How to Assess Soft Skills in Candidates: The Proven, Research-Backed Method
How to assess soft skills with reliable, science-backed methods proven to improve hiring accuracy and efficiency.
1. Test Partnership
Test Partnership
Test Partnership is a leading UK-based provider of scientifically validated assessments focused on measuring cognitive ability and soft skills, the two strongest predictors of job performance, particularly in early-career hiring. Their tools help employers objectively assess cognitive ability (numerical, verbal, logical, etc.) and traits such as problem solving, learning potential, communication style, resilience, and teamwork, where CV screening and interviews consistently fall short. Designed specifically for mid-sized organisations, the platform balances enterprise-grade psychometrics with practical setup, fast deployment, and high candidate completion rates.
Test Partnership specialises in assessing general mental ability, soft skills, and behavioural traits rather than narrow technical knowledge tests. This approach is proven to deliver far higher predictive accuracy for on-the-job performance, especially for graduate, apprentice, and high-volume early-career roles where experience is limited and potential matters most. Employers can build tailored test batteries combining cognitive, behavioural, and situational judgement assessments to match the demands of each role.
Test Partnership applies multiple layers of protection against AI-assisted cheating. Their traditional assessments use AI detection methods alongside adaptive testing and large item banks, ensuring candidates receive unique test experiences that are difficult to share, script, or game. For organisations seeking the highest level of protection, Test Partnership also offers fully AI-proof Dynamic Assessments — interactive, game-based exercises that cannot be solved using generative AI at all.
These dynamic assessments are shorter, more engaging, and provide a far better candidate experience while maintaining strong predictive accuracy. This makes them particularly well-suited to high-volume and early-career recruitment, where fairness, test completion rates, and candidate perception are critical alongside assessment security.
2. SHL
SHL
SHL is one of the most established global assessment providers, known for its large catalogue of traditionally validated cognitive and personality assessments. Its tools are widely used by enterprise organisations and global employers that prioritise decades-long benchmarking, formal job profiling processes, and large-scale programme delivery. SHL’s assessments are designed to support high-stakes hiring decisions across a broad range of roles, supported by extensive norm groups and compliance standards.
SHL offers one of the largest libraries of pre-built assessments on the market, covering cognitive ability, personality, situational judgement, and job-specific testing across a wide variety of seniority levels. Candidates are benchmarked against large international norm groups, enabling detailed high-level reporting for enterprise workforce planning.
SHL’s platform is built primarily for large, complex organisations with dedicated HR and talent science teams. Implementation and configuration typically involve longer setup times, more professional services support, and higher licensing costs than newer mid-market platforms. As a result, SHL is generally better suited to enterprise employers managing global or highly regulated hiring programmes rather than small or mid-sized businesses looking for fast deployment and agile workflows.
SHL’s solutions are designed to scale across large multinational organisations, supporting multiple languages, compliance frameworks, and high assessment volumes. For employers running large global workforce programmes, this scale can be valuable. For mid-market and growth-stage companies, however, the platform’s cost structure and complexity may outweigh the practical benefits when more streamlined, modern alternatives are available.
3. Korn Ferry (Talent Q)
Korn Ferry
Talent Q, part of Korn Ferry, distinguishes itself through its dynamic and flexible talent assessment solutions, tailored to meet the unique needs of modern organizations. Its adaptive assessments adjust the difficulty level based on candidate responses, providing a more accurate measurement of abilities while enhancing the candidate experience. This adaptive approach ensures precise evaluations and maintains engagement throughout the assessment process.
A key feature of Talent Q is its high degree of customization. Organizations can tailor assessments to evaluate specific competencies relevant to their needs, aligning the evaluations with job requirements and organizational goals. This customization, combined with a comprehensive suite of assessments covering cognitive abilities, personality traits, situational judgment, and job-specific skills, allows for a holistic evaluation of candidates, leading to more informed hiring decisions.
Leveraging the expertise and resources of Korn Ferry, Talent Q integrates advanced analytics and reporting capabilities to provide detailed insights into candidate performance. These insights facilitate better decision-making and talent development strategies. With a strong global presence, Talent Q supports organizations across various regions and industries, offering assessments in multiple languages and ensuring cultural adaptability. This combination of advanced technology, customization, and global reach makes Talent Q a standout choice for organizations looking to optimize their talent assessment processes.
Other skills assessment providers for consideration
Beyond our top recommendations of Test Partnership, SHL, and Korn Ferry, there are many other skills assessment providers serving different hiring needs and budgets. We’ve listed a wider selection below to give a broader view of the market and help you explore alternative options depending on the roles, volumes, and assessment styles you’re looking for.
| Provider | Ideal for |
|---|---|
| Canditech | Employers wanting business-simulation style tests for problem solving and work-sample assessment. |
| ThriveMap | Teams focused on culture and role-fit using bespoke scenario assessments. |
| HackerRank | Technical hiring where live coding tests and developer challenges are needed. |
| Adaface | Chat-based technical screening for software and data roles. |
| Codility | Structured technical evaluation using timed coding challenges. |
| Vervoe | Skills-first hiring using applied tasks and automated grading models. |
| HireVue Assessments | Volume screening that blends short assessments with structured async workflows. |
| Alva Labs | Nordic-based firms wanting evidence-based cognitive and personality benchmarking. |
| Brainhire | Employers seeking barrier-focused psychometrics designed to reduce adverse impact. |
| iMocha | Skills-based screening for technical, IT, and digital roles using a large library of coding and skills tests. |
| MakiPeople | Customer service and sales hiring using performance-validated scenarios. |
| HiringBranch | High-volume screening using video, chat, and automated interview workflows for roles like retail, hospitality, and call centres. |
| TeamTrait | Behavioural and personality-based screening for culture fit, teamwork, and frontline hiring where soft skills matter most. |
| Pymetrics | Large-scale entry-level hiring focused on fairness-oriented behavioural gaming tasks. |
| Talogy | Teams wanting flexible custom assessments without heavy enterprise vendor lock-in. |
