---
title: What is the difference between gate and gradient?
description: Here’s what gate vs. gradient means for cognitive tests in Value People AI.
---

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# What is the difference between gate and gradient?

## GATE and GRADIENT are used in Value People AI, when working with cognitive results. It is not relevant when working with results on personality profiles.

**Gate (default for most roles)**

- **What it is:** The minimum score set (e.g., STEN 6) acts as a **pass/fail threshold**.
- **How it works:** Candidates who meet or exceed the minimum are treated as **cognitively equal** for ranking purposes. A STEN 8 is no better than a STEN 6. Once the threshold is passed, valU stops differentiating.
- **When to use it:** When the role’s cognitive demands are satisfied by meeting the minimum (e.g., structured tasks, team-based work, or roles where personality/experience drive performance above the threshold).
- **Example:** For an accountant role, STEN 6 might be the gate. A candidate with STEN 7 and one with STEN 9 are ranked equally on cognitive ability, personality fit or experience would break the tie.

 

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**Gradient (for roles where higher cognitive ability matters)**

- **What it is:** The minimum score set is still a threshold, but **higher scores remain an advantage** in ranking.
- **How it works:** Among candidates who meet the minimum, those with higher Cognitive scores rank first (e.g., STEN 9 \> STEN 7). Personality fit then orders candidates with the same CORE score.
- **When to use it:** For roles where cognitive sharpness is a lasting differentiator (e.g., complex problem-solving, fast-paced decision-making, or roles requiring rapid learning).
- **Example:** If an accountant role involves high-stakes financial modelling, STEN 6 might be the minimum, but a STEN 9 candidate would rank higher than a STEN 6, even if both meet the threshold.

 

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**Here's how to quickly set GATE or GRADIENT in MPP**

When setting **Criteria** on a cognitive scale, you also have the option of setting a **priority**. Here is what these priorities on cognitive scales mean when read by valU:

- High = a gradient
- Medium = a gate
- Low = descriptive

 

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**Key Difference**

| **Gate** | **Gradient** |
| --- | --- |
| STEN 6 = STEN 9 (equal weight) | STEN 9 \> STEN 6 (higher = better) |
| Personality/experience ranks the candidates that fall above the cognitive gate | Cognitive scores and personality scores ranks the candidates |
| Default for most roles | Use for cognitively demanding roles |

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