Score Scale
| Score | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 9-10 | Exceptional fit across all criteria |
| 8 | Strong match, meets core requirements with clear evidence |
| 7 | Good match, meets most requirements |
| 5-6 | Partial fit, gaps in some areas |
| 3-4 | Poor match, significant gaps |
| 0-2 | Very poor fit, minimal qualifications |
What the Assessment Includes
- Verdict: Overall summary
- Strengths: What the candidate does well, with resume citations
- Concerns: Gaps or missing qualifications, with evidence notation
- Interview focus areas: Topics to explore during interviews
Evidence Notation
- (not evidenced): Not mentioned in the resume
- (contradicted by: [evidence]): Resume shows the opposite
- (unverified: [what to check]): Needs confirmation during interview
Per-Criterion Analysis
- ATS feedback: Overall score, verdict, strengths, and concerns
- Nova dashboard: Per-criterion Pass/Partial/Fail status when available
Per-criterion breakdowns may not show in all ATS views. Check the Nova dashboard for the most detailed view.
Diagnosing Score Issues
| Symptom | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Most candidates score 9-10 | Criteria too loose | Add specific requirements, tighten experience ranges |
| Almost no one scores above 5 | Criteria too strict | Convert less-critical requirements to “Nice to have” |
| Good candidate scored low | Resume doesn’t reflect strengths | Check if their resume mentions what criteria require |
| Inconsistent across similar candidates | Criteria are vague | Make criteria more specific and measurable |
| Everyone clusters around 4-6 | Too many “Must have” criteria | Move secondary requirements to “Preferred” or “Nice to have” |
Can I weight criteria differently?
Can I weight criteria differently?
No manual weighting. Use importance levels (Must have, Preferred, Nice to have) instead. Nova factors importance into the overall score automatically.
Why doesn't a score match my gut feeling?
Why doesn't a score match my gut feeling?
Nova evaluates strictly against your written criteria. Review the assessment’s strengths and concerns to find the gap, then adjust criteria.
What if a candidate has no resume?
What if a candidate has no resume?
Nova can use a LinkedIn profile URL as a fallback. If neither is available, the candidate is skipped and not charged.
How does Nova prevent bias?
How does Nova prevent bias?
Criteria-driven assessment, not pattern matching against historical hires. Every score traces to specific criteria and resume evidence. Regular bias audits. See the Bias Evaluation for methodology.