Inviting Candidates via WhatsApp (Beta)
Candidates can now take your assessment entirely inside WhatsApp—no browser, no links to chase.
Simply send the assessment from Testlify as you normally would, and candidates can answer questions directly inside their WhatsApp chat by:
- Tapping interactive options
- Selecting multiple choices
- Typing responses
- Sending voice notes
Beta Feature
WhatsApp Assessments are currently in Beta. Please review the requirements and limitations carefully before inviting candidates. If an assessment isn't compatible, candidates will automatically be redirected to complete it in their browser.
Before You Start
Your assessment must meet all of the following requirements for candidates to complete it entirely within WhatsApp.
1. Remove all time limits
Every question and test library must have Unlimited (No Time Limit) enabled.
WhatsApp assessments cannot enforce timers.
If any timed question or timed test library exists, candidates will automatically be redirected to the browser.
2. Use only supported question types
The following question types work natively in WhatsApp.
| Question Type | Candidate Experience |
|---|---|
| Single Select | Tap a button, choose one option, submit |
| Multi Select | Tap a button, select multiple options, submit |
| Open Ended | Type the response as a WhatsApp message |
| Audio Answer | Record and send a voice note |
If your assessment contains any other question type, candidates will automatically continue the assessment in their browser.
Unsupported question types include (but aren't limited to):
- Video Answer
- Coding Questions
- File Upload
- Typing Test
- Spreadsheet
- Whiteboard
- Any custom interactive question type
3. Skip the qualifying round
Assessments containing a Qualifying (Qualification) Round cannot be completed inside WhatsApp.
Candidates will automatically be redirected to the browser.
4. Add complete candidate details
Every candidate row must include:
- First Name
- Valid WhatsApp mobile number (including country code)
The Invite via WhatsApp option remains disabled until all required information is provided.
Sending WhatsApp Invites
- Open your assessment.
- Navigate to the Assessment Details page.
- In Invite Candidates, enter:
- First Name
- Mobile Number
- Click the ▼ dropdown beside Invite.
- Select Invite via WhatsApp.
- Review the confirmation dialog.
- Click Proceed.
Each candidate will receive a WhatsApp message from the official Testlify WhatsApp Business Account.
WhatsApp invitations consume assessment credits exactly the same way as regular assessment invitations.
Candidate Experience
Step 1 – Invitation
Candidates receive a WhatsApp message that includes:
- Personalized greeting
- Assessment invitation
- Start button
Step 2 – Begin Assessment
After tapping Start, candidates receive a short introduction explaining how to answer questions.
Selecting Begin starts the assessment.
Step 3 – Answer Questions
Depending on the question type:
Single Select
Candidates tap a button and choose one option.
Multi Select
Candidates choose one or more options.
Open Ended
Candidates type their complete response as a single WhatsApp message.
Audio Answer
Candidates record and send a voice note.
Long Options
If answer choices contain:
- Images
- Code snippets
- Long text
Testlify automatically sends them as numbered messages while the selection form displays matching option numbers.
Invalid Responses
If a candidate answers incorrectly (for example, typing text instead of sending a voice note), Testlify gently explains how to answer correctly.
Only valid responses move the assessment forward.
Ending Early
Candidates can send
END
(at any time, in capital letters) to end the assessment.
Completion
After answering the final question, candidates receive a completion message.
Results appear inside Testlify exactly like browser-based assessments.
Browser Fallback
Candidates are automatically redirected to the browser whenever the assessment contains:
- Unsupported question types
- Timed questions
- Timed test libraries
- Qualifying rounds
Their WhatsApp session is automatically closed and they receive a browser link to continue.
Current Limitations
WhatsApp Assessments currently have the following limitations:
- Timed assessments are not supported.
- Only four question types are supported.
- Qualifying rounds are not supported.
- Only one active WhatsApp assessment session per candidate.
- Messages are sent from the official Testlify WhatsApp Business Account.
- Custom domains and white-label branding are not yet supported.
- Not available for Reference Check assessments.
- Not available for reseller accounts using custom branding.
Coming Soon
Bring Your Own WhatsApp (BYOW)
Known Beta Limitations
We're actively improving the feature. Current known limitations include:
Email reminders only
Assessment reminders continue to be sent via email.
WhatsApp reminders are coming soon.
No delivery confirmation
After clicking Proceed, Testlify does not currently display WhatsApp delivery status.
If needed, confirm with the candidate that they received the invitation.
Active session handling
Candidates with an active WhatsApp session cannot receive another WhatsApp invite.
The interface currently does not warn you before sending.
Time limits aren't removed automatically
You must manually configure all questions and test libraries to use Unlimited Time.
Proctoring doesn't identify WhatsApp
For WhatsApp candidates, the Device field inside Proctoring may appear blank or unfamiliar.
This does not affect assessment results.
Best Practices
- Always verify the candidate's WhatsApp number, including the correct country code.
- WhatsApp invitations do not disable browser access, the browser invitation remains valid.
- Candidates who send END must receive a new invitation before attempting again.
- Open Ended responses should be written as a single message.
- Browser-based proctoring and anti-cheating features do not apply to WhatsApp assessments.
- For the best experience, only use WhatsApp with fully supported assessments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does WhatsApp replace browser assessments?
No.
It provides an additional way for candidates to complete compatible assessments.
Can I resend a WhatsApp invitation?
Not while the candidate has an active WhatsApp session.
A new invitation can be sent once the current session has been completed or ended.
Can I use my own WhatsApp Business account?
Not yet.
Invitations are currently sent from the official Testlify WhatsApp Business Account.
Support for custom WhatsApp accounts is planned.
Can candidates switch between WhatsApp and browser?
Yes.
If the assessment cannot continue in WhatsApp, Testlify automatically redirects candidates to the browser without losing progress.
If you have questions or feedback about WhatsApp Assessments, please contact the Testlify Support team. As this feature is currently in Beta, your feedback helps us improve the experience.