Screen your whole pipeline from one link. 200+ ready-made skills tests, free to start. Try it free

Education & tutoring

General Science Test

The General Science Test is a short pre-employment assessment for roles that need broad, practical science knowledge. It helps hiring teams compare candidates on physics, chemistry and biology basics, making it useful for education, tutoring and support roles across all experience levels.

15 mins20 questionsAll levelsMultiple choice

Summary of the General Science Test

The General Science Test is a short pre-employment assessment for roles that need broad, practical science knowledge. It helps hiring teams compare candidates on physics, chemistry and biology basics, making it useful for education, tutoring and support roles across all experience levels.

Physics basicsChemistry basicsBiology basics
What it measures

3 dimensions, scored separately

Physics basics

This measures understanding of everyday physical concepts such as heat transfer, motion, forces and simple energy ideas. It matters at work because candidates need to explain observable science clearly and reason through practical situations accurately.

Chemistry basics

This measures knowledge of common chemical principles such as dissolving, mixtures, states of matter and basic reactions. It matters at work because candidates often need to interpret simple material changes and explain them in clear, correct terms.

Biology basics

This measures understanding of living organisms, body systems, cells and basic life processes. It matters at work because candidates may need to support lessons, answer questions or handle foundational biology content with confidence.

The complete guide

Everything about the General Science Test

01What is the General Science Test?

This test measures whether a candidate can apply core science ideas to everyday and workplace-style questions. It covers physics basics such as heat, motion and simple cause and effect, chemistry basics such as dissolving, mixtures and material changes, and biology basics such as living systems and basic processes. The questions are written at an all-levels standard, so the test is useful for screening candidates who need sound general science understanding rather than specialist subject depth. On Springhire, the test draws 20 questions from a 60-question bank, which helps you compare candidates while reducing the impact of memorised answers.

02How does the General Science Test work?

Candidates answer 20 auto-scored questions in 15 minutes. Questions are drawn from a 60-question bank and randomised per candidate, so each person receives a comparable but not identical version. The test is set at an all-levels standard and focuses on broad science knowledge rather than advanced formulas or specialist theory.

03Why is the General Science Test important to employers?

Hiring for tutoring, classroom support or entry-level science-facing roles often means sorting between candidates who sound confident and candidates who can actually reason through basic science questions. This test reduces the risk of hiring someone who struggles with everyday scientific concepts, which can affect teaching quality, learner trust and on-the-job accuracy.

Reading the report

How to interpret General Science 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.

Physics basics

High scorers: A high score suggests the candidate can correctly apply basic physical principles to common real-world examples.

Lower scorers: A low score suggests the candidate may struggle to explain or reason through foundational physics concepts accurately.

Chemistry basics

High scorers: A high score suggests the candidate understands common chemical processes and can interpret basic changes in materials and substances.

Lower scorers: A low score suggests the candidate may confuse core chemistry ideas or miss simple cause-and-effect relationships.

Biology basics

High scorers: A high score suggests the candidate has a solid grasp of essential biology concepts and can apply them in straightforward contexts.

Lower scorers: A low score suggests the candidate may have gaps in core biology knowledge needed for general teaching or support work.

What job roles can you hire with the General Science Test?

  • Science Tutor
  • Teaching Assistant
  • STEM Instructor
  • Laboratory Assistant
  • After-School Program Instructor

Proof before you interview

Ready to interview your shortlist?

Send one link. Candidates answer on their own time, AI scores every answer, and your shortlist arrives ranked.

How it worksSample reportTest libraryCompare tools

springhire
Candidate assessed with springhireCandidate assessed with springhireCandidate assessed with springhire

Frequently asked questions

Browse all 210 tests

Last updated Invalid Date