Within a day, the client receives a detailed evaluation report describing the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate. An increasing number of tests also are available over the Internet, with the job candidates sending their answers to the scoring centre electronically. Most tests are available in English and French. The Wolfe Aptitude Assessment Battery Programming test, easily Walden's bestseller, is also available in Spanish and Braille. Prices include the test itself, as well as grading and the evaluation report.
Graders are also available to discuss a particular individual's results.
The savings from one wrong hire will pay for years and years worth of tests. Stephanie Brown, a project manager with the State of California's Employment Development Department, says her organization probably saved thousands of dollars in training costs when it used one of Walden's aptitude tests to fill eight computer-programming vacancies. After failing to find experienced external candidates, the department decided to offer aptitude tests to its current employees, regardless of prior programming experience. More than 300 employees accepted the offer and, from there, eight were chosen, including some who had never before used a computer, but had scored highest on the aptitude test. But despite the tests' proven success at predicting aptitude, Silver is quick to caution companies not to rely solely on the test results when assessing job candidates.