Journalist Test

A journalist test can be used to determine if a candidate has the core skills and knowledge required to be a successful journalist.

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What is a journalist test?

A journalist test is used in the recruitment process to assess applicants for their journalistic skills.

Whether for a TV, radio or print journalist role, there are certain attributes that are essential – and it is not always easy for a recruiter to tell which candidates have the right level of skill and knowledge to be successful.

In a journalist test, the right questions are asked that demonstrate the journalistic ability of each individual.

About the Journalist Test

Usually administered in the early stages of the recruitment process, a journalist test is a multiple-choice assessment designed to assess the essential skills and knowledge that a journalist needs.

The test provides data that can help streamline the recruitment process and reduce the number of applicants to be taken forward for interviewing.

Why should you use a journalist test for recruiting?

Journalists need to be able to choose the right stories to tell, and then tell them in the most appropriate way for the audience.

This means that they need to be able to find the right stories, conduct research and interviews, and find the right detail and background to make it interesting. Journalists need to have excellent logical thinking skills and the ability to analyse data to learn the truth about a situation. They also need to be able to think about what the audience is interested in, and how best to portray the story to them.

In the journalist test, candidates are assessed on such skills: from communication to presentations, spelling, grammar and editing, and verbal acuity and error checking. Personality test questions can make sure that a journalism candidate has the right level of integrity and self-motivation.

Using a journalist test is an efficient way of reducing the cost per hire in your recruitment process.

View a sample report

Results for the Journalist 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.

App screenshot

How our test assesses journalist skills

Candidates will need to answer a range of questions that measure industry-specific technical skills where applicable (e.g. Microsoft Word), soft skills (e.g. time management), aptitude (e.g. verbal reasoning) and relevant personality dimensions (e.g. integrity). The results present a holistic view of how well suited each candidate is for the job at hand, using a data-driven approach.

The format varies by type of question, including multiple-choice for aptitude and technical skills, situational judgement for soft skills and agreement on a Likert scale for the personality dimensions. This approach ensures candidates are being assessed in an accurate and fair manner, and that results reflect the true underlying qualities of each candidate.

The characteristics, abilities and knowledge necessary to be a journalist were identified using the US Department of Labor's comprehensive O*NET database. O*NET is the leading source of occupational information that is constantly updated by collecting data from employees in specific job roles.

During the development process, test questions were rigorously analysed to maximise reliability and validity in line with industry best practices. They were created by our team of I/O psychologists and psychometricians – who collaborated with subject-matter-experts – and field-tested with a representative sample of job applicants who have varying experience, just like you might find in a talent pool.

Each test is reviewed by a panel of individuals representing diverse backgrounds to check for any sensitivity, fairness, face validity and accessibility issues. This ensures each candidate has a fair chance of demonstrating their true level of expertise.

Our journalist test is monitored to ensure it is up-to-date and optimised for performance.

Our test platform

Our platform offers an extensive library of hundreds of tests, giving you the flexibility to select and combine them in any way that suits your hiring needs. From understanding specific role requirements to assessing general cognitive abilities, our diverse library ensures you can tailor your assessment process precisely.

Multi-format.
Our test questions come in various formats, including multiple-choice, true and false, ranking and situational judgment, all ensuring comprehensive candidate assessment.
Role-specific simulations.
Experience real-world scenarios with our role-specific simulations, providing accurate insights into candidates' performance, readiness and fit for the position.
Adaptive scoring.
Our adaptive scoring system evaluates responses in real-time, by adjusting to the candidate's ability level, enhancing accuracy and reliability.

Curated by our
team of experts

Expert 1 Expert 2 Expert 3

Scientifically validated by psychometric specialists

  • Our team of assessment experts is made up of I/O psychologists, psychometricians, and subject matter experts who work closely together to ensure each test is accurate and reliable.
  • Our subject matter experts are rigorously vetted and typically have several years of experience working in their industries and hold advanced credentials.

Frequently asked questions

What other tests might be useful for a journalist?

Typing and accuracy tests could be important, depending on the role. Other types of journalism might require more in-depth knowledge of grammar and spelling, or stronger data analysis.

What are the skills required for a journalist?

Journalists have a good understanding of current trends and issues, and must be able to craft stories that are comprehensive and interesting – without errors in spelling or grammar -–that have the right tone of voice, maintaining independence and integrity.

What is the cost for Neuroworx’s journalist test?

Neuroworx operates on a monthly or annual subscription basis. We have several plans to suit your hiring needs, which you can check out here. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us to discuss a custom plan.

Can I get a free trial?

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.

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