ExamopotamiaWhy give cashiers a test?
Cash handling mistakes add up quietly. Wrong change, an unbalanced drawer at the end of a shift, an unauthorised discount for a friend or an accepted fake note all hit your takings, and most of them can't be traced afterwards. Applicants often say they are "good with money", but a few practical questions show who can calculate change in their head and who knows what to do when the drawer doesn't balance. That is worth knowing before you hand someone a float.
What this template covers
- Change and arithmetic: giving change, percentage discounts and multi-item totals.
- Cash handling habits: counting back aloud, keeping large notes in view and closing the drawer.
- Balancing the till: float, cash sales, refunds and what to do about a shortage.
- Checkout situations: price differences, declined cards and age-restricted items.
- Integrity: discounts for friends and counterfeit checks.
How to run it well
Use all twelve questions with a 10 minute timer. A slightly tight limit is realistic, because nobody gets five minutes per customer at a real till. Many employers set the pass mark at 75% or higher for cash roles, because the arithmetic questions have clear right answers. Turn on shuffling for both questions and options.
Look first at the short-answer change question, where candidates type the number instead of choosing it, and at the till-balancing question. Then check the honesty questions about a short drawer and a friend's discount. A high score with a wrong answer on those is worth talking about in the interview.
Who this test is for
Use it for supermarket and convenience store cashiers, checkout staff in fashion and general retail, fuel station attendants, cinema and venue box offices, and front counters in cafés and fast-food restaurants. Anyone who will handle cash or card payments alone can take it. It is also a fair way to check existing staff before you give them key-holder or cashing-up duties, because the questions are the same for everyone and the marking is automatic.
Make it yours
Add your own refund, voucher and ID-check policies, and the currency notes you actually accept. If your till system has particular steps for voids or no-sales, write questions on those. You can also add questions on self-checkout help or loyalty cards, and keep a harder version for supervisors who cash up at the end of the day.