Assessment Package

Release 26.16 - 4/30/2026

Modified Assessment Package (AP) business logic to remain incomplete when importing an Assessment Package Template or copying an AP from another Vacancy. This will help ensure HR users have the opportunity to review for Merit Hiring Plan compliance and add/modify assessments as needed before marking the AP complete.

Added an assessment decision tool to guide HR users towards high-quality assessments that align with Merit Hiring Plan rules, which aims to expand the use of technical or alternative assessments and discontinue self-assessments. For more information on Merit Hiring Plan assessment requirements and resources, please visit: Merit Hiring Plan Resources.

• When opening a blank Assessment Package, a Screen applicant for minimum qualifications modal displays. Users are guided to select or create an occupational questionnaire.
  • The options to Select a template from the library or Copy from an existing Vacancy will take users to search based on the series and grade specified for the Vacancy. Additional search parameters may be applied to narrow search results.
  • The option to Create a new occupational questionnaire will create a new questionnaire-type assessment with Screen-out enabled and Rating disabled by default.
• Next, if there is a matching USA Hire assessment, an Additional assessments available modal displays. When selecting a USA Hire assessment, results are filtered so relevant options for each series and grade are presented. Note: USA Hire assessments are not universally available; access depends on the agency, job series, and/or grade. USA Staffing will skip this modal if there are no matching USA Hire assessments.
• Finally, users are directed to the Build assessment strategy modal, which provides the full range of assessment options. HR specialists may create SME Evaluations (which are used with the Structured Resume Review process) or Manual Assessments, as well as revisit options presented in previous modals. Each modal includes an option to not use an assessment.

See: Creating an Assessment and Adding a USA Hire Assessment to an existing assessment package