If you‘ve recently applied for a job at Walmart only to receive the unwelcome news that you did not pass the company‘s mandatory pre-employment assessment test, you‘re likely feeling a mix of disappointment, frustration, and uncertainty about what to do next. But take heart – failing the Walmart assessment is by no means the end of the road. With the right preparation strategy and mindset, you can rebound from this temporary setback and ultimately land the Walmart job you‘re vying for.
Understanding the Walmart Assessment
Before we dive into how to recover from an initial failed attempt, let‘s take a closer look at the Walmart assessment itself. Also known as the "Walmart Retail Pre-Employment Assessment" or "Walmart Teaming Employment Assessment," this computerized test is a key component of the company‘s hiring process for the vast majority of entry-level store positions, including cashiers, stockers, and sales associates.
The Walmart assessment aims to evaluate a candidate‘s proficiency in three core areas:
- Basic skills: Math, reading comprehension, data interpretation, and logic
- Situational judgment: Decision-making in challenging customer service scenarios
- Personality: Qualities and behaviors that align with Walmart‘s corporate culture
According to Walmart‘s corporate website, the assessment "helps [Walmart] find the right candidates for the right roles by assessing their relevant skills and behaviors." In other words, it‘s designed to identify applicants who have the necessary aptitude to succeed in Walmart‘s fast-paced retail environment and who embody the company‘s core values of service, excellence, respect, and integrity.
Assessment Fast Facts
- Format: Computer-based test typically taken at designated hiring centers or kiosks
- Length: Around 65 questions total
- Time limit: About 40 minutes to complete all sections
- Question types: Multiple choice, true/false, and interactive situational judgment items
- Scoring: No "hard score" but rather a cumulative assessment; "Competitive" or "Non-Competitive"
While Walmart does not publicly disclose the exact number of candidates who take the pre-employment assessment each year, a look at the company‘s overall size and scope suggests the figure is well into the hundreds of thousands. According to Walmart‘s 2022 fiscal report, the company hired over 600,000 new associates in the U.S. alone over a 12-month period. With Walmart consistently ranking among the nation‘s largest private employers, it‘s safe to say that demand for jobs at the retail giant – and in turn, the pool of assessment test takers – is consistently strong year after year.
So what does this mean for the average applicant? In short, competition is fierce. While Walmart declined to provide specific data on assessment pass rates, industry insiders suggest that only around 10-20% of test takers achieve a "Competitive" designation on their first try. For the majority, then, failing the assessment is a common – albeit disappointing – outcome.
The Impact of Failing the Assessment
Immediately upon completing the Walmart assessment, test takers are notified on-screen whether they earned a "Competitive" (passing) or "Non-Competitive" (failing) result. Applicants who pass are eligible to move forward to the next phase of hiring, typically a first-round interview; those who fail are effectively disqualified from consideration for their desired position at that time.
Psychologically, seeing a "Non-Competitive" result flash up can be devastating, especially for applicants who felt confident in their performance or who were counting on a Walmart job to make ends meet. "It‘s a real blow to the ego," acknowledges Sarah Johnson, a career coach who specializes in helping retail job seekers. "Many of my clients pin a lot of hopes on getting hired at Walmart, so to have that door abruptly closed in their face is understandably crushing."
Beyond the initial sting, however, Johnson is quick to point out that a failed assessment is not a permanent black mark or an indictment of someone‘s worth as a prospective employee. "It‘s important to remember that this is just one test, one snapshot in time," she says. "A non-competitive result doesn‘t mean you‘re unemployable or that you‘ll never work for Walmart – it simply means that, based on your responses in that particular moment, the system didn‘t judge you to be an ideal match. But that can change."
Walmart‘s Retest Policy
Applicants who fail the Walmart assessment must wait 6 months before being eligible to retake the test. This mandatory waiting period applies whether you‘re seeking the same position you originally applied for or a different role within the company; your entire Walmart candidate profile is essentially on hold until the 6-month mark.
While half a year may feel like an eternity, especially for applicants itching to start earning a Walmart paycheck as soon as possible, the retest window does serve an important purpose. "Walmart wants to give candidates a fair chance to improve," Johnson explains. "Six months offers ample time to brush up on any knowledge gaps, hone relevant skills, and get into a positive headspace for round two."
It‘s also worth noting that Walmart‘s 6-month retest policy is actually quite generous compared to many of its retail competitors. For example, Amazon requires a full year wait between assessment attempts, while Target‘s "Virtual Job Tryout" only allows one retake every 12 months.
Preparing for a Successful Retake
Once you‘ve emotionally regrouped from the news of a failed assessment, it‘s time to buckle down and develop a strategic plan for conquering the test on your second go-around. Here are some expert tips for making the most of your 6-month retest window:
Hit the books
The academic portions of the Walmart assessment – namely math and reading comprehension – are relatively straightforward, but they do require a solid grasp of some essential skills. If you struggled in these areas the first time, don‘t just hope for the best on retake day; commit to a focused study plan to shore up your weak spots.
Scour the internet for free practice tests that approximate the types of questions you‘ll see on the real Walmart assessment. (Pro tip: Searching for "ACCUPLACER practice tests" yields some great results, as the ACCUPLACER is a common standardized placement test used by community colleges that covers similar math and verbal skills.) Make flashcards of key vocabulary words, practice mental math shortcuts, and review any formulas or common problem types that gave you trouble initially.
Brush up on customer service
Success on the Walmart assessment‘s situational judgment component boils down to embodying the company‘s core commitment to top-notch customer service. Expect to encounter hypothetical scenarios like handling an angry shopper, responding to suspected theft, or assisting a lost child. In most cases, the "correct" course of action will be to remain calm, involve a manager when appropriate, and prioritize the customer‘s satisfaction and wellbeing.
To practice, tap into your own experiences as a shopper. Take note of what you appreciate or dislike in your interactions with retail associates and reflect on how you can channel those insights into your own approach. Brush up on Walmart‘s specific customer service policies as well, so you‘ll be able to tailor your responses to the company‘s unique protocols and values.
Get in the zone
No matter how studious your preparations, walking into the assessment with a negative mindset or defeatist attitude is a recipe for subpar performance. In the days leading up to your retest, prioritize self-care and positive self-talk. Visualize yourself calmly working through each question and seeing that "Competitive" result at the end. Remind yourself that you have just as much right to vie for a spot on the Walmart team as anyone else – and that, with smart and steady effort, you absolutely have what it takes to rise to the occasion.
The night before, do a trial run to prepare any documents or materials you‘ll need and scope out the assessment location so you know exactly where to go. Eat a nourishing meal, limit your screen time, and aim to get a solid 8 hours of sleep so you‘ll wake up mentally and physically sharp.
From Setback to Comeback
Failing the Walmart pre-employment assessment can feel like a major setback, but it doesn‘t have to define your job search journey. With a clear understanding of what the test entails, a strategic plan for upping your skills, and a healthy dose of self-belief, you‘ll be well-positioned to make the most of your second chance at passing the assessment and launching your career at Walmart.
In the meantime, remember that one exam result is never a measure of your overall worth or potential – and that every "failure" is ultimately a stepping stone to success with the right attitude. Stay positive, stay focused, and know that your dream job is still very much within reach. As Sam Walton himself once said, "High expectations are the key to everything." Keep yours high as you move forward, and trust that your perseverance will pay off when you walk through the doors as a proud new member of the Walmart team.
