Understanding Instructions
Practical Comprehension & Instruction-Following
Tests whether candidates can correctly read, interpret and act on instructions — across written text, diagrams and tables — a critical skill in operational, technical and safety-conscious roles.
Following Instructions — A Core Workplace Competency
The ability to correctly read and follow instructions — particularly those presented in non-standard formats — is critical in many operational, technical and safety-conscious roles. Many workplace errors stem not from technical inability, but from misreading or misapplying instructions.
This assessment presents candidates with instructions in a variety of formats — written text, diagrams and tables — and then asks targeted questions to test whether they have correctly interpreted what they read. The focus is on applied understanding: candidates must not just read but act correctly on what they have read.
Originally developed for health and safety roles as part of the Safety Check battery, the assessment is equally applicable to broader administrative, technical and operational settings.
What It Measures
Written Instruction Comprehension
Comprehension of written instructions across varying levels of complexity.
Diagram & Table Interpretation
Ability to interpret diagrammatic and tabular instructions accurately — not just prose.
Applied Understanding
Application of understood instructions to answer specific questions — testing not just reading but whether the candidate can act correctly on what they have read.
Detail in Safety-Critical Content
Attention to detail within instructional content — particularly where misreading could have safety or procedural consequences.
Real-World Instruction Scenarios
Purpose-built to simulate the comprehension and applied reasoning demanded on the job.
Instruction Sets with Visuals
Candidates read short instructional texts, often supported by images, diagrams or tables.
Applied Questioning
Candidates answer questions based on the provided instructions — testing not just reading but applied understanding.
Practical Decision-Making
Evaluates ability to follow procedures, sequences or decision rules accurately — not abstract recall.
Accuracy & Completion
Measures correct responses and overall comprehension effectiveness across the set.
Part of the Safety Check Battery
This assessment is available as a standalone measure and is also included as a component of the Safety Check battery for health-and-safety focused selection.
Critical Workforce Capabilities
Enhance Workplace Safety
Verify that candidates can follow safety protocols correctly — before the consequences of misreading play out on site.
Reduce Mistakes & Rework
Hire individuals who accurately follow procedures — fewer errors, less rework, lower operational cost.
Strengthen Compliance
Support roles where regulation adherence is vital — by confirming comprehension before the job starts.
Improve Training Efficiency
Select candidates who adapt quickly to written guides — so onboarding and SOPs land the first time.
Support Independent Working
Build teams who can follow instructions without constant supervision — freeing managers for higher-value work.
Operational Reliability
Strengthen operational reliability across diverse roles — from logistics through to manufacturing and field services.
When to Use Understanding Instructions
Procedure-Adherent Roles
Selection for roles requiring strict adherence to written, diagrammatic or procedural instructions — particularly in technical, industrial, manufacturing, logistics and safety-focused environments.
Part of the Safety Check Battery
Included as a component measure within the Safety Check battery — supporting health-and-safety focused selection.
Pair with Reading Comprehension
Combine with Reading Comprehension for roles where both general comprehension and instructional precision are required.
Administration Options
Online Supervised
Supervised digital administration via a generated link
Online Unsupervised
Remote unsupervised administration via a generated link
Duration: 20 questions, approximately 12 minutes, timed
Ready to Measure Instruction-Following?
Identify candidates who read, understand and act on instructions correctly — the foundation of safe, compliant, reliable operational performance.