TalkScore is Talkpush's AI-powered candidate assessment platform. It evaluates candidates through conversational AI interviews — measuring both English language proficiency and role-specific soft skills — and delivers instant, structured reports to recruiters.
TalkScore works in two modes:
Live AI Interviews (Voice AI) — A conversational AI agent calls or connects with the candidate and conducts a real-time, adaptive interview. The agent probes answers, follows up naturally, and adjusts its language to the candidate's level. This is the primary mode for new deployments.
Async Recorded Assessments (Legacy) — Candidates respond to pre-recorded audio or video questions within the Talkpush application. Responses are scored automatically. This mode is still available for existing clients using the traditional TalkScore question types.
Both modes produce the same output: a structured report with an overall score, per-skill breakdowns, CEFR language level, behavioral insights, and sentiment analysis.
What TalkScore Evaluates
English language proficiency
Spoken English is evaluated across five dimensions, each scored on a 0–10 scale. These combine into an overall CEFR level from A0 (no proficiency) to C2 (near-native mastery).
Dimension | What it measures |
Fluency | Rhythm, rate, and smoothness of speech. Natural pacing without excessive pauses or fillers. |
Grammar | Grammatical range and accuracy, including phrase and clause complexity. |
Pronunciation | Intelligibility and accuracy of sounds. How clearly the candidate is understood. |
Vocabulary | Lexical range, sophistication, and correct usage of words in context. |
Comprehension | Relevance and accuracy of the candidate's answer relative to what was asked. |
CEFR Level | Scale (0–10) | Description |
A0 | 0 – 0.9 | No practical proficiency |
A1 | 1.0 – 2.3 | Beginner — basic everyday expressions |
A1+ | 2.4 – 3.6 | Upper beginner |
A2 | 3.7 – 4.5 | Elementary — simple, routine communication |
A2+ | 4.6 – 5.9 | Upper elementary |
B1 | 6.0 – 6.8 | Intermediate — handles most travel and work situations |
B1+ | 6.9 – 7.3 | Upper intermediate threshold |
B2 | 7.4 – 8.2 | Upper-intermediate — fluent interaction with native speakers |
B2+ | 8.3 – 8.7 | Advanced threshold |
C1 | 8.8 – 9.4 | Advanced — flexible, effective professional communication |
C2 | 9.5 – 10.0 | Mastery — near-native fluency |
Soft skills
TalkScore evaluates role-specific competencies through behavioral interview questions. Skills are scored on a 0–5 scale with defined rubrics for each level. Available soft skills include:
Communication Skills
Adaptability and Learning Agility
Resilience and Stress Management
Customer Service Orientation
Empathy
Problem Solving
Persuasion and Negotiation
Compliance and Integrity
Reliability and Work Ethic
Result Orientation
Teamwork and Collaboration
Technical Proficiency
Analytical Thinking
Skills can be customized per role. Clients can choose to evaluate language only, soft skills only, or both depending on the role requirements.
Score | Level | What it means |
5 | Excellent | Strong, specific evidence with clear examples. Competency demonstrated consistently and convincingly. |
4 | Good | Competency demonstrated well with relevant examples. Minor gaps or areas for development. |
3 | Average | Basic understanding with some evidence. Examples were general or lacked depth. |
2 | Below Average | Struggled to demonstrate the competency. Responses were vague or lacked relevant experience. |
1 | Poor | Could not demonstrate the competency. No relevant examples, or behaviors counter to the skill. |
0 | No evidence | No usable evidence of the competency in the transcript. |
Assessment Catalog
TalkScore offers a library of ready-to-use, role-specific assessments. Each includes predefined behavioral questions, evaluation rubrics with 0–5 scoring definitions, and role-specific scenarios. Clients can use the catalog as-is or request custom assessments tailored to their specific requirements.
Assessment | Duration | What it evaluates |
English Proficiency (Short) | ~5 min | Baseline English language skills (CEFR) |
English Proficiency (Extended) | ~10 min | Deeper English check with scenario-based responses |
Customer Service Representative | ~10 min | Communication, empathy, problem-solving, adaptability, technical aptitude |
CSR Entry Level | ~10 min | Active listening, adaptability, basic customer handling (focuses on potential) |
Sales Agent | ~10 min | Communication, persuasion, objection handling, result orientation |
Technical Support | ~10 min | Problem-solving, technical troubleshooting, customer reassurance |
Collections Agent | ~10 min | Persuasion, negotiation, resilience, compliance, result orientation |
Retail Associate | ~10 min | Customer service, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, work ethic |
The TalkScore Report
After every completed interview, recruiters receive a structured report containing:
Section | What it contains |
Overall Performance | A single 0–5 score summarizing the candidate's results, plus an AI-written summary highlighting key observations. |
Skills Breakdown | Each competency scored 0–5 with AI reasoning that cites specific evidence from the transcript. |
Language and Communication | Detailed scores for grammar, fluency, vocabulary, pronunciation, and the resulting CEFR level. |
Behavioral Insights | Sentiment analysis tracking the candidate's tone, confidence, and engagement throughout the conversation. |
Data Extraction | Structured answers to eligibility and screening questions (work authorization, availability, etc.). |
Candidate Questions | Any questions the candidate asked during the interview, with timestamps. |
Quality Indicators | Reading detection (if the candidate appeared to read from a script) and any agent quality flags. |
Full Transcript and Recording | Complete conversation text and audio available for manual review. |
How Async TalkScore Works (Legacy Mode)
For clients using the traditional TalkScore setup within Talkpush question sets, async assessments are still supported. Candidates respond to pre-recorded audio or text questions within the Talkpush application, and responses are scored automatically.
Question types
Type | How it works | What it measures |
Open-Ended | Candidate responds to a text-based question with a spoken answer (minimum 30 seconds). | Fluency, grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, comprehension |
Listen and Repeat | Candidate listens to audio and repeats what they heard. | Pronunciation, active listening |
Listen and Speak | Candidate listens to a scenario or question via audio and responds. | Comprehension, active listening, fluency, grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary |
Setup (for Talkpush administrators)
Navigate to the Audio/Video question configuration in Talkpush.
Enable the TalkScore checkbox.
Select the question type (Open-Ended, Listen and Repeat, or Listen and Speak).
For listening questions, add the transcript text.
Set the timer duration (minimum 30 seconds for Open-Ended and Listen and Speak).
Save the question.
Important notes for async mode
Scoring requires all TalkScore questions in the set to be answered.
Audio responses under 30 seconds will trigger an "Insufficient Audio Length" error and won't be scored.
If a response encounters an error, it shows "N/A" and doesn't affect the overall score.
Time limits trigger automatic advancement to the next question.
TalkScore must be activated by your Talkpush Account Manager before use.
Candidate Attributes Generated
Both modes generate structured data attributes that can be used in autoflows and reporting:
TalkScore Overall — Average score across all responses
TalkScore CEFR — Overall English proficiency level (A0–C2)
Individual dimension scores — Fluency, grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, comprehension, active listening
Per-skill scores — Each soft skill dimension scored individually
Reading detection — Whether the candidate appeared to read from a script
Multilingual Support
TalkScore Live AI Interviews are available in 50+ languages. The AI agent can conduct the interview in the candidate's preferred language while simultaneously evaluating their proficiency in a target language (typically English). This is especially valuable for BPO and contact center hiring, where agents serve English-speaking customers but may be based in non-English-speaking regions.
Compliance and Positioning
TalkScore does not make hiring decisions — it extracts, structures, and scores responses according to a predefined rubric.
The AI is a facilitation tool that improves candidate experience and automates data collection.
All interviews are recorded and fully auditable.
Scoring is consistent, repeatable, and bias-free.
Getting Started
Existing Talkpush clients — Contact your Account Manager to activate TalkScore and select the assessment type that fits your roles.
New to Talkpush — Visit talkpush.com to learn about the full platform, or ask about a TalkScore pilot (typically 50 free AI interviews to prove value).
Custom assessments — If your role isn't in the catalog, the Product team can design a tailored assessment with custom skills, questions, and rubrics.
