Back to basics: the fundamentals of good assessment design

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With so many assessment providers in the market—and so much polished marketing—it’s easy to lose sight of what really matters. That’s why we created this video series: to break down the core principles that underpin fair, effective, and meaningful talent assessments. From validity and reliability to candidate experience and feedback, we revisit the foundations that separate great assessments from average ones.

Psychometrics

‍‍Science, not sorcery.

‍Psychometrics is the science behind how we measure skills, traits and behaviours. In this video, we explain how solid psychometric principles help ensure assessments are accurate, fair, and grounded in evidence.

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Understanding the Process

Great assessments don’t happen by accident.

‍‍Good design means defining what success looks like in a role, then building assessments to measure those skills fairly and efficiently. Get an inside look at how high-quality assessments are created—from start to finish.

Validity

Does your assessment do what it says on the tin?

Validity tells you whether an assessment actually measures what matters—like the skills and behaviours needed for the role. We break down the different types of validity and why they’re essential for quality hiring decisions.

Reliability

What makes an assessment trustworthy?

Reliable assessments produce consistent results, meaning the same person would get a similar outcome if they took the test again. In this video, we explore how reliability helps you measure candidates’ skills with confidence.

Candidate Feedback

Feedback isn’t just a nice-to-have, it shows respect for candidates’ time and helps them understand their strengths and development areas. Find out how effective feedback supports a positive experience without giving away your scoring secrets.

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Fairness

Fair for one, fair for all? Not quite.

Fairness means giving every candidate a level playing field, regardless of background, ability or experience. Learn how to design assessments that focus on relevant skills and reduce bias throughout the process.

Candidate Experience

Good assessments shouldn't feel like a test.

From tone of voice to timing and accessibility, every interaction shapes how candidates feel. This video explores how a great experience supports your brand, and helps candidates show their true skills.

Selecting the right assessment partner

Not all assessment partners are created equal. From scientific rigour to user-friendly design, choosing the right provider means asking the right questions. Learn what to look for to ensure your assessments are fair, valid, and aligned with the skills you really need.

The experts:

Chief I/O Psychologist, Sova

Nicola Tatham is a Chartered Psychologist who has been with Sova since 2018 and is their Chief IO Psychologist. Nicola leads the Global IO team at Sova and has developed many psychometric assessments over the course of her career. She strives to combine innovation, pragmatism, and scientific robustness in her approach.

Principal IO Psychologist, Sova

Jason is an experienced Occupational Psychologist with deep expertise in both the development and practical application of psychometric assessments. He has led impactful projects across the employee lifecycle and played a key role in co-creating one of the most valid personality tools on the market. Passionate about aligning robust assessment solutions with client needs, Jason focuses on driving meaningful organisational change.

Principal IO Psychologist, Sova

Grace Scott is Principal Psychologist at Sova, with over a decade of experience in designing psychometric assessments that are valid, fair, and scientifically robust. She specialises in creating solutions that not only meet the highest standards of psychological rigour but also deliver real-world impact for organisations and candidates alike. Grace is passionate about using evidence-based assessment to drive better, fairer hiring decisions.

Katie Meares is a Customer Success Manager at Sova Assessment, where she focuses on building strong, strategic partnerships that drive shared growth. With a keen eye for opportunity and a structured approach to customer success, Katie supports clients and partners in promoting hiring solutions effectively.