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Test freelancers before hiring
Test freelancers before you hire them
Profiles, ratings, and a quick call only tell you so much. A short, role-specific skill test - generated from the exact gig you're hiring for - shows you who can actually do the work, before you commit budget or time.
Why a profile isn't enough
Hiring a freelancer on Upwork, a job board, or by referral usually comes down to a polished profile and a short conversation. Both are easy to inflate, and neither shows you whether someone can do the specific task you need done this week.
Off-the-shelf test libraries rarely match a specific gig, and committing to an annual assessment platform for the occasional contractor hire is hard to justify. A custom test you can spin up per role - and only pay for when someone completes it - fits the way freelance hiring actually works.
Generate a test from the gig description
Paste the job post or a few lines about the role and Magic Create drafts a tailored multiple-choice test - questions, options, correct answers, and tags. Edit anything, then save it. It takes minutes, and the test is specific to the work you're actually hiring for.
Send a link - no account for the candidate
Send each freelancer a unique one-time link, or turn on a single shared link you can drop into an Upwork message or job post so applicants self-start. Candidates never create an account - they enter their name and begin.
See who can really do the work
Results come back scored and ranked against everyone who took the same test, each with a plain-language AI summary. Open a candidate for a per-question breakdown and AI-suggested interview questions tailored to how they answered, so a follow-up call is focused and fair.
Trust the result
Remote screening invites the question "did they really do this themselves?" Every session is screen-recorded as a replay, and integrity signals like tab switches and paste attempts are logged. For higher-stakes hires you can require continuous webcam recording with the candidate's consent.
When this approach works best
Built for occasional, per-role hiring
- You hire freelancers or contractors now and then, not constantly - so an annual platform doesn't fit.
- The role is specific enough that a generic test library misses the mark.
- You want proof of skill before a paid trial or the first milestone.
- You hire globally - candidates take the test in their own language, across 14 languages.
You pay $5 per completed candidate, credits never expire, and your first 3 candidates are free - so testing a shortlist costs almost nothing and there's no subscription to carry between hires.
Frequently asked questions
Do freelancers need to create an account?
No. They open the link, enter their name, and take the test in their browser. There's nothing to sign up for or install.
How do I stop someone from cheating or getting help?
Every session is screen-recorded as a replay and integrity signals (tab switches, copy/paste, focus loss) are logged. You can also require continuous webcam recording with consent for higher-stakes roles.
How much does it cost to test a shortlist?
You pay $5 per completed candidate - so a shortlist of five is a few dollars. There's no subscription, credits never expire, and your first 3 candidates are free.
Can I test non-technical freelancers too?
Yes. Magic Create can build a test for any role from a description - support, virtual assistants, writers, analysts, and more - not just developers.