Many companies offer assessments, but not all assessments are created equally.  Here are some questions to ask assessment providers that will help you weed through the available products and provide you with the confidence that you’re making the right choice.

WHAT RESEARCH IS YOUR ASSESSMENT BASED ON?

Some assessment providers stand on the laurels of research done 20 or 30 years ago, while others are constantly evaluating nuances and staying on the cutting edge. The answer to this question tells you what level of scientific or research orientation the assessment company uses. Ask for research findings and published papers, preferably peer-reviewed papers. Assessment companies that use science based assessments engender more confidence than those who create and distribute assessment based on hunches or to receive some marketing buzz.

DOES YOUR ASSESSMENT HAVE A VALIDATION STUDY ASSOCIATED WITH IT?

A company that values continually improving its assessment business wants to ensure that its instruments are validated and predictable. This process, which is best conducted by independent statisticians for purposes of objectivity, includes everything from data norming to data analysis to structured equation sampling. This analysis assures you that the assessments you use fulfill not only your requirements, but those expected by the market and regulators as well.

DO YOUR ASSESSMENTS HAVE AN ADVERSE IMPACT STUDY?

An adverse impact study determines whether you are discriminating against any protected groups of
people. It is important that both you and your assessment provider are found to be EEOC and OFCCP compliant.

CAN YOUR ASSESSMENTS BE USED FOR HIRING?

You want to make sure that the provider’s assessments pass the legal and regulatory hurdles. Under
the doctrine of disparate impact, employers may not use employment practices that, even though neutral on the surface and applied to all applicants or employees, disproportionately exclude members of a protected category.

WHAT TYPES OF ASSESSMENTS DO YOU PROVIDE?

Some companies base their offerings on one assessment while others offer a suite of options that measure different factors. The answer to this question will help you understand the versatility and predictability of the assessment provider. Multiple providers can address multiple needs while single assessment providers offer only one piece to the puzzle.

HOW DO YOUR ASSESSMENTS DIFFER FROM YOUR COMPETITORS?

Your assessment company should be able to answer this question in a way that shows that they are
up-to-date on what is available in the market and the strengths and weaknesses of the instrument in
question. This reveals that they are in the business of assessments and knowledgeable about their competition.