Data Storytelling Test
The Data Storytelling Test helps hiring teams assess how well candidates turn analysis into clear, audience-focused communication. It is suited to intermediate data and business roles where people need to choose the right chart, shape a message and present findings in a useful sequence.
Summary of the Data Storytelling Test
The Data Storytelling Test helps hiring teams assess how well candidates turn analysis into clear, audience-focused communication. It is suited to intermediate data and business roles where people need to choose the right chart, shape a message and present findings in a useful sequence.
3 dimensions, scored separately
Audience & message
This measures whether the candidate can identify what matters most for a specific audience and frame the takeaway clearly. It matters because the same data often needs a different emphasis for executives, managers or operational teams.
Chart choice
This measures whether the candidate can match the chart type to the data pattern and communication goal. It matters because the wrong visual can hide the signal, confuse viewers or suggest the wrong conclusion.
Narrative
This measures whether the candidate can organise findings into a logical sequence that moves from context to insight to conclusion. It matters because good analysis often fails when the story is scattered or hard to follow.
Everything about the Data Storytelling Test
Pair this test with the rest of the first round: springhire's candidate screening software adds a one-way video interview and resume scoring to the same candidate link, ranked in one report.
01What is the Data Storytelling Test?
This test measures whether a candidate can present data in a way that other people can quickly understand and act on. It focuses on three practical skills: identifying the right message for a specific audience, choosing charts that match the data and purpose, and building a clear narrative from insight to conclusion. Questions are based on common workplace situations, such as preparing usage data for executives or selecting the best chart for revenue over time. The assessment is delivered through Springhire and is designed for hiring teams that need a fast read on communication with data, not just analysis alone.
02How does the Data Storytelling Test work?
Candidates answer 20 multiple-choice questions in 10 minutes. The test is set at an intermediate level and is auto-scored for quick review. Questions are drawn from a bank of 60 and randomised for each candidate, which helps reduce memorisation and gives hiring teams a more reliable comparison across applicants.
03Why is the Data Storytelling Test important to employers?
Many candidates can analyse data, but fewer can explain it in a way that fits the audience and leads to action. This test helps reduce the risk of hiring someone who builds reports or slides that are technically correct but confusing, poorly structured or matched to the wrong chart type for the decision at hand.
How to interpret Data Storytelling Test results
Every candidate report scores each dimension separately. Here is what high and lower scores typically look like at work, and how to use them in your hiring decision.
Audience & message
High scorers: A high score means the candidate can tailor key points to the audience and lead with the most relevant message.
Lower scorers: A low score suggests the candidate may present information without enough focus on stakeholder needs or decision context.
Chart choice
High scorers: A high score means the candidate usually selects visuals that fit the data and make trends, comparisons or relationships easy to read.
Lower scorers: A low score suggests the candidate may choose charts that make results harder to interpret or weaken the point being made.
Narrative
High scorers: A high score means the candidate can structure analysis into a coherent story that supports understanding and action.
Lower scorers: A low score suggests the candidate may struggle to connect findings into a clear sequence or land on a useful conclusion.
What job roles can you hire with the Data Storytelling Test?
- Business Analyst
- Data Analyst
- Product Analyst
- Marketing Analyst
- Business Intelligence Analyst
Build a multi-measure assessment: tests to pair with the Data Storytelling Test
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View testProof before you interview
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Frequently asked questions
It measures how well a candidate communicates data to other people. The focus is on audience and message, chart choice and narrative structure, rather than technical analysis alone.
This test fits candidates in analyst and reporting roles who need to present findings clearly. It is especially useful when the job involves turning data into recommendations for business stakeholders.
Questions present practical workplace scenarios and ask candidates to choose the best response. Examples include deciding what to do first when preparing data for executives or selecting the best chart for revenue over time.
Use the overall score as a quick view of communication with data, then review the skill-level breakdown. A mixed profile can be useful, for example when a candidate chooses strong charts but needs support in tailoring the message to the audience.
It helps you spot candidates who can do more than produce analysis. You can identify people who are more likely to present insights clearly, choose effective visuals and communicate findings in a way stakeholders can use.
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