Samsung will test recruits online this year, and film them

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Samsung will test recruits online this year, and film them

Job seekers walk out from the test center after completing the Global Samsung Aptitude Test (GSAT) held at the Gyeongbuk Machinery Technical High School in Sangin-dong, Dalseo District, Daegu, for the fall recruitment in 2018. [NEWS1]

Job seekers walk out from the test center after completing the Global Samsung Aptitude Test (GSAT) held at the Gyeongbuk Machinery Technical High School in Sangin-dong, Dalseo District, Daegu, for the fall recruitment in 2018. [NEWS1]

Spring recruitment is being postponed, but the Global Samsung Aptitude Test (GSAT) is on, Samsung Electronics announced Tuesday.

 
The exam, which is used to choose new employees for all Samsung Group companies, will be online, a first for the GSAT.
 
"While abiding by the government’s guidance to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the company has decided to conduct its GSAT online for the first time to proceed with the necessary recruitment process," Samsung Electronics said in a statement.  

 
The GSAT, which was first given in 1995, is wildly popular, and tens of thousands of hopefuls sit for it. So that the test doesn't crash on the internet, the exam will be held at four different times on May 30 and May 31.   
 
051403-gsat-gra

051403-gsat-gra

 
The company also reduced the number of subjects tested from four to two. Verbal and visual thinking are excluded, and only two areas are tested: quantitative analysis and logical reasoning.
 
All four tests will be different to prevent cheating and the leaking of questions.
 
“Considering that it is not easy to concentrate for a long time online, we decided to evaluate only two areas where problem solving and logical thinking skills will be tested," a Samsung official said. The process will take two hours.  
 
It will also utilize a remote monitoring system, in which an exam invigilator watches the applicants in real time to prevent people from getting help from others. 
 
Each applicant must use his or her personal computer at home to take the test. Before taking the exam, the applicant will be required to put his smartphone on the holder stand that will be mailed individually from the company. Each smartphone will record a video by alternating between the applicant and the computer screen during the test, which will be directly sent to the monitoring system prepared by Samsung in real time. Then the exam proctor will check each applicant on the monitoring system.
 
To minimize confusion, Samsung will provide appropriate guidance on the changed testing methods. An applicant’s kit that includes a note of precautions and the mobile phone holder stand will be mailed out to each applicant. The testing system will be checked about a week before the test takes place.
 
As Samsung’s public recruitment system is the largest among conglomerates, other companies may adopt the online testing procedure as well.  
 
"We are considering conducting an online SK Competency Test, a written test for public recruitment, in May," an SK official said. "We will let the applicants know as soon as our decision is finalized."  
 
LG Group affiliates began the public recruitment process in April, and there hasn’t been any notice on conducting online tests. Last year, Hyundai Motor abolished the public recruitment process and introduced a rolling hiring process. 
 
"Even if it is not because of the coronavirus, online tests are worth introducing to reduce social costs," a business source said. "If Samsung's online tests go smoothly as planned, other companies may also consider conducting online tests."
  
BY JANG JOO-YOUNG [kim.yeonah@joongang.co.kr]
 
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