Assessing Applicants: 
Options for Rating

There are many different options available to you for rating and not all include assigning points! Whichever option you choose, establish one that:

• is valid and job-related;

• contains objective benchmarks against which observations can be compared and rated;

• is weighted appropriately relative to the importance of the qualification being assessed; and

• differentiates between effective and ineffective performance.

Having a pre-developed plan for assessing applicants (e.g. rating scales, marking guides, benchmarks, standards for passing, etc.) makes it easier and faster for the assessment team to rate applicants. Establish a rating plan to ensure that assessment results are properly interpreted and objectively and consistently scored.

See the Staffing Practice Guideline, Assessing Applicants, Options for Rating for information on rating scales (e.g. numerical, narrative, behaviourally-anchored), setting standards for passing (e.g. related to performance or group or both), options for deciding on the final rating (e.g. score averaging or consensus) and common rating problems (e.g. tendencies, inconsistency, etc.).

See also the following related topics for further detail, tips and samples:

• Establishing Rating Scales and Marking Guides

• Setting Standards for Qualifying (i.e. "Passing")

• Avoiding Common Rating Problems

• Tips for Conducting Effective Rating

• Sample Rating Scales and Marking Guides

• Sample Rating Guides