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Free oDesk Skill Tests
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oDesk provides free online skill tests on a range of topics from Adobe applications to English grammar to XML. We are continually adding and revising our test selection, so check back regularly. And be sure to take to showcase your newly acquired skills!
We offer a basic outline syllabus to review before the test, but we do not offer a complete study-guide. oDesk tests are intended for showcasing your existing skills, not assisting to learning new ones.
oDesk also offers the oDesk Readiness Test to help acquaint new providers with our system. Providers' job application quotas are restricted until they pass this test.
You can screen for qualified providers through the list of tests or the provider search feature. (Read more about advanced searches for providers.) You may even use our skill tests as preferred qualifications on your job post! When you simply want to browse provider who have passed a particular test:
- Go to Find Providers & Jobs > Tests.
- Browse the complete list of tests, filter it by Category or search for a specific Title. The list of tests can be sorted by clicking on the table headers (ID, Title, Category, Qualified Providers, Tests Taken, Test Scores.)
- Click the View Providers link in the Actions column.
All tests are scored on a scale of 0.0 to 5.0 (5.0 being the highest possible score). The 'passing' level for most tests is 2.5 out of 5.0. Individual test scores are also assigned a percentile rank to show their relative position in the distribution of scores. Our percentiles are calculated using a complex normalizing formula (read more about it on Wikipedia).
Only providers who have passed and made the test score public on their profile will appear as qualified in your search. Others may have passed, but hidden their test results.
You can review the Syllabus and Test Statistics by clicking on the test's Title instead of View Providers.
All providers are eligible to take our free skill tests. Each test can be taken only once every 30 days (except the oDesk Readiness Test - that can be retaken immediately).
- Go to Find Providers & Jobs > Tests.
- Browse the complete list of tests, filter it by Category or search for a specific Title. The list of tests can be sorted by clicking on the table headers (ID, Title, Category, Qualified Providers, Tests Taken, Test Scores.)
- Click the Take Test link in the Actions column. Review the Syllabus and Rules. Press the Start Test button. You'll be taken to our testing partner's website. Review their Instructions carefully. Make sure you understand how many questions you'll need to answer and how long you have to complete the test. Then press the Continue button.
- The test will take a moment to configure and may take a little more time over a slower internet connection. Press the Click here to start your test button. Your test has now begun! Answer each question before moving on to the next. You can review previous questions, but you cannot edit their answers. Counters at the top tell you how many questions and how much time you have left.
- At the end of the test, you'll be shown Your Score and your Results by Topic. You can access this information again later in Profile & Settings > My Tests. When you're done reviewing your results, press the Continue without provide feedback or Continue and provider feedback on this test button. We'd greatly appreciate it if you could take a few moments to leave feedback. It will be read and used to improve the test.
If you encounter any problems with a specific test question, please use the Report an issue with this test question link. You can also let us know on the feedback form at the end of the test or by contacting Customer Support. These reports are used to improve the tests.
You can manage the tests you taken in Profile & Settings > My Tests My Tests. (Learn more about My Tests.)
Most tests work with standard browser settings. However, if you start a test and it tries to jump back to the previous screen, please check your browser settings. Make sure that popup windows, javascript and cookies are enabled. Some tests may also require Active scripting and Scripting in Java Applets.
Take as many as you'd like! We recommend that all new providers read through the list and take any test that corresponds with the skills you would like to showcase. There's no penalty for failing - and you're free to retake the test after 30 days. You can also hide the tests if you don't like your scores.
You may take as many tests and showcase as many skills as you'd like, may not be wise to leave them all visible on your profile. Generally, only better than average test scores public should be made public. That means at least the 50% percentile and preferably higher than 66%.
Are there so many tests you just don't know where to start? We suggest you take tests that:
- are listed as requested qualifications on jobs posts you're interested in. The buyer probably won't consider your application otherwise. Be sure your passing test score is public to be recognized as a qualified candidate.
- are featured on the profiles of providers in your field. You can click on other candidates with public profiles on job posts or do a provider search to size up your competition.
- not many other providers have taken (sort by Tests Taken to find these hidden gems). They may be new tests or unique skills - either way you'll really stand out to any buyer looking for that specific skill.
We developed the oDesk Readiness Test (ORT) to help familiarize providers with our most important features and policies. It is different from our other tests in several very important ways.
- The ORT is open-book. Every question is linked directly to the appropriate help page. (Sharing answers is still forbidden.)
- The ORT can be retaken immediately and as many times as necessary. There's no waiting period to retake this test.
- The passing score is 5.0 out of 5.0.
- Upon passing, you'll receive an oDesk Ready badge on your profile and appear in searches filtered for oDesk Ready providers.
- There are only 11 questions - significantly fewer than most other tests. This in combination with two points above means many providers display very short completion times.
Providers' job application quotas are restricted until they pass the test and are deemed oDesk Ready.
Exclusive affiliated contractors take a different version of the test. Staffing managers take the same version as independent contractors.
