Recommended Free Tools
AI skills testing among job candidates grew 166% year over year in TestGorilla’s analysis of 3.9 million candidate skills tests, according to BetaNews. That is a sharp increase in testing activity—not evidence that AI use by employees rose 166%, or that candidates became more proficient. The analysis does not specify its comparison dates or methodology.
What the 166% figure measures
The figure refers to growth in AI-related skills tests taken by employment candidates in TestGorilla’s dataset. BetaNews, reporting on the company’s analysis on November 12, 2025, says the dataset covered 3.9 million skills tests taken globally. It does not say how many of those tests were AI tests, define precisely what counted as an AI test, or provide the exact year-over-year period.
That distinction matters: test volume reflects assessment activity on the platform, not the share of workers using AI at work. By itself, it also cannot show that candidates’ AI competence improved, that employers adopted more workplace AI, or that testing predicts job performance. BetaNews’ report is the source for the test-volume figures.
How AI testing compares with other growing test categories
BetaNews reported these year-over-year increases in TestGorilla skills testing:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- 【POWERFUL ESP32‑S3 CONTROLLER】Built‑in Xtensa 32‑bit LX7 dual‑core processor, 512KB SRAM, 8MB PSRAM, 16MB Flash for stable AI voice computing and multitask processing.
- 【Preloaded Dual AI Platforms】Comespre-installed with complete Deepseek and OpenAI voice dialogue projects.Experience intelligent voice interaction instantly. (Note: OpenAI functionality requires your own API key.)
- 【STABLE WIRELESS & CLEAR AUDIO】Integrated 2.4GHz Wi‑Fi + Bluetooth 5 (LE); dedicated audio decoding module for natural, responsive voice interaction.
- 【USER‑FRIENDLY VISUAL & PLUG‑AND‑PLAY】2” TFT‑SPI color screen shows real‑time chat; modular design, no extra wiring, ready to use after setup.
- 【FULL LEARNING SUPPORT】45 programmable GPIOs, rich interfaces, online web tutorials, free technical support for beginners & developers.
| Test category | Reported growth |
|---|---|
| AI | 166% |
| Coding debugging | 133% |
| Computer literacy | 77% |
| Data structures/arrays | 73% |
The article does not provide the comparison dates or testing methodology for these rates. They indicate relative growth in test activity, not the absolute number of tests in each category or a ranking of workforce proficiency.
What separate employer survey results add
TestGorilla’s separate 2025 State of Skills-Based Hiring survey offers a different kind of evidence: responses about hiring practices, rather than records of tests taken. The company says it surveyed 1,076 job seekers and 1,084 people involved in hiring decisions in the UK and US in April 2025, using independent third-party survey panels.
Rank #2
- Raspberry Pi AI Robot: powered by Raspberry Pi (5/4B/3B+/3B/Zero 2W), features 12 servos and sensors for vision, hearing, and touch. Integrated with ChatGPT-4o, it responds to complex queries. With app control and FPV, users can manage and see its view in real-time. It supports Python programming
- Realistic Movements: 12 powerful servos enable 32 actions, including walking, sitting, standing, shaking its head, wagging its tail, and performing playful tricks, closely mimicking a real and providing an engaging experience
- Rich Sensor Suite for Interactive Experiences: features ultrasonic, touch, gyroscope, sound, camera, speaker and microphone. These provide it with advanced hearing, vision, and touch, enabling it to see, detect obstacles, respond to touch, and recognize sounds, making interactions highly engaging
- Engaging Interactions with ChatGPT-4o: with ChatGPT-4o enables voice interactions and visual recognition, making it smarter and more responsive. Users can have natural conversations, solve math problems via the camera, and interpret gestures, creating diverse and fun interactions
- Comprehensive Learning Resources and Support: offers detailed online documentation, video tutorials, prompt technical support, and an active forum community, ensuring beginners can easily complete all projects and enjoy a great experience
Among surveyed employers, 65% said they use AI in hiring and 76% said they use skills tests to measure and validate candidate skills. These are self-reported findings from the survey, not a census of employers, and they apply to hiring—not general employee AI use. The report describes recruitment uses such as writing job descriptions, screening resumes, sourcing candidates, and interviewing candidates. TestGorilla’s report provides its survey methodology and findings.
Why employers may be testing for AI-related skills
The two sources together suggest a hiring context in which employers are reporting AI use in recruitment while AI-related candidate testing is growing on a major assessment platform. They do not establish that one trend caused the other. Nor do they show that AI tests are already a reliable measure of job readiness.
Rank #3
- All-in-One AI Learning Lab Powered by Raspberry Pi & Multi-LLMs. Turn Raspberry Pi (5 / 4B / 3B+ / 3B / Zero 2W) into a complete AI learning lab with support for multi-LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, Qwen, Doubao, and Ollama. Includes Pan-Tilt HAT,10-axis (10DOF) module, camera, and high-quality components. Learn AI through guided video lessons created with educator Paul McWhorter. (Raspberry Pi not included)
- Build Fun Multi-Modal AI Projects with Voice, Vision & Sensors. Combine sensors, breadboard circuits, Multi-LLMs, voice recognition, and camera vision to create engaging multi-modal AI projects. Learn STT and TTS through hands-on programming, turning abstract AI concepts into interactive projects you can see, hear, and control—perfect for AI beginners
- AI Vision Tracking with YOLO, OpenCV, MediaPipe & Pan-Tilt HAT. Create intelligent vision projects using OpenCV and MediaPipe to detect and track objects, colors, and human movements. The Pan-Tilt HAT allows your projects to actively follow targets, helping learners understand how AI vision and motion work together in real systems
- Fusion HAT+ Power System with Voice AI Interaction. The Fusion HAT+ provides power, safe shutdown, and simplified hardware control via a unified Python library. With the Fusion HAT+ featuring a built-in speaker and microphone, easily build AI voice interaction projects by combining Multi-LLMs with sensors and electronic components
- Step-by-Step Learning with Video Lessons & Technical Support. Includes a structured, project-based curriculum with clear documentation, sample code, and video tutorials created with Paul McWhorter. Backed by responsive technical support and an active community, this kit helps beginners confidently progress from Python basics to AI and interactive projects
TestGorilla CEO and founder Wouter Durville said the company’s 2025 report found that “71 percent of employers say skills testing is more predictive of on-the-job success than resumes.” This is an employer-reported belief quoted by a vendor executive, not independent proof that skills tests predict performance. TestGorilla people and culture head Olive Turon also argued that objective technical and critical-thinking tests, with anti-cheating measures, are important for recruiters building AI-first teams. That is her perspective, not an independently validated outcome.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this means for candidates and hiring teams
For candidates
A rise in AI assessments is a reason to understand what a role actually expects, not proof that every employer now tests AI skills. Review the job description and be prepared to explain how you use relevant AI tools, how you check their output, and where you rely on your own judgment. The reported figures do not identify which tools or competencies appeared in the tests.
Rank #4
- Learn Through Play: Kids can ask mBot2 about the weather, make it sing, change the lights to make it move, or flip it over to watch it get grumpy! There are endless fun interactive features to explore with this smart coding robot for kids ages 8-12. (Coding guides included.)
- Easy to Use: Build mBot2 robotics kit from scratch following step-by-step guide. Play the STEM toys mBot2 with 8+ modes (Drive, Draw and Run, Musician, Voice Control, Code, Build, WIFI and etc.) through APP and Use blocks to code without taking care of syntax. Enjoy up to 5 hours of playtime on a single charge and switch between Bluetooth, USB and WIFI control ways. Use mBot2 robot kit anytime and anywhere.
- Coding Learning Path: Program mBot2 with 4 coding project cards and see it moves the way you wants! (No coding experience needed before). Learn 24+ cases and 8+ courses to master Scratch and Python programming, robotics, computer science, game development and data science. With ever-evolving curriculums and lifelong free programming software (with more than 16 million satisfied users), create your own unique STEM robot and projects.
- The Best in Its Class: Designed from Makeblock's mBuild platform, mBot2 coding robot comes with 10+ advanced sensors (allowing for line-following, obstacle avoidance, color identification and etc.) and expandable with 30+ modules, all supporting Internet of Things (IoT) learning. For classroom use, the WIFI module allows multiple mBot2 to complete tasks together and sharing the same programming at the same time.
- Great Gift for Kids: Simple structure, kids can easily build a robot toy for 8-12 years old kids in 30 minutes. The robot kit can help kids learn more about robotics components and toy mechanical design. Great robot assembly kit gift for graduation, birthday, Christmas, Children's Day or family entertainment time. If you have any questions while using this robotics kit for kids ages 8-12 and up, please feel free to contact us. We will reply to you as soon as possible.
For hiring teams
Use an AI assessment only when its tasks match the work candidates would do, and be clear about whether it tests tool use, critical thinking, or another capability. Check that candidates have comparable instructions and conditions, and treat a test score as one piece of evidence alongside other relevant assessments. The available figures do not establish that any particular test is valid, resistant to cheating, or predictive of performance; those claims require evidence about the specific assessment and role.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【High-Performance ESP32-S3 Microcontroller】 Equipped with revolutionary MCP protocol technology, the kit delivers a native AI voice control experience, perfectly adapting to various AIoT application scenarios, suitable for beginners, educators and makers.
- 【8 Versatile Hardware Modules Included】Comes with RGB LED module (full-color dimming, breathing light effect), WS2812 smart light strip (8 programmable LEDs), DHT11 sensor (real-time temperature and humidity monitoring), SG90 servo, DC fan, dual relay, raindrop and soil sensor, meeting diverse project needs.
- 【Zero-Threshold AIoT Control】Adopts innovative MCP protocol, allowing AI models to directly recognize hardware functions without complex programming. Pre-compiled firmware supports plug-and-play after burning, with an extensible architecture for secondary development.
- 【Multi-Scenario Application Coverage】Widely applicable to STEM education (learning IoT, AI interaction, embedded programming), smart home prototype verification, maker project development, and smart agriculture (soil monitoring, automatic irrigation systems).
- 【Comprehensive Learning & Technical Support】Provides an online document center with detailed quick-start guides and free professional technical support to answer questions and assist in problem-solving, helping users get started quickly.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
