How to create a Test (New Process)

How to create a Test (New Process)

At Mercer | Mettl, we recognize that each client has distinct needs regarding assessments. Our platform enables you to create customized tests that align seamlessly with your requirements.

Based on the usage status the accounts are classified into two types:
i. Accounts having no active/created tests (Usually new accounts)
ii. Accounts already having at-least one test (for existing accounts)

Here’s how you can easily create a test that meets your specific goals.
The image below shows how the My Tests page looks like, when no test is created. To create a new test, we must select “Create Test”.


Once we select “Proceed”, a page opens where “Begin with Test Creation” will appear.

Test Information


Type of Test

We can choose to create 3 types of tests in Mettl. 
  1. Timed Test: Perfect for assessments with a strict duration.
  2. Deadline Based Test: Ideal for tests that need to be completed by a specific date. (Please contact your account executive for more details.)
  3. Practice Test: A great way to provide a test-taking experience without grading.
Select the kind of test you want to create, and then click on “Proceed”.


Specify the test name, select the test language and then select the use case of the test. Once this is done, click on "Proceed."  


Test Details

Please enter basic details before proceeding: 
  1. Test Name: The Test name should be unique for each test that we create.
  2. Language: By selecting this, we define the language which is to be displayed while loading and attempting the test. The selected language will only change the “Defaults” or “Generic” navigation buttons available on the test window (as shown in the below screenshot.) 
  3. Use Case: The use case of the test helps in drawing any purpose/project-based analytics from the test results. The use case of the test can be selected from the drop-down menu.  

Test Creation Process

The test creation process follows the following 4 step approach:
      Step 1: Select the Content – Choose the skills and questions you want to include in the test.
      Step 2: Structure the Test – Organize the selected content into a coherent format.
      Step 3: Test Settings – Configure the settings for the test.
      Step 4: Finalize the Test – Review and finalize the test before publishing.

Step 1: Select the Content

Choose the skills and questions you want to include in the test. Once you click on proceed you will be asked to select the content.
All skills/topics that were added under "My Questions" tab can be searched.  We can also search for topics/skills available in Mettl's Question library through Prebuilt Content.


All skills/topics that were added under "My Questions" tab can be searched. Alternatively, if given access, we can also search for topics/skills available in Mettl's Question library through Prebuilt Content.

Type or select the required skill name in the “Search Content” box and select the relevant skill from the options that appears. We may add multiple skills in the same test.

Click on “Add Skill” denoted by + symbol, or the “📖” icon to view the questions within the skillset. The number of questions contained within the skill will be displayed along with the view skill symbol that allows you to visualize the content within the skill as shown below.
Select the difficulty followed by the question type and date range for viewing the questions stored under the skill.


The above image shows “Add Skill” denoted by + symbol to add the skill.



“📖” icon to view the questions within the skill 
Select/Deselect the questions that you want to add or remove in the Question Pool.  You can also make a question mandatory by clicking on the mandatory (*) symbol. The same can be repeated for the other selections as well.
Post confirming the selection, select the number of questions to be included based on their type and difficulty.



Step 2: Structure the Test

Once selected click on confirm selection under each skill type and then click on “Next” to structure your assessment. 

Organize the selected content into a coherent format. 


The draft icon highlighted in red allows you to save changes to the progress made so far without needing you to complete drafting the entire test in one go.



On selecting next to structure your assessment in a coherent form a page opens as shown in the image below:


The parameters that follow are as below:

Section Name: 

To edit section name, click on the Edit symbol and provide the section name. We can also choose to create multiple sections by clicking on the “Add New Section”.


This is followed by organizing the skills/questions in sections and defining the order and providing the scores as per their difficulty.


Correct Marks:

To allocate marks to each correct answer given in this topic/skill, select this field and enter the marks.

Incorrect Marks:

To allocate negative marks to each incorrect answer given in this topic/skill, choose this field and enter the marks.

This field has a Specific format; marks should be preceded with “-“ i.e. a minus. As shown in the screenshot below 0.25 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer in the “Aptitude” Skill under Difficultly level “Easy” and 0.50 marks will be deducted for every wrong answer in the “Aptitude” Skill under Difficultly level “Medium”.

Question Ordering:

This field displays the number of questions that are fixed/displayed every time this test is started for each candidate. You may click on the current Number and select the desired question from the available questions.




Delete / Move Question Group: We can also choose to delete or move a question group as shown in the image below by clicking on the three dots.



Once finalized you can also choose to provide the section instructions by using the “Add Section Instructions” options and then specify the time duration in minutes followed by the next option.


Section Settings:


Section Timing:
The Section wise timing allows us to set individual section-wise time duration so that the candidates can spend only stipulated time duration in each of the assigned sections.

Make All Questions Mandatory:
To ensure that test takers do not move to the next section until he/she has attempted all questions in the current section (usually used in behavioral tests).

Shuffle Questions:
This setting allows the questions to be shuffled within a section.

Shuffle Options:
This allows the options within a question to be shuffled randomly as well.


Show Multiple Questions Per Page:
By default, the view is set to display one question per page. Select this option to view multiple questions on a single screen in a scrollable format.

Unidirectional:
On selecting this option, the candidate will be attempting all the questions in one go by moving forward towards the next question or section. Candidate wouldn't be able to move to the previous question.  
Show multiple questions per page settings will be disabled by default for unidirectional section.

Questions to be Attempted:
This setting allows one to set the number of questions that needs to be attempted.

Step 3: Test Settings 

Click Next to proceed to Test Settings:

Test Taker Instructions and Actions:

Test Taker Instructions and actions allow users to configure the following test settings: 
  1. Test Instructions: We can set up a custom message that will be displayed to test-takers before the test begins (when the test is loading) 
  2. Page Re-direct: If we need to redirect the test takers to a custom webpage, we need to insert a link in this box.   
  3. Compensatory Test Time: “Compensatory Test Time” is a feature that we provide in the test taker’s experience for differently abled test takers, who might require additional test time.
  4. Section order for test-takers: A test can have multiple sections. Use this option to set the order in which you want the test-takers to attempt these sections. Once section order is fixed, a test-taker cannot move back to a previously attempted section. 
  5. Upload Answer Images: This setting can be used only for Long Answer type of questions where file upload feature is enabled which allows test takers to upload answer images via mobile using QR code. Know More. 
  6. Marks in Test: This option allows the candidates to view the marks against the questions.

Preventing Unfair Practices

  1. Watermark: This feature is used for cheating prevention. Enabling Watermark will show a unique ID in the background of each candidate’s test screen. This will help in identifying the person in case someone tries to click images of this screen to cheat.  
  2. Copy Paste Action (useful if assessment has coding problems): By default, the Mettl platform does not allow copy/paste on or from the test window. However, if there is any such requirement during the test, we can enable this setting. 
  3. Disconnection Duration: This setting will stop the test after a certain duration of internet disconnection for test takers. This feature is used for cheating prevention during exams.  

Test Taker Tools:


  1. On-Screen Calculator: Test-takers can use Mettl's Basic/Scientific calculator to make complex calculations while attempting the test.
  2. Onscreen Excel Scratchpad to test-takers: Test-takers can use excel scratch pad for basic excel formulas, while attempting the test. 
  3. Comments on Manual Questions: Test-takers will need to provide comments mandatorily against each manual question if selected.
  4. Sample test link: A sample test link will be provided to the test-taker. Before the test starts. The test-taker will be able to get a glimpse of how a test starts.  
  5. Custom Test Name: This feature helps mask the assessment's display name and show a custom assessment name to the test-takers. E.g. An assessment could be named "Java Version 10" in your account, but with this feature, we can assign a pseudo name like "Java Consultant" to the assessment. Using this option, you can link the assessment name and schedule name or test link name. Use the keyword {assessment-name} to pick the current assessment name and {schedule-name} to pick up the current schedule name.

Report Settings:


  1. Report after test finish: Test takers can be provided with a pdf download enabled link to view their test performance immediately after completion of their test. 
  2. Custom message to test-takers after test finishes: Test-takers can be shown a custom message (A thank you message or any other information) after they finish their test. The test-takers are shown the message as per the performance category. 

File/Folder:

The file name customization feature allows you to customize the file names downloaded from the Mercer Mettl platform. You can now use candidate registration fields (filled by test-takers before starting the test) to create custom file names.

Click here to explore more on the same.

Test Taker Registration Fields  

This test taker registration field is test specific. All the settings of this will be applicable in this test.  

The test taker registration fields are those fields that the test-takers must fill in before the test starts. Only then will the test-taker be able to proceed further. If the field is marked as mandatory, then the test-taker wouldn't be able to proceed further without providing this information. If we have checked on verify then the details filled in by the candidate will be cross-checked with the details which are stored in the system data. (Test takers privately invited)


Step 4: Finalize the Test

Once the Next option is selected the final step that remains is to visualize the overall summary before the test is finalized.

Hence using the following four steps the entire process of test creation can be executed
Step 1: Select the Content – Choose the skills and questions users want to include in their test.
Step 2: Structure the Test – Organize the selected content into a coherent format.
Step 3: Test Settings – Configure the settings for the test.
Step 4: Finalize the Test – Review and finalize the test before publishing. 

Creating a customized test with Mercer | Mettl is a straightforward process designed with your needs in mind. By following these steps, you can ensure that your assessments are tailored to effectively evaluate the skills and knowledge relevant to your organization. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to your account executive or our support team. We’re here to help you succeed!

To see what has changed from the previous experience, click here.