Principal Test

When looking to fill a principal position, it's important to make sure that the candidate has the skills necessary to do the job. A principal skills test can help ensure that the candidate is a good fit for the position.

  • What is a principal skills test?

    A principal skills test is an assessment that is designed to be used early in the recruitment process to identify candidates for a role as a principal. The test asks questions related to the skills, aptitudes, competencies, and application of knowledge that is necessary for success in the role.

    For candidates, the test is simple to access using an email link, and it can be completed in a short period at home when it is most convenient. The questions are crafted to allow each candidate to demonstrate that they have the skills and aptitudes needed for the job.

    For the recruitment team, the principal skills test takes some of the guesswork and endless paper sifting out of the process, with actionable and quantifiable results that can be used as data points to choose the candidates who are the most skilled and therefore most qualified for the role.

Jump to a section on this page:

  1. What is a principal skills test?
  2. What are the benefits of using the principal skills test for pre-screening?
  3. How our test measures principal skills
  4. Principal Test FAQs

Identify the best candidates and hire faster

Our pre-employment tests let you drill down to the best candidates at the click of a button.

  • Find those candidates who will excel in the role.

    Select the assessments that match the skills or behaviours for the position. You can test for software or coding competency, soft skills like teamwork, or personality traits, to be sure those who pass have high potential.

  • Reduce costs and time.

    No more laborious sifting of resumes or cover letters. Pick your ideal assessment mix, invite your applicants to take them, see the results in your dashboard. Get to the interview stage fast.

  • Eliminate bias.

    All your candidates take the assessments on a level playing field. Only their results determine whether they get shortlisted.

  • What are the benefits of using the principal skills test for pre-screening?

    A principal needs to be able to oversee the high-level operations of a school, and often has to deal with several different factors of educational provision at the same time. They are usually responsible for ensuring that the learning environment is safe and providing adequately for the children while monitoring and supporting teachers and staff.

    The principal needs to provide leadership to their staff members and the school as a whole, and they need to be able to set learning goals and benchmarks that are relevant to the educational environment. They need to be able to provide discipline to students where necessary and intervene to help those students that might be struggling for one reason or another.

    When recruiting for a new principal, recruiters will be using qualifications and experience as a prerequisite, which is useful for the paper sift of CVs and application forms. However, the skills and aptitudes that point towards future success are not as easy to assess by reading a CV, and they aren't always easy to gauge during an interview, either. This is where using the principal skills test can make the recruitment process easier.

    A successful principal needs to be able to demonstrate that they have the right level of communication skills, as well as the great organization and time management. They also need to be excellent leaders while also working well as part of a team. Negotiation and delegation are other important soft skills - and all of these aptitudes can be shown by the candidates in the principal skills test.

    For the recruitment team, the results that each candidate gets from the assessment can be used as quantifiable evidence of which candidates should be taken further in the process. Every candidate answers the same questions, so the results are fair and unbiased, which makes them an excellent way to filter through a large pool of similarly qualified candidates to handpick the ones who are most likely to be successful - and only take these through to the next stage of the process.

More Job Skills Tests

How our test measures principal skills

Test questions are designed to assess industry-specific technical skills, soft skills, aptitude and suitable personality dimensions. Our data-driven approach provides results that enable you to determine how suited is a candidate for the role.

Depending on the type of question, the format of the test may vary. Multiple-choice questions are used to measure aptitude, technical skills and soft skills, while agreement on a Likert scale assesses suitable personality dimensions. Skills tests ensure that candidates are being evaluated in a precise and impartial manner, their results demonstrating the true knowledge and potential of each test taker.

The characteristics required to be a principal were determined by looking at the skills and abilities listed in the US Department of Labor’s O*NET database, which collects data from professionals in various fields.

O*NET is the largest database of its kind, providing detailed information about occupations and the requirements for each role.

Our team of I/O psychologists and psychometrics worked closely with subject-matter experts to create an extensive question bank that can be used to test multiple candidates. We also conducted rigorous field testing with a representative sample of candidates to ensure that the questions were reliable and valid.

Test scores are averaged together to give an overall score. The average score is compared to other candidates' scores to ensure there is no bias toward certain candidates.

Our principal test is constantly updated and optimized to ensure the best experience and results.

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Validated

Predictor of job success

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).

  • Assessments

    A full suite of assessments

    Our platform comes with 12 tests across both foundation and advanced levels so they’re suitable for everyone. Including aptitude, behavioural and personality tests, you’ll have a full range of tests to help you find the candidates you’re seeking.

  • Analytics

    An array of candidate metrics

    For each of your candidates, you’ll be given a comprehensive report. Included will be all the metrics you need to build a detailed picture of each candidate and ensure you’re making the right hiring decisions.

“The platform is so simple to use. I had used competitor providers for over six years and will never go back. Fast, efficient and friendly!”
Greg Chambers, HR Business Partner, Littlefish Ltd
Greg Chambers, HR Business Partner, Littlefish Ltd

Principal Test FAQs

What skills should I look for when hiring a principal?

When hiring a principal, you should look for high levels of communication and leadership skills, as well as organization, presentation, and delegation. Principals have to be accountable and responsible as well as adaptable enough to move with the times.

Is this test timed?

The principal skills test is timed, which is part of the way each candidate is assessed - they are put under pressure to see how well they can perform, much like they would be in the role.

Can I see what the test is like?

Yes, of course. You can try the test for free by signing up for a free trial.

Are these tests available in my plan?

We have a range of plans available. The difference between the plans is the number of test attempts permitted, not the type of tests. All our plans include our full test suite comprising all tests and all levels.

“An unbeatable service, impressive platform and fantastic value for money.”
Laurence Fishman, Partner, NLPCA
Laurence Fishman, Partner, NLPCA

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