Food Handler Test

Food handler tests assess workers in the hospitality industry to ensure they have the necessary knowledge to handle food safely.

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What is a food handler test?

A food handler test examines how much a prospective or current employee knows about how to handle food in a safe and sanitary way. Ensuring that hygienic standards are upheld by every member of staff working with food and the general public is critical for businesses in the hospitality sector.

The test takes the form of multiple-choice questions related to hygiene and safety in the storing, preparation and handling of food. To succeed, candidates need to select a certain number of correct answers (the exact number will depend on the employer's pass rate). In doing so, they demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of the importance of handling food safely.

About the Food Handler Test

Food handler tests cover essential knowledge for anyone who wants to prove they have what it takes to work in the hospitality industry.

Food handler tests are useful for hospitality businesses, which rely on good hygiene ratings and positive reviews to ensure they have a sustainable future.

Why should you use a food handler test for recruiting?

Resumes are great for gaining a better understanding of candidates' backgrounds and qualifications, but they rarely give enough insight into how much a candidate knows.

By setting a food handler test, prospective employers can get a more objective sense of how seriously candidates take hygiene, and how well equipped they are to deal with the demands of the service industry.

When used in conjunction with a resume and an interview, the food handler test can bolster your recruitment process and ensure you're only hiring the most suitable people for the role.

Food handler tests are useful for employing for roles such as:

  • Waiting staff
  • Chefs
  • Kitchen staff
  • Front of house staff
  • Caterers
  • Food production staff

Using the food handler test can save time and money, as well as protect businesses from the risk of reputational damage, by ensuring staff meet a required standard before being hired.

View a sample report

Results for the Food Handler Test along with other assessments the candidate takes will be compiled to produce a candidate report.

The report is automatically generated and available both online and as a downloadable pdf so they can be shared with other team members and employees alike.

App screenshot

How our test assesses food handler skills

Candidates will need to answer a range of questions that measure industry-specific soft skills where applicable (e.g. time management), aptitude (e.g. verbal reasoning) and relevant personality dimensions (e.g. team orientation). The results present a holistic view of how well suited each candidate is for the job at hand, using a data-driven approach.

The format varies by type of question, including multiple-choice for aptitude and technical skills, situational judgement for soft skills and agreement on a Likert scale for the personality dimensions. This approach ensures candidates are being assessed in an accurate and fair manner, and that results reflect the true underlying qualities of each candidate.

The characteristics, abilities and knowledge necessary to be a food handler were identified using the US Department of Labor's comprehensive O*NET database. O*NET is the leading source of occupational information that is constantly updated by collecting data from employees in specific job roles.

During the development process, test questions were rigorously analysed to maximise reliability and validity in line with industry best practices. They were created by our team of I/O psychologists and psychometricians – who collaborated with subject-matter-experts – and field-tested with a representative sample of job applicants who have varying experience, just like you might find in a talent pool.

Each test is reviewed by a panel of individuals representing diverse backgrounds to check for any sensitivity, fairness, face validity and accessibility issues. This ensures each candidate has a fair chance of demonstrating their true level of expertise.

Our food handler test is monitored to ensure it is up-to-date and optimised for performance.

Our test platform

Our platform offers an extensive library of hundreds of tests, giving you the flexibility to select and combine them in any way that suits your hiring needs. From understanding specific role requirements to assessing general cognitive abilities, our diverse library ensures you can tailor your assessment process precisely.

Multi-format.
Our test questions come in various formats, including multiple-choice, true and false, ranking and situational judgment, all ensuring comprehensive candidate assessment.
Role-specific simulations.
Experience real-world scenarios with our role-specific simulations, providing accurate insights into candidates' performance, readiness and fit for the position.
Adaptive scoring.
Our adaptive scoring system evaluates responses in real-time, by adjusting to the candidate's ability level, enhancing accuracy and reliability.

Curated by our
team of experts

Expert 1 Expert 2 Expert 3

Scientifically validated by psychometric specialists

  • Our team of assessment experts is made up of I/O psychologists, psychometricians, and subject matter experts who work closely together to ensure each test is accurate and reliable.
  • Our subject matter experts are rigorously vetted and typically have several years of experience working in their industries and hold advanced credentials.

Frequently asked questions

How hard is the food safety test?

The food handler test assesses an intermediate level of skill through the use of multiple-choice questions. The questions range from easy to challenging – helping to demonstrate a candidate's level against other test-takers.

What are the key skills needed for a food handler?

As well as having a solid understanding of health and safety protocol, and the dos and don'ts of food preparation areas, food handlers need to have common sense and an ability to think on their feet.

What is the cost for Neuroworx's food handler test?

Neuroworx operates on a monthly or annual subscription basis. We have several plans to suit your hiring needs, which you can check out here. Alternatively, you can get in touch with us to discuss a custom plan.

Can I get a free trial?

Yes, simply sign up (no credit card is required) and we'll give you unlimited access for seven days. Create as many jobs and test as many candidates as you want; you won't be charged a penny.

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