Basic Skills Test (BST®)

Screen candidates for clerical, administrative and customer service roles for basic skills such as language skills, numerical ability, reasoning and perceptual ability with the Basic Skills Test (BST^®) test.

The Basic Skills Test (BST®) Series of assessments measure fundamental skills, such as reasoning, numerical ability, perceptual ability, and verbal ability. For customer service, administrative, and clerical job tasks, the BSTs get to the root of determining if an applicant or employee is prepared to handle the tasks associated with the target job. Tests can be used for pre-employment, training and development, and job placement decisions.

• Consists of 15 individual tests – NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
• Each test measures isolated skill or ability
• Based on one of the most extensive commercial test development and validation projects ever undertaken
• Validated on over 17,000 employees in 62 organizations nationwide
• Widely used and accepted by large Fortune 1000 organizations

Select tests from the Basic Skills Test (BST®) battery to form batteries customized to meet your needs. Instructions to administrators and examinees are straightforward and easy to follow. Most tests take only 5 minutes to complete. The BST is the result of one of the most extensive commercial test development and validation projects ever undertaken, involving more than 17,000 employees in 62 organizations nationwide. Studies demonstrate the validity of the tests across clerical and customer service positions.

What They’re Best Used For

This battery is best used during the pre-employment screening phase or job placement process to determine if an applicant possesses the baseline intellectual tools required to handle everyday administrative duties.

• Targeting Office & Service Roles: It is ideal for vetting clerical staff, administrative assistants, bank tellers, bill collectors, and customer service representatives.
• Evaluating 4 Core Aptitude Pillars: Employers can isolate distinct skill sets by deploying tests across four categories: Verbal (Language, Reading, Vocabulary), Numerical (Computation, Problem Solving), Reasoning (Decision Making, Forms Checking), and Perceptual (Filing Names/Numbers, Visual Speed & Accuracy).
• Tailored Benchmarking: Test scores can be compared against role-specific industry norms, including dedicated metrics for general clerical workers, telecommunications staff, financial tellers, and private security professionals.
• Flexible Corporate Deployment: Available online or on paper (with oral and written direction modules restricted to paper-only formats), the tests are written in English and Spanish, provide quick online reports, and are fully legal for use in Canada.

The Basic Skills Test consists of the following measures:

1. BST 1 – Language Skills
2. BST 2 – Reading Comprehension
3. BST 3 – Vocabulary
4. BST 4 – Computation
5. BST 5 – Problem Solving
6. BST 6 – Decision Making
7. BST 7 – Following Oral Directions – Available In Paper Only
8. BST 8 – Following Written Directions – Available In Paper Only
9. BST 9 – Forms Checking
10. BST 10 – Reasoning
11. BST 11 – Classifying
12. BST 12 – Coding
13. BST 13 – Filing Names
14. BST 14 – Filing Numbers
15. BST 15 – Visual Speed & Accuracy

 

Basic Skills Test (BST®)	Reasoning	Perception	Numerical	Verbal
BST 1 – Language Skills				X
BST 2 – Reading Comprehension	X			X
BST 3 – Vocabulary				X
BST 4 – Computation			X
BST 5 – Problem Solving			X
BST 6 – Decision Making	X
BST 7 – Following Oral Directions	X
BST 8 – Following Written Directions	X
BST 9 – Forms Checking	X	X
BST 10 – Reasoning	X
BST 11 – Classifying	X	X		X
BST 12 – Coding	X	X
BST 13 – Filing Names		X
BST 14 – Filing Numbers		X
BST 15 – Visual Speed & Accuracy		X

 

BST 1 – Language Skills

The examinee reads a sentence, part of which is underlined, and then determines whether the underlined section contains errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, or usage.

The BST 1 measures

• Ability to Use Words Correctly
• Capitalization
• Exhibits Ability to Spell
• Grammar
• Knowledge of English Language
• Punctuation

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – Financial
• Customer Service Representatives – Telecommunications
• Teller

 

BST 2 – Reading Comprehension

The examinee reads a passage and then answers questions based on the content.

The BST 2 measures:

• Verbal Ability
• Reasoning
• Reading Comprehension

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical-BST & ViewPoint
• Bill and Account Collectors
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – Financial
• Private Security Professionals

 

BST 3 – Vocabulary

The examinee reads a sentence containing an underlined word followed by a list of four words. The examinee then selects the word that is closest in meaning to the underlined word.

The BST 3 measures:

• Verbal Ability
• Ability to Use Words Correctly
• Knowledge of English Language

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint

 

BST 4 – Computation

The examinee reads an arithmetic expression and selects the correct answer or indicates that the correct answer is not listed.

The BST 4 measures:

• Numerical Ability
• Solving Numerical Problems

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical – BST & ViewPoint
• Administrative Personnel
• Clerk/Office/Purchasing and Materials
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – Financial
• Customer Service Representatives – Telecommunications
• Teller

 

BST 5 – Problem Solving

The examinee reads a word problem, applies the appropriate arithmetic operations, and then selects the correct answer or indicates that none is correct.

The BST 5 measures:

• Numerical Ability
• Solving Numerical Problems

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical-BST & ViewPoint
• Bill and Account Collectors
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – Financial
• Customer Service Representatives – Telecommunications
• Private Security Professionals

 

BST 6 – Decision Making

The examinee reads a set of procedures followed by a corresponding set of action codes. The examinee uses the information to determine the best course of action for each problem.

The BST 6 measures:

• Reasoning
• Reading Comprehension

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint

 

BST 8 – Following Written Directions

The examinee reads a set of rules and determines what action to take in various situations by applying the rules.

The BST 8 measures:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Reading Comprehension

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical – BST & ViewPoint
• Administrative Personnel
• Bill and Account Collectors
• Clerk/Office/Purchasing and Materials
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – Financial
• Customer Service Representatives – Telecommunications
• Field Clerk
• Teller

 

BST 9 – Forms Checking

The examinee reads a paragraph and then checks to see if a corresponding form has been completed correctly on the basis of information presented in the paragraph.

The BST 9 measures:

• Reasoning
• Perceptual Ability
• Graphic Representations of Data

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical-BST & ViewPoint
• Bill and Account Collectors
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – Financial
• Teller

 

BST 10 – Reasoning

The examinee reads a list of facts and a corresponding list of conclusions and then indicates whether each conclusion is true, false, or indeterminable.

The BST 10 measures:

• Verbal Reasoning Ability

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical-BST & ViewPoint
• Bill and Account Collectors
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – Financial

 

BST 11 – Classifying

The examinee reads a chart containing a list of categories with corresponding code numbers. The examinee then classifies items into the appropriate categories.

The BST 11 measures:

• Verbal Reasoning Ability

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical – BST & ViewPoint
• Administrative Personnel
• Clerk/Office/Purchasing and Materials
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – Telecommunications
• Private Security Professionals

 

BST 12 – Coding

The examinee reads a table containing a list of items classified into categories, each item with a unique code. The examinee then reads a new set of information and selects the correct code from five alternatives for each item in the set.

The BST 12 measures:

• Verbal Reasoning Ability

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – Telecommunications
• Teller

 

BST 13 – Filing Names

The examinee reads a name that is to be filed in alphabetical order within a group of other names. The examinee then “files” the name by marking the correct position in the group.

The BST 13 measures:

• Perceptual Ability
• Processing Speed

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint

 

BST 14 – Filing Numbers

The examinee reads a number that is to be filed in numerical order within a group of other numbers. The examinee then “files” the number by marking the correct position in the group.

The BST 14 measures

• Perceptual Ability
• Processing Speed

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint

 

BST 15 – Visual Speed & Accuracy

The examinee reads a pair of characters that may contain symbols, numbers or letters. The examinee then indicates whether the pair is the same or different.

The BST 15 measures

• Perceptual Ability
• Processing Speed

Norm options available include:

• Administrative / Clerical – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – BST & ViewPoint
• Customer Service Representatives – Financial
• Customer Service Representatives – Telecommunications

 

ONLINE Versions	Job Level	Type	Items	Time	Proctored
1 – Language Skills	Individual Contributor; Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical; Supervisory	All	25	5	Yes
2 – Reading Comprehension	Individual Contributor; Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical; Supervisory	All	23	10	Yes
3 – Vocabulary	Individual Contributor; Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical; Supervisory	All	45	5	Yes
4 – Computation	Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical; Office	All	40	5	Yes
5 – Problem Solving	Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical; Professional	All	25	10	Yes
6 – Decision Making	Individual Contributor; Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical; Supervisory	All	20	5	Yes
8 – Following Written Directions	Individual Contributor; Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical; Supervisory; Production/Mechanic	All	36	5	Yes
9 – Forms Checking	Individual Contributor; Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical	All	42	5	Yes
10 – Reasoning	Individual Contributor; Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical; Supervisory	All	30	5	Yes
11 – Classifying	Individual Contributor; Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical	All	48	5	Yes
12 – Coding	Individual Contributor; Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical; Supervisory	All	72	5	Yes
13 – Filing Names	Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical	All	50	2	Yes
14 – Filing Numbers	Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical	All	75	2	Yes
15 – Visual Speed & Accuracy	Customer Service; Administrative; Clerical	All	150	5	Yes