SQL Test

SQL tests are designed to help employers evaluate a candidate’s knowledge and understanding of the SQL programming language.

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What is an SQL test?

An SQL programming test is used as part of the recruiting process for many types of roles - especially those where database building, maintenance and usage are important.

For the recruitment team, applying an SQL test as a specific stage in recruitment, following the paper sift helps ensure that the candidates chosen to go through to the interview stage have the right level of proficiency to be successful in the role.

This takes some of the human element of recruiting away from the process - reducing unconscious bias in the data gathering, and removing a lot of the costs that the traditional way of finding new employees can incur. For roles that need certain competencies, knowledge, and levels of skill, the SQL test is a simple-to-administer way of finding the best candidates from a large and unwieldy talent pool.

Jump to a section on this page:

  1. What is an SQL test?
  2. Why should you use an SQL test for recruiting?
  3. How our test assesses SQL skills
  4. SQL Test FAQs

About the SQL Test

The SQL test is a programming assessment that goes through all the necessary skills and knowledge, that are needed to confidently and competently use the language and manage databases.

The SQL assessment asks questions that are designed to test a candidate based on their skill in using the right syntax in creating queries, including clauses and operators. Candidates need to be able to perform all of the tasks including the insertion, updating, and deletion of records, retrieving data, and sorting information.

It is a simple test that can be completed by the candidate at home and in their own time, with an easy-to-read report that demonstrates the candidates’ ability to use SQL, giving the recruitment team objective and quantifiable data to use when selecting the applicants to take forward.

Sample SQL Test question Test your knowledge!

Which SQL statement is used to select specific columns from a table?

  • SELECT * FROM table_name
  • SELECT column_name FROM table_name
  • INSERT INTO table_name (column_name)
  • UPDATE table_name SET column_name = value

Why should you use an SQL test for recruiting?

Posting a job that needs SQL programming knowledge can lead to hundreds of potential applicants sending in their CVs and filling in application forms. Even after comparing these candidates to the criteria needed for the role, there can still be dozens of similarly qualified options to choose from.

Taking these candidates through to costly interviews would be an expense in terms of time and money, and for the recruitment team, this is one key performance indicator that needs to be met - reducing the cost per hire.

By inserting an SQL programming test into the early stages of the recruitment process, applicants can prove that they have what it takes to be successful by answering work-related questions and working through job-specific problems. This test has been created to be easy to share with multiple candidates all at the same time - just through an email link.

For the candidate, the questions that are asked are based on relevant scenarios, and for those with the right skills and knowledge, they are relatively easy, too.

Adding the SQL test to the recruitment process is a simple way to reduce the cost per hire in a number of roles, including:

  • Database administrator
  • Data analyst
  • Data scientist
  • BI Developer/Administrator
  • Solutions Architect
  • ETL Developer

As SQL is accepted as the standard programming language for use with Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMs) like Microsoft Access, MySQL, SQL Server, and Oracle, it could be considered one of the most valuable skills for data management.

Using the SQL test means that the applicants that are taken forward to the interview stage have already proven they have the right level of skill, competency and knowledge to be successful if hired.

View a sample report

Results for the SQL 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.

Download sample report
App screenshot

How our test assesses SQL skills

In Neuroworx’s SQL test, candidates will need to answer a range of questions targeting an intermediate level of proficiency, from SQL query analysis to fixing bugs.

The test is designed to indicate how well a candidate understands SQL based on a final test score, which can then be compared to the scores of other applicants.

The multiple-choice questions consist of one correct answer and two to four distractors. The distractors are mostly generic mistakes or misconceptions, which makes the test challenging and helps measure a candidate’s proficiency more accurately.

During the development process, the test was rigorously analysed to maximise reliability and validity in line with industry best practices. It was created and tested by programmers and psychometric experts, and field-tested with a representative sample of job applicants who have varying SQL 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 programmer has a fair chance of demonstrating their true level of SQL proficiency and feels the test is of high quality.

Our programming tests are monitored to ensure they are 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

Is the SQL test difficult?

For an applicant that is not competent in using SQL, the questions in the SQL test would be very difficult. However, a knowledgeable SQL programmer will find them straightforward. The difficulty for a programmer comes from the structure and time limits that are part of the test - putting them under pressure in the same way that they might be at work.

What other skills are needed for an SQL developer?

An SQL developer needs to be confident in accessing databases and manipulating records. There are other skills that are needed in this sort of role - like teamwork and communication, leadership, analytical skills and general ability with software and hardware related to big data management.

Can I try the test for free?

Yes, simply sign up (no credit card is required) and we’ll give you unlimited access for 7 days. Create as many jobs and test as many candidates as you want; you won’t be charged a penny

What is the fee for Neuroworx’s SQL test?

Neuroworx offers monthly or annual subscriptions for businesses of all sizes, so choose the one that best fits your needs. You can also contact us to discuss the possibility of a custom plan suited to your specific requirements. You can check out our subscription plans here.

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