Perfect Test Score in 2 Minutes?
I just had a candidate bid a job who had just signed up yesterday and had scored a perfect 5.0 1st Place on the Odesk readiness score in only 2 minutes. I couldn't even read the questions in two minutes. Needless to say, I didn't hire them. If they'll cheat on a test, they'll cheat on the project.
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Score: 3.3, Votes: 4
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mauxi 97 posts - Philippines - Joined Jan 05 2009
How can you cheat on an open book test? Were there other warning signs that the provider was no good besides the 2-minute perfect 5 score?
My first US English test was finished under 5 minutes with a score over 4. And I am not a native speaker. Will you also reject me if you saw that?
I'm just wondering
no offense meant 
dansims 18 posts - United States - Joined Mar 06 2009
The fact that the test is open book further validates the point. How can you look up the answer to 40 different questions in 2 minutes? On an English test, you can be educated and know the material. On an Odesk readiness test, you have to open the software and locate menu buttons etc. I would not have a problem if it was an English test or a programming test. But an Odesk readiness test? Not so much.
rickard 90 posts
@dansims:
none of them looks up the info in 2 minutes!
Many of those (non-native English speaking) providers only do one or max two tests! The Odesk readyness test is allowed to be retaken from one second to another!- So, thats what they do, propably re-taking the test a 100 times 'till they have memorized all the answers ....(looks little funny if the basic english skill test displays only 20%, but I guess they don't know how to hide the "basic english skills" test results
Any of the other Odesk tests can be retaken only after 1 month.
Anyhow, you can always ask a provider to be available on skype, make a free skype to skype voice call BEFORE hiring and talk to the person.
P.S. : By the way on my first Odesk readyness test I scored only approx. 45% in 20 minutes and in the second one I scored 95% in 9 minutes. To prove my real skills I have taken 10 different tests and additionally, because verbal communication is crucial, I provide a local
phone number (in the employers country) and divert all calls to my cellphone. (So, I am available 24/7 at local call rates) - Of course, I don't apply for 20 cents per hour data entry jobs
cheers,
Rick
dansims 18 posts - United States - Joined Mar 06 2009
@rickard
I didn't know the ORT could be retaken immediately. I thought there is a 30 day waiting period berfore retaking all tests. That's why I thought it was strange that a new user signed up and took the test for the first time and aced it in 2 minutes. In fact he aced or was in the top 10% on few of them and never took more than 5 minutes. That's very impressive.
mauxi 97 posts - Philippines - Joined Jan 05 2009
but what if the person actually took the time to study the whole help section before taking the test?
The tests section in a profile does not show how many times he took the test. maybe that was his first time or maybe his fiftieth time. Maybe he passed it before and he decided to re-take it to increase his score.
Here is my usual way of answering tests that are usually easy:
1. When the question appears, my eyes pick out the words that are essential to finding the correct answer. It only takes less 5 seconds for me to do this if the questions is less than 10 words.
2. If I already knew the answer, I choose it then on to the next one. If I am not sure what to answer, I do the process of elimination.
My connection was too slow that's why my Odesk test was 8 minutes for that score.
dmartel 352 posts
My opinions here are my own and not necessarily those of oDesk.
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Hi,
I hear where you are coming from. But, I also wanted to ask you to take a look at this: https://url.odesk.com/5sv3n
I admit to having been on oDesk a while but frankly, the Readiness Test is easily passed very quickly by anyone who reviews the TOS. In fact, please look at some of my other scores as well and you'll see I have scored VERY HIGH on English Test (4.9/9 mins/40 questions) is a great example.
Some people may not be able to read/absorb that number of questions that quickly but it is not impossible for some of us either.
Doreen
jpittenger
If this were any other test I would be concerned. But it is entirely possible to take the ORT in 2 minutes if you know your stuff. It's only 20 questions and you can retake that test as many times as necessary. It's not intended to be difficult - it's intended to make sure you're familiar with the basics.
You'll see on my profile it took me 13 minutes - but I was proof-reading and link-checking as I went. I'd easily be under 5 if I retook it.
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mmccormick 64 posts - Canada - Joined Apr 05 2008
Actually, I have seen programming language tests passed in only 3 or 4 minutes with a high score.
msayno 116 posts - Philippines - Joined Feb 05 2008
I wish I can read like that... if I can do 20 questions in 2 minutes... I guess I'll be done in 4 minutes for a 40-item exam.... LOL
( and who knows, in the future, we don't even have to read .. when we have a full use of our brain's capacity..like those sci-fi flicks )