Assessments are evaluations used to confirm that you have the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to a project. They are a required part of onboarding for many projects and may also appear during a project if quality standards need to be re-verified.
Assessments are project-specific, and the format, length, and passing criteria will vary depending on the partner lab and the type of work involved. Details about any required assessments will be communicated as part of your project onboarding materials.
What to expect
Before you begin tasking on a project, you may be asked to complete one or more of the following:
- A knowledge quiz based on your onboarding training materials
- A practice task or sample submission reviewed by the Handshake AI team
- A written or skills-based evaluation relevant to your project domain
Take your time and review all training materials thoroughly before attempting an assessment. Assessments are designed to reflect the real work you'll be doing on the project, so your onboarding materials are the best preparation.
What happens if my assessment is under review?
After submitting your assessment, there may be a processing period before you receive results. This is normal. During this time, your submission is being evaluated by the Handshake AI team or your project reviewers. You do not need to resubmit. You will be notified once a decision has been made.
What happens if I encounter an error during my assessment?
If you experience a technical issue, such as the assessment not loading, a submission error, or being locked out — do not attempt to restart or resubmit on your own, as this may affect your results. Contact the Handshake AI Fellow Experience team through your dashboard and describe the issue in as much detail as possible, including any error messages you received.
What happens if I fail an assessment?
Failing an assessment means you did not meet the minimum score or quality threshold required for that project. In most cases, retakes are not available. If retakes are not permitted, you will not be able to continue onboarding for that specific project.
This does not disqualify you from the Handshake AI Fellowship altogether. Your profile remains active and you'll still be considered for other projects that match your qualifications.
Can I request a retake?
Retake availability is determined on a per-project basis and is not guaranteed. Retake requests are reviewed case by case, and approval is not guaranteed.
Note: simply wanting to improve your score is not typically grounds for a retake. Retake requests are generally only considered when there is a documented error or technical issue.
Tips for success
- Complete all training modules and onboarding materials before starting your assessment
- Set aside uninterrupted time — do not rush through the assessment
- Follow all instructions carefully; each project's standards are specific
- If something seems unclear, review your onboarding materials again before submitting