How can you test for adaptability skills?

Adaptability can be partially assessed through interviews, but the most reliable way of measuring a candidate's ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment is by using a standardised and reliable pre-employment screening test.

Are adaptability tests difficult?

Adaptability tests are not difficult in terms of content, but they can be challenging for people who do not have the right level of ability in this soft skill. The format of the assessment as a pre-employment test can make it challenging as candidates have to take it in exam conditions and under pressure.

Who should be given an adaptability test?

An adaptability test should be used when recruiting any candidate for a role in a fast-paced business, but it is most useful for managers, team leaders, and executive-level candidates.

Is adaptability an important skill?

Adaptability might be one of the most important skills in modern businesses, especially where there is a lot of innovation and technological developments. Adaptable candidates are more likely to be successful in entrepreneurial or start-up environments.

Explore how candidates respond when plans change.

Explore how candidates approach adaptability at work. Use the same questions to compare their judgement and focus your interviews.

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5 free candidate results · No credit card required

Alex MorganAdaptability profile

Completed

JUDGEMENT BY TOPIC

See how they approach it.

Explore strengths and the topics to discuss further.

Changing prioritiesStrong judgement

New situationsSound judgement

Responding to uncertaintyExplore further

The judgement behind the response.
A conversation you can focus.

WHAT THE TEST EXPLORES

Workplace judgement, made visible.

Explore candidates’ choices before you ask how they would put them into practice.

8questions10minutesSituational judgementquestion format

Changing priorities

Consider how candidates approach the situation.

New situations

Explore the judgement behind their choices.

Responding to uncertainty

Focus a follow-up conversation on their response.

A RANGE OF DIFFICULTY

One test. Different abilities.

Explore different situations and the judgement behind each choice.

The Adaptability test presents workplace situations to explore candidates’ responses. Use the results to shape follow-up questions about relevant experience.

TESTS IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES

English, plus 13 languages.

Assess candidates in the language they work in.

English
Chinese (simplified)
Japanese
Korean
Thai
Vietnamese
Indonesian
French
German
Spanish
Portuguese
Italian
Dutch
Arabic

Languages available across our test suite. Options vary by test and level.

TRY AN EXAMPLE QUESTION

Try a Adaptability question.

AdaptabilityWorkplace scenario

During your Monday check-in, your manager has asked you to write a report by the end of the week. The topic you’ve been given is something you have never done before, but you are eager to try.

Whilst attempting to write the report, you realise you do not know anything about the topic area you are writing about.

A PRACTICAL GUIDE

Using Adaptability in recruitment.

What does the Adaptability test assess?

The Adaptability test presents workplace situations involving changing priorities, new situations and responding to uncertainty. Candidates consider possible responses, giving you a consistent starting point for exploring their judgement and the reasoning behind their choices.

How can you use the Adaptability results?

Use the Adaptability results to focus follow-up questions on the situations that matter for your role. Ask candidates to explain a choice and describe a relevant experience. Their selected responses provide discussion points; they do not establish how someone will act in every real situation.

Which situations matter for your role?

Changing environmentsResponding when priorities or processes change.
Customer-facing rolesConsidering an unfamiliar situation before responding.
Project teamsAdjusting an approach when new information arrives.

SEE THE RESULTS FOR YOURSELF

See the person behind the score.

Explore a complete sample report, from test results and candidate comparisons to focused interview questions.

View sample report

Skills breakdownCandidate comparisonInterview prompts

BEFORE YOU START

Your Adaptability questions, answered.

Does the Adaptability test show how someone will behave at work?

It shows how candidates choose to respond to workplace situations. A selected response does not establish how they will behave in real work. Ask for a relevant example at interview.

Which Adaptability topics should matter for my role?

Start with the work the person will do. This page covers changing priorities, new situations, responding to uncertainty. Decide which of those areas matter for your role before reviewing results, and explore any specialist requirements separately.

Can I combine Adaptability with other tests?

Yes. Add Adaptability alongside other relevant tests in one assessment. Choose the combination for your role and review the total time before inviting candidates.

Can I assess real candidates for free?

Yes. Create your account, build an assessment and invite candidates. Your first 5 candidate results are free. No credit card is required.

What happens after my free results?

You pay per candidate result you unlock, rather than per test. There is no subscription or annual commitment. Check the pricing page for current rates.

How should I use the Adaptability results?

Compare results against the knowledge or ability your role needs. Use them to focus interviews and practical tasks, alongside relevant experience. A test score should not decide who you hire on its own.

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