Online Exam Greatly Improves Efficiency of Recruiting Processes

Released on 2022.01.13

• Employment and promotion examinations

Released on 2022.01.13

Founded in 1980 in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, System Support Inc. has since expanded its presence with offices in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, along with a number of group companies. They offer a comprehensive range of services that support the entire system lifecycle—from consulting, planning, and development to maintenance—leveraging the power of ICT. With a strong track record across diverse industries such as healthcare, distribution, and manufacturing, they combine deep expertise with advanced technical capabilities to provide multifaceted support for its clients’ ICT environments. Through a wide array of IT solutions, it continues to contribute to the success of businesses and the advancement of society.
In this interview, we spoke with the company about how they are utilizing learningBOX as part of their recruitment testing process.

Quality ans Speed for Recruiting Process

First of all, could you tell us about your company business?

Generally speaking, we are a system development company, but we have a high percentage of direct dealings with end users and provide total support from consulting to design, development, maintenance and operation.

Our CEO often says, "We want to go beyond system support and support the customer's business itself."

Why did you choose learningBOX?

Previously, our recruitment exams were conducted using paper-based written tests. However, due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it became increasingly difficult to carry out these exams in the traditional format. In particular, for the 2022 recruitment cycle, we were already in the midst of the pandemic from the very beginning, which meant we had to shift our entire selection process online.

One of the biggest challenges we faced was how to conduct the written exams in this new environment. We considered using aptitude tests provided by recruitment support companies, but the cost was not justifiable. On the other hand, developing our own system in-house would have required significant investment.

We explored various tools to digitize our written exams, but struggled to find a solution that truly met our needs. While there are many training tools available, we found that training and written testing are fundamentally different in nature.

During our search, we came across an article about a platform that had digitized quizzes. That’s when it occurred to us—aren’t written exams essentially a form of quiz? This new perspective led us to search from a different angle, and that’s when we discovered learningBOX.

learningBOX originally started as a system specialized in quizzes called QuizGenerator, which may be a good match.
Tell us the impacts after the implementation.

Not only has the grading process become significantly more efficient, but the overall selection process has also become much smoother. Previously, grading was done manually on paper, but with the introduction of automated scoring, we’ve seen a remarkable improvement in operational efficiency.

To put it into perspective, grading tests for 50 individuals would typically take about an hour if it required just one minute per person. With automation, both the time and effort required have been greatly reduced.

At the initial stage of our recruitment process, all candidates are required to take an exam using learningBOX. If we had relied on aptitude tests provided by recruitment support companies, it would have incurred substantial costs, however, by first conducting the screening through learningBOX, we’re able to narrow down the candidate pool before moving on to paid aptitude assessments. This approach has not only streamlined our process but also contributed to significant cost savings.

Proctoring by Attempt and Time Limits

What is the benefit of in-house test?

We appreciate the ability to conduct evaluations based on our own unique values and selection criteria. When we want to emphasize a particular category, we can easily adjust the test content to suit our needs. The greatest advantage is being able to create assessments that truly reflect our company’s values and hiring standards.

Do you have any plans or requests to expand the use of learningBOX?

We’ve been able to customize the system extensively each time, so we have no major complaints. Although it would be great if we could create diagrams, overall, the platform functions smoothly and meets our needs.

If we were to make one request, it would be the ability to score by category within a single test. Our exams are structured with multiple categories under one test, but currently, only the total score is available. To address this, we export the responses as a CSV file and use an internally developed Excel tool for category-based scoring. It would be incredibly helpful if this functionality were available directly within learningBOX. For example, in a quiz with beginner, intermediate, and advanced sections, it would be ideal to see the scores achieved in each level individually.

What features do you utilize in your examinations?

We have a detailed set up with the proctoring features. Candidates can only take the exam once (Limit attempts), cannot pause the test (Pause/resume), and the time is limited (time limit). They cannot take the test with a smart phone either.

That said, there are inherent limitations to preventing misconduct entirely. Ultimately, we believe it also comes down to the integrity and honesty of each individual taking the exam. This remains an area for ongoing improvement moving forward.

Customer Support is the most Important Factor

Do you have any comments for those who are considering implementing learningBOX?

We’ve been incredibly impressed with the outstanding support provided by your team—it’s been a tremendous help. Since implementing learningBOX, we’ve come to realize once again that the true value of a system lies in three key areas: its ability to be customized, the flexibility of support after implementation, and the user-friendliness of the interface. In all of these aspects, your system truly excels.

Creating questions has been a smooth and effortless process. Even the very first time we used the system, it took less than half a day to get everything up and running.

There’s something we’ve been meaning to share: when deciding whether to continue using a system year after year, the most important factor is the people behind the support. The human element really makes all the difference.

From the very beginning, your support team has been courteous, professional, and trustworthy. They’ve listened carefully to our needs and provided clear, honest feedback about what could and couldn’t be done. That level of transparency and care has made all the difference.

Thank you for your words. Are you saying that the support service was also a major deciding factor?

You're absolutely right. When it comes to post-implementation operations, the quality of support is the most critical factor. If the support team—who directly interact with customers—are highly skilled and provide excellent service, it really makes you want to continue using the system long-term. I imagine you have a large number of users, yet your response times are always quick, which we truly appreciate.

As someone in charge of HR, I always make a point to look not only at a company’s corporate site but also at their careers page. It gives me a sense of the kind of organization they are and what direction they’re aiming for. Your careers page is very well put together and informative.

We’re planning to make even greater use of learningBOX—not just for recruitment assessments, but also for training and development. We’re really counting on your continued support.

Thank you for your participation
.