ExamopotamiaWhy test logistics skills before you hire?
Logistics roles sit between suppliers, warehouses, carriers and customers, and small mistakes travel quickly through that chain. A reorder point set too low means empty shelves; one set too high ties up cash. Choosing a carrier only on price can cost more in late deliveries than it saves. Candidates often describe their experience in terms of the systems they used, which tells you little about their judgement. A short test shows whether they understand the ideas underneath.
What this template covers
- Inventory: lead time, safety stock, reorder points and the real cost of holding stock.
- Transport: full and part loads, cross-docking and choosing carriers on total cost.
- Performance: what on time, in full (OTIF) actually requires.
- Trade terms: who arranges transport under EXW.
- Supply chain behaviour and service: the bullwhip effect and telling customers about delays.
How to run it well
Allow 15 minutes for the twelve questions and permit a calculator for the reorder point question. A pass mark of 65% suits a junior coordinator; for a planner or supply chain analyst, aim for 75%. Shuffle the order of questions and options, and consider adding two or three questions from your own operation for a more complete picture.
When you review results, the hard questions on Incoterms, the bullwhip effect and carrier choice point to candidates with broader supply chain understanding. The delay scenario tells you about customer communication, which matters just as much in a coordinator role. Ask candidates in the interview to describe a shipment that went wrong and how they handled it.
Who this test is for
Use it for logistics coordinators, transport planners, supply chain assistants and analysts, inventory controllers, shipping and freight administrators, and customer service staff in logistics companies. Freight forwarders and third-party logistics providers can also use it to screen new office staff before training them on their own systems.
Make it yours
Add questions about the routes, transport modes and product types you handle, and about the documents your shipments need. If you import or export, add your most commonly used Incoterms and your own customs process; if you run a distribution network, add questions on route planning and delivery windows. Have an experienced colleague review any trade or customs questions before you publish them, as the details vary by country.