Stop wasting valuable time and resources on ineffective recruitment methods.
This guide explains what a candidate assessment tool is and how it can benefit you.
Plus, you’ll also get a detailed list of top 19 candidate assessment tools and a step-by-step guide on how to select the right tool.
Let’s get started!
What Are Candidate Assessment Tools?
Candidate assessment tools are tests or evaluations used by companies to determine if a job applicant is a good fit for a role. These tools help measure a candidate’s skills, knowledge, abilities, personality traits, and more.
The goal is to gather specific datasets to make better hiring decisions.
There are many types of assessment tools, such as:
- Cognitive ability tests
- Personality assessments
- Skills tests
- Job simulations
- Culture fit assessments
Using these tools can help you look beyond a candidate’s resume and cover letter
You can get a more complete picture of their strengths, weaknesses, and potential. This can lead to better hires who are more likely to succeed in the role and stay with your company longer.
However, it’s important to choose the right assessment tools for your needs. Not all tools are created equal, and some may not be suitable for certain roles or industries.
It’s also important to use these tools as part of a larger hiring process, not as the sole deciding factor.
Benefits Of Using Candidate Assessment Tools
Using candidate assessment tools can bring many benefits to your hiring process. Here are some of the key advantages:
1. Improved Quality Of Hire
By using objective data to evaluate candidates, you can make more informed hiring decisions. This can lead to better hires who are a stronger fit for the role and your company culture.
In turn, this can lead to higher job performance, increased productivity, and lower turnover rates.
2. Reduced Bias In Hiring
Traditional hiring methods, such as resume reviews and unstructured interviews, can be prone to bias.
Assessment tools provide a more objective way to evaluate candidates based on their actual skills and abilities. This can help reduce bias and create a fairer hiring process.
3. Time And Cost Savings
Assessing candidates early in the hiring process can help you quickly identify the most qualified candidates.
This can save time and resources that would otherwise be spent on interviewing or testing unsuitable candidates.
Some assessment tools also offer automated scoring and reporting, which can further streamline your hiring process.
4. Better Candidate Experience
Many assessment tools are engaging and interactive, providing a better experience for candidates compared to traditional tests.
Some tools even offer instant feedback and personalized reports, which can help candidates understand their strengths and areas for improvement. This can lead to a more positive employer brand and increased candidate satisfaction.
5. Improved Employee Development
Assessment tools can also be used for employee development and succession planning.
By understanding your employees’ strengths, weaknesses, and potential, you can provide targeted training and development opportunities.
This can help you build a stronger, more skilled workforce and identify future leaders within your organization.
Did you know at hrtech, we offer specific courses and certification programs that can help in upskilling HR professionals with the latest industry knowledge? Check out now to learn more.
Key Features To Look For In A Candidate Assessment Tool
With so many candidate assessment tools available, it can be challenging to choose the right one for your needs. Here are some key features to look for:
1. Reliability
The most important feature of any assessment tool is its reliability.
Reliability refers to whether the tool produces consistent results over time. Look for tools that have been scientifically validated and have high reliability scores.
2. Customization Options
Every company is unique, so it’s important to choose an assessment tool that can be customized to your specific needs.
Look for tools that allow you to create your own questions, set your own benchmarks, and brand the assessments with your company logo and colors.
3. User-Friendly Interface
The assessment tool should be easy for both candidates and hiring managers to use. Look for tools with a simple, intuitive interface that doesn’t require a lot of technical knowledge.
The tool should also be mobile-friendly, so candidates can complete assessments on their smartphones or tablets.
4. Detailed Reporting
The assessment tool should provide detailed, actionable reports on each candidate’s results.
Look for tools that offer both individual and group reports, as well as benchmarking data to compare candidates against industry standards.
The reports should be easy to understand and provide specific recommendations for next steps.
5. Integration Capabilities
To simplify your hiring process, look for assessment tools that integrate with your existing applicant tracking system (ATS) or other HR software.
This can help you seamlessly move candidates through the hiring process and keep all your data in one place.
Now that you’ve got a clear idea about candidate assessment softwares and what key features you need to look at, it’s time to explore the best candidate assessment tools.
Top 19 Candidate Assessments Tools
1. Talview – Best For AI-Powered Video Interview
Our Score: 4/5
Pricing: Available on request (but usually on the higher end)
Talview is a candidate assessment tool that uses AI to analyze video interviews. It’s a good choice if you’re looking to speed up your hiring process and get insights into a candidate’s personality and skills.
Why We Picked It?
- AI-powered video interviews that can be conducted anytime, anywhere.
- Easy candidate verification with facial and voice matching capabilities.
- Over 2000 different assessments from standard assessments to linguistic, behavioral, and coding assessments.
Talview is best suited for high-volume hiring where you need to screen a large number of candidates quickly. However, if you’re looking for a simpler or more specific solution, then tools like iMocha would be a better fit.
2. iMocha – Best For Skill Assessments
Our Score: 4.5/5
Pricing: Available on request (suitable pricing for mid-sized companies and startups)
iMocha is a skill assessment platform that helps you evaluate candidates’ technical and soft skills. It’s a good fit if you’re hiring for roles that require specific expertise.
Why We Picked It?
- Wide range of skill assessments (more than 2500 assessments in its skill assessment library), from coding to customer service.
- Customizable assessments that can be designed to your specific needs.
- Detailed reports on candidate performance.
One potential drawback is that iMocha assessments can be time-consuming for candidates, which may lead to lower completion rates.
It’s best used for roles where specific skills are essential, such as software development or sales. Compared to Talview, iMocha focuses more on evaluating specific skills rather than personality traits.
3. HireQuotient – Best For Growing Companies And Startups
Our Score: 4.3/5
Pricing: Starting at $200/month (for up to 10 tests)
HireQuotient is a recruitment automation tool mainly focusing on the non-technical job roles like Project Manager, Business Development Associate, and more. Their customer base includes well-known brands like Accenture and BCG.
Why We Picked It?
- Detailed library of skill assessments specifically customized for non-technical roles.
- Easy-to-use interface and features suitable for remote hiring.
- Effectively screen top candidates by conducting video interviews.
HireQuotient doesn’t have a vast skill assessment library as iMocha and it’s not suitable for technical roles.
However, HireQuotient is best used for positions that require strong analytical and problem-solving skills, such as management or consulting.
>> Learn more about HireQuotient
4. Adaface – Best For Technical Hiring
Our Score: 4.1/5
Pricing: Starts at $180/year
Adaface is a candidate assessment platform that offers a variety of assessment types, from coding tests to personality quizzes.
It’s a good all-in-one candidate evaluation solution if you’re hiring for different roles and need a flexible tool.
Why We Picked It?
- Wide range of assessment types, including technical skills (for more than 35 different programming languages), cognitive abilities, and soft skills.
- Customizable assessments that can be tailored to your specific needs.
- Integrations with popular applicant tracking systems (ATS).
One potential drawback is that with so many assessment options, it can be overwhelming to choose the right ones for your needs.
Adaface is best used by companies with diverse hiring needs who want a single platform to manage all their assessments.
Compared to more specialized tools like Mocha, Adaface offers a broader range of assessments. However, it may not have the same depth of expertise in one specific area.
5. PMaps – Best For Small And Mid-Sized Businesses
Our Score: 4.7/5
Pricing: Free trial available (paid plans start at $4 per assessment per month)
PMaps is a well-known assessment tool particularly focusing on psychometric skills. From behavioral, and pre-employment to post-hire, and personality assessments, PMaps offers an all in one solution.
Why We Picked It?
- Affordable pricing suitable for small and mid-sized businesses.
- Test library containing over 400 different assessments for different job roles.
- Easily integrates with ATS and offers full GDPR compliance.
If you’re looking for an affordable candidate assessment tool, PMaps is the best pick. It does lack a bit on the size of the assessment library when compared with other tools like iMocha or Talview.
However, for general hiring needs with a wide variety of assessment options for different roles, PMaps is worth considering.
6. Harver – Best For High-Volume Hiring
Our Score: 4.2/5
Pricing: Available on request (but usually on the expensive side)
Harver is a candidate assessment platform designed for high-volume hiring. It helps you screen large numbers of candidates quickly and efficiently.
Why We Picked It?
- Automated assessments that can handle high volumes of candidates.
- Realistic job previews that give candidates a taste of the role.
- Customizable assessments that can be designed to your specific needs.
One potential drawback is that automated assessments may not provide the same level of insight as more personalized evaluations.
Harver is best used for roles with high applicant volumes, such as retail or manufacturing industry.
7. Mercer Mettl – Best All-In-One Assessment Tool
Our Score: 3.8/5
Pricing: Available on request (usually on the higher end)
Mercer Mettl is a comprehensive candidate assessment platform that offers a wide range of assessment types, from aptitude tests to coding challenges. It’s a good all-in-one solution for companies with diverse hiring needs.
Why We Picked It?
- Wide range of assessment types, including cognitive abilities, personality traits, and job skills.
- Assessments available in multiple languages for global hiring.
- Detailed reporting and analytics to help you make data-driven hiring decisions.
One potential drawback is that with so many assessment options, it can be challenging to choose the right ones for your needs. Mercer Mettl is best used by larger companies with established HR processes and resources.
Compared to more specialized tools like PMaps or Harver, Mercer Mettl offers a broader range of assessments. However, it is more complex and costly to implement.
>> Learn more about Mercer Mettl
8. HireHunch – Best For Startups Hiring For Technical Roles
Our Score: 3.5/5
Pricing: 14-days free trial available (Starts at $30 per interview)
HireHunch is a video interviewing and tech assessment platform that serves over 100 big companies and startups. If you’re looking for an easy-to-implement candidate assessment tool that’s powered by interviewing features, then HireHunch is the perfect fit.
Why We Picked It?
- Assessments for over 40 different technical skill sets.
- Automated interview scheduling with top candidates.
- Detailed scorecard to assess and find out the top talent.
If you’re looking for non-technical roles, HireHunch is not the right fit. For that case, a better option is HireQuotient.
However, if you like having video interviewing as well as specialized technical assessment features all in one spot, HireHunch is a great choice.
9. TestGorilla – Best Assessment Tool With Easy-To-Use Interface
Our Score: 4.2/5
Pricing: Limited Free plan available (Paid plans starts at $75 per month)
TestGorilla is a pre-employment testing platform that helps you assess candidates’ skills, personality, and cognitive abilities. It’s a good choice if you want to screen candidates before moving them to the interview stage.
Why We Picked It?
- Wide range of test types, including job-specific skills, language proficiency, personality test, and more.
- Easy integration with popular ATS solutions like iCIMS, BreezyHR, and BambooHR.
- Simple user-friendly interface and easy-to-customize assessments.
One potential drawback is that TestGorilla’s tests won’t provide insight into a candidate’s soft skills or culture fit. It’s best used as an initial screening tool, followed by interviews or other assessments.
Compared to tools like Harver or Mercer Mettl, TestGorilla focuses specifically on pre-employment testing rather than comprehensive candidate assessments. It’s a good option if you want to quickly filter out and find top talent at a relatively affordable price range.
>> Learn more about TestGorilla
10. HireVue – Best For Large Enterprises
Our Score: 4.4/5
Pricing: Available on request (usually on higher end – suitable for larger enterprises)
HireVue is a video interviewing and assessment platform just like HireHunch – but offers a much more advanced solution suitable for big enterprises.
It helps you evaluate candidates’ communication skills, personality, and problem-solving abilities. Overall, it’s a good choice if you want to conduct remote interviews at scale.
Why We Picked It?
- On-demand video interviews that candidates can complete at their convenience.
- AI-powered assessments that analyze candidates’ responses and provide insights.
- Integration with popular applicant tracking systems (ATS).
One potential drawback is that video interviews may not provide the same level of personal connection as in-person interviews. HireVue is best used for initial screening or for roles where communication skills are essential.
Compared to tools like Talview or Vervoe, HireVue focuses specifically on video interviewing rather than comprehensive assessments.
It’s a good option if you want to simplify your interview process and get insights into candidates’ communication skills
11. Vervoe – Best For Pre-Employment Evaluation
Our Score: 4.1/5
Pricing: 7-days free trial (paid plans start at $300 one-time payment for up to 10 candidates)
Vervoe is a candidate assessment platform that uses job simulations to evaluate skills and abilities of the candidate. It’s a good choice if you want to see how candidates would perform in real-world scenarios.
Why We Picked It?
- Job simulations that assess candidates’ skills and problem-solving abilities.
- Automated grading and ranking of candidates based on their performance.
- Huge assessment library covering assessments for various topics – from accounting and finance to customer service and sales.
One major drawback is that job simulations may not provide insight into a candidate’s personality or culture fit.
Vervoe is best used for roles like sales or customer service where specific skills or problem-solving abilities are essential.
Compared to tools like TestGorilla or HireVue, Vervoe focuses specifically on job simulations rather than general assessments. It’s a good option if you want to see how candidates would perform in real-world scenarios.
12. Codility – Best For Coding Skills Test
Our Score: 3.9/5
Pricing: Starts at $1200/year (for up to 120 invites for assessments)
Codility is a technical hiring platform that helps you assess a candidate’s coding skills. It’s a good choice if you’re hiring for software development or other technical roles.
Why We Picked It?
- A big library of over 1200 questions related to various coding tasks for effective assessment.
- Detailed reporting to evaluate technical skills and find the best candidates.
- Easy-to-setup remote interviewing feature for hiring the best remote talents.
For specialized coding and technical skills related assessments, Codility is the best solution.
It’s a bit expensive, though. But for mid-sized to large companies that want more detailed technical assessments and reporting features, Codility is a top choice.
13. Toggl Hire – Best Affordable Skill-Based Hiring Tool
Our Score: 4.6/5
Pricing: Free plan available for up to 3 candidates (Paid plans start at $20/month for up to 20 candidates)
Toggl Hire is a skills-based hiring platform that helps you evaluate candidates’ abilities through real-world tasks.
It’s a good choice if you want to assess candidates based on their actual skills rather than just their resumes.
Why We Picked It?
- Lots of skill-based assessments on a wide-range of topics.
- Affordable pricing plans suitable for small companies and growing startups.
- Easy-to-use interface that takes less time to learn and implement in the hiring workflow.
One downside is that skills tests may not provide insight into a candidate’s personality or cultural fit. Toggl Hire is best used for roles where specific skills are essential such as Finance, Sales And Support, or Product Design.
Compared to tools like TestGorilla or Vervoe, Toggl Hire focuses specifically on skills-based hiring rather than comprehensive assessments. It’s a good option if you want to quickly identify top performers based on their actual abilities.
>> Learn more about Toggl Hire
14. ThriveMap – Best Pre-Hire Assessment Tool For Non-Technical Hiring
Our Score: 3.9/5
Pricing: Available on request (usually affordable for mid-sized to large companies)
ThriveMap is a culture fit assessment platform that helps you evaluate candidates’ alignment with your company values and work environment. It’s a good choice if you want to build a strong and cohesive team.
Why We Picked It?
- Culture fit assessments based on your company’s unique values and work style.
- Realistic job previews that give candidates a taste of your company culture.
- Predictive analytics that identify candidates who are likely to thrive in your organization.
One potential drawback is that culture fit assessments may not predict job performance for all roles, especially highly technical ones. ThriveMap is best used for positions where teamwork and cultural alignment are important.
Compared to tools like PMaps or AssessFirst, ThriveMap focuses specifically on general work culture fit rather than specific personality or soft skills. It’s mainly a pre-screening tool that’s a good complement to other assessment steps in your hiring process.
15. McQuaig – Best For Behavioral And Personality Assessments
Our Score: 4.2/5
Pricing: Starts at $250 per assessment
McQuaig is a personality and behavioral assessment platform that helps you evaluate candidates’ work styles, communication skills, and leadership potential. It’s a good choice if you want to build a well-rounded team with diverse strengths.
Why We Picked It?
- Personality assessments based on the McQuaig Job Survey, a validated and reliable tool.
- Behavioral interviews that provide insights into candidates’ past performance and future potential.
- Customizable reports that highlight candidates’ strengths and areas for development.
One slight drawback is that personality assessments may not predict job performance for all roles, especially highly technical ones. So, McQuaig is best used for positions where interpersonal skills and leadership potential are important.
Compared to tools like PMaps or AssessFirst, McQuaig offers a more comprehensive assessment of candidates’ personality and behavior. It’s a good option if you want to evaluate candidates’ overall fit for your team and organization.
16. The Predictive Index – Best Behavioral Assessment Tool For Large Companies
Our Score: 4/5
Pricing: Available on request (usually on the higher end suitable for large companies)
The Predictive Index is a talent optimization platform that helps you assess candidates’ behavioral drives and cognitive abilities. It’s a good choice if you want to build high-performing teams and develop your employees’ potential.
Why We Picked It?
- Behavioral assessments prepared based on 65 years of science that measure candidates’ behavior and motivation at the workplace.
- Cognitive assessments that evaluate candidates’ learning ability and problem-solving skills.
- Team analytics that help you optimize your team’s performance and development.
One potential drawback is that The Predictive Index is more complex and time-consuming to implement than other assessment tools.
It’s best used by organizations with a strong commitment to talent optimization and employee development.
Compared to tools like McQuaig or AssessFirst, The Predictive Index offers a more comprehensive approach to talent optimization, including team analytics and employee development.
It’s a good option if you want to build and develop high-performing teams over the long-term.
>> Learn more about The Predictive Index
17. Skillsarena – Best For General Skill Assessments
Our Score: 3.9/5
Pricing: Limited Free plan available (Paid Plans start at $42 per month)
Skillsarena is an aptitude and skills testing platform that helps you evaluate candidates’ abilities in areas such as numeracy, literacy, and problem-solving. It’s a good choice if you want to assess candidates’ basic skills before moving them to the next stage of your hiring process.
Why We Picked It?
- Wide range of aptitude and skills tests, including industry-specific tests.
- Customizable tests that can be designed to your specific needs.
- Integration with popular applicant tracking systems (ATS).
One potential drawback is that aptitude and skills tests may not provide insight into a candidate’s personality or cultural fit. Skillsarena is best used as an initial screening tool, followed by more comprehensive assessments.
Skillsarena focuses specifically on aptitude and skills testing rather than detailed job-specific tasks or simulations like Vervoe offers. In short, Skillsarena is a good option if you want to quickly assess candidates’ basic abilities.
>> Learn more about Skillsarena
18. Criteria Corp – Best For Emotional Intelligence Assessment
Our Score: 4.2/5
Pricing: Available on request (but usually expensive)
Criteria Corp is a well-known talent assessment tool. From Cognitive Aptitude to Skills, Personality to Emotional Tests – it covers all types of tests.
Why We Picked It?
- Wide range of scientifically validated assessments.
- Unique emotional intelligence assessment along with other standard behavioral assessments.
- User-friendly interface with detailed reports.
One potential drawback is that Criteria Corp’s assessments may be more expensive than other tools, especially for smaller organizations with limited budgets.
It’s best used by larger organizations with a dedicated HR team and assessment budget. Compared to other tools like Harver or Hirevue, it offers a wide range of assessment types with more advanced analytics.
If you want an all-in-one specialized assessment tool and going towards a high budget solution is not a big concern for you, then Criteria Corp is a top choice.
>> Learn more about Criteria Corp
19. Pymetrics – Best For Soft Skills Assessment
Our Score: 4.8/5
Pricing: Available on request (usually on the higher end)
Pymetrics is a gamified assessment platform that uses neuroscience and AI to evaluate candidates’ cognitive and emotional traits. It’s a good choice if you want to assess candidates’ potential and fit for your organization in a fun and engaging way.
Why We Picked It?
- Gamified assessments that measure candidates’ cognitive and emotional traits.
- Predictive analytics that identify candidates with the highest potential for success.
- In addition to soft skill assessments, you also get logical reasoning and video interviewing features.
One potential drawback is that Pymetrics’ gamified assessments may not be suitable for all roles or industries, especially those that require specific technical skills.
It’s best used for roles where cognitive and emotional traits are important, such as leadership or customer-facing positions.
Want to explore more HR softwares? Check out hrtech’s marketplace to explore a wide-range of HR software solutions. From talent analytics to talent engagement and planning – you’ll find all types of tools. Explore now!
How To Choose The Best Candidate Assessment Tools?
Choosing the right candidate assessment tool can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the best choice for your company.
Step 1 – Define Your Hiring Needs
Before you start looking at assessment tools, take some time to define your hiring needs. Ask yourself questions like:
- What types of roles are you hiring for?
- What skills and traits are most important for success in those roles?
- How many candidates do you typically assess for each role?
- What is your budget for assessment tools?
Answering these questions will help you narrow down your options and choose a tool that fits your specific needs.
Step 2 – Research Different Types Of Assessments
There are many different types of candidate assessments, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most common types include:
| Assessment Type: | Best For: |
| Cognitive ability tests | Analytical thinking, quick learning |
| Personality assessments | Interpersonal skills, cultural fit |
| Skill tests | Technical or soft skills |
| Job simulations | Complex or unique job duties |
Take some time to research these different types of assessments and consider which ones might be most useful for your hiring needs.
Step 3 – Evaluate The Validity And Reliability Of The Tool
Once you’ve identified some potential assessment tools, it’s important to evaluate their validity and reliability.
Validity refers to whether the tool actually measures what it claims to measure, while reliability refers to whether the tool produces consistent results over time.
Look for tools that have been scientifically validated and have high reliability scores. You can often find this information on the vendor’s website or by requesting a technical manual.
Step 4 – Consider The Candidate Experience
The candidate experience is an important factor to consider when choosing an assessment tool. Look for tools that are user-friendly, engaging, and provide a positive experience for candidates.
Consider factors like:
- Is the assessment mobile-friendly?
- How long does the assessment take to complete?
- Does the assessment provide instant feedback or personalized reports for candidates?
- Is the assessment accessible for candidates with disabilities?
A positive candidate experience can help you attract top talent and improve your employer brand.
Step 5 – Look For Customization Options
Every company is unique, so it’s important to choose an assessment tool that can be customized to your specific needs.
Look for tools that allow you to create your own questions, set your own benchmarks, and brand the assessments with your company logo and colors.
Customization options can help you create assessments that are tailored to your specific job roles and company culture.
Step 6 – Consider Integration Capabilities
To make your hiring process as smooth as possible, look for assessment tools that integrate with your existing HR software.
This can help you seamlessly move candidates through the hiring process and keep all your data in one place.
Common integrations to look for include:
- Applicant tracking systems (ATS)
- Human resource information systems (HRIS)
- Learning management systems (LMS)
Step 7 – Evaluate Customer Support And Training
Finally, consider the level of customer support and training offered by the assessment vendor.
Look for vendors that provide dedicated support teams, online resources, and training sessions to help you get the most out of the tool.
Some questions to ask include:
- What kind of onboarding and training do you provide?
- Do you offer ongoing support and technical assistance?
- What resources do you provide to help us interpret and use assessment results?
As you consider all these factors and steps, you can easily pick the right candidate evaluation software suitable for your company’s specific hiring needs.
Conclusion
Candidate assessment tools are a great way to improve your hiring process. So far, we explored the 19 best options. But out of all, here are our top picks based on various company sizes:
- For small businesses on a budget – PMaps, Toggl Hire, Skillsarena
- For midsize businesses and growing startups – HireQuotient, TestGorilla, McQuaig
- For large companies – Hirevue, Criteria Corp, Pymetrics
Ultimately, choosing the best tool depends on your specific needs and requirements.
Once you carefully look at your selected options and consider factors like reliability, customization, user-interface, reporting, and integration, you can find the perfect fit.
Looking for more help? Connect with our top HR experts at hrtech and get specialized guidance on selecting the right software for your company. Contact us today to learn more.
