There are a total of twenty eight questions on the field employee Census job test. Answers are marked on a perforated answer key. When the test is graded, each wrong answer is marked and the number of wrong answers is then deducted from the total number of questions asked on the test. Thus, if you had three wrong answers, your raw score would be 25/28. This raw score is then converted to a test score. If you get all 28 correct, you will have a final test score of 100.
To pass the test, you need a score of 70, which translates into your needing to get 10 out of 28 questions correct. However, passing the test will not guarantee that you will be called up for employment with the Census. When a supervisor wants to hire an enumerator (the field employees and the most common job type), they will decide on the area, and then search through the employee database for all the people eligible for the job. The search will be based on the test scores, with those having the highest test scores being called in first.
Furthermore, veterans who take the test automatically received an extra five points, and a disabled veteran receives a total of ten extra points. Thus, theoretically, it is possible for a disabled veteran with all 28 questions correct, to receive a final score of 110. So, as you can see, passing with a score of 70 may still put you well below what others have received.
It is highly recommended that you take the census employment test again if you get less than 90 on your exam. Aiming for a score of around 97 or 98 should put you in line for a position, when the times comes that the supervisors are actively recruiting and calling potential employees. For this reason, it would probably be beneficial to take the test as early as you can, rather than leaving it till the last minute. You will have plenty of time to re-take the test if you need to. Incidentally, you are allowed to re-take the test as many times as you like so you can keep on taking it till you get a score that you are satisfied with.
How are the raw scores converted to test scores? I got a raw score of 25/28. I am trying to decide if I should take the test again. Does that translate to less than 90?
Thank you.
Hi Gail, I believe that a raw score of 25 would be you somewhere in the 90s. This is what someone posted on another forum about computing the test scores:
All 28 questions on the field employee test are weighted exactly the same. The test is graded using a perforated answer key and each wrong answer is marked. The total number of wrong answers is then subtracted from the total number of questions to yield the raw score – for example, 24 out of 28. The raw score is converted to a test score using a chart. 28 right is 100, 27 right is 98, 26 right is 97…10 right is 70. Obviously these are not percentages, but everyone is graded using the same method so we’re all on an equal footing.
I’m not a math wiz so I don’t even know how they are coming up with these percentage translations, but my guess is that 25 would equal either a 95 or a 96. Hopefully someone will come along who knows the exact answer, but I think it is certain you are in the 90s.
That said, there is a LOT of competition for jobs. While a passing score is only 70%, it seems to me that there are tons of folks all vying for the same jobs who may well have scored 100% and with the Veteran’s Preference, that score actually goes higher than 100. So if you have the time and they are offering another test in your area, I think it can only help if you decide to take it again.
Divide 100 by 28; multiply that number by number missed; subtract that numbear from 100
Thanks, Ellen!
Hi Ellen,
…something doesn’t add up. How can it be that “To pass the test, you need a score of 70, which translates into your needing to get 10 out of 28 questions correct.” And when I have 15 questions right that would be with your calculation 53.57%! …Can somebody please clarify the situation?
Thank you and god bless you all
Sam
I felt the test was very easy. However, I was really tired and bored when I took the test and scored 24/28. This score translated to a 93 %. I have a college degree and I almost felt completely retarded for not scoring 100. They apply weights to your score. I.E. 24 correct answers converts to a 93 overall score.