Error Checking Test: Overview & Free Practice Questions

Though less frequently used in recent days, error checking tests are crucial to many positions that need attention to detail and accuracy skills. Therefore, this test is still prevalent in the hiring process of prestigious companies, provided by renowned test providers like SHL or Saville.

This article will provide deep insights into error checking tests: a brief introduction, common question types with practice examples, and preparation advice to ace the tests.

What is an error checking test?

Error checking tests are aptitude tests that require candidates to detect errors in datasets or text. The tests are often tightly timed, while their difficulty and format vary among test providers, such as SHL, Saville, or Korn Ferry. Error checking tests are a helpful tool to find the best fit in roles requiring attention to detail, like finance, accounting, or engineering.

Usually, there are 3 main question types in error checking tests, namely:

• Find the identical string: you must select the option that matches a given string correctly.
• Verify conclusions: the question asks you to determine whether the statements about given data are right or wrong.
• Spot the differences: you are required to identify all the differences between 2 or more sets of data.

 

Why companies use error checking tests?

Companies use error checking tests in their hiring process to assess candidates’ ability to pay attention to details and identify errors. These are crucial capabilities that guarantee the quality of work and productivity of individuals.

Nevertheless, error checking tests are now less common in the assessment round of companies due to their lack of reasoning and cognitive skills. Therefore, this cognitively simple test is only used occasionally for specific roles requiring detail-oriented people, such as accountants, editors, or data analysts.

Three common error checking question types

Though assessing the same skills, error checking questions can take various formats depending on different test providers. Generally, there are 3 main question types that are prevalent: Find the identical string, Verify conclusions, and Spot the differences.

Find the identical string

In Find the identical string, respondents are asked to match the given data with its identical expression among multiple choices. The hard part of this type is that the possible answers are very similar, which can cause candidates mistaken and confused. Here is an example of this question type from SHL:

Answer: C

Verify conclusions

In Verify conclusions, you are shown a table with various specs followed by a list of statements, from which you need to select the accurate judgment about the expression of an item. This question type is commonly used in Saville error checking tests, which is illustrated as follows:

Answer: The entire item is correct

Spot the differences

Spot-the-differences questions require candidates to compare 2 or more data sets, then identify inconsistencies between them. Let’s examine a sample question from Korn Ferry, a test publisher of this error checking question type:

Answer: No-Yes-No-Yes-No-Yes

Error checking questions with answers

Practice Question 1: Find the identical string: NKF95268WS

A. NFK95268WS
B. NKF95286WS
C. NKF95268WS
D. NKF95268US

Answer: C

Practice Question 2: Are the two sets of information the same for each row?

Answer: No - Yes - Yes - No - No - Yes

Practice Question 3: Select the option(s) which apply:

A. The entire item is correct
B. There is an error in the Student Name
C. There is an error in the Student ID
D. There is an error in the Gender
E. There is an error in the Phone Number

Answer: B

Practice Question 4: Are the two sets of information the same for each row?

Answer: Yes- Yes - No - Yes - No - Yes

Frequently asked questions

Are error checking tests aptitude tests?

Yes, error checking is among the popular aptitude tests, which assess candidates’ ability to identify errors and evaluate the accuracy of complex information.

Which jobs are the error checking test relevant for?

Error checking test is often used in the selection process of jobs that require a great deal of meticulous attention to detail. Here is a list of professions in which error checking tests should be applied:

• Accountant/Bookkeeper
• Data analyst
• Financial analyst
• Engineer
• Editor
• Designer
• …

Which test providers have error checking tests?

Some notable publishers of error checking tests are SHL, Saville, and Korn Ferry (Talent Q). However, this test type is decreasingly used in the recruitment process due to its being a poor predictor of candidates’ performance, specifically, no reasoning skills are included.

How to pass the error checking test?

Since it requires no reasoning ability, error checking tests are considered one of the simplest aptitude tests. Still, there are some notes you have to bear in mind to avoid unwanted mistakes in this test type:

• Stay calm: Dealing with various data can be very confusing, so it is likely to mess up if you panic. Keep calm and have a clear mind when you compare and examine data sets.
• Read the instruction carefully: Though all asking to spot errors, the questions vary significantly in format. Make it clear what they ask you to do in your error checking tests.
• Practice as much as possible: Needless to say, this is one proven way to ace every test, not just error checking. Beforehand practice can help you familiarize yourself with the actual test and develop the required skills.