What is a skills assessment?

If you’re pursuing a career in STEM, you’re likely familiar with the typical recruitment process: submit your application, ace the interview, and (hopefully) land an internship, fellowship, or permanent position. But for some technical and research-based roles, an organization may include another step you may not be as familiar with: a skills assessment. These assessments are designed to evaluate your abilities in a hands-on way, giving employers a deeper understanding of your technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and readiness for the role. Whether you’re applying for a research internship, an engineering position, or a lab technologist, understanding skills assessments can help you prepare and stand out in the hiring process.

Skills assessments are valuable tools for potential mentors or employers to use to evaluate your abilities in a more precise manner. For example, if an interviewer asks, “How much lab experience do you have?” and you reply, “I completed two summer internships at my university’s research lab,” it would only give the interviewer a general sense of your experience. However, a skills assessment might test your knowledge of lab procedures, safety protocols, and other best practices so that the recruiting manager or scientist would get a more complete understanding of your qualifications.

Types of assessments

There are several types of skills assessments you might encounter, but it’s unlikely that you’ll be asked to complete more than one during your interview. STEM opportunities are most likely to focus on evaluations tailored to technical expertise. 

1. Hard skills assessment: A hard skills assessment focuses on testing your technical knowledge and specific/relevant skills. Think of this assessment as an actual test, evaluating the baseline requirements you would need to do your projects/work properly effectively.
2. Work sample test: If you’ve ever submitted a writing sample, then you’ve completed a work sample test. In a sample test, the potential employer or selecting mentor/agency will either ask you to submit a sample of relevant work—such as an analysis or presentation—or they will give you a task to complete that shows your ability to complete assignment responsibilities.
3. Cognitive ability test: As the name suggests, a cognitive ability test evaluates the candidate’s thinking skills, such as reasoning, perception, memory, and problem solving. Cognitive skills go beyond what training you’ve received and focus more on what you’re capable of learning and your ability to adapt. For STEM roles, this might involve solving logic puzzles, analyzing hypothetical scenarios, or demonstrating creative problem-solving approaches.
4. Personality test: Personality tests, like the cognitive ability test, are somewhat self-explanatory. They assess whether your traits align with the organization’s culture and work environment or team dynamics. For example, if you’re applying for a collaborative research role, the employer may look for traits like teamwork, adaptability, and curiosity.
5. Combination approach: Some skills assessments evaluate all of a candidate’s qualities, rather than just one. These tests are very common, as they allow the hiring manager or mentor to get a more complete picture of the candidate, rather than one single aspect. These are common for STEM roles that require both technical expertise and strong interpersonal skills.

How to prepare

Preparing for a skills assessment doesn’t have to be stressful. Here are some tips to help you approach it with confidence:

1. Review the posting description
   Pay close attention to the skills and qualifications listed in the position posting. These often provide clues about the focus of the assessment. For example, if the role emphasizes programming languages, ensure you’re comfortable with syntax, debugging, and problem-solving in the required language.
2. Brush up on key concepts
   For STEM roles, review technical concepts relevant to the position. This might include:
   • Revisiting coursework or projects related to the opportunity.
   • Practicing calculations, coding exercises, or troubleshooting equipment.
   • Familiarizing yourself with industry standards or tools, such as CAD software or statistical analysis programs.
3. Practice simulated tasks
   If possible, practice tasks that mirror the responsibilities of the role. For example, if you’re applying for a data analyst position, try analyzing a sample dataset and creating a presentation of your findings.
4. Stay calm and confident
   The most important thing is to relax and trust your preparation. Skills assessments are designed to evaluate what you already know—not to trick you. Arrive well-rested, focus on the task at hand, and approach the assessment as an opportunity to showcase your abilities.

You’re ready for this

Skills assessments are an excellent way for organizations to gauge your expertise and suitability for a role, especially in STEM fields where technical skills are critical. By understanding the types of assessments and preparing effectively, you can approach this part of the interview process with confidence.

Remember, every project, internship, or academic experience you’ve completed has prepared you for this moment. Use the assessment as an opportunity to demonstrate your technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and readiness for the role. With the right preparation, you’ll be well on your way to landing your next opportunity!

Sources:

• Skill Assessment Tests: Definition and Examples
• Cognitive Ability Tests
• What to Prepare When Going Into a Skills Assessment