Match the Right People to the Right Jobs With Pre-Hire Physical Abilities Testing (PAT)

A physical abilities test (PAT) evaluates whether a candidate can safely perform the essential physical demands of a specific job. Depending on the role, PAT tests may assess capabilities such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, or other job-specific physical tasks. ErgoScience develops each assessment from a detailed, documented Job Demands Analysis so the test reflects what the candidate will actually be required to do on the job.

Physical abilities testing is generally administered after a conditional offer of employment and before the candidate begins work. This post-offer physical abilities testing allows employers to evaluate candidates against the documented physical requirements of the position using consistent, job-specific criteria. The assessment should measure only the physical abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the job.

A failed PAT test indicates that the candidate did not demonstrate the physical abilities required by the documented job demands during the assessment. Most employers elect to rescind the conditional offer for candidates that fail the PAT. However, some employers use testing for placement in alternative jobs. Most also offer opportunities to retest at a later date.

Physical abilities testing evaluates whether a candidate can perform the physical demands of a specific job, while a pre-employment physical generally evaluates overall health or medical conditions. A PAT is therefore focused on job capability, not general medical condition. Employers may use both as part of their hiring process, but they serve different purposes. A PAT can incorporate a medical history questionnaire and baseline musculoskeletal screen, which are used to determine whether a candidate can safely participate in testing. However, these medical components should not replace the objective physical abilities assessment itself.

No. Workplace ergonomic assessments evaluate how workstations, tasks, equipment, and work processes may contribute to physical strain or injury risk. Physical abilities testing is specifically used to determine whether a candidate can safely perform the documented physical demands of a particular job. These services can complement one another as part of a broader workplace injury prevention strategy.

A candidate may not pass a pre-employment physical ability test if they cannot demonstrate the physical abilities required to perform the essential functions of the job safely. For example, a candidate may be unable to meet a documented requirement for lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or another essential physical task. A PAT result should be based on objective, job-specific criteria rather than a general assessment of a candidate's health or medical history.

Physical abilities testing may also be called PAT, POET, Physical Agility Testing, Fit-for-Duty Testing, or Physical Capability Testing. Terminology varies by employer and provider, so the key is whether the test reflects the job’s actual physical demands.