How We Recruit
Skills tests
Last update: January, 2016
We use 12 different skills tests to assist in evaluating candidates’ suitability for positions:
Audio typing
•
Computer checklist
•
Keypad
•
Legal dicta-typing
•
Medical spelling
•
Medical terminology – General
•
Microsoft Access 2007
•
Microsoft Excel 2007 - Normal user
•
Microsoft Excel 2007 (spreadsheet) — Intermediate
•
Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 – Normal user
•
Microsoft Project 2007
•
Microsoft Word 2007 – Normal user
•
Typing
You will be asked to complete any number of these depending on the position for which you
apply.
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Computer Checklist
The Computer checklist may be used to determine your experience and familiarity with certain
computer software and operating systems and your ability to work in a computerized
environment.
Test format
In this test, you will be asked to answer a series of questions.
Test time
5 to 15 minutes
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Audio Typing
The Audio typing assessment may be used to measure the speed and accuracy of your typing.
Test format
In this test, an audio clip is played and you are asked to type what you hear, as accurately and
quickly as possible. You listen to the audio provided through the online testing system and
transcribe what is being dictated into a box on the screen. Before starting the test, you are
allowed one five-minute practice round.
It is important to work quickly and accurately. You will be provided with a PC and headphones.
Test time
5 minutes
Resources to help you prepare
The following websites provide various practice sources, and may help you prepare for this
test:
•
http://www.nch.com.au/scribe/practice.html
•
http://www.stenospeed.com/
In addition, colleges offer dicta-skills training as part of various programs. For example,
Douglas College offers it as part of their Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate Program.
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Keypad
The Keypad test is used to measure skills using a keypad.
Test format
In this test, you are given a list of numbers which you must input within a set period of time.
You have a chance to do a practice exercise to warm up before the test.
Speed and accuracy are both important in this test; the number of errors and the time taken
to complete the test are both evaluated.
Test time
Up to 5 minutes
Resources to help you prepare
To help prepare for this test, you can try an online practice test.
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Legal Dicta-typing
The Legal Dicta-typing test may be used to assess your legal dicta-typing and keyboarding
skills. Speed, accuracy, and familiarity with legal forms are important in this test.
Test format
You are required to listen to a dicta tape and transcribe what is dictated into a two-page legal
dicta report format. Before starting the test, you are given one minute to review the legal dicta
report, specifically to look at formatting and words you may be unfamiliar with.
You are provided with the following equipment and resources:
•
PC
•
Dicta machine
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Copy of legal dicta report
•
Legal dicta tape
Test time
30 minutes
Resources to help you prepare
Training in dicta machine use and transcription as part of various college programs; for
example, Douglas College offers a Legal Administrative Assistant Certificate Program.
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Medical spelling
The Medical Spelling test may be used to assess your ability to identify whether words are
spelled correctly or not.
Test format
The test includes 45 questions that involve reviewing a word and editing it, using the keyboard
and mouse, if it is incorrect. If the word is spelled correctly, you simply move on without
editing the item.
It is important to work quickly and accurately. Tests are scored based on the number of items
that are answered correctly.
Sample question
1.
Depresant
Test time
12 minutes
Resources to help you prepare
Medical terminology training as part of various college programs; for example, Douglas College
offers the Medical Office Assistant Program.
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Medical terminology – General
The Medical Terminology — General test may be used to assess your knowledge of general
medical terms and vocabulary.
Test format
The test includes a series of 39 multiple-choice questions. You are required to select the best
answer for each question.
It is important to work quickly and accurately. Tests are scored based on the number of items
that are answered correctly.
Sample question
The term cardiology is related to what part of the body?
a. Lungs
b. Brain
c. Heart
d. Stomach
Test time
12 minutes
Resources to help you prepare
The following resources may help you prepare for this test:
•
Online quiz on medical terminology
•
Medical terminology training as part of various college programs. For example, Douglas
College offers the Medical Office Assistant Program.
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Microsoft Access 2007
The Microsoft Access 2007 test is used to assess your ability to add and edit basic data in
Access and use basic Access forms and reports.
Test format
The Microsoft Access 2007 test is a simulation test. The software you use in the test is a
facsimile of Microsoft Access 2007.
The test includes a series of 30 simulation questions. It is important to work quickly and
accurately. Tests are scored based on the number of items that are answered correctly.
Please note that in this test there is no access to the help menu usually available in Microsoft
Access.
Test time
35 minutes
Resources to help you prepare
The following resources may help you prepare for this test:
•
You Tube Microsoft Access 2007 tutorial
•
Microsoft Office - Get to know Access
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Microsoft Excel 2007 - Normal user
The Microsoft Excel 2007 - Normal User test may be used to assess your ability to edit, create,
and develop a basic Excel workbook. You are tested on the most commonly used commands
for formatting cells, navigating through the application, using formulas, and changing the
overall appearance of a spreadsheet.
Either this test or the intermediate skills test may be used, depending on the specific level of
spreadsheet skill required for the position.
Test format
The Microsoft Excel 2007 test is a simulation test. The software you use in the test is a
facsimile of the Microsoft Excel 2007 program.
The test includes a series of 30 simulation questions. It is important to work quickly and
accurately. The test is scored based on the number of items that are answered correctly.
Please note that there is no access to the help menu in this test.
Test time
25 minutes
Resources to help you prepare
The following resources may help you prepare for this test:
•
Microsoft Office Excel 2007 training
•
Microsoft Office Excel 2007 demo
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Microsoft Excel 2007 (spreadsheet) —
Intermediate
The intermediate level Microsoft Excel 2007 (spreadsheet) — Intermediate may be used to
assess your skill in using Microsoft Office Excel to create spreadsheets.
Either this test or the Normal user test may be used, depending on the specific level of
spreadsheet skill required for the position.
Test format
This test requires you to create a spreadsheet using information and data that is provided on a
worksheet.
You are expected to use the standard spreadsheet and formula features, as well as such
functions as: enhanced data sorting and filtering, creating and formatting charts, worksheet
organization, consolidation of files, and basic editing and formatting.
Please note, unlike the Microsoft Excel 2007 – Normal user test, you have access to the help
menu in this test.
Test time
60 minutes
Resources to help you prepare
The following resources may help you prepare for this test:
•
Microsoft Office Excel 2007 training
•
Microsoft Office Excel 2007 demo
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 — Normal user
The Microsoft PowerPoint 2007 — Normal User test may be used to assess your ability to
perform common functions in Microsoft PowerPoint, such as creating and formatting a
presentation.
Test format
This is a simulation-based test. The software you use is a facsimile of Microsoft PowerPoint
2007.
The test includes a series of 30 simulation questions. It is important to work quickly and
accurately. Tests are scored based on the number of items that are answered correctly.
Please note that there is no access to the help menu in this test.
Test time
25 minutes
Resources to help you prepare
The following resources may help you prepare for this test:
•
Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 training courses
•
PowerPoint 2007 demo
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Microsoft Project 2007
This test may be used to assess your knowledge of Microsoft Project 2007. Topics covered in
the test include task management, resource management, reporting, collaboration, and
general knowledge.
Test format
The test includes a series of 36 multiple-choice questions. It is important to work quickly and
accurately. Tests are scored based on the number of items that are answered correctly.
Please note that there is no access to the help menu in this test.
Test time
35 minutes
Resources to help you prepare
The following resources may help you prepare for this test:
•
You Tube tutorial videos
•
Project management with MS Project 2007 — part 1
•
Project management with MS Project 2007 — part 2
•
Microsoft Project Tutorials
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Microsoft Word 2007 — Normal user
The Microsoft Word 2007 — Normal User test may be used to assess your ability to perform
common functions with this software such as formatting a document, inserting pictures,
creating tables, sorting data, and conducting mail merges.
Test format
This test is a simulation test. The software you use is a facsimile of Microsoft Word 2007.
The test includes a series of 30 simulation questions. It is important to work quickly and
accurately. Tests are scored based on the number of items that are answered correctly.
Please note that there is no access to the help menu in this test.
Test time
25 minutes
Resources to help you prepare
The following resources may help you prepare for this test:
•
Microsoft Office Word 2007 training
•
Microsoft Word 2007 tutorials
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How We Recruit — Skills tests
Typing
This test may be used to measure the speed and accuracy of your typing and/or keyboarding
skills.
Test format
In this test, you are provided a passage of written material to type. Time will be limited.
Before the test begins, you are given an opportunity to do a warm up test for five minutes.
You are then given two typing tests and the better of the two results is recorded.
Speed and accuracy are both important in this test. Tests are scored on a standard basis with
errors subtracted from total words typed to arrive at total words per minute.
Test time
5 minutes
Test preparation resources
The following resources may help you prepare for this test:
•
Typing lessons
•
Typing test
•
Learn to type online
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How We Recruit — Skills tests