The Microsoft SQL Server Database Administration (Short) assessment is designed to evaluate the knowledge and skills of job candidates and employees necessary to support Microsoft SQL Server database configuration, maintenance, and operations. The test measures a broad range of competencies including Backup and Restore strategies, Security Management, Index and Statistics Management, Monitoring and Troubleshooting, SQL Server Agent and Job Automation, and Database Integrity and Maintenance. It assesses skill-based knowledge through a variety of question formats, including Multiple Choice, Multiple Correct Answer, and Essay Composition questions, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of each candidate's capabilities. To enhance the integrity and predictive accuracy of the assessment, questions are drawn from a large pool to minimize cheating, one or more questions are subject to individual time limits, and artificial intelligence is utilized in the scoring of select questions.

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 Microsoft SQL Server Database Administration (Short) 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.