Best startup friendly employee assessment tools

Why Use Skills Assessment Tools?

Let's face it, sifting through stacks of resumes can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. You need to quickly identify candidates with the right skills, but traditional methods often fall short. This is where skills assessment tools come in, offering a data-driven way to evaluate talent before you even bring them in for an interview.

Skills assessment tools help overcome several key challenges. They provide a standardized way to evaluate candidates, ensuring a fair and objective comparison. They also enable you to assess a wide range of skills, from technical abilities using coding tests to soft skills using personality tests, ensuring a complete candidate profile.

These tools also save time and resources by automating the initial screening process. By using an online assessment platform you can quickly filter out unqualified candidates and focus on those who truly match your requirements. Ultimately, skills assessment tools are about making smarter, faster hiring decisions that benefit both your company and your candidates.

What to Look for in Skills Assessment Software

When evaluating skills assessment tools, focus on platforms that offer a balance of features to accurately gauge candidate abilities. A key consideration is whether the platform supports a wide range of assessment types beyond just coding skills.

Look for platforms that offer diverse question types, including scenario-based questions, aptitude tests, and personality assessments. This variety ensures you can assess candidates across a spectrum of skills, from technical abilities to soft skills and problem-solving aptitude. A wide range of assessment types provides a more thorough understanding of a candidate's potential fit.

Consider these additional factors:

• Proctoring Features: Robust proctoring to maintain test integrity.
• Customization Options: Ability to add your own questions and tailor assessments to specific job descriptions.
• Reporting & Analytics: In-depth skill-wise analysis and comprehensive overviews for data-backed decisions.
• Integrations: Seamless ATS integrations for a streamlined hiring workflow.

Skills assessment tools: A quick look

Choosing the right assessment platform can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Here's a cheat sheet to help you quickly compare the top tools and find the perfect fit.

1. Adaface: Skill Assessments Used Across 70+ Countries

Let's take a closer look at Adaface. It's a platform designed for quick skills assessments across various roles, complete with ready-made tests and smooth integrations with ATS platforms.

Why we picked Adaface

Adaface gives recruiters a solid view of a candidate's abilities with its library of 500+ skill tests. It checks not just what they can do, but also how they approach problems, their logic, design sense, and even soft skills.

In the context of hiring, Adaface shines by offering a wide range of assessments. From aptitude tests to finance tests, and even personality tests, it covers a lot of ground. Plus, it's used by clients in over 70 countries, showing it's a tool that works on a global scale.

One of the biggest upsides of using Adaface is its strong proctoring suite, ensuring test integrity. Also, the pricing is straightforward, based on credits, not per-seat, and includes all proctoring features.

Key Features of Adaface

• Extensive skill assessment library: Access 500+ tests across programming, IT, business, Excel, aptitude, personality, finance, and role-specific skills. This helps to thoroughly assess candidates.
• Customizable tests: Adjust test duration, cut-off scores, and programming languages to fit specific hiring needs. If needed, Adaface experts can customize the test according to your job descriptions
• Scenario based on-the-job skill questions: Screen accurately with questions designed to check for real-world experience rather than just textbook knowledge. This gives insight into how candidates will perform on the job.
• Multiple question types: Evaluate Excel, SQL, and coding skills using simulators and role-based skills through scenario-based MCQs. This versatile approach provides a well-rounded view of a candidate's abilities.
• Ensure test integrity: Ensure test integrity with advanced proctoring features such as webcam proctoring, video monitoring, ChatGPT proctoring and off-tab activity tracking. These ensure candidates are honest in the test taking process.
• Candidate stage tracking: Ideal platform provides a way to manage and track candidate funnel from the time they acquire the profile to the time they make a hiring decision. Adaface provides a kanban way of doing this.

Pros of Adaface

• High test library with 500+ tests covering a diverse range of skills.
• Suitable for assessing candidates for aptitude, finance, personality, business roles, typing, AI, technical, and coding roles.
• Robust proctoring suite to maintain test integrity.
• Straightforward pricing based on credits, including all proctoring features.

Cons of Adaface

• No live video interviews.
• No take-home assignment support.
• Not the cheapest in the market.

Pricing of Adaface

Try out the platform with a free trial that includes 2 sample tests and 5 credits, giving you a chance to explore before purchasing. No credit card is required to start. Pricing plans include all proctoring features and access to all 500+ tests:

• Individual ($180/yr)
• Starter ($500/yr)
• Pro ($900/yr)
• Scale ($3000/yr)
• Growth ($5500/yr)
• Enterprise ($20,000/year)
• Unlimited ($50,000/yr)

2. HackerRank: Coding skills at scale

Let's explore HackerRank, a platform widely recognized in the tech industry. It focuses primarily on assessing coding skills through challenges and competitions.

Why we picked HackerRank

HackerRank is primarily used for evaluating coding skills. It provides a platform where candidates can solve coding problems in various languages, allowing recruiters to gauge their practical abilities. This makes it useful for companies seeking to quickly screen developers and programmers.

Beyond coding assessments, HackerRank also offers features like live coding interviews and challenges. However, its strength lies in evaluating coding proficiency, and it may not cover other crucial skills like aptitude, personality, or job-specific knowledge outside of IT roles which you can easily do with a pre-employment assessment test library.

Key Features of HackerRank

• Coding Challenges: Offers a wide range of coding challenges across different languages and skill levels.
• Live Coding Interviews: Provides an IDE for conducting live coding interviews.
• Skill Certification: Allows candidates to earn certifications to validate their skills.

Pros of HackerRank

• Large Developer Community: Popular among developers, making it a go-to platform for showcasing skills.
• Broad Language Support: Supports a wide array of programming languages.
• Plagiarism Detection: Includes plagiarism detection to ensure assessment integrity.
• Real-World Coding Questions: Offers coding questions that mirror real job scenarios.

Cons of HackerRank

• Limited Scope: Focuses mainly on coding skills, neglecting other important areas like aptitude, business acumen, or personality.
• Lengthy Tests: Typical assessment lengths can be quite long, potentially impacting candidate experience. HackerRank tests are about 2 hours long, while Adaface assessments have a typical length of 40 mins.
• Default questions are easily googleable: Making it less effective in evaluating candidates accurately.
• No Custom API: Lacks a custom API for tighter integrations with various HR systems.

Pricing of HackerRank

HackerRank's pricing includes a few tiers. The Starter plan begins at $100 per month (billed annually). To get the details about enterprise plans, you have to contact HackerRank for a pricing quote.

3. CodeSignal: Ace coding skills

Let's explore CodeSignal. It's a platform designed to help companies assess technical skills, primarily focused on coding and development roles.

Why we picked CodeSignal

CodeSignal is known for its focus on coding assessments. The platform provides a structured environment for candidates to demonstrate their coding abilities through challenges and tasks. This is particularly useful for companies looking to hire software engineers and developers.

CodeSignal can be used to evaluate a candidate's proficiency in various programming languages and frameworks. However, it mainly caters to technical roles, so if you are looking for aptitude, language, or personality tests, you might need to look elsewhere.

Key Features of CodeSignal

• Coding assessments with a focus on skill demonstration.
• Live coding interview environment.
• Integration with existing ATS platforms.
• Skill certifications.

Pros of CodeSignal

• Large community of developers familiar with the platform.
• Coding tests support many programming languages.
• Offers strong proctoring features.
• Automated scoring for coding assessments.

Cons of CodeSignal

• Limited assessment types beyond coding skills. Doesn't include aptitude tests or personality assessments.
• Lacks flexibility for creating custom questions or question types.
• No support for custom data location.
• Limited team management features.

Pricing of CodeSignal

CodeSignal does not publicly list its pricing. You need to contact their sales team to get a quote. They do not seem to offer a free trial.

4. Evalart: Diverse Assessment, Limited Customization

Let's examine Evalart. It's an assessment platform providing a range of tests. Here's a detailed look to assist you in making the right choice.

Why we picked Evalart

Evalart is used for candidate evaluation across varied skills. It offers ready-to-use tests which can be useful if you need to quickly deploy assessments. However, it may not be ideal if you require tests tailored for specific job roles or customized assessments. Evalart has some aptitude, language and AI tests, but it lacks tests for business skills, finance, cloud and job-specific roles.

While Evalart allows you to add your own coding questions, it does not offer scenario-based multiple-choice questions (MCQs). This means that assessing a candidate's practical understanding through simulations might be challenging. Also, if you want to assess Excel skills with in-browser simulations or gauge hands-on experience with data structures, Evalart does not support these question types.

Key Features of Evalart

• Ready-to-use tests for quick deployment
• Option to add custom coding questions
• Webcam proctoring for monitoring candidates

Pros of Evalart

• Wide range of ready-made assessments available.
• Supports custom coding questions.
• Offers webcam proctoring.
• Provides email and live chat support.

Cons of Evalart

• Lacks coding questions that are scenario based questions.
• No support for business, finance, and cloud skills tests.
• Does not offer customisation of tests based on job descriptions.
• No support for excel simulations or data structure questions.

Pricing of Evalart

Evalart's pricing isn't transparently listed on their website. You'll need to contact their sales team directly to get a quote. While they offer a one-month free trial, the lack of readily available pricing details might make it harder to quickly evaluate if it fits your budget. Unlike Adaface Assessments Pricing, Evalart does not display their costs upfront.

5. CoderPad: Ace live coding interviews

Let's explore CoderPad. It is a platform primarily designed for conducting live coding interviews. It provides a collaborative coding environment where interviewers and candidates can interact in real-time.

Why we picked CoderPad

CoderPad is designed to help you evaluate a candidate's coding ability during live interviews. It offers a real-time, collaborative coding environment that supports multiple programming languages. Interviewers can observe a candidate's coding process, provide immediate feedback, and assess their problem-solving skills.

While CoderPad excels in live coding scenarios, it's important to note that it primarily focuses on assessing coding skills. It lacks broader assessment capabilities for aptitude, personality, or job-specific skills, which are valuable for creating a complete candidate profile. For those, consider checking out Adaface's pre-employment assessment test library.

Key Features of CoderPad

• Real-time Collaboration: Enables interviewers and candidates to code together.
• Multi-Language Support: Supports a wide array of programming languages.
• Code Playback: Allows reviewing the coding session step-by-step.

Pros of CoderPad

• Real-time coding environment fosters collaboration.
• Code playback feature aids in detailed assessment.
• Supports many programming languages.
• Integrates with popular ATS platforms.

Cons of CoderPad

• Lacks assessments beyond coding skills. No support for aptitude, personality, or job-specific tests.
• No custom API for deeper integration with your existing HR tech stack.
• No support for multiple test sets, increasing the risk of question leaks.
• Limited proctoring features such as location and device fingerprint tracking.

Pricing of CoderPad

CoderPad offers a free trial to explore the platform. Paid plans start at $70/month (billed annually). For higher-tier plans, you'll need to contact CoderPad's sales team for pricing details. No unlimited plans available.

6. Alva Labs: Personality and Aptitude

Let's explore Alva Labs. This platform focuses on personality and aptitude assessments to help companies understand candidate potential.

Why we picked Alva Labs

Alva Labs aims to predict candidate success using psychometric tests and aptitude evaluations. Their assessments measure cognitive abilities and personality traits, providing insights into how candidates might perform in certain roles. These assessments are typically used to identify candidates who align with the company's values and demonstrate the potential for growth.

While Alva Labs offers ready-made tests and integrations, they lack the option to create custom questions. This could be a problem for companies with niche roles, who might require a more tailored assessment experience. For roles needing skills and aptitude checks, a platform like Adaface provides a broader assessment range.

Key Features of Alva Labs

• Personality Assessments: Evaluate candidates based on personality traits.
• Aptitude Tests: Measure cognitive abilities with standardized tests.
• Ready-to-use Tests: Library of pre-built assessments.
• ATS Integrations: Connect with applicant tracking systems.

Pros of Alva Labs

• Validated Assessments: Claims scientifically validated assessments.
• Candidate Experience: Clean and branded candidate interface.
• Focus on Potential: Identifies candidates with high growth potential.
• ATS Integration: Integrates with popular ATS platforms.

Cons of Alva Labs

• Limited Skill Assessment: Lacks skills testing across various domains.
• No Custom Questions: Unable to add or create custom questions.
• Lengthy Assessments: Tests can take up to 2 hours to complete, impacting candidate experience.
• Limited Support: No live chat or phone assistance for candidates.

Pricing of Alva Labs

Alva Labs offers a free trial. Subscription plans start at $289/month and $799/month. For enterprise pricing, you'll need to contact Alva Labs directly.

7. TestGrid: Aptitude and Personality Tests

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here’s a quick peek at TestGrid. It's designed to help recruiters assess candidates using aptitude and personality tests.

Why we picked TestGrid

TestGrid is designed to evaluate candidates, mainly focusing on aptitude and personality assessments. It provides a platform to administer these tests and generate reports.

While it may be useful for basic screening, TestGrid lacks the depth and breadth of assessments needed for roles requiring specific technical or business acumen. For teams that need to assess coding skills or role-specific skills, consider platforms offering a wider variety of pre-employment assessment tests.

Key Features of TestGrid

• Aptitude Tests: Offers a range of aptitude tests to assess cognitive abilities.
• Personality Questionnaires: Helps evaluate personality traits for job fit.
• Reporting: Provides reports on candidate performance.

Pros of TestGrid

• Email support is available.
• They offer quality checks on questions.
• ATS Integrations are supported.
• They are GDPR compliant.

Cons of TestGrid

• No coding assessments available. So you cant evaluate programming skills.
• Lacks scenario-based questions for job-specific roles.
• No custom coding questions are supported.
• Limited proctoring features and social listening for content leaks.

Pricing of TestGrid

TestGrid doesn't publicly display pricing details on their website. Interested users need to sign up to receive pricing information. They do not offer a free trial.

8. Canditech: Streamlined assessment for tech

Let's peek into Canditech. This platform aims to help recruiters screen candidates, particularly in technical roles, using a variety of pre-built assessments.

Why we picked Canditech

Canditech focuses on helping companies assess technical skills through simulations and challenges. Recruiters can use the platform to evaluate candidates in areas like coding, data analysis, and other job-specific skills. These assessments are designed to mimic real-world scenarios.

Canditech also offers features like video interviews and integrations with applicant tracking systems (ATS), aiming to streamline the hiring process. While the platform offers a range of tests, it lacks the capability to create custom questions or tailor tests deeply to specific job descriptions. For a broader range of assessment types, including personality tests and aptitude tests, you might want to explore alternatives.

Key Features of Canditech

• Skills-based assessments: Evaluate candidates using simulations and challenges.
• Video interviews: Conduct and record video interviews for asynchronous review.
• ATS integrations: Connect with popular applicant tracking systems.

Pros of Canditech

• Ready-to-use assessments: Offers a library of pre-built tests for various roles.
• Comprehensive skill coverage: Assesses different aspects of tech skills, including coding, Excel, and web frameworks
• Automated Scoring: Coding tests have automated scoring which save time.
• Candidate Authentication: Requires candidates to authenticate before they take a test.

Cons of Canditech

• Limited Customization: Lacks options for creating fully custom questions.
• No Custom API: Does not provide custom API to build indepth integrations with other HR tools.
• No Typing tests: Does not support typing tests
• No Situational Judgement Tests: Does not support situational judgement tests

Pricing of Canditech

Canditech offers a free trial to explore the platform. Their starter plan begins at $150 per month ($1800 annually). For enterprise pricing, you'll need to contact their sales team directly to discuss your specific needs and get a custom quote.

9. TestGorilla: Wide test library

Now, let's explore TestGorilla. It's a platform aimed at providing a broad range of pre-employment tests to help streamline your hiring process.

Why we picked TestGorilla

TestGorilla is known for its extensive library of pre-made tests covering various skills and job roles. It's designed to help recruiters quickly screen candidates based on specific requirements. You can use TestGorilla to assess candidates on cognitive abilities, personality traits, and job-specific skills.

However, keep in mind that TestGorilla primarily focuses on providing a wide selection of ready-made tests. Unlike Adaface's online assessment platform, it doesn't offer as much flexibility in creating fully customized assessments tailored to very specific job descriptions or in adding your own unique questions.

Key Features of TestGorilla

• Large test library: Access a wide variety of pre-built tests.
• Candidate ranking: Compare candidates based on test scores.
• Automated scoring: Scores tests automatically.

Pros of TestGorilla

• Diverse Test Selection: Offers a broad range of tests across various skills.
• User-Friendly Interface: Easy to navigate and implement tests.
• Time-Saving: Ready-made tests speed up the screening process.
• Decent Proctoring: Features like webcam recording and IP tracking

Cons of TestGorilla

• Limited Customization: Lacks the option to create fully tailored tests.
• No AI Specific tests: Does not have tests for niche AI based skills.
• GPT-able questions: Shorter questions are easily solvable by GPT models.
• No custom API: Cannot integrate deeply into workflows with a custom API.

Pricing of TestGorilla

TestGorilla's pricing varies based on company size, and it operates on a subscription model. They offer different tiers with increasing features and candidate assessment limits. For precise pricing details tailored to your organization, contacting TestGorilla directly for a quote is necessary. Keep in mind that they have fair use restrictions when it comes to unlimited plans.

10. WeCP: Good for IT hiring

Now, let's break down WeCreateProblems (WeCP). It's a platform designed to assess tech skills, mainly for IT roles.

Why we picked WeCreateProblems (WeCP)

WeCreateProblems (WeCP) aims to streamline the hiring process, particularly for tech roles. It offers ready-to-use tests and the ability to customize assessments based on job descriptions. This focus on customization helps recruiters evaluate candidates more relevantly.

WeCP is used for candidate screening, mostly in the IT sector. It provides coding questions and supports web and mobile framework assessments. While offering various features, its use case is primarily centered around technical skill evaluation.

Key Features of WeCreateProblems (WeCP)

• Ready-made tests for tech roles
• Customizable assessments based on job descriptions
• Coding assessments with code playback

Pros of WeCreateProblems (WeCP)

• Offers coding assessments and playback feature
• Provides a free trial
• Has ATS integrations to integrate with other HR tools
• Customizable invitation, shortlist and rejection templates to reflect company branding.

Cons of WeCreateProblems (WeCP)

• Lacks assessments for aptitude, personality, and business skills. So if you are looking for a broader skill assessment, you may need other providers.
• No support for SQL and Excel tests.
• Doesn't offer custom questions or custom coding questions.
• Doesn't have custom data location support, so if you are worried about where the data is being saved, you need another provider.

Pricing of WeCreateProblems (WeCP)

WeCreateProblems (WeCP) offers a free trial. Their starter plan begins at $240 per month (or $2,388 annually). For enterprise pricing, you'll need to contact WeCP directly for a personalized quote. This lack of transparent pricing may require a sales call.

Found the perfect tool?

We've journeyed through a variety of assessment platforms, each offering a unique approach to skills evaluation. Finding the right fit depends heavily on your specific needs and priorities.

One key factor to consider is the ability to assess candidates on role-specific scenarios. Generic tests can miss the nuances of real-world job performance. You want a platform that dives into practical skills and decision-making.

There are great tools to consider for your use case. Adaface leads the pack with its customizable and scenario-based assessments. Other platforms offer their own strengths, depending on your focus.

Ultimately, the ideal tool should align with your hiring goals and provide insights that lead to smarter, faster, and more informed hiring decisions.

• Adaface excels in customizable and scenario-based assessments, offering role-specific evaluations with strong anti-cheating measures and extensive ATS integrations. Plus, with pricing plans for every stage, you can easily find a plan for you.
• HackerRank focuses on technical skill assessments, making it suitable for developer roles, but lacks support for business skills and aptitude tests.
• CodeSignal emphasizes coding skills but has limited options for customization and lacks assessments for non-technical roles.
• Evalart offers coding and AI tests, but it does not have company branding options or custom questions.
• CoderPad is focused on live coding interviews but does not support assessments beyond technical skills.
• Alva Labs combines programming, aptitude, and personality assessments, but it does not provide custom question options.
• TestGrid offers aptitude and personality assessments, but it lacks programming tests and custom questions.
• Canditech provides a range of tests, including programming, aptitude, and finance, but lacks custom questions and strong reporting features.
• TestGorilla has a wide array of tests, but it does not offer custom questions, and its GPT protection is limited.
• WeCP specializes in IT roles, offering coding and AI tests, but lacks a range of other assessments.

Ready to elevate your screening game and ensure you're hiring the best? Give Adaface a try today!