Types of questions on the BKSB tests
Initial Assessment
The initial assessment determines each candidate’s strengths in English and maths.
The test is taken online and assesses your core skills as you work through the questions at your own pace.
20 minutes is the average completion time for the test, but there’s no set time limit.
The test marks each candidate as they progress through the questions, and at the end, you’ll be given a score based on how well you’ve done. This will then be used to place you at the correct level for the upcoming diagnostic assessment.
It’s important to prepare as best you can before the test to give yourself the best possible chance of success and to be placed at a level that’s reflective of your skills and strengths.
Diagnostic Assessment
Just as with the initial assessment, the diagnostic assessment is taken online.
It’s not time, which gives you the chance to work through the material at your own pace.
The difficulty level is set by how well you did on the initial assessment. The better your first mark, the more challenging the questions will be. This ensures that candidates are working at the right level for them as they take the BKSB tests.
Once you’ve completed the test, you’ll be given an individual learning plan that shows you how you did on the test, and where your strengths and weaknesses lie. The report is designed to help you improve, and will suggest ways to strengthen certain areas of understanding.
You’ll also be presented with your overall mark.
Maths is considered an essential subject, with most jobs requiring individuals to have reached a certain standard before they’ll be eligible to be hired.
The BKSB maths test is designed to help candidates achieve the marks they need in the subject through an alternative test to the ones offered on the national curriculum.
The basic mathematical principles covered are addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. As well as more complex topics such as percentages, ratios, fractions, and decimals.
Candidates will also be given questions asking them to showcase their knowledge of numerals and numbers written as words.
The test can be taken online, or on paper, and calculators are not allowed.
As with both the initial assessments, the test isn’t timed. This means you can take your time on each question to feel confident with each answer you give, before moving onto the next one.
There are two possible BKSB maths level tests. One which is below GCSE standard, and one which is the equivalent of GCSE level 1-4.
Unlike with the initial assessments, you won’t get your mark instantly as it’ll either be graded by an examiner at the test center, or an external organization.
BKSB Maths Example Questions
Here is an example of the type of question you may see on the BKSB maths test:
Adam owns a selection of golf balls. 3/8 out of the balls are green, and the rest are white.
What is the ratio of green to white balls?
a) 3:5
b) 3:8
c) 5:8
d) 8:5
The correct answer is: a) 3:5. There are three green balls and five white balls.
The BKSB English test is designed to assess an individual’s grammar, spelling, sentence structure, and comprehension.
Comprehension is assessed by supplying passages of text and asking candidates to read through them, before answering multiple-choice questions on the passage. As well as your overall reading skills, this section looks at how well you can separate fact from inference.
You’ll also be asked to select misspelled words from a list and given an exercise that examines your overall writing skills.
Just like the other BKSB tests, it’s not timed, which allows you to work through the questions at your own pace and ensure you’re comfortable with the answers you’ve given before you move onto the next question.
At the end of the test, whether you’ve done the test online or on paper, it’ll be taken and marked. You won’t receive your score instantly, but you won’t have too long to wait.
BKSB English Example Questions
Here is an example of the type of question you might see on the BKSB English test.
Which is the correct word to complete the sentence?
The ____________ workers were dirty and tired and expressed their displeasure to the boss.
a) Happy
b) Excited
c) Disgruntled
d) Optimistic
The correct answer is c) Disgruntled. Disgruntled means angry or dissatisfied.
