How to take an oDesk skills test?

How to take an oDesk skills test?

The Basics

oDesk provides hundreds of free skill tests in a range of topics from Adobe applications to English grammar to XML. When you pass an oDesk skills test, you highlight your skills to potential clients and make yourself more hireable. Take as many tests as you want—just make sure the test corresponds with the skills you want to present to potential clients.

Don’t worry—there’s no penalty for failing a skills test, and it’s free to retake the test after 30 days. You can also hide any tests scores you do not like.

oDesk also offers the oDesk Readiness Test to help acquaint new freelancers with our system. Your job application quota will be restricted until you pass this test. The good news is that, if you fail this test, you can retake it immediately.


The Background

Here are some suggestions to help you decide which skills tests you should take:

• If you see a job post that you are interested in, take the skills tests that correspond to the requested qualifications. The client may not consider your application otherwise. After you take those tests, be sure your passing test score is public so clients can recognize you as a qualified candidate. 
• Take tests featured on the profiles of freelancers in your field. Take a look at the applicants with public profiles on jobs, or do a search for freelancers to see the tests your competition has taken.

Although oDesk does not provide study guides, you can review an outline of the topics that will appear on our skills tests by looking at the basic syllabi provided for each test.

Occasionally, an oDesker will encounter a problem with a particular test question. If you do, please report your problem by clicking the Report an Issue with This Test Question link while you’re taking the test. You can also let us know after you finish the test by contacting Customer Support. We use these reports to improve the tests.

The Details

To find and take a free skills test:

1. Click the Find Work tab, and then click My Tests. 
2. Click the Take tests button. 
3. You can browse the complete list of tests, filter them by category (click the All Categories drop-down), or search for a test you want.
4. Select a test and click its title. Review the syllabus and rules. 
5. Click the Start Test button, which links to our testing partner's website. Review their instructions carefully. Make sure you understand how many questions you will need to answer and how long you have to complete the test. Then, click the Start Test button. 
6. The test will take a moment to configure and may take a little more time over a slower Internet connection. Click the Click here to start your test button. 
7. Answer each question before you move on to the next. You can review previous questions, but you cannot edit their answers. Counters at the top tell you the number of questions and how much time you have left. 
8. At the end of the test, you can view both your score and your results by topic. You can also choose to leave feedback on the test. (Please do! We’ll read and use your feedback to improve the tests.)

Additionally, you are required to comply with the following regulations while taking oDesk Skills Tests:

• Any attempt to take a test on behalf of someone else is prohibited. 
• You are not allowed to obtain improper access to the test or any part of the test before you take it by observing someone else take the test, discussing questions or answers with someone else who took the test, looking up test questions or answers online, etc. 
• It is expressly prohibited to disclose, publish, reproduce or transmit any part of the oDesk Skills Tests, in any form, by any means, visual, verbal, or written, for any purpose without the express written permission from oDesk. Taking screen shots during any test is strictly prohibited. 
• The tests are meant to be taken by a single individual only. Do not collaborate with other test-takers or refer to their screens, testing materials, or written notes while taking the test. Do not copy questions and/or answers or share them with other test-takers.