1. Do I have to take everything at once?
No. We understand you may not have time to complete every questionnaire in one sitting, although we do recommend finishing any one questionnaire that you begin. If you break up the questionnaires into more than one sitting, be sure to make a note of the questionnaires you have completed (they will not drop off the list), X out of the window containing the links to each questionnaire, and log back in at the CMA website when you are ready to resume.
If you need to stop part of the way through a questionnaire, be sure to follow the onscreen directions. The California Psychological Inventory, for example, has a “Save and Finish Later” option that generates a User ID that allows you to get back to where you left off. For other measures like the Motivation Questionnaire or Leadership Effectiveness Analysis, the site will save your answers up until the last time you advanced to the next page. Keep in mind that most of the questionnaire sites prompt you to change your password as a security precaution, so make a note if you have a new password.
2. Will I get to see my results?
If you are assessing for selection, the results are the property of the requesting organization. Most companies provide feedback only to candidates who go to work for them. If you are assessing for development, you will nearly always have an opportunity to review and discuss your results with a CMA consultant.
3. How long will this take? / Do I have to go in any particular order?
Because most of the questionnaires are untimed, the time requirement varies. You can complete the questionnaires in any order you like. Here is a list of some of our most common questionnaires and the average times we’ve found it takes candidates to complete each. Keep in mind that these times are approximate and that you will not be taking all of these measures.
California Psychological Inventory – 30 minutes
Occupational Personality Questionnaire – 40 minutes
Leadership Effectiveness Analysis – 40 minutes
Sales Performance Assessment – 40 minutes
Motivation Questionnaire – 30 minutes
Background Questionnaire – 15 minutes
Biographical Questionnaire – 20 minutes, or you can submit a resume/CV
Thurstone Test of Mental Alertness – 20 minutes (timed, has right/wrong answers)
4. How soon do I have to finish the questionnaires?
At your earliest convenience. Just keep in mind that we cannot report back on results until the questionnaires are complete.
5. How will this information be used? / How confidential is my information?
Beyond CMA, results go exclusively to the company requesting the assessment. Questionnaire results are transmitted in an aggregated form, so answers to individual items on assessment questionnaires do not appear in the assessment summary report.
6. Is it possible to fail an assessment?
The majority of our assessment questionnaires do not contain right and wrong answers, so just answer honestly. If your assessment is for selection, it is only one part of a larger hiring process. The questionnaires help us understand how your unique abilities fit with a specific organization, role and culture.
7. How can I tell if everything has gone through?
We encourage candidates to contact CMA for a confirmation. Either hit reply on the email you received containing your logins and passwords, or call our office at (314) 330 -6270.
8. Why do organizations use assessments?
Organizations use assessments because they rely on multiple sources of information to understand a person’s strengths and developmental areas relative to a specific position or role in an organization. A selection/promotion assessment is used to help ensure a good fit of skills with job requirements. A developmental assessment is used to help obtain information to prepare individuals for future roles and responsibilities. If you’d like more information on our assessments, see the Services section of our website.
9. I have an appointment at your offices. Where are you located, and where can I park?
Directions for how to get here and where to park are available here.