BASIC SKILLS TEST - Add New Users

..Frequently asked questions

Basic Skills Test – FAQ

Contents

General

General

1. What is Basic Skills Test?

Basic Skills Test Ltd is an online testing company specialising in basic numeracy, literacy and IT testing for the workplace.

2. What are Basic Skills Test's products?

Our product is a combined numeracy, literacy and IT test which is administered entirely online. The test takes approximately 35 minutes and the results are instant.

3. Do you provide other tests?

At present we do not provide any other subject testing. If there are subjects specific to your business that you wish to test in the same online format, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

4. I've received a free test credit.

We provide the opportunity for newly registered users to see exactly how Basic Skills Test works and to ensure that they are happy that it meets their recruitment process requirements. The free credit that you have received allows you to test the basic skills of an individual so that you can review the product.

5. What is Basic Skills Test's VAT number?

Our UK VAT number is 851 9322 22

6. How can I obtain a duplicate invoice?

Please contact us if you need a copy of an old invoice, stating month of purchase and / or order reference.

7. How do I contact Basic Skills Test?

You can contact us by email by following this link

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Registration

8. I've received a credit. How can I use it?

To use your free credit simply register on the Basic Skills Test website. Once registered you will be able to use the free test and purchase others as and when you require.

9. I can't register.

You can register by clicking on this link. You will be taken through the registration process where you will need to provide company, user and password details.

10. I've forgotten my username / password.

You can receive a reminder of your username or password by clicking on this link and following the instructions. An email will be sent with the requested details.

11. A colleague is registered. Do I need to register?

Our system allows any number of individuals from a given organisation to register. If you have sufficiently different requirements from your colleagues (eg. you work in different departments or divisions) then it is probably worthwhile registering in your own right.

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Purchase

12. How much are tests?

A block of six test credits (combined numeracy, literacy and IT) is £100 +vat. You can purchase a test by clicking on this link.

13. Can I purchase just a numeracy, literacy or IT test?

We do not provide a single numeracy, literacy or IT test as standard. If you wish to purchase a single subject test please email us to discuss your requirements.

14. Can I purchase just one test?

We only sell blocks of six tests. The purpose of Basic Skills Test's product is to enable users to compare candidates in a recruitment process or a skills audit. For the average number of candidates a block of six tests provides a cost effective means of comparison.

15. Can I have a discount?

We are able to discuss costs for individuals who anticipate significant use of our tests. Please email us with details of your annual usage requirements.

16. How do I pay for tests?

All transactions are via credit card for registered users. We do not accept cash or cheque payments.

17. Do I receive an invoice?

On purchase of test credits you will be emailed an electronic VAT invoice for your transaction. This will be sent to your registered email address only. We do not send copy paper invoices to our customers.

18. Can I get a refund for unused credits?

Credits for Basic Skills Test do not expire. Therefore you are free to use them at any point in the future. We cannot refund unused credits.

19. What if I'm not satisfied with the test?

We firmly believe in both the relevance and integrity of our tests. We are testing the numeracy, literacy and IT performance on one set occasion and in a manner we consider relevant to the workplace. Should you be dissatisfied in any way please contact us to discuss this further.

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Testing

20. Who sets Basic Skills Test questions?

The test is drawn from a bank of multiple choice questions set and moderated by professional educationalists. The questions are graded according to ability and given a time allowance for answering. At the end of the test there is also an open free text question to collect a sample of the candidate's self planned writing.

21. How does the test work?

All questions are multiple choice. Candidates are required to answer a mixture of literacy, numeracy and IT questions which are presented in a combined running order (ie. there is no numeracy, literacy or IT ‘section' to the test). They only receive credit for correct answers and will be guided over the course of the test to questions at the level of their overall achievement. Our software ensures that good candidates are not required to answer inappropriately simple questions, whilst also ensuring that candidates with suspect basic skills are guided to questions of a suitably revealing level.

22. What does the test look like?

You can see a Flash demonstration of the test by clicking on this link.

23. How do I give the candidate a test?

You need to login to the Basic Skills Test website and activate a test credit. This will email a PIN number for the candidate to use to an email address that you specify (normally your own). You will also be asked to provide an email address to which the test results will be emailed.

24. How does a candidate access the test?

Candidates access the test by following the Take Test link on the Basic Skills Test homepage. They simply input the PIN that you allocate to them (see above), enter their personal details and begin the test.

25. How long does the test take?

The test length depends on the ability of the candidate but is normally a little over 35 minutes. The question selection software works so as to give candidates the best opportunity to show their ability within a reasonable time scale.

26.What do I need to explain to the candidate before the test?

There are some important points to make to candidates before the test.

--) Basic Skills Test is diagnostic and does not provide formal evidence of a qualification.

--) The test results are for your review only. It is your decision whether you wish to enter into communication with the candidate about their performance in the test.

--) We only retain their date of birth and a reference code for your identification purposes. All of our collection and processing of data is in accordance with the Data Protection Act.

--) They will be allowed to familiarise themselves with the test by answering two taster questions (one numeracy, one literacy) at the start. These do not count towards their results.

27. Can the candidate use a dictionary or calculator?

As one of the skills within the test is spelling it is not appropriate for candidates to be allowed dictionaries or other similar reference material. We do however feel that use of a calculator is entirely appropriate for the numeracy questions. An on screen one is embedded in the test (where appropriate) and you can allow candidates to use an off-line calculator if they wish.

28. Can more than one candidate take the test at the same time?

Any number of candidates can take the test at the same time using different PINs

29. What are the IT requirements for the test?

The IT requirements for the test are a PC with access to the internet.

30. What if our internet connection goes down during the test?

Our test software is designed to restart at the point of any loss of connection to the internet. This means that in such circumstances candidates will not be unduly disadvantaged. Similarly our software takes account of any slow speed of connection for the same reasons.

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Reports

31. How long after the end of the test is the report issued?

The test report is emailed to the registered email address on completion of the test

32. In what format will I receive the report?

Reports are emailed in pdf format.

33. I've received the test report but can't open / view it.

To view the Basic Skills Test report you need to have Acrobat Reader on your PC. Acrobat Reader is an industry standard program for publishing and distributing electronic files such as the test report that we issue. Acrobat is available free from Adobe – the company that own it. Click here to obtain your free copy.

34. What is Acrobat?

Acrobat Reader is an industry standard program for publishing and distributing electronic files such as the test report that we issue. Acrobat is available free from Adobe – the company that own it. Click here to obtain your free copy.

35. How do I get Acrobat?

Click here to obtain your free copy.

36. I don't understand the test report.

The test report provides both summary and detailed information of the candidate's performance. The summary gives our opinion of the overall literacy, numeracy and IT skills that they have displayed and should be used as a guide to your overall recruitment or training decision. The detail shows which specific skills they scored in. Click on this link to view a sample .

37. The test results look odd (differ wildly from CV). What should I do?

As we are not a qualifications body it is possible that the test results will not match expectations (eg. applicant GCSE results) in all cases. Should you be dissatisfied in any way please contact us to discuss this further.

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Archive & Resources

38. Can I see previous test results?

Once you are registered with Basic Skills Test you can view all of your transactions and previous test results on your homepage. To view this, you must be logged in .

39. Can I produce reports based on previous test reports?

Registered users of Basic Skills Test can search and sort details of the test results of past candidates. Results can be re-emailed if necessary.

40 What information is in the recruitment resource area?

The recruitment resource area contains useful items such as standard interview checklists, salary survey data and recruitment tips. Download of the material is immediate for registered users and we can also email the files to non registered users

41. I can't download from the recruitment resource area.

Files in the recruitment resource area are in pdf format. To view these you need to have Acrobat Reader on your PC. Acrobat Reader is an industry standard program for publishing and distributing electronic files such as the test report that we issue. Acrobat is available free from Adobe – the company that own it. Click here to obtain your free copy.

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