When a crisis hits, your employees won’t have the luxury of time to “figure it out later.” They’ll need to stay calm, assess the situation, and make sound decisions — all within minutes.
That’s why forward-thinking companies are adding crisis management tests to their hiring process. These assessments reveal whether a candidate can handle real-world emergencies before they’re actually in one.
If you’ve already explored our full guide on crisis management skills in the workplace, you know how critical these abilities are. In this post, we’ll give you a practical, ready-to-use test template you can adapt for your organization.
Why Use a Crisis Management Test in Hiring?
Hiring someone who freezes or panics in high-pressure moments can cost you more than a missed deadline. Poor crisis handling can:
- Damage brand reputation
- Lead to financial losses
- Cause employee or customer dissatisfaction
- Slow down recovery after an incident
On the flip side, employees with strong crisis management skills:
- Think clearly under pressure
- Prioritize effectively
- Communicate with confidence
- Adapt quickly as new information comes in
If you want real-world examples of these abilities in action, check our post on crisis management skills examples.
Core Skills to Assess in a Crisis Management Test
| Skill Area | Why It Matters | Example Behaviors |
| Decision-Making Under Pressure | Ensures quick yet effective choices | Choosing the safest evacuation plan in a fire |
| Communication Clarity | Keeps teams informed and aligned | Giving short, clear updates during a system outage |
| Problem-Solving | Prevents escalation and finds workable solutions | Re-routing deliveries after a supply chain breakdown |
| Adaptability | Allows quick pivots when plans fail | Switching to a backup supplier in hours |
| Emotional Resilience | Maintains stability and morale | Staying calm when faced with angry customers |
Crisis Management Test Template
You can use this as a 30-minute assessment combining situational questions, scenario-based exercises, and short written responses.
Section 1: Multiple-Choice Situational Questions
(Assesses quick decision-making and prioritization skills)
- During a severe data breach, your first step should be to:
a) Alert the media immediately
b) Contain the breach and secure systems
c) Notify all customers without verification
d) Wait for IT to respond - A key supplier just informed you they can’t deliver a critical component on time. What’s your immediate action?
a) Contact alternative suppliers and assess feasibility
b) Cancel customer orders
c) Wait to see if the supplier changes their mind
d) Inform your team you can’t do anything
Section 2: Scenario-Based Exercise
(Assesses problem-solving, communication, and adaptability)
Scenario:
You’re managing operations when a storm causes a power outage at your main facility. Backup generators will only last three hours.
Task:
In 10 minutes, outline:
- The immediate steps you’ll take
- How you’ll communicate with staff and customers
- How you’ll maintain critical operations
We have a separate guide with crisis management test scenarios if you need more ready-made examples.
Section 3: Written Reflection
(Assesses emotional resilience and self-awareness)
Describe a time when you had to make a quick decision in a high-pressure situation. What was the outcome, and what would you do differently now?
Scoring the Test
Use a weighted scoring model:
| Section | Weight |
| Multiple Choice | 30% |
| Scenario Exercise | 50% |
| Written Reflection | 20% |
Excellent: 85–100 points — Strong crisis leader potential- Good: 70–84 points — Capable under pressure, may need some training
- Needs Improvement: Below 70 points — Lacks readiness for crisis-heavy roles
Tips for Using This Template Effectively
- Customize for your industry — A retail crisis is very different from a healthcare crisis.
- Test for role relevance — Not all positions need deep crisis skills, but leadership roles always do.
- Combine with other assessments — Pair with conflict resolution or leadership tests for a fuller view.
- Simulate urgency — Time limits can mimic real-life crisis pressure.
If you’re curious about how this differs from managing day-to-day disputes, see our breakdown of crisis management vs conflict management.
Resources & Related Reads
- Crisis Management Skills in the Workplace: Comprehensive Guide
- Crisis Management Skills Examples
- Crisis Management Test Scenarios
- Professional Crisis Management Test Questions and Answers
FAQs
Q: How long should a crisis management test take?
Ideally 30–45 minutes for accurate assessment without fatigue.
Q: Can crisis management skills be trained?
Yes — through simulation drills, scenario planning, and leadership coaching.
Q: Should I give this test to every job candidate?
Only for roles where quick, high-stakes decisions are critical.
Q: How do I score subjective answers?
Use a rubric that measures clarity, logic, and relevance to the scenario.
Final Thoughts
A well-designed crisis management test template can help you spot candidates who don’t just survive under pressure — they lead. By simulating realistic scenarios and measuring the right skills, you’ll hire people who protect your company’s reputation and keep operations moving, even in chaos.
If you want a ready-to-use digital version with auto-scoring, AssessGrow’s crisis management test makes it easy to evaluate candidates at scale without losing depth.