The XML Syntax and Usage assessment is designed to evaluate the knowledge and skills of entry-level to mid-level Information Technology professionals in defining and working with XML data within business applications. The test measures competency across key areas including XML Document Structure and Syntax Rules, XML Schema and DTD for Document Validation, XPath and XSLT for Navigating and Transforming XML, Parsing XML with DOM and SAX, Namespaces in XML, and Character Encoding and Special Characters. It assesses practical skills such as creating well-formed XML documents, validating documents against schemas, transforming data with XSLT, navigating structures with XPath, and designing element and attribute structures that support interoperability and reuse in business contexts such as data exchange, configuration files, and web services. The assessment uses a variety of question formats, including Multiple Choice, Multiple Correct Answer, and Essay Composition questions, with one or more questions scored using artificial intelligence and one or more questions subject to individual time limits to enhance predictive performance and discourage cheating. Questions are drawn from a large pool to further reduce the risk of cheating and ensure a fair and reliable evaluation of each candidate's or employee's XML knowledge and skills.

The specific attributes measured include:

Following completion, the test produces a Candidate Selection Report that includes an overall score and detailed scores for each attribute.

The Candidate Selection Report also provides expert interview questions that help you probe critical or low-scoring areas, along with a guide for noting your evaluation of the candidate's responses. Consistent use of an interview guide is an important part of gaining better candidate insights and making better hiring decisions.

Note that while the XML Syntax and Usage assessment is a useful and efficient instrument for confirming a base level of skill or knowledge about this important topic, it is not intended to pinpoint the exact level of candidate or skill. We recommend that skills tests, like this one, be used in parallel with other measurements, such as cognitive ability, job fit, and behavioral history. Each different type of test provides a valuable piece of information you can use when evaluating potential job performance.