Error Checking Test

Error checking tests assess a candidate's ability to quickly identify errors in sets of data or text and evaluate the correctness of information.

  • What is an error checking test and what does it measure?

    An error checking test is a form of aptitude test that measures an applicant's ability to analyse and spot errors, irregularities, and inconsistencies in sets of data or text.

    Candidates are typically required to compare strings of data (such as an address or phone number) and identify the mistake or the identical match out of a series of possible multiple-choice responses.

    The error checking test measures a candidate's attention to detail when dealing with large amounts of data. Candidates are put under a strict time limit when completing the error checking test, so it is also an effective measure of their speed and accuracy skills.

    Candidates who perform well on the error checking test have demonstrated that they are likely to perform well in administrative or operational tasks where they may be required to quickly recognise small errors in documents such as databases, spreadsheets, or letters.

Jump to a section on this page:

  1. What is an error checking test and what does it measure?
  2. Why should you use an error checking test for recruiting?
  3. The format of Pickeds error checking test
  4. Error Checking Test FAQs

About the Error Checking Test

The error checking test is used by employers in the recruitment and selection process to assess candidates on their ability to identify errors or mistakes. This enables the hiring team to accurately assess if a candidate has strong proficiency in this skill.

Hiring teams can then use this information to compare how each candidate meets the requirements of the position. This helps recruiters make better-informed, data-driven decisions whilst also reducing the potential for bias during hiring.

Error checking tests are particularly popular for administrative and clerical roles such as an office assistant or data entry clerk, however, the ability to spot mistakes or errors is a highly valuable skill in many tasks, making the error checking test useful for a range of positions.

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  • Why should you use an error checking test for recruiting?

    Using pre-employment aptitude testing in your recruitment allows you to make more informed decisions when narrowing down your talent pool. It can often be difficult to judge a candidate's ability to perform a role effectively during the hiring process, and skills like error detection and attention to detail can be particularly challenging to determine from a CV or application.

    An error checking test helps solve this problem, by providing an objective way to assess a candidate’s ability to identify errors and mistakes. This gives you realistic and accurate insight into how your candidates might perform in the role.

    When a candidate completes the error checking test they are given a score which is sent to your hiring team, so you can make quicker and easier hiring decisions.

    The test is easily administered to a large pool of candidates, providing you with comparative data that allows you to quickly identify the top performers and shortlist them for the next stage of the recruitment process. This helps improve the quality of your hiring and significantly reduces potential hiring bias.

Sample Error Checking Test question

Which of the four options is MZMSMGMR?

  • MZRSMGMR

  • MZMSMGNR

  • MZMSMGMR

  • MZMSMGMRR

Picked Sample Report

View a sample report

Results for the Error Checking Test along with other assessments the candidate takes will be compiled to produce a candidate report. The report is automatically generated and available both online and as a downloadable pdf so they can be shared with other team members and employees alike.

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The format of Pickeds error checking test

Picked’s error checking test contains multiple-choice questions, which each contain one correct answer and four distractors.

A distractor is an option that is purposefully similar to the correct answer but is incorrect. Distractors make the test more challenging and help to assess an applicant's true ability more accurately.

Candidates are given 10 minutes to answer 30 questions. The fast-paced nature of the test helps simulate a real-life work environment, and is useful in assessing a candidate's ability to work both quickly and accurately.

The questions will present a string of data, such as an email address, which candidates must compare against five similar multiple-choice answers. One of the answers will be identical to the data, whereas the others will contain errors. The candidate must then identify and select the answer which is free from errors.

The questions are marked positively, which means a mark is awarded for correct answers, but no marks are deducted for incorrect answers.

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Picked provides evidence-based recommendations for tests to use for over 750 jobs. Our recommendation engine leverages data from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

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    Simple, easy-to-use candidate comparison reports mean you don’t need to be a psychologist to interpret them.

“We used Picked as part of our Finance Graduate Scheme recruitment and it was just what we needed – really simple to send candidates the link to complete and clear to see how they all compared. And great value for money!”
Christina, HR Director, Cancer Research, UK
Christina, HR Director, Cancer Research, UK
Error Checking Test expert

Written by an Error Checking Test expert

This test was created by our team of assessment experts, made up of I/O psychologists and psychometricians who are dedicated to making all of our tests as reliable, valid and fair as possible. They strictly adhere to best practices in the industry and stay on top of the latest innovations to ensure job candidates’ unique profiles of characteristics, abilities and knowledge are being measured accurately while minimising bias. They leverage decades of research and advanced predictive analytics to build assessments that link to outcomes that matter, such as job performance, turnover, engagement, culture fit and more.

“Personality profiling allowed us to perform lookalike modelling of our most successful employees and use this as a blueprint for new hires.”
Nick, HR Operations, Airbus, Spain
Nick, HR Operations, Airbus, Spain

Error Checking Test FAQs

Can I try the test for free?

Yes! Simply sign up (no credit card is required) and we'll give you unlimited access for seven days. Create as many jobs and test as many candidates as you want; you won’t be charged a penny.

Can I mix the error checking test with other tests?

Yes! You can choose to combine our error checking test with any other test we offer to create a test suite that best fits your hiring needs.

What is the cost for Picked’s error checking test?

Picked offers monthly or annual subscriptions for businesses of all sizes, so choose one that best fits your needs. You can check out our subscription plans here.

You can also get in touch with us to discuss the possibility of a custom plan suited to your specific needs.

Which jobs is the error checking test relevant for?

Error checking tests are used for a variety of positions including administrative staff, office support, retail, operational staff, to name a few. The test is relevant for any role which requires a high level of attention to detail and focus.

“Focusing on data reduced the subjective decision making from our hiring process and allowed us to reduce bias and make better hiring decisions.”
Izzie, Head of HR, iZettle, Sweden
Izzie, Head of HR, iZettle, Sweden

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