Work Samples

The U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board wrote this report to the president and Congress to help federal agencies improve how they assess job candidates. In addition to summarizing existing research on the effectiveness of various assessment methods, including work sample demonstrations, the report examines how training and experience is assessed, identifies challenges in obtaining accurate and useful information from applicants, and provides strategies for improving assessments. 

The University of Western Australia presents examples, advantages, disadvantages of work sample tests and instructions on how to create a work sample test. The work sample tests described here can be used to evaluate a variety of candidate characteristics and skills including critical thinking, organizational ability, ability to focus under a time constraint, and public speaking.