IT support and administration assessment tests for hiring

What IT support and administration tests cover

These tests cover practical knowledge for supporting and administering systems, networks, accounts, devices and services. All 14 are intermediate, take 10 minutes and use multiple-choice questions.

For directory administration, Active Directory covers planning, administration, troubleshooting and availability. Computer Networking Fundamentals focuses on hardware, addressing, routing, protocols, security and simple network faults. For applied network scenarios, Network Engineering covers protocols, design, security and troubleshooting.

Platform administration is covered by tests such as Microsoft 365 Administration, which measures knowledge of identity, mail, files and collaboration, and Google Workspace Administration, which covers accounts, Gmail, collaboration settings and security. Other tests focus on Microsoft Intune Administration for device and app management, or Microsoft Exchange Server for on-premises Exchange setup and administration. Microsoft SharePoint Administration covers setup, content governance, search and reporting. For servers and the command line, Windows Server Administration covers setting up and maintaining Windows Server, and Linux is read from commands and output. Bash and PowerShell cover shell work and scripting.

Choose tests for the role's responsibilities

For help desk and IT support staff who manage accounts and policies, Active Directory offers an intermediate measure of directory knowledge. Computer Networking Fundamentals suits IT support specialists, help desk and desktop support staff, and junior network technicians. For support engineers working with Microsoft 365 services, consider Microsoft 365 Administration; its stated audience also includes service desk engineers and Microsoft 365 support specialists.

Match platform tests to the systems in the role. Linux measures Linux administration, system internals, shell and package tools, and security. It suits systems administrators and support engineers for server products, among others. Windows Server Administration is for staff who look after servers, including system and network administrators and technical support staff. PowerShell fits support or DevOps roles that automate work with scripts.

For roles responsible for devices, Microsoft Intune Administration covers setup, enrollment, device and app management, and data protection. The Microsoft Windows and macOS tests measure everyday desktop use for office and support staff, not administration. All 14 tests are intermediate, so choose by the work and platforms in the role, not by level.

Combine tests around the work

Choose tests that match the responsibilities you want to assess, rather than assigning every test in the area. For a role handling directory accounts and routine network diagnosis, pair Active Directory with Computer Networking Fundamentals. For a systems administrator responsible for Windows servers and scripts, Windows Server Administration and PowerShell cover distinct parts of that work.

For a role administering an organization's Microsoft 365 services and enrolled devices, consider Microsoft 365 Administration alongside Microsoft Intune Administration. If responsibilities include both Linux command-line work and shell scripting, Linux and Bash cover related but different knowledge. Add a platform-specific test only when its subject fits the role's duties.

Keep the interpretation grounded in the evidence each test provides. Review the result alongside the role's requirements and other information gathered in hiring. A test score is a signal for a person to review; it is not a pass mark, cutoff or decision on its own.

Question design and fairness

The fairness details differ by test, so check the notes for the subject you select. Many tests use plain wording and describe tasks or settings rather than relying on a particular screen layout. For example, Microsoft 365 Administration uses descriptions and small tables instead of screenshots, and states settings or licenses an answer depends on. Google Workspace Administration describes settings and effects rather than exact menu paths, and shows needed values in the question or a table.

Other notes explain how product or system differences are handled. Active Directory states a release when it matters and shows details such as tool output in the question. PowerShell states the assumed version when behavior differs. Linux shows the commands, files and output each question relies on, and specifies a package family when it matters. The networking tests use vendor-neutral scenarios and generic tool output; their notes also state that candidates may use scratch paper. For accommodations, see Fairness and accommodations.