AlphaCon Solutions
Flexible assessment structures for every hiring need

Assessment structures
designed around your requirements

Every role is different. Every candidate pool is unique. Our assessments can be structured in multiple ways to test exactly what matters for your specific hiring needs — from language proficiency and technical depth to real-world problem-solving and project experience.

Discuss your requirements
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Why structure matters

The way an assessment is structured directly impacts what it reveals about a candidate.

Target specific competencies

Test only what's essential — whether that's technical depth, language capability, or practical experience.

Respect candidate time

Break assessments into manageable sections or condense into focused 45-minute tests.

Match your process

Integrate assessments at the right stage — early screening, mid-process validation, or final verification.

Assessment structure options

Choose the structure that best fits your role requirements and hiring workflow.

English proficiency in technical contexts

International candidates

For roles requiring English communication within technical environments — engineering documentation, client interaction, safety briefings, or team collaboration.

What's tested:

  • Reading comprehension of technical documents, standards, and specifications
  • Writing capability — emails, reports, incident descriptions, documentation
  • Technical vocabulary and terminology understanding
  • Interpretation of instructions, drawings, or procedures
  • Communication in safety-critical or compliance contexts

Example scenarios:

Engineering: Read a technical specification and answer questions about requirements, tolerances, and compliance standards.
Construction: Interpret a safety procedure and write a brief incident report based on a described scenario.
Healthcare: Read patient notes and write a handover summary for the next shift.
Typical duration: 30-45 minutes
Pricing: NZ$57.50 per candidate (standard assessment)
Most Popular

Combined skills assessment

Multi-competency testing

Test multiple competencies in a single structured assessment — technical knowledge, English capability, and real-world experience combined. Ideal for roles requiring diverse skills.

What's tested:

  • Technical knowledge: Standards, regulations, calculations, best practice
  • Language proficiency: Reading, writing, technical vocabulary
  • Practical experience: Problem-solving, decision-making, risk assessment
  • Professional judgment: Prioritisation, quality awareness, compliance thinking

Example structure:

Section 1 (15 mins): Technical multiple choice — standards, codes, safety requirements
Section 2 (20 mins): Scenario-based questions — interpret drawings, solve problems, make decisions
Section 3 (10 mins): Written communication — describe a process, write an email, document a finding
Typical duration: 45-60 minutes
Pricing: NZ$75 per candidate (extended assessment) or bespoke development at NZ$500 + GST

Deep technical assessment

Specialist & senior roles

For senior or specialist roles requiring deep technical expertise, detailed problem-solving, and evidence of complex project experience.

What's tested:

  • Advanced technical knowledge and theory
  • Complex calculations, design decisions, or analytical thinking
  • Detailed scenario analysis with multiple variables
  • Project planning, risk management, or quality assurance
  • Regulatory compliance and standards interpretation

Example scenarios:

Structural Engineer: Analyse a loading scenario, select appropriate materials, justify design decisions, and identify compliance requirements.
Senior Developer: Review code architecture, identify performance issues, propose solutions, and document technical debt.
Project Manager: Assess a project plan, identify risks, recommend mitigations, and prioritise competing constraints.
Typical duration: 60-90 minutes
Pricing: NZ$95 per candidate (extended deep-dive assessment) or bespoke at NZ$650 + GST

Project-based assessment

Real-world simulation

Candidates work through a realistic project scenario that mirrors actual job responsibilities. Tests end-to-end capability from planning through to documentation.

What's tested:

  • Planning and scoping capability
  • Problem identification and solution development
  • Decision-making under realistic constraints
  • Documentation and communication throughout
  • Quality assurance and verification thinking

Example projects:

Civil Engineer: Review a site plan, identify issues, propose design changes, calculate quantities, and write a client report.
IT Analyst: Analyse system requirements, identify gaps, recommend solutions, estimate costs, and document risks.
Operations Manager: Review production data, identify bottlenecks, develop improvement plan, and present findings.
Typical duration: 90-120 minutes (or split across multiple sessions)
Pricing: NZ$120 per candidate (comprehensive project assessment) or bespoke at NZ$800 + GST

Multi-stage assessment

Staged over multiple days

Break the assessment into separate stages completed over multiple days. Reduces candidate fatigue while allowing comprehensive evaluation across different competency areas.

How it works:

  • Assessment divided into 2-4 distinct sections
  • Each section completed on different days (candidate's choice of timing)
  • Sections can be sequential or independent
  • Reduces time pressure and fatigue
  • Allows reflection between stages if required

Example structure:

Day 1 (30 mins): Technical knowledge — multiple choice covering standards, regulations, and fundamentals
Day 2 (45 mins): Scenario analysis — interpret information, solve problems, make decisions
Day 3 (30 mins): Written assessment — documentation, communication, and professional judgment
Total duration: 60-120 minutes (split across 2-4 sessions)
Pricing: NZ$95-140 per candidate depending on complexity (multi-stage coordination) or bespoke at NZ$700 + GST

Full customisation available

None of these structures fit perfectly? We can build completely bespoke assessments tailored to your exact requirements, industry, and role specifications.

Custom options include:

  • Specific technical domains or niche specialisations
  • Industry-specific scenarios and terminology
  • Company-specific processes, standards, or workflows
  • Custom scoring rubrics and competency frameworks
  • Integration with your existing recruitment tools
  • White-labelled assessment delivery

Bespoke development pricing:

Standard bespoke test: NZ$500 + GST (includes 5 candidate assessments)
Extended bespoke test (60-90 mins): NZ$650 + GST (includes 5 candidate assessments)
Complex/multi-stage bespoke: NZ$700-1,000 + GST (includes 5 candidate assessments)
Additional candidates: NZ$57.50-120 each depending on assessment complexity
Discuss custom requirements

Why bespoke?

  • Test exactly what matters for your role
  • Use your actual scenarios, processes, and standards
  • Align with your competency frameworks
  • Include company-specific terminology
  • Match your candidate experience requirements
  • Integrate seamlessly into your hiring workflow
Development typically takes 5-10 business days depending on complexity and consultation requirements.

Quick comparison

Compare structure options at a glance.

Structure Duration Best for Price per candidate
English Proficiency 30-45 mins International candidates, technical communication roles NZ$57.50
Combined Skills 45-60 mins Multi-competency roles, mid-level positions NZ$75
Deep Technical 60-90 mins Senior/specialist roles, complex problem-solving NZ$95
Project-Based 90-120 mins Real-world simulation, end-to-end capability NZ$120
Multi-Stage 60-120 mins (split) Comprehensive evaluation, reduced candidate fatigue NZ$95-140
Bespoke Customised Exact role match, company-specific requirements NZ$500-1,000 + GST build fee
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Structure in practice

Real examples of how employers have structured assessments for specific hiring needs.

Engineering firm hiring international graduates

Challenge: Needed to verify both technical capability and English proficiency for client-facing roles.
Solution: Combined skills assessment (60 mins) — 40% technical, 40% scenario-based, 20% written communication.
Result: Confidently shortlisted 8 candidates from 45 applicants. All hires performing well after 6 months.

Construction company hiring project managers

Challenge: Required evidence of planning, problem-solving, and safety awareness in realistic scenarios.
Solution: Project-based assessment (90 mins) — site review scenario with planning, risk identification, and documentation tasks.
Result: Identified 3 strong candidates who demonstrated practical capability beyond CV claims.

IT company hiring senior developers

Challenge: Needed deep technical evaluation but didn't want 2-hour assessments scaring away candidates.
Solution: Multi-stage assessment over 3 days — Day 1: fundamentals, Day 2: architecture, Day 3: code review and documentation.
Result: High completion rate (92%), comprehensive evaluation, and 2 excellent hires.

Common questions

Answers about assessment structures and customisation.

Can we combine multiple structure types?
Yes. For example, you could use an English proficiency assessment for initial screening, followed by a deep technical assessment for shortlisted candidates. We can structure multi-stage hiring workflows with different assessments at each stage.
How long does bespoke development take?
Typically 5-10 business days depending on complexity. We'll consult with you to understand requirements, develop the assessment, and allow time for your review and feedback before finalising.
Can we trial an assessment structure before committing?
Yes. We can provide a sample or demonstration of the proposed assessment structure so you can evaluate whether it meets your needs before purchasing bundles or committing to bespoke development.
What if candidates don't complete multi-stage assessments?
Candidates receive clear instructions and deadlines for each stage. We send automated reminders. If a candidate doesn't complete all stages, you receive partial results showing what was completed. You only pay for completed assessments.
Can assessments be delivered in languages other than English?
Yes, for bespoke assessments we can deliver content in other languages. This is particularly useful for testing technical capability separately from English proficiency. Additional translation costs may apply.
How do we choose the right structure?
Book a 15-minute consultation and we'll discuss your role requirements, candidate pool, hiring constraints, and recommend the most appropriate structure. We can also provide examples of similar assessments we've delivered for comparable roles.
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Let's design the right assessment for your role

Every hiring need is different. Whether you need a standard structure or something completely bespoke, we'll help you design an assessment that reveals genuine capability and supports confident hiring decisions.

Get in touch to discuss options