Integrity Tests: Why They Matter and How to Succeed

What Are Integrity Tests?

Integrity tests are personality tests that help employers evaluate whether a candidate is likely to be honest and act with integrity as an employee.

These tests are designed to consider honest, ethical behavior, and reliability, amongst other personality traits. They are most commonly used as part of the recruitment process, but can be used at any stage of the employment journey.

There are two main types of personality test used by employers: overt integrity tests and personality-based integrity tests.

In this article, you will learn why employers use them, the different types of integrity test and how to prepare for them. You’ll also find practice questions to aid you in your test prep.

Why Employers Use Integrity Tests

Companies are increasingly using integrity tests as part of their pre-employment screening process. The insight provided by these types of tests can offer significant insight into the personalities of a potential employee as well as any potential risk associated with them.

By asking candidates to complete these assessments before inviting them for an interview, it’s possible to identify those who could potentially be more likely to engage in counterproductive behavior. This could include theft, dishonesty, and substance abuse. 

As well as helping to avoid employing unsuitable candidates, screening potential employees in this way can help to create a more reliable workforce with a stronger work ethic and moral values.

Companies will also often find that there is a reduction in staff turnover, as they are selecting candidates who closely align with their company values, and the process can help foster a more positive, motivated working culture. It also sends a clear message to staff that their honesty and integrity are valued. 

Types of Integrity Test

Companies will typically choose from two main types of integrity tests for employment: overt integrity tests and personality-based integrity tests. 

The choice of test will largely depend on what it is they are hoping to find out about candidates. 

Overt Integrity Tests

Overt integrity tests are often considered to be the most transparent form of integrity test. They ask a series of direct questions about past behavior. This can include difficult topics like theft, substance abuse, and historical lying.

Typically, overt integrity tests are administered in a questionnaire-style format. Employers can then use this information to identify any candidate who could be a potential risk.

Personality-Based Integrity Tests

Personality-based integrity tests are designed to ask more indirect, hypothetical questions. They assess specific personality traits and attitudes like work ethic and responsibility rather than general honesty. 

Employers using this style of integrity test will often aim to understand how an individual might act in workplace situations. 

Integrity Test Example Questions

1. Honesty & Trustworthiness

Have you ever lied to a supervisor or manager?

a) Yes, but only about minor things.
b) Yes, if it helped avoid conflict.
c) No, I always tell the truth.
d) I don’t remember.

Best answer: c) No, I always tell the truth.

Employers want to hire trustworthy employees who act with integrity. Answering truthfully and emphasizing honest communication aligns with company expectations.

A colleague forgets to clock out but asks you to mark their time for them.

What do you do?

a) Help them out and mark the correct time.
b) Refuse and report them to a supervisor immediately.
c) Tell them you’re uncomfortable doing that and suggest they fix it themselves.
d) Ignore the request and do nothing.

Best answer: c) Tell them you’re uncomfortable doing that and suggest they fix it themselves.

Tampering with work records is dishonest. The best response is to encourage the right course of action while maintaining professionalism.

2. Ethics & Workplace Behavior

How do you feel about taking office supplies home for personal use?

a) It’s fine as long as it’s something small.
b) It’s stealing and should not be done.
c) If no one notices, it’s not a big deal.
d) Only if it’s approved by a manager.

Best answer: b) It’s stealing and should not be done.

Even small acts of dishonesty, such as taking office supplies, violate company ethics. Employers want candidates who respect company property.

A coworker regularly takes extended breaks, impacting the team’s workload.

What would you do?

a) Ignore it—it’s not your responsibility.
b) Talk to them privately and encourage them to follow the rules.
c) Report them to your manager immediately.
d) Take extended breaks too, since no one seems to care.

Best answer: b) Talk to them privately and encourage them to follow the rules.

Addressing the issue professionally before escalating shows good judgment and a willingness to maintain a positive work environment.

3. Reliability & Work Ethic

If you were asked to stay late to finish an important task, what would you do?

a) Stay late and complete the task.
b) Leave on time—it’s not your responsibility.
c) Only stay if I get paid overtime.
d) Complain to my supervisor about the extra work.

Best answer: a) Stay late and complete the task.

Employers seek employees who show dedication and commitment. While work-life balance is important, a strong work ethic is highly valued.

If you realize you made a mistake at work, what do you do?

a) Ignore it and hope no one notices.
b) Fix it yourself without telling anyone.
c) Report it, take responsibility, and work on a solution.
d) Blame a coworker to avoid trouble.

Best answer: c) Report it, take responsibility, and work on a solution.

Taking ownership of mistakes and working toward solutions shows integrity and accountability, which employers value highly.

4. Attitude Towards Company Policies

How do you handle workplace rules you don’t agree with?

a) Ignore them if I think they don’t make sense.
b) Follow them but discuss concerns with my supervisor.
c) Complain about them to coworkers.
d) Find ways to avoid following them.

Best answer: b) Follow them but discuss concerns with my supervisor.

Employers value employees who respect company policies while also being proactive about problem-solving when needed.

If your employer implemented a new policy that made your job harder, what would you do?

a) Complain to coworkers and refuse to follow it.
b) Follow the policy and try to adapt.
c) Challenge my manager and refuse to comply.
d) Ignore the policy if it seems unnecessary.

Best answer: b) Follow the policy and try to adapt.

Companies need employees who are adaptable and professional. While feedback is important, outright refusal to comply is seen as negative behavior.

How to Prepare for an Integrity Test

Preparation is often key to performing well on a test, and while you can’t really practice for an honesty test for employment due to its nature as a personality assessment, there are a few relatively simple steps you can take. 

Taking the time to adequately prepare can help you to feel calm and confident under testing conditions.

Be Honest

Honesty really is the best policy when it comes to integrity tests for employment. Candidates who answer honestly and transparently are going to provide genuine responses to test questions, and this is what employers are looking for. 

Even if your responses don’t fit entirely with what a company is looking for, it’s a much better idea to be honest than to attempt to secure a job offer by being misleading.

Be Consistent

Inconsistent answers can suggest to potential employers that you might be being dishonest or attempting to manipulate answers.

This is why it’s important to answer pre employment integrity test questions consistently throughout the test. Integrity tests will often include questions that will feel as though they’re repeating themselves.

It can be tempting to think that you need to change your answers, but they are deliberately repetitive. This is because they reword questions on similar themes to assess consistently.

Review Common Test Questions

Knowing what to expect can significantly reduce stress and anxiety around testing. One of the best ways to do this is by reviewing questions that are commonly asked in an integrity test. 

This will give you an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the test format and consider your potential responses ahead of time. 

Some examples of typical questions are:

• Have you ever lied to your supervisor?
• How do you feel about workplace theft?
• True or false: It is important to be punctual.
• Have you ever faced negative consequences for doing the right thing? 
• Would this stop you from doing the right thing in future?
• Would others consider you to be trustworthy?

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the purpose of an integrity test?

Integrity tests are commonly used by employers to assess a candidate's personality in terms of honesty, ethics, and workplace behavior. This enables recruiters to feel confident that a particular candidate has the attitude and ethos they require.

Are integrity tests hard to pass?

There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to an integrity test. This style of personality test is designed to gauge your honesty. This means that it’s important to be truthful in your responses.

Can I fail an integrity test?

There are no wrong answers, so you can’t fail. However, inconsistent or dishonest answers may prevent employers from hiring you. 

Employers may be looking for a very specific type of person, so you may also not get an interview if your test doesn’t match what they’re looking for. 

How long do integrity tests take?

Most integrity tests are relatively short and take between 10 and 30 minutes to complete. 

Are integrity tests legally required?

Pre employment integrity tests aren’t generally a legal requirement and will be voluntary in most cases. However, in some fields, such as medicine, where honesty and trust are crucial, refusing to take part in an integrity test may prevent you from being hired.

Final Thoughts

If you’re asked to complete an integrity test as part of the recruitment process for a job you want, it can be tempting to try and answer questions the way you think the employer wants you to. But this is counterproductive and is likely to flag your test as inconsistent and untrustworthy. 

Being honest and consistent is the most important rule of integrity tests. This way, a potential employer will gain a realistic insight into your personality and values. 

It can be useful to think of an integrity test as an opportunity to demonstrate your ethical standards and suitability for the role you’ve applied for. 

Even if you aren’t offered the job, by being honest during your integrity test, you will know that you have been yourself and not compromised your values or what you believe in.