Assessment question types (extended)
Skilladder assessments can include more than classic multi-choice, true/false, and short answer items. This page describes what authors and participants should expect in the product today.
:::info Trust the live UI
Labels on screen (for example Multiple correct, Likert, Image MCQ) are canonical. Engineering names in tickets may differ.
:::
Types authors can plan and assemble
| Type (UI label) | Authoring / bank | Participant player | Scored as right/wrong? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-choice | Options; one correct | Tap one option | Yes |
| True/False | Two options; one correct | Tap one option | Yes |
| Short answer | Rubric optional | Free-text area | Yes (AI-assisted where enabled) |
| Multiple correct | Several options; one or more marked correct | Checkboxes — select all that apply | Yes — must match the full correct set |
| Image MCQ | Options (image prompt in config when used) | Same as multi-choice (single selection) | Yes |
| Likert | Scale options (typically 2–7 labels) | Radio scale per question | No — recorded for feedback; not pass/fail |
| Fill in the blank | Requires structured config (template + accepted answers) | Not yet interactive — notice shown; candidate can move on | Not in player today |
| Ordering | Requires structured config (items + correct order) | Not yet interactive — notice shown; candidate can move on | Not in player today |
Framework (RIASEC) assessments still use their own pillar / Likert-style flows; the generic Likert type here is for non-framework skills assessments.
Question plan (skills tab)
On /assessments/[assessment-id], the question plan shows weight rows for all eight supported runtime types (including Multiple correct, Fill in the blank, Ordering, Image MCQ, and Likert). Percentages are stored on the assessment record and round-trip on save and refresh.
Publishing LIVE assessments
You cannot set an assessment LIVE if the active question version still contains Fill in the blank or Ordering items — the player does not support answering them yet. Remove or replace those questions, then publish.
Other extended types (for example Multiple correct, Likert, Image MCQ) are allowed on LIVE assessments when the rest of assembly checks pass (question count, etc.).
Question Bank formats
When filtering or importing bank items, format may include the extended labels (for example Multiple correct, Fill in the blank, Ordering, Image MCQ, Likert). Items inserted from the bank map to the matching runtime type on the assessment.
Operators should ensure config-backed formats are valid before marking items Live if those items will be deployed to candidates soon.
CSV upload (Platform / Directory)
Bulk CSV import supports additional type values and, for some types, a config_json column with JSON matching the type schema (required for Fill in the blank, Ordering, and Likert in the import path). See Upload assessment (CSV).
Results and detailed feedback
When show detailed feedback is enabled:
- Likert answers appear in full answer review with a neutral indicator (not marked “wrong”).
- Multiple correct shows the candidate’s selected option text (joined when several were chosen).
- Partial scoring fields may appear in data for future use; participant-facing copy still emphasises right/wrong for scored types.
Related pages
- Assessments — hub and builder context
- Question Bank — catalogue formats and governance
- Taking assessments (participant) — attempt UX
- Preview an assessment — builder preview