Practice performance review vocabulary: rating scales, calibration sessions, review cycles, meets/exceeds expectations, and manager summaries.
0 / 5 completed
1 / 5
Your company uses 'a 5-point performance rating scale.' Your manager gives you a 4. What does knowing the scale distribution help you understand?
On a 5-point scale where 3 = 'meets expectations', a 4 = 'exceeds expectations' — above average and often tied to higher bonuses or merit increases. Understanding the intended distribution and what each level means helps you interpret your rating and career trajectory.
2 / 5
Your HR manager says 'The calibration session normalizes ratings.' What happens in a calibration session?
Calibration sessions bring together managers to discuss and align ratings across teams. The goal is consistency — ensuring a '4 exceeds expectations' means the same thing across departments, and preventing systematic leniency or harshness bias.
3 / 5
A performance summary says an employee 'meets expectations.' How is this typically interpreted in tech companies?
'Meets expectations' means solid, expected performance — the employee is doing their job well at their level. In many companies, this is the most common rating and is tied to standard merit increases. It is not negative, but 'exceeds expectations' is needed for maximum rewards.
4 / 5
Your offer letter says 'The review cycle is semi-annual.' What does this mean for your compensation?
A semi-annual review cycle means two formal performance reviews per year (often mid-year and year-end). These are typically the decision points for merit salary increases, bonus payouts, and promotion considerations.
5 / 5
Your performance review process says 'The manager writes the summary; the employee responds.' What is the purpose of the employee response?
The employee response section (also called a self-assessment response) gives employees a voice in the formal record. They can contextualize achievements, provide missing context the manager may not have had, acknowledge areas for improvement, or respectfully disagree with assessments.