Recommended tests for assessing insurance skills
With transferable and soft skills topping the list of necessary aptitudes for a candidate to be successful in the insurance industry, the following tests are recommended when hiring.
Numerical reasoning test
Numerical skills are essential to any role that involves calculations, whether that be calculating risk or working out the value of items to be insured. Numerical reasoning adds an extra layer of thinking to mathematical operations, ensuring that candidates can not only complete basic math problems, but use data and manipulate it to find the right answers.
In the numerical reasoning questions, candidates will be presented with numerical data, often in the form of tables, graphs, or charts. They will then be asked a question about the data given, with multiple-choice options to choose from for the answer.
To complete the questions, the candidate must be able to read and understand the numerical data in the question, and then apply their own mathematical knowledge and ability to perform a calculation to find the answer.
Verbal reasoning test
Verbal reasoning is about understanding written information, and using it to make logical and reasoned decisions. In the insurance industry, much information is shared in writing, from contracts and documents to statements about incidents - so candidates need to be able to demonstrate that not only do they have a good working knowledge of formal English and things like grammar and spelling conventions, they also need to show that they can pick out important details to use when making a decision.
In the verbal reasoning test, a candidate is provided with a passage of text, followed by a statement. There are multiple-choice options for answers, and the candidate needs to be able to quickly read, understand, and analyze the information provided in the text to answer the question correctly.
There is no previous knowledge needed, as the answer is provided in the text so all the candidate needs to do is find it and use it.
Error checking test
An eye for detail is an important part of many roles in the insurance industry, and errors that go unnoticed can have catastrophic repercussions - which is why the error checking test is an important part of any test battery used in insurance recruitment. While working without creating any errors might be the ultimate goal, spotting errors and dealing with them quickly and efficiently is more realistic and relevant.
In the error checking test, candidates are provided with two seemingly identical lists of information, and they need to find any discrepancies between them. This might include things like names, addresses, and phone numbers, or it could be product lists or identification codes.
To excel in this test, the candidate needs to be able to spot these errors and note them effectively, demonstrating that they can tell when something isn't quite right, even when under pressure.
Microsoft Excel test
Spreadsheets are an important part of the work that is done in insurance, and for candidates looking for a role in the industry, having demonstrable knowledge of using spreadsheets effectively can show that they are capable where it counts.
In the Microsoft Excel test, candidates are evaluated on their ability to utilize the features, filters, and data handling capabilities of this popular piece of office software by completing various tasks and showing that they know about things like formulas and how to create different visual representations of information.
The test is designed to show recruiters which candidates know their way around Excel like a pro, and can apply that knowledge to work-related problems.
Problem solving test
An essential - and transferable - skill that is useful for a candidate in insurance to have is the ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently, balancing company rules and legalities with customer service.
In the problem solving test, candidates are presented with a mixture of different work-related scenarios that are described as causing a problem that needs to be solved. Following the scenario is a series of different courses of action that could be taken to solve the problem, and the candidate needs to choose the one that is most like how they would deal with the issue if it were to happen in real life.
Some of the suggested courses of action might seem similarly useful in solving the presented problem, but the way that the candidate chooses to deal with it will demonstrate things like their personality traits, work behaviors, and problem-solving style so the recruitment team will be able to choose the candidates whose approach to issues most suits the values and needs of the business.