How to use assessment tools internationally

Language versions, norm groups & cultural fit – what actually matters.

You’ve found a solid assessment tool. Great. But now your team hires across three countries. Or your talent pipeline stretches from Germany to South Africa.

The question is: Can this tool handle international use without becoming meaningless?

Let’s break it down.

1. Language is the easy part – but not enough

Most providers offer English versions. Some have 10+ languages.

That’s good – but don’t let that fool you. A translated test doesn’t mean it’s equivalent. Some content simply doesn’t translate well (e.g. value-based questions or idiomatic phrasing in SJTs).

→ Don’t just ask: “Is it available in Spanish?” Ask: “Was it properly adapted?”

2. Norms matter more than you think

A norm is your comparison group. If your candidate is in the UK, but the tool uses German norms from 2009, the result may be statistically correct – but contextually useless.

→ Look for regionally relevant norm groups. Or at least European-level or global business population norms if local data isn’t available.

3. Culture shows up in answers

People from different cultures respond differently – even to “neutral” test content.

In some cultures, modesty is valued. In others, self-promotion is expected. That affects self-ratings, motivation scales, even integrity tests.

→ Make sure your tool doesn’t penalise cultural difference (especially in self-assessment formats).

4. Legal landscapes vary

In Germany, data protection rules are strict. In the US, you need adverse impact monitoring. In France, personality tests in hiring are… delicate.

→ Choose vendors who understand international compliance, not just their own backyard.

5. Best tools for international use

Here are 3 supplier that get international deployment right:

• Hogan Assessments – available in 40+ languages, global norm groups, strong cross-cultural research base.
• Talogy (ex-PSI) – robust localisation, compliance-aware, scalable globally.
• Assessio – modern design, international rollouts, especially strong in Europe and its Nordic countries.