20 Educational Testing Service Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a job at Educational Testing Service (ETS), there are some specific questions you can expect to be asked. These questions are designed to assess your knowledge of the company and its mission, as well as your ability to think critically and solve problems.

In this article, we will provide you with some sample questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your interview with ETS. We will also give you some tips on how to approach these questions so that you can make the best impression possible.

Educational Testing Service Interview Process

The interview process at Educational Testing Service (ETS) can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one written exam and one or more interviews. The written exam may be a general aptitude test or a more specific test related to the position you are applying for. The interviews can range from informal conversations to more formal panel interviews. In some cases, you may also be asked to give a presentation as part of the interview process. Overall, the interview process at ETS is generally fair and thorough.

1. What are your thoughts on the current state of education?

This question is a great way to gauge your thoughts on the current state of education and how you would like to improve it. Your answer should be thoughtful, but also show that you are willing to work hard to make improvements in the educational system.

Example: “I believe that there are many issues with the current state of education. One issue I see is that students aren’t being taught practical skills they can use after graduation. Another issue is that teachers don’t have enough resources to teach effectively. I think we need to focus more on teaching students real-world skills and providing teachers with better resources.”

2. How do you think standardized testing is viewed by students and parents?

This question is an opportunity to show your understanding of the role of standardized testing in education and how you can use it to benefit students.

Example: “I think that parents and students view standardized testing as a necessary evil, but I believe they should see it as something more than just a test. When I administer tests, I make sure to explain what each section means and why it’s important for students to do well on them. This helps build trust between me and my students and their families so they know I’m not just giving them a test without any explanation.”

3. Why do you want to work for ETS?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in working for ETS. It’s important to show that you have done some research on the company and understand what they do. You can also use this opportunity to highlight any skills or experiences that make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I want to work for ETS because I am passionate about education. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many different students of all ages. I love being able to help them reach their goals and find success. I think ETS is an amazing organization that provides valuable testing services to schools across the country.”

4. What is your experience working with a team?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you work with others. To answer, think of a time when you worked on a team project in school or at work. Explain what the goal was and how you contributed to the success of the project.

Example: “In my last position as an educational consultant, I worked with a team of other consultants who were all experienced professionals. We had weekly meetings where we discussed our clients’ needs and how we could best meet them. In one instance, I suggested that we add a section to our client’s website that would help parents understand their child’s homework assignments. The team agreed, and we implemented the change.”

5. Give an example of how you would use technology to improve classroom learning.

ETS is a testing company that uses technology to create and administer tests. As such, the interviewer may want to know how you would use your technological skills to improve classroom learning.

Example: “I have experience using educational software in my previous role as an IT specialist at a local school district. I helped implement new programs for students with special needs and created a system where teachers could access student records from their computers. This allowed them to quickly assess which students needed extra help and provide it before class started.”

6. Provide an example of when you had to deal with a difficult person or situation in the workplace, how did you handle it?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve conflict. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example that shows you have the ability to work with others and solve problems.

Example: “In my last role as a test administrator, I had a student who was very anxious about taking the exam. The student kept asking me questions about how long the test would take and what they should expect. After several minutes of explaining the same thing over and over again, I realized that the student wasn’t going to calm down until I gave them more information. So, I told the student that if they could answer all of the questions on the test correctly, then they would pass the class. This seemed to help the student relax and focus on the test.”

7. Have you worked as a test scorer before?

This question is a great way to learn more about your potential new colleague’s experience. If you have worked as a test scorer before, it can be helpful to share some of the challenges and successes you’ve had in this role.

Example: “I have worked as a test scorer for over five years now. I started out scoring practice tests for my own students, which was challenging at first but became easier with time. Eventually, I began working as a freelance test scorer for other teachers and schools. This helped me gain confidence in my abilities and led to me getting hired by ETS.”

8. Describe your experience with grading tests.

Grading tests is a common responsibility for those working in educational testing. Your interviewer will want to know that you have the experience and skills necessary to grade tests accurately and efficiently.

Example: “I’ve graded many different types of tests, including multiple-choice, short answer and essay questions. I am familiar with grading rubrics and can use them to ensure that each test I grade meets the standards set by my employer. In my last position, I was responsible for grading all standardized tests for students in grades three through eight. This included both computerized and paper-based assessments.”

9. Do you consider yourself detail oriented?

This question is a great way to determine how well you can follow instructions and perform the tasks required of you in your role. Detail orientation is an important skill for anyone who works with data, so it’s likely that this question will come up during any interview process.

Example: “I consider myself very detail oriented because I pride myself on my ability to pay attention to every aspect of what I’m doing. In my last position as a test proctor, I was responsible for making sure all students were following the rules and taking their tests properly. This meant paying close attention to each student’s behavior and ensuring they weren’t cheating or using unauthorized materials.”

10. When was a time that you had to be very detailed at work?

This question can help an interviewer get a better idea of your attention to detail and how you apply it in the workplace. When answering this question, try to think of a specific example from your previous job that shows your ability to be detailed.

Example: “When I worked as a test proctor for my college’s testing center, I had to make sure all students were following the rules during their exams. This included making sure they weren’t using any electronics or bringing in outside materials. If I noticed someone was breaking these rules, I would have to stop them from taking the exam until they could retake it after receiving a new one.”

11. Give an example of a time where you showed leadership skills.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your leadership skills and how you’ve used them in the past. To answer, think of a time when you were in charge of a project or group and successfully led it to completion.

Example: “In my last position as an educational testing specialist, I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of our state’s standardized testing program. This included hiring new employees, training current staff members and ensuring that all test materials were ready on time. In this role, I had to lead a large team of people who worked together to ensure the success of each exam.”

12. What do you think is more important, being right or maintaining good relationships?

This question is a test of your interpersonal skills. It’s important to show that you can be right without being disagreeable, and it’s also important to demonstrate that you value relationships over the truth.

Example: “I think both are equally important. I would never want to be so stubborn as to ignore what my colleagues have to say about an issue or how they feel about something. At the same time, I believe that if I’m right, then I should stand up for myself and not let others get in the way of me doing my job. If I were wrong, however, I would admit it and apologize.”

13. If you were asked to lead a team project, what steps would you take?

This question is a great way to assess your leadership skills and how you would approach a project. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe the steps you would take in order to ensure that everyone on the team was able to contribute their ideas and opinions while also ensuring that the project was completed by the deadline.

Example: “If I were asked to lead a team project, I would first make sure that all of my teammates understood what they needed to do for the project. Then, I would assign each person a task based on their strengths so that we could complete the project as efficiently as possible. Finally, I would set up regular meetings with my team members to check in and see how they are doing.”

14. We have many rater positions open, why should we hire you over someone else?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight your relevant skills and experience that make you an ideal candidate for the position.

Example: “I have five years of experience as a rater at ETS, so I know what it takes to be successful in this role. In my previous positions, I’ve always been able to meet deadlines while maintaining high quality work. My attention to detail has helped me achieve excellent scores on all assignments.”

15. What is your greatest strength?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest. Employers want to know what your greatest strengths are so they can use them when you’re working for them. When answering this question, think about the skills that have helped you succeed in previous roles.

Example: “My greatest strength is my attention to detail. I’ve always been good at noticing small details, which has helped me excel in my past positions. For example, while working as an educational testing specialist, I noticed that some students were missing questions on their exams because of typos. I reported this issue to my supervisor, who then informed ETS. They fixed the problem before any other students took the exam.”

16. What is your approach to conflict resolution?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you resolve conflicts with coworkers or clients. To answer, think of a time when you had to resolve a conflict in the workplace. Explain what steps you took to solve the issue and highlight any positive outcomes that resulted from your actions.

Example: “In my previous role as an educational consultant, I worked with teachers who were having trouble implementing new curriculum standards. One teacher was struggling to implement a writing assignment because he didn’t know how to grade it properly. I met with him one-on-one to discuss his concerns and explain why grading is subjective. He understood after our meeting and implemented the assignment successfully.”

17. Are you comfortable speaking English fluently?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any language barriers that could affect your ability to communicate with students or colleagues. If English is not your first language, it’s important to let the interviewer know about your fluency level and how you plan to overcome any challenges.

Example: “I am fluent in both English and Spanish, however, I understand that ETS only requires a basic knowledge of English for its employees. As such, I will make sure to brush up on my English skills before starting work at ETS.”

18. Which area of education interests you most?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have an interest in the field of education and how it can help students succeed. When answering this question, make sure to mention which area of education interests you most and why.

Example: “I am very passionate about special education because I believe every student deserves to be educated in a safe environment where they feel comfortable learning. In my previous role as a teacher’s aide, I noticed that some students were struggling with certain subjects or skills. I decided to take on more responsibilities by becoming a tutor for those students who needed extra support.”

19. As a rater, you will need to keep up with new material. How do you plan to stay informed about new trends in education?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the field of education and how you plan to keep up with changes. You can use this as a chance to discuss any professional development courses or certifications you have completed.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my skills as a rater, so I signed up for a certification program through ETS that teaches me about new trends in education. This has helped me learn more about different teaching methods and what students are learning at each grade level.”

20. Tell us about a time when you were stressed at work, how did you handle it?

When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and how you overcame the stress. This can show your interviewer that you have experience with stressful situations and how you react to them.

Example: “When I first started working as an educational testing specialist, I was stressed about making sure all of my students were taking their exams correctly. However, I learned that if I focused on one student at a time, I could help them without getting overwhelmed. Now, when I feel stressed, I take a deep breath and remind myself that I am prepared for whatever may happen.”