Pre-Employment Revit Test - Scrutiny

[Michael_Snow]

Hello Everyone.

I need ANYONE to scrutinize this test and tell me if it is a "good, bad or ugly" test for prospective employees.



As a BIM Coordinator, I developed what I think should be a bare minimum Revit knowledge test as we are finding it hard to get even mediocre Revit users.

Almost everything is supplied.  I give the prospective employees 90 minutes to do as much as they can - and while I have put in a couple tricks to test their problem solving knowledge, I think this test is pretty straight forward.

I have enclosed everything that I give them along with the final solution in PDF form so that you can see what we are looking for.

Any guidance here would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Michael

Revit test.zip 

[syman2000]

I wouldn't do this method because it because making people to be BIM drafter rather than be a problem solver. We had issue with CAD side where we are running into exactly the same issue. If you don't teach people to use their brain to think, they will do exactly the same way in another firm. So I usually look at their strength and weaknesses and see where they can grow. The new employees may have great skills you may not even look at. It is basically trying to extract their talent rather than let them be robots.

[Michael_Snow]

Thank you for your reply.

Wondering if you looked at the zip file.

Again, this is JUST to see what their current skills are.  It touches on all kinds of stuff in revit and to see how fast they can navigate and like you said problem solve.

But thank you.

[HVAC-Novice]

I think this is a good idea since everyone nowadays claims BIM experience. 

I'd add something with instance and type parameter and scheduling. Maybe some units and a calculated parameter.  Some sort of formula to calculate a value with correct units. That way you know they didn't just use Revit as a drafting tool. 

If the test includes internet access, you can throw in some things they may need to google for. that would be a real life problem-solving scenario. 

You don't want to find out what they know, but how they think. 

[Michael_Snow]

Thank you for this.

The light switches have instance based toggles to turn on/off the "S" designating whether it is a Surface Mount switch or not.  As well, the GFIC plug has an on off toggle for direct wiring.

So your suggestion tells me I am on the right track.

Your google comment is an excellent one.  Thank you.

[syman2000]

I did look at it. What you are setting is set of score system much like what you see in public school. It doesn't teach them to think but just follow instruction. I would simply gave them a set of file and give them what you want to achieve vaguely. What you want is see what they are able to come up with it. Give them reign to fill in furniture and use their architectural artistic license. If the potential candidate goes beyond what they are able to do, then you know you have a person that can think for themselves.

[Michael_Snow]

Definitely see your point.

From your point of view, this test while it is not as good as you would like is rather easy?

Or should be rather easy?

[syman2000]

When I was in Architectural school, we were given vague instruction and you have to figure out how to translate that into concept and design. It is how Architect students learn to push yourself beyond the follow these steps. So I believe office should have the same mindset. Don't be overly burden them with set of steps, but give them enough to do. Most often I would give them CAD plan and ask them how would you approach these in BIM. So it is their job to figure out how to create plans, section, elevation and basic schedule. Once you able to see what the user able to do, then you can easily see if they have experience in Design or Construction phase based on the model they've created.

[RDAOU]

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@Michael_Snow wrote:

....

As a BIM Coordinator, I developed what I think should be a bare minimum Revit knowledge test as we are finding it hard to get even mediocre Revit users

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@Michael_Snow 

Mediocre Revit Users and Revit Knowledge tests... Carefully picked terms and they are indeed spot on. You are neither hiring an Architect/Engineer nor a BIM Coordinator.

It is not too many questions for a 90 mins test as you stated but I am surprised that the candidates actually would sit there for an additional 90 mins assuming that there is also the conventional interview but anyhow here is what I think...

1. Contrary to the other replies, I wouldn't stick in the term BIM in this discussion. For a Revit basic user NO BIM knowledge is really required (not sure why those 3 letters always pop up when someone mentions Revit); However, some experience working in a CDE might be a must...something which you are missing in that knowledge test
2. In general the Questions you have put together are GOOD to check if the candidate is fit for a Revit Operator/Basic User. However, instead of conducting such tests you could simply ask the candidates to provide a Revit Professional User certificate from an accredited test center.
3. Not sure why do you need to put in those score points... This can have legal implications on your firm and I believe that you definitely SHOULDN'T score that test.
   • Toss the points out,
   • add a note emphasizing that this is an unscored test and only mean to help you understand the candidates skill level.
   • leave the judgement to your discretion.

[Michael_Snow]

Thank you for your comments.

Lots of good points.

Good jobs that pay well in our industry are hard to come by so sitting for 90 minutes at a chance to work with us is beneficial to both.

Prospective employees do not know they have a Revit ASSESSMENT coming until the 3rd and final interview (one phone call, one person to person, then the Revit assessment).  Vetting employees is extremely important.

As for the scores, they do not see that it is scored.  That is removed and only we see that and rest assured, we are generous with our marking.  Throughout the entire process, it is called an assessment (even though really we are testing them :D)

Anyway, thanks for the comments.

[syman2000]

Also you want to ask if the candidate has linkedin profile, have their work posted online like Autodesk gallery or social media, be active in forum like Augi, Autodesk and etc. Reason I would ask for this is to save your company time by looking at what the candidate did online and how they will benefit the firm. You won't get everything in 90mins assessment.