Reference
Glossary of interview prep terms
Answer in brief
Plain definitions for the words used in this guide, from the STAR method to applicant tracking systems. Each term links to the entry that puts it to work.
AI mock interview Applicant tracking system (ATS) Application tracker Aptitude test Behavioral question Cover letter Credits Follow-up question Keyword match One-way video interview Scorecard Situational judgment test (SJT) Situational question STAR method Transcript Work style test
- AI mock interview
A practice interview run by an AI interviewer. It asks questions out loud or in text, follows up on what you say, and gives feedback on your answers. It is for practice before the real interview.
- Applicant tracking system (ATS)
The software employers use to collect applications, store resumes and move candidates through hiring. Recruiters often search it by keyword, so a resume with clear headings and the job's real terms is easier to find.
- Application tracker
A list or tool that records every job you apply for, its stage, dates, contacts and next step, so follow-ups and interviews do not slip.
- Aptitude test
A timed test of problem solving: math word problems, number and letter series, logic, verbal reasoning, attention to detail and shape puzzles. It measures how you think, not what you know about the job.
See: Aptitude test prep
- Behavioral question
A question about what you did in a real past situation, such as "Tell me about a time you disagreed with your manager." The idea is that past behavior shows how you will work.
- Cover letter
A short letter sent with a resume that explains why you fit this job. A strong one is specific: one or two results that match the role and one real reason you want to work there.
- Credits
The unit some tools use to measure use. On OphyAI, a plan includes a number of credits and each tool uses a set number, such as 10 for a text practice session or 15 for a voice session after the first free one on a paid plan.
See: OphyAI plans
- Follow-up question
A second question that digs into your answer, such as "What would you do differently?" or "How did you measure that?" Good practice tools ask them, because real interviewers do.
- Keyword match
How closely the skills and terms in your resume match a job description. A match score is an editing aid: add a missing term only if it is true of your experience.
- One-way video interview
A recorded interview with no live interviewer. Questions appear on screen or as short videos, and you record each answer on camera, often with a time limit and a set number of retakes. HireVue and Spark Hire are common platforms.
- Scorecard
A summary of how a practice round went, broken into skills. Use it to pick the one or two things to fix next, not as a prediction of the real result.
- Situational judgment test (SJT)
A test that shows you work scenarios and asks you to pick, rank or rate possible responses. Many customer service, retail and call center employers use one early in hiring.
- Situational question
A question about what you would do in a made-up situation, such as "What would you do if a customer asked for a refund you cannot give?" Answer with the steps you would take and why.
- STAR method
A way to structure answers to behavioral questions: Situation (the context), Task (what you had to do), Action (what you did) and Result (what happened, ideally with a number). Most of the answer should be the Action.
- Transcript
A written record of what was said in a practice session. Reading it back shows filler words, rambling and missing results more clearly than memory does.
- Work style test
A questionnaire about how you like to work, with agree or disagree statements or "most like me / least like me" choices. There are rarely right answers, but employers look for answers that are honest and consistent.
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Cite this entry
Best AI Interview Assistant. “Glossary of interview prep terms.” Content reviewed November 8, 2026. https://bestaiinterviewassistant.com/glossary/