How To Prepare for the USA Hire Assessment Test? – A Complete Study Guide
Last Updated on December 1, 2022
If your ambition is to work for the Federal Government, you can expect to do the pre-employment assessments that are now a feature of securing a job with most employers.
Positions get many applicants, so competition is stiff. Therefore it is key that you prepare well to make sure you score highly and stand out from other applicants.
Don’t let this test stand in the way of landing your dream role. Find out how to prepare for the USA Hire Assessment.
What is the USA Hire Assessment Test?
USA Hire uses a battery of 3 pre-employment assessments, called competency-based assessments, in their recruitment process:
- USA Hire Application
- USA Hire Cognitive Exams
- USA Hire General Exams
These are used to measure candidates’ abilities and suitability for the role.
How do I prepare for the USA Hire Assessments?
Preparing for any exam involves two essential steps.
- Firstly you need to find out the format and style of questioning in the exam.
- Secondly, you need to practice doing the types of questions you will get in the assessments and practice doing them accurately within the allowed time frame.
For this, we advise using the services of Job Test Prep, a company experienced in helping job applicants prepare for the recruitment process.
From them, you will get accurate information and a test prep pack that will guide you through your preparation for the assessments. In your test prep pack, you will find sample papers modeled on the real assessment papers, comprehensive explanations for questions, and a means of tracking your scores as you work from paper to paper.
What do the US Hire assessments consist of?
USA Hire Application
Your assessments begin with your application for a position.
An occupational assessment questionnaire requires you to give information about your workplace experience. For each statement on the questionnaire you choose one answer from five. Your answers will allow the employer to gather information about your work experience.
The accompanying biographical data questionnaire seeks information about your education and work experience. As in the previous questionnaire, you select one of five answers to statements. Your answers will give the employer an indication of how you are likely to perform if working for the Federal Government.
USA Hire Cognitive Exams
In this section of the assessment, you can expect to be tested on 5 areas, all related to the occupation you have applied for:
1. Math assessment – This tests your ability in basic math. You will be tested on arithmetic, decimals, probability, fractions and asked to solve math word problems. You are allowed to use a calculator for this part of the assessment.
Test your skills with this free numerical test.
2. Judgment assessments – These test how you would respond to certain workplace situations. You will be presented with a scenario via video and asked to decide what actions would be the most and the least effective to take if you were a specific person in that scenario.
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3. The Interaction Assessment – This is a personality exam revealing how you would behave in certain work situations. Your personality is judged through the behavior you display. When doing this assessment, it is vital to have a clear idea of the type of person likely to be employed in your chosen job. Regular work on sample papers will guide you on how to present that persona.
For a free sample Situational Judgment test, go here.
4. Reasoning Assessment – In this test, you are presented with a situation to analyze. A series of multiple-choice questions demand that you study the situation and use your logical skills to answer the questions.
5. Reading Assessment – This requires you to read a passage and show your understanding of it by answering the multiple-choice questions that follow.
To assess your skills, try this free Civil Service Sample test here.
USA Hire General Exams
The assessments you have to take here will depend on the position you have applied for:
1. Job Knowledge Test – You can expect this assessment if you have applied for a position requiring technical skills or specific training.
If the job you have applied for involves working for the fire service here is a free sample test.
Or you may be looking for a position in the police force. If so try this free sample test.
2. Job Writing Test – If your chosen job involves providing daily written material this will test your ability to produce a piece of writing. The test is multiple choice and tests your abilities in grammar and if you can put sentences in the correct order.
3. Work Simulation – This test generally requires you to present yourself at a work simulation center, Here the assessment will view your skills and reactions to likely workplace scenarios.
4. Accomplishment Record – This looks at your general and work accomplishments. Expect to be asked why you are proud of those accomplishments.
5. Structured Interview – In the interview you can expect questions specific to the job you have applied for. The purpose of the interview is to rank applicants according to the USA Hire ranking system, where applicants are rated as Best Qualified, Highly Qualified, Qualified.
Apart from a situation where there is a low number of applicants, only the most highly rated can expect to progress to getting a job offer, further emphasizing the need to prepare for the tests.
Tips for USA Hire exam preparation
In your preparation, you need to become familiar with the types of questions asked, and teach yourself to answer them in the time allowed.
To ace the assessments and end up as a Federal Government employee, try the following tips:
- Designate a place and a time for your preparation. Following a regular schedule will make your preparation more effective and ensure you get everything covered before the assessments.
- Work to a timetable ensuring you devote sufficient time to each part of the assessment. Ignore the temptation to devote little or no time to a particular area. If you are avoiding working on something, it generally means you are finding it more difficult and should be devoting more time to it.
- In your timetable, leave the day before the real assessments free. You will need that for last-minute reviews and to get some rest before the assessments begin.
- Recognize that preparing for tests is stressful for most of us. Build breaks into your preparation routine. Rest, adequate sleep and good nutrition, as well as fresh air, will all help your brain work more efficiently.
Doing the USA Hire exams
Approach the exams:
- Well rested and clear-headed. At this point, how you perform in the assessments will be more important than anything you might learn in late-night cramming.
- Knowing that each assessment brings you one step closer to fulfilling your ambition, get in there and give it all you’ve got!
If your ambition is to work for the Federal Government, you will need to prepare for the USA Hire Assessments. You will find all the resources to help you here.
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Written by Elizabeth O Mahony
With 25+ years’ experience as a teacher and state examinations corrector, Elizabeth now writes for the education and careers industry. Her experience preparing students for examinations and running an academy for supplementary education give her invaluable insights into what it takes for job seekers and graduates to succeed in assessments.
