CADD Competance Test

[Anonymous]

I have been asked to put together some kind of a quick CADD test to screen
job applicants. I know I have seen an example of something like this but so
far my searches have not been successful. I would appreciate any help you
could give me.

Thanking You in Advance

[Anonymous]

I would be grate ful to see a copy is possible...

I'm Keith from Perth in West Australia....

Phillip Shivel wrote:

> Laura,
>
> I will send you several tests outside of the NG. If anyone else needs them,
> please let me know.
>
> -Phillip
>
> Laura Cox wrote in message
> news:B53D0025B20163726D76617C893D01E5@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > I have been asked to put together some kind of a quick CADD test to screen
> > job applicants. I know I have seen an example of something like this but
> so
> > far my searches have not been successful. I would appreciate any help you
> > could give me.
> >
> > Thanking You in Advance
> >

[rws1301]

While we all work in different disciplines, we all use AutoCAD. While one test may not be right for one, it will work for another. The problem we have run into, is people breezing through the interview process, but failing to work out.

The "test" you administer before you interview them, will tell you if it is worth your time or not. We all have to concentrate on productivity, so every minute wasted in an interview is lost. If the hire doesn't pan out, it is even worse.

I had to take three tests as part of my new job. One written, and two on the computer. I am working on compiling a test as we speak. Once it is done I will post it here.

Thanks,
Ronald W.. Smith

[Anonymous]

tests are a waste of time. If you are hiring, go your homework. That's
what references are for.

wrote in message news:5086532@discussion.autodesk.com...
While we all work in different disciplines, we all use AutoCAD. While one
test may not be right for one, it will work for another. The problem we have
run into, is people breezing through the interview process, but failing to
work out.

The "test" you administer before you interview them, will tell you if it is
worth your time or not. We all have to concentrate on productivity, so every
minute wasted in an interview is lost. If the hire doesn't pan out, it is
even worse.

I had to take three tests as part of my new job. One written, and two on the
computer. I am working on compiling a test as we speak. Once it is done I
will post it here.

Thanks,
Ronald W.. Smith

[Anonymous]

I'd like to see what you come up with.
It has been brought up in our company in the past. We might find it useful.
thanks

Fgump

wrote in message news:5086532@discussion.autodesk.com...
While we all work in different disciplines, we all use AutoCAD. While one
test may not be right for one, it will work for another. The problem we have
run into, is people breezing through the interview process, but failing to
work out.

The "test" you administer before you interview them, will tell you if it is
worth your time or not. We all have to concentrate on productivity, so every
minute wasted in an interview is lost. If the hire doesn't pan out, it is
even worse.

I had to take three tests as part of my new job. One written, and two on the
computer. I am working on compiling a test as we speak. Once it is done I
will post it here.

Thanks,
Ronald W.. Smith

[Anonymous]

I look forward to it!

We use both drawing and written testing as well as checking references too,
of course.

Even with all that, once and a while a clunker gets through.
--
*<] 🙂 }

CAD Systems Manager
Autodesk Architectural Desktop Certified Expert

wrote in message news:5086532@discussion.autodesk.com...
While we all work in different disciplines, we all use AutoCAD. While one
test may not be right for one, it will work for another. The problem we have
run into, is people breezing through the interview process, but failing to
work out.

The "test" you administer before you interview them, will tell you if it is
worth your time or not. We all have to concentrate on productivity, so every
minute wasted in an interview is lost. If the hire doesn't pan out, it is
even worse.

I had to take three tests as part of my new job. One written, and two on the
computer. I am working on compiling a test as we speak. Once it is done I
will post it here.

Thanks,
Ronald W.. Smith

[Anonymous]

what if it is their first job in the field?

I took a cad test after my first interview and aced it... unlike some others
with professional experience, so the job requirement for 3-5 years min
experience was tossed out.

"cad user" wrote in message
news:5086709@discussion.autodesk.com...
tests are a waste of time. If you are hiring, go your homework. That's
what references are for.

wrote in message news:5086532@discussion.autodesk.com...
While we all work in different disciplines, we all use AutoCAD. While one
test may not be right for one, it will work for another. The problem we have
run into, is people breezing through the interview process, but failing to
work out.

The "test" you administer before you interview them, will tell you if it is
worth your time or not. We all have to concentrate on productivity, so every
minute wasted in an interview is lost. If the hire doesn't pan out, it is
even worse.

I had to take three tests as part of my new job. One written, and two on the
computer. I am working on compiling a test as we speak. Once it is done I
will post it here.

Thanks,
Ronald W.. Smith

[Anonymous]

You applied for a job that required 3 to 5 years experience and luckily you
got an interview with out any experience. A sign of a good hiring manager
or they just didn't get any applications. I don't believe that a test
should determine wether or not you are going to hire an individual. If a
person has plenty of aptitude they can learn CAD in a week for an entry
level job. Why do they need to take a test for an entry level job? How
else do you expect them to get experience?

"melanie stone" wrote in message
news:5087020@discussion.autodesk.com...
what if it is their first job in the field?

I took a cad test after my first interview and aced it... unlike some others
with professional experience, so the job requirement for 3-5 years min
experience was tossed out.

"cad user" wrote in message
news:5086709@discussion.autodesk.com...
tests are a waste of time. If you are hiring, go your homework. That's
what references are for.

wrote in message news:5086532@discussion.autodesk.com...
While we all work in different disciplines, we all use AutoCAD. While one
test may not be right for one, it will work for another. The problem we have
run into, is people breezing through the interview process, but failing to
work out.

The "test" you administer before you interview them, will tell you if it is
worth your time or not. We all have to concentrate on productivity, so every
minute wasted in an interview is lost. If the hire doesn't pan out, it is
even worse.

I had to take three tests as part of my new job. One written, and two on the
computer. I am working on compiling a test as we speak. Once it is done I
will post it here.

Thanks,
Ronald W.. Smith

[Anonymous]

" If a person has plenty of aptitude they can learn CAD in a week for an
entry
level job. Why do they need to take a test for an entry level job?"

WOW that's a good one! Learning cad in a week now that is funny, maybe the
basics like line, circle, dimension. Why do you need a test? To show that
you know the basics of cad, you don't need to be a master at it but know how
to insert a block or make one for that. Not to mention costing the company X
amount of $ for the new hire and then X amount of $ for someone to sit
there holding their hand while getting them up to speed learning cad. It
would take almost a week to for them to learn your company standards. Not to
mention if they have no idea what they are doing I'm sure they will mess up
your cad files more then you want to fix.

[Anonymous]

I use a cad test to weed out those people who clearly do not have a
basic understanding of how a cad system should work. The test does not
ask them to do anything that is specific to our firm, because as you say
that can be learned. But without testing their fundamental knowledge of
cad a firm will inevitably waste a lot of time on an employee who will
never become profitable regardless how much time they spend learning.

Trust me, I have been burned!

cad user wrote:
> You applied for a job that required 3 to 5 years experience and luckily you
> got an interview with out any experience. A sign of a good hiring manager
> or they just didn't get any applications. I don't believe that a test
> should determine wether or not you are going to hire an individual. If a
> person has plenty of aptitude they can learn CAD in a week for an entry
> level job. Why do they need to take a test for an entry level job? How
> else do you expect them to get experience?
>
> "melanie stone" wrote in message
> news:5087020@discussion.autodesk.com...
> what if it is their first job in the field?
>
> I took a cad test after my first interview and aced it... unlike some others
> with professional experience, so the job requirement for 3-5 years min
> experience was tossed out.
>
> "cad user" wrote in message
> news:5086709@discussion.autodesk.com...
> tests are a waste of time. If you are hiring, go your homework. That's
> what references are for.
>
> wrote in message news:5086532@discussion.autodesk.com...
> While we all work in different disciplines, we all use AutoCAD. While one
> test may not be right for one, it will work for another. The problem we have
> run into, is people breezing through the interview process, but failing to
> work out.
>
> The "test" you administer before you interview them, will tell you if it is
> worth your time or not. We all have to concentrate on productivity, so every
> minute wasted in an interview is lost. If the hire doesn't pan out, it is
> even worse.
>
> I had to take three tests as part of my new job. One written, and two on the
> computer. I am working on compiling a test as we speak. Once it is done I
> will post it here.
>
> Thanks,
> Ronald W.. Smith

[Anonymous]

~nods~

It was a few years back, so I'm trying to recall what exactly they had me
do, but, it wasn't anything specific to the job/company, just basic cad
paces. They said it would take me 1/2 hour to an hour based on other who'd
taken it... I think it took 20 min. I just had to x-ref in a plan and then a
titleblock, make a couple of markups and dimensions on it. He watched me do
it, and checked that I made unique layers for the notes, but, the engineer
who gave me the test said one person with 5 years experience on their resume
couldn't even x-ref, and physically copied the entities in (and, since
caduser will ask about checking references, I don't know if they were
checked on that person, as I never asked the guy doing the interviews, none
of my business and all that)

it was really rudimentary, but, it had been necessary before that.

"kemp" wrote in message
news:5087196@discussion.autodesk.com...
I use a cad test to weed out those people who clearly do not have a
basic understanding of how a cad system should work. The test does not
ask them to do anything that is specific to our firm, because as you say
that can be learned. But without testing their fundamental knowledge of
cad a firm will inevitably waste a lot of time on an employee who will
never become profitable regardless how much time they spend learning.

Trust me, I have been burned!

cad user wrote:
> You applied for a job that required 3 to 5 years experience and luckily
> you
> got an interview with out any experience. A sign of a good hiring manager
> or they just didn't get any applications. I don't believe that a test
> should determine wether or not you are going to hire an individual. If a
> person has plenty of aptitude they can learn CAD in a week for an entry
> level job. Why do they need to take a test for an entry level job? How
> else do you expect them to get experience?
>
> "melanie stone" wrote in message
> news:5087020@discussion.autodesk.com...
> what if it is their first job in the field?
>
> I took a cad test after my first interview and aced it... unlike some
> others
> with professional experience, so the job requirement for 3-5 years min
> experience was tossed out.
>
> "cad user" wrote in message
> news:5086709@discussion.autodesk.com...
> tests are a waste of time. If you are hiring, go your homework. That's
> what references are for.
>
> wrote in message news:5086532@discussion.autodesk.com...
> While we all work in different disciplines, we all use AutoCAD. While one
> test may not be right for one, it will work for another. The problem we
> have
> run into, is people breezing through the interview process, but failing to
> work out.
>
> The "test" you administer before you interview them, will tell you if it
> is
> worth your time or not. We all have to concentrate on productivity, so
> every
> minute wasted in an interview is lost. If the hire doesn't pan out, it is
> even worse.
>
> I had to take three tests as part of my new job. One written, and two on
> the
> computer. I am working on compiling a test as we speak. Once it is done I
> will post it here.
>
> Thanks,
> Ronald W.. Smith

[douglasjmeyer]

One thing I have always wondered about. Why is it accepted that a CAD user can/should be tested but that the higher ups like the arch and such are not?
I have never liked that. I mean I will take a test as soon as you show me the test that the so called managers and CEO of the company took.
If you hire a cad op and they cant do what they are supposed to it cost you a couple weeks pay or a few grand as the case may be, but if you hire a high level manager or CEO or some such I bet they all have a contract that says that if you fire them they get at least several months if not years of pay. So I ask who do you think really should be tested the 20 dollar and hour cad or the 250K a year manager?
This one just never fails to make me wonder if it is not some sort of a put down or slam on the lower level types.
Doug Mere

[Anonymous]

my test?

I give 'em a detail or partial plan or elevation that needs to be done, hand them the cad manual with layers etc - and I say take
all the time you need. I also tell 'em, type k for kommander (all in-house blocks & routines) or KS for all keyboard shortcuts

I had one guy work 3 hours on what should've taken him 25 minutes (I never give more than 1 hours work)

Another guy took 2 hours to draw the plan of a chapel from a dimensioned sketch.

trust me, they weren't hired.

I can check their layers, the use of orthogonals, the accuracy of inputting data, speed etc and they're doing something that needs
doing.

--
Princess Jamie,

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.
- Anais Nin

"melanie stone" wrote in message news:5087261@discussion.autodesk.com...
~nods~

It was a few years back, so I'm trying to recall what exactly they had me
do, but, it wasn't anything specific to the job/company, just basic cad
paces. They said it would take me 1/2 hour to an hour based on other who'd
taken it... I think it took 20 min. I just had to x-ref in a plan and then a
titleblock, make a couple of markups and dimensions on it. He watched me do
it, and checked that I made unique layers for the notes, but, the engineer
who gave me the test said one person with 5 years experience on their resume
couldn't even x-ref, and physically copied the entities in (and, since
caduser will ask about checking references, I don't know if they were
checked on that person, as I never asked the guy doing the interviews, none
of my business and all that)

it was really rudimentary, but, it had been necessary before that.

"kemp" wrote in message
news:5087196@discussion.autodesk.com...
I use a cad test to weed out those people who clearly do not have a
basic understanding of how a cad system should work. The test does not
ask them to do anything that is specific to our firm, because as you say
that can be learned. But without testing their fundamental knowledge of
cad a firm will inevitably waste a lot of time on an employee who will
never become profitable regardless how much time they spend learning.

Trust me, I have been burned!

cad user wrote:
> You applied for a job that required 3 to 5 years experience and luckily
> you
> got an interview with out any experience. A sign of a good hiring manager
> or they just didn't get any applications. I don't believe that a test
> should determine wether or not you are going to hire an individual. If a
> person has plenty of aptitude they can learn CAD in a week for an entry
> level job. Why do they need to take a test for an entry level job? How
> else do you expect them to get experience?
>
> "melanie stone" wrote in message
> news:5087020@discussion.autodesk.com...
> what if it is their first job in the field?
>
> I took a cad test after my first interview and aced it... unlike some
> others
> with professional experience, so the job requirement for 3-5 years min
> experience was tossed out.
>
> "cad user" wrote in message
> news:5086709@discussion.autodesk.com...
> tests are a waste of time. If you are hiring, go your homework. That's
> what references are for.
>
> wrote in message news:5086532@discussion.autodesk.com...
> While we all work in different disciplines, we all use AutoCAD. While one
> test may not be right for one, it will work for another. The problem we
> have
> run into, is people breezing through the interview process, but failing to
> work out.
>
> The "test" you administer before you interview them, will tell you if it
> is
> worth your time or not. We all have to concentrate on productivity, so
> every
> minute wasted in an interview is lost. If the hire doesn't pan out, it is
> even worse.
>
> I had to take three tests as part of my new job. One written, and two on
> the
> computer. I am working on compiling a test as we speak. Once it is done I
> will post it here.
>
> Thanks,
> Ronald W.. Smith

[cprettyman]

I'd love to see what you use
c dot prettyman at ramsa dot com

I have a test we use, it's absurdly simple - a square a circle and a rectangle, a few dimensions, xref in a titleblock and create some viewports and a minimum amount of text. Allowing for nervousness of the candidates, I figured half an hour was generous, but a number of people take about 40 - 45. A few have taken well over an hour, we don't hire them. A few have done it in 20, and they have been offered a job, but all of the really good ones have had multiple job offers, and we haven't gotten them all.

[Anonymous]

how about a grammar COMPETENCY test?

--
Princess Jamie,

Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.
- Anais Nin

wrote in message news:5086532@discussion.autodesk.com...
While we all work in different disciplines, we all use AutoCAD. While one test may not be right for one, it will work for another.
The problem we have run into, is people breezing through the interview process, but failing to work out.

The "test" you administer before you interview them, will tell you if it is worth your time or not. We all have to concentrate on
productivity, so every minute wasted in an interview is lost. If the hire doesn't pan out, it is even worse.

I had to take three tests as part of my new job. One written, and two on the computer. I am working on compiling a test as we speak.
Once it is done I will post it here.

Thanks,
Ronald W.. Smith

[Anonymous]

My simple answer would be this. A high level position is typically
gained by someone who has either a proven education in the field, IE
architect has a degree, or in the case of a CEO, what kind of test do
you give? You look at the last company they were at and see the
record of that company. Can you test for that? Not really, the test
is their record.

A CAD manager, again, should probably have some schooling, though not
required. ATC certificates, college cources, etc. Should they be
required to 'test in'? Certainly. And it should be more than an
entry level cad position.

As for Melanie's case, I agree with what happened with her. It
doesn't matter to me how long you've been in the field, if you can't
do it, you can't do it. If you can you can. I may have been using
cad for 10 years now, but I wouldn't go to a 3d cad firm and try to
get a job. Why? Because I don't use 3d..at all, ever. Well, almost,
I occasionally play with it for fun, by the company I work for it 100%
2d, plan view drawings.

Just my $0.02 worth.

On Wed, 15 Feb 2006 19:11:39 +0000, DouglasJMeyer <> wrote:

>One thing I have always wondered about. Why is it accepted that a CAD user can/should be tested but that the higher ups like the arch and such are not?
>I have never liked that. I mean I will take a test as soon as you show me the test that the so called managers and CEO of the company took.
>If you hire a cad op and they cant do what they are supposed to it cost you a couple weeks pay or a few grand as the case may be, but if you hire a high level manager or CEO or some such I bet they all have a contract that says that if you fire them they get at least several months if not years of pay. So I ask who do you think really should be tested the 20 dollar and hour cad or the 250K a year manager?
>This one just never fails to make me wonder if it is not some sort of a put down or slam on the lower level types.
>Doug Mere

[cadMeister]

check out http://www.cadsmart.net - CAD skills assessment software