Basic Skills Test (BST®)

Use the Basic Skills Test (BST®) to assess 15 skills including vocabulary, problem solving, language, reading, computation for identifying fundamental reasoning, numerical, perceptual abilities of applicants for clerical, administrative and customer service roles.

About this Test

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.  Before you invest time and money to train a new employee, test your applicants for:

  • Reasoning
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Arithmetic Computation
  • Math Ability
  • Problem Solving
  • Filing

This test provides the answers you need to make informed hiring and promotion decisions.

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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. As well, the tests have been validated to ensure accuracy and to eliminate bias with respect to race and gender.

The BST 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
  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:

  • Verbal Ability

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

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

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

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

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

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:

  • Reasoning

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

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:

  • Reasoning

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 Ability
  • Reasoning
  • Perceptual 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:

  • Reasoning
  • Perceptual 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

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

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

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

 

 

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Additional information

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Use the Basic Skills Test (BST®) to assess 15 skills including vocabulary, problem solving, language, reading, computation for identifying fundamental reasoning, numerical, perceptual abilities of applicants for clerical, administrative and customer service roles.

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