct candidate authentication, set up and deliver assessments online. The tool ensures data integrity by permitting access to authorized personnel only. It comes with intuitive analytics and reporting features that enable fast tabulation of results and instant results generation. Considering all these aspects, we can say that online assessment software is indispensable for your testing needs, be it for recruitment, training and development, education, certifications, etc.

Who uses online assessment software?

Companies make extensive use of online assessment software to find suitable candidates for specific roles/ jobs. However, academia also find the tool incredibly useful and convenient.

Why do we need online assessment tools in education?

Technological advancement has led to a rapid shift toward adopting the latest technology, leading many faculties and students to become tech-savvy and enabling institutions to redefine classroom teaching and learning process. The ease of accessing learning resources remotely anytime prompts educators to assess students’ learning and performance by implementing online assessment tools in education. Moreover, the tool can enable human and AI proctoring to help admins keep a tab on examinees during an online examination.

What factors should one consider before choosing assessment tools for recruitment?

Listed below are some points that one must consider while deciding the appropriate assessment tool:

• Robustness and scalability of the platform

The scalability of an online assessment platform is worth considering when pondering over your options. Is the platform scalable enough to deliver a multitude of assessments simultaneously? Can it be a reliable option? The most overlooked, still the most critical aspect of any online assessment software, is its scalability.

• Convenience of use

Nowadays, assessment platforms come with a broad range of features that can baffle many tech newbies. They should understand the product features and feel comfortable navigating through the platform’s functionalities. It is always preferable to choose an assessment tool that comes loaded with advanced features and convenient to use.

• Analytics and reporting

While ensuring your assessment software has all the powerful tools in its armory, it is equally crucial that it is well-equipped with analytic and reporting tools that help you transform your assessment data into actionable insights. An ideal assessment platform enables you to create and analyze candidates’ results quickly. Unorganized data can be overwhelming and scattered, so always go for an online assessment system that simplifies the process.

• Back-end support

Before focusing your efforts on making a purchase decision, you must consider the unique selling points the assessment tool offers, most importantly, the kind of support system being provided by the assessment software provider.

You should ask these questions:

• • Is the service team at the client’s disposal 24X 7?
  • Does the vendor provide a designated support contact?
  • What documentation support is available?

• Test customization

In the world of pre-employment assessments, a one-size-fits-all approach might seem invalid. When selecting an online assessment system for your enterprise to leverage, one should also consider customization. You should consider an assessment platform that seamlessly integrates with your in-house technology so that it can be customized and branded to match your requirements.