Is online skill tests a good tool to judge the quality the users?

I think online skill tests are useful, but I think to truly show the quality of a user, it would be best to look at their portfolio and the types of projects that the user worked on. Some people may score great on tests, but cannot apply the skills to practical programming, while others, who are superb at their skill, do not perform on tests.

Also, there is no substitute for a good old fashioned interview to get a judge of character and how that user will do on your project. A user may be skilled but may lack the drive to get the project done on time or close to on time in a quality manner.

3 1 | By Ben Klein on Oct 14, 08 | Report Abuse

Regarding your question, I think you should say either "Are online skill tests..." or "Is an online skill test...", not "Is online skill tests."

And also go with "...the quality of the users", not "the quality the users".

Finally, in answer to your question, there's no substitute for real people testing you.

1 4 | By Ponahakeola on Oct 11, 08 | Report Abuse

No but it can help the buyer to select a qualified provider. you'll never know who are cheated or honestly take the online skill tests.
i think just looking on their resume/sample work/profile/etc..is enough to see if they are qualified.

1 2 | By Diana Marcelo on Oct 06, 08 | Report Abuse

Going by the experience of zita villanueva and others, I've some suggestions to make:
1. We can have an option to submit the score at the end of test.
2. We should be able to rate the effectiveness of the test itself. Answering questions on closures in JavaScript does not necessarily reflect that I'm a good JavaScript programmer.
3. I also see that the comments suggesting that it's easy to google up the answers have got only thumbs down votes. I fail to see the reason. Anybody with a reasonable reading and typing speed can easily google up 80% of the questions in the allotted time.
4. There should be subjective questions as well to assert how well a person can apply the facts that he has learnt. Sure, designing tests with subjective questions is not an easy task.

But hey, who is here to do an easy job? :)

2 1 | By Chandranshu c on Oct 03, 08 | Report Abuse

Well it is... But the test should also be "expert" in itself to judge us.... Expert rating is not. There are several glaring errors in the english language test itself (I am a language editor), and most tests seem to have been written and prepared newbies.

The same company provides the testing services "free of cost" at another website oDesk. There too, many language experts have found faults it the English tests, but the company hasn't made any changes as yet. (It's been two months...)

2 6 | By Abha Agarwal on Sep 30, 08 | Report Abuse

Absolutely not. I'm horrible at taking tests! But as me to design something for someone and I will nail out a design on the first or second try.

0 6 | By Bart Seltzer on Sep 30, 08 | Report Abuse

nope you never know who is taking them.

1 6 | By Erience LLC on Sep 29, 08 | Report Abuse

No, not really. The only way to separate the good from the great is by the projects they've worked on. Online skill tests are only there to help you make the decision of whether to hire the person or not since it seeks to quantify the knowledge of the person taking the test when in effect could not be quantified in the first place.

1 6 | By John Imbong Design on Sep 26, 08 | Report Abuse

As u say, it's just a tool not the standard

0 5 | By admax on Sep 24, 08 | Report Abuse

Not really also for me lol! I tried the test and click on the exam but i accidentally pointed to a wrong category which I am not expert in. I didn't cheated just took the exam unlucky I failed the exam X( i was not that sure about the questions. I know the tool just but not that much. so that gives a bad point for me? gezzz.

0 5 | By zita villanueva on Sep 24, 08 | Report Abuse

Yes, I believe it will help buyer to select qualified provider and even the provider will get to know where he/she stands and how much he is well versed with the subject or topic before executing any project, through online test a Service provider can feel more confident, Service Provider can impress Buyer through online skill test Scores.
By giving online test Service provider is also giving an impression that he is utilizing all possible resources, It will also help him/her in his/her future endures.

Bottom line is an extra skill set and focusing on the resources can give an edge on other, so just not think about money and a project, think about Jackpot and projects...utilize this opportunity now becoz right not Lime Exchange is offering 1 English proficiency Test and technical test free of cost and know one knows what will happen tomorrow may be we need to pay for this in the near future "so buddies don't miss out OPPURUNITIES"....

5 2 | By Sandy on Sep 23, 08 | Report Abuse

Not really, you can just google the answers. Time is really sufficient so its perfectly doable and besides knowing the answers in a test is not the same as applying them in a real situations. These tests only measure what you know but not how you do things. Its only one factor for the quality of the user but you cannot judge him entirely basing on that.

3 5 | By ertegggggggggg on Sep 23, 08 | Report Abuse

Not necessarily good.

1 4 | By SEO Partner on Sep 20, 08 | Report Abuse

online exams are easy to crack if you are a good researcher.

2 5 | By iCreative Media on Sep 20, 08 | Report Abuse

Hmm intersting point, I used to tutor at an IT college where every student had to sit a microsoft exam (MCP, Office exam) and 99% of students passed.... and loads of them did very little study. I am not sure how the online exams are done now, but its normally quite easy to get the answers to the questions.
I do think that the online stuff is a good way to prove you have some knowledge but you still need the practical time as well.

2 4 | By chillfire ltd on Sep 19, 08 | Report Abuse

Yes, it is a good idea, this will help to check the suitability of the person required for a particular job. Also it gives a good idea of the person hired.

5 1 | By BENJAMIN AWOH on Sep 18, 08 | Report Abuse

Yes, it is helpful for self capability test. he service gets to know what is his position.

And english being an international language also helps the buyers to choose professionals.

But the problem if you take the test once and get dc you cannot retake until the next date given.

Regards

3 2 | By 2modes on Sep 17, 08 | Report Abuse

yes it could help the buyer to select qualified provider.
Thanks
SyedIrfanAhmed

3 2 | By SifyTech Inc on Sep 17, 08 | Report Abuse

Absolutely Yes, This is the best way for judging the quality of users.
This way the users can justify the skills he/she has mentioned in the profile. This is like a self assessment by which a user can evaluate himself.
Since sometime the buyer has to check the full profile and skill sets of service providers who have placed the bid on his project. Now the task will be easy for the buyer also to judge whether the skills mentioned in one's profile are up to the mark or not.
Regarding the tests I would like to mention that LimeExchange has provided a number of categories and subjects where a service provider can check his/her skills.

* Best part is that "English proficiency" test is free of cost.
* One free "Technical test" as an introductory offer has been provided to all users.

As compared to other similar web portals LimeExchange has added a Unique feature which will surely make a huge difference for all users to work with ease.

6 3 | By Peeyush Techie on Sep 16, 08 | Report Abuse

Not really. Funny, but they ask questions that quite frankly nobody would ever in most graphic design situations.

0 5 | By Torch Designs on Sep 15, 08 | Report Abuse

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