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The Workplace Observation Assessment

In our years of research, we’ve discovered that observation skills are the most used in the workplace—and the most overlooked as a critical foundational job skill. So while many real-world job skills are learned through observation on the job, employers have traditionally underestimated—or ignored—their value.

The Workplace Observation assessment measures skills in observing, following, understanding, and evaluating processes, demonstrations, and other workplace procedures.

Number of items: 35

Method of delivery: Online

Test length: 55 minutes

Workplace Observation is a new assessment. It is not simply observation with new scenarios.

What it Measures

Characteristics/Skills

Workplace observation includes a broad range of skills—from a low level up to a significantly higher level of observation skill. The assessment covers 5 levels. Level 1 is the least complex, and Level 5 is the most complex.

Level 1

Following the Observed. Test takers will observe and imitate all or parts of a simple demonstration, process, or procedure.

• Maintain focus on a short demonstration, process, pattern, or procedure
• Repeat a short, straightforward demonstration, process, pattern, or procedure
• Recognize an incorrect or missing step

Level 2

Interpreting the Observed. Test takers will be required to interpret simple instructions, demonstrations, processes, or procedures.

• Recognize cause and effect in a straightforward demonstration, process, pattern, or procedure
• Identify course of action to take given a single condition
• Filter out obvious distractions

Level 3

Synthesizing the Observed. Test takers will be able to combine more than one step that has been presented in an observed demonstration, procedure, or process while filtering multiple distractions that may make remembering details difficult.

• Process information from a more complex procedure or process
• Distinguish steps that seem similar but are different based on varying factors
• Apply information to a similar situation

Level 4

Analyzing the Observed. Test takers will need to make inferences, anticipate outcomes, and/or extrapolate information from an observed demonstration, procedure, or process.

• Make inferences from a demonstrated process or procedure
• Deduce from a partial or non-explicit pattern, process, or procedure
• Decide which conditions apply to a new situation
• Determine general principle(s) underlying a condition, process, or procedure
• Apply complicated instructions to new situations

Level 5

Evaluating the Observed. Test takers will evaluate which alternative is best based on a previous observation and make evaluative judgments about what has been observed.

• Evaluate whether something is or is not a distraction (relevance)
• In a context where information is not complete and when presented with a new situation, be able to judge the best course of action
• Make predictions, test hypotheses
• Consider the implications of a process or procedure
• Prioritize and apply principles to reach desired outcome

Test Format and Scoring

The Workplace Observation test is administered by computer. The appropriate directions, a tutorial, and help screens guide the examinees as they take the exam. When the test is initiated by the examinee, the first scenario is presented once, then the items associated with that scenario are presented one at a time to the examinee, who can respond and proceed at his/her own pace. Scenarios can only be viewed once, and once an item has been answered, the examinee is unable to return to that item. The response is entered by clicking a check box next to the desired answer and clicking a button to proceed. At the end of the testing session, the test is scored immediately and results are made available to the administrator online.

Technical Facts

• The test is presented online via WorkKeys Internet Version and accessed through a connection with ACT. Answers are recorded onscreen.
• 55 minutes of test time allowed.
• Questions are answered at each examinee's individual pace.
• The assessment includes 12 scenarios and 35 scored questions.
• The assessment covers 5 skill levels: Level 1 reflects the simplest skill level and Level 5 the highest and most complex.