Free ATS CV test: does your CV get through screening software?
An ATS is software that reads, ranks and filters CVs before a recruiter does. Banks, telecoms, mines and NGOs use them more and more: a misread CV can be rejected unseen.
How an ATS reads your CV
It extracts the text, finds the sections and compares your words with the job ad. It does not see design, only lines of text in stored order.
Testing your CV for free
- Copy all the PDF text into a note: the order should stay logical.
- Compare the ad's keywords with yours.
- Use an ATS score tool that does both.
| Tool | Price | Read by screening software | Strength | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Word / Google Docs | Free (or already installed) | Good with a simple layout | Full control, works offline | Slow formatting, dated templates |
| Canva | Free, premium elements paid | Variable: columns and icons can be misread | Very attractive design | Built for design, not for screening software |
| Online builders (Zety, Resume.io…) | Often free to build, paid options in dollars or euros | Usually good | Step-by-step guidance | Foreign currency, card often required |
| EmploiZen | Unlimited free CVs, AI options from 300 CFA francs | Real-text PDF, single-column version | Tests the CV against a job ad, local pricing | New service, AI writing is paid |
Prices and features checked in November 2026; they may change.
Five fixes that raise the score
- Use the exact job title.
- Add matching skills in the ad's words.
- Switch to one column.
- Use standard headings.
- Export to a real-text PDF.
Frequently asked questions
What is an ATS?
Applicant tracking software that reads, ranks and filters CVs before a recruiter sees them.
Do African employers use ATS?
Increasingly: banks, telecoms, mines, NGOs and recruiters.
Does a good score guarantee an interview?
No, it guarantees your CV is read properly.
Kpak is published by the EmploiZen team, one of the tools mentioned in this article. Our transparency policy
