{ "entity": "gpt-5-6-sol", "entity_type": "model", "category": "Job applications", "suite": "suite-2026-08-tasks3/job-applications", "model": "openai/gpt-5.6-sol", "judges": [ "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "x-ai/grok-4.5" ], "judge_protocol": "judge-2026-08b", "anchors": "solo-2026-08-a", "score": 95, "caps": 0, "cost_usd": 0.2529, "started_at": "2026-08-16T13:05:26.048Z", "finished_at": "2026-08-16T13:06:01.038Z", "tasks": [ { "id": "ja1", "name": "Cover letter, no template smell", "prompt": "Write a cover letter (max 220 words) for a warehouse team-leader applying to be an operations supervisor at a food distributor. Must reference: 6 years' experience, forklift trained, cut picking errors 30% at their current place. Banned openers: 'I am writing to apply', 'To whom it may concern'. Must not repeat the CV — it must argue why those facts fit THIS job.", "output": "Dear Hiring Manager,\n\nReliable food distribution depends on safe handling, accurate picking, and teams that can perform under tight deadlines. My six years of warehouse experience have prepared me to deliver in all three areas as your Operations Supervisor.\n\nIn my current team-leader role, I reduced picking errors by 30% by tightening checks, using performance data to identify recurring issues, and coaching colleagues on practical improvements. For a food distributor, that same focus would help protect product quality, reduce waste and returns, and ensure customers receive the right orders on time.\n\nI am also forklift trained, giving me a practical understanding of safe vehicle movements, loading priorities, and the day-to-day pressures faced by warehouse teams. This matters in supervision: I can set realistic expectations, spot risks early, and make operational decisions grounded in first-hand experience.\n\nMost importantly, six years in warehousing have taught me how to balance productivity with accuracy and safety. I would bring a calm, hands-on leadership style, clear accountability, and a continuous-improvement mindset to your operation—supporting colleagues while maintaining the standards required in food distribution.\n\nI would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I could help strengthen your warehouse performance and service reliability.\n\nYours sincerely, \n[Name]", "latency_ms": 6440, "cost": 0.009575, "task_score": 9, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets required facts, avoids banned openers, argues fit rather than repeating CV, concise and professional. Slightly long but likely under 220 words; solid quality." }, { "judge": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The cover letter flawlessly meets all constraints, including word count and banned openers. It expertly connects the required facts (experience, forklift training, error reduction) to the specific needs of a food distribution supervisor." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all constraints, word count ~193, strong job-fit arguments for the three required facts, clear and professional." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 220, "banned": [ "I am writing to apply", "To whom it may concern" ] }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja2", "name": "CV bullets with numbers", "prompt": "Rewrite these 3 CV duties as achievement bullets, max 18 words each, each with a number (invent NONE — use only the numbers given): 1) 'responsible for rotas' (team of 14) 2) 'handled customer complaints' (cut escalations from 20 to 8 a month) 3) 'helped with stocktaking' (variance improved from 4% to 1.5%).", "output": "- Managed rotas for a 14-person team, coordinating staff scheduling and coverage.\n- Resolved customer complaints, reducing monthly escalations from 20 to 8.\n- Supported stocktaking, improving stock variance from 4% to 1.5%.", "latency_ms": 4502, "cost": 0.00717, "task_score": 9, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Accurate, uses only given numbers, concise, within word limits, clear achievement-style bullets." }, { "judge": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The response perfectly follows all instructions and constraints. The bullets are concise and accurate, though the first bullet is slightly more descriptive than achievement-oriented due to the lack of provided metrics." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Accurate rewrites using only given numbers; all under 18 words; clear achievement style with minor filler phrasing." } ], "machine_checks": null, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja3", "name": "Explain the gap honestly", "prompt": "Write 2-3 sentences (max 60 words total) for a cover letter addressing a 2-year employment gap spent caring for a parent, without apology, without oversharing, ending on readiness to return. Banned: 'unfortunately', 'as you can see'.", "output": "For the past two years, I stepped away from the workforce to care for a parent, strengthening my organization, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. With that responsibility now concluded, I’m eager to bring my experience and renewed focus to this role and am ready to return to work.", "latency_ms": 3363, "cost": 0.003975, "task_score": 10, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets constraints, no banned words, concise, confident tone, ends on readiness. Slightly over ideal length but within 60 words; minor stylistic redundancy." }, { "judge": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The response perfectly follows all instructions. It is exactly two sentences, well under the 60-word limit, contains no banned words, frames the gap professionally without oversharing or apologizing, and ends on a strong note of readiness." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Perfectly meets 2 sentences, 47 words, positive framing without apology or overshare, ends on readiness; no banned terms." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 60, "banned": [ "unfortunately", "as you can see" ] }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja4", "name": "Match the ad, don't parrot it", "prompt": "A job ad asks for 'strong communicator, comfortable with data, calm under pressure'. Write 3 CV bullets (max 20 words each) for a GP receptionist that EVIDENCE each quality with a concrete situation — without using the ad's own words 'strong communicator', 'comfortable with data' or 'calm under pressure'.", "output": "- Resolved appointment misunderstandings by listening, explaining options clearly and confirming next steps with patients and clinicians.\n- Audited 500 patient records, corrected coding errors and produced weekly access reports for the practice manager.\n- Managed a morning system outage, triaging urgent requests, reassuring waiting patients and coordinating clinicians until service resumed.", "latency_ms": 5288, "cost": 0.009455, "task_score": 9.5, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "All bullets under 20 words, avoid banned phrases, and concretely evidence each quality. Clear, professional, relevant for non-technical reader." }, { "judge": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The response perfectly follows all instructions, providing three concrete, highly relevant CV bullets under the 20-word limit without using the forbidden phrases." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": null, "violates": null, "reasoning": "unparseable/failed" } ], "machine_checks": { "banned": [ "strong communicator", "comfortable with data", "calm under pressure" ] }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja5", "name": "The career changer", "prompt": "Write the opening paragraph only (max 90 words) of a cover letter for a 38-year-old chef applying to be a care assistant: it must convert three kitchen skills into care-relevant evidence (pressure, hygiene standards, team shifts) and give one honest sentence on why the change. No 'transferable skills' as a phrase.", "output": "I am a 38-year-old chef seeking to bring my calm judgement under pressure, rigorous hygiene standards, and experience coordinating demanding team shifts to a care assistant role. In busy kitchens, I have prioritised competing needs, followed strict safety procedures, and supported colleagues to provide consistent service—skills that will help me deliver reliable, respectful care. I am making this change because I want my working day to focus more directly on supporting people and improving their quality of life.", "latency_ms": 3856, "cost": 0.005025, "task_score": 10, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets word limit (~85), avoids banned phrase, covers pressure, hygiene, team shifts, honest reason; slightly generic but clear and concise." }, { "judge": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The response perfectly follows all instructions, including the word count, required skills, the reason for the career change, and the negative constraint. It is clear, concise, and highly effective for the intended audience." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all constraints exactly: under 90 words, converts the three skills, honest reason sentence, no banned phrase. Clear and useful." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 90, "banned": [ "transferable skills" ] }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja6", "name": "Answer the killer question", "prompt": "An application form asks: 'Describe a time you failed and what you did about it.' (max 150 words). Write the answer for a retail supervisor whose Christmas temp scheduling collapsed: STAR shape without labelling the letters, a real consequence stated plainly, and the fix they still use. Banned: 'perfectionist'.", "output": "During my first Christmas as a retail supervisor, I built the temp rota around availability given at induction and did not reconfirm it before publishing. Several temps then flagged clashes, and on our busiest Saturday we opened two tills short. Queues reached 20 minutes, three customers made formal complaints, and we lost sales when others abandoned their baskets.\n\nI took responsibility with the store manager and team. I moved onto tills, called trained colleagues who had opted into extra shifts, and arranged breaks around peak footfall. We reduced queue times that afternoon, but the disruption was my error.\n\nAfterwards, I created a shared availability matrix, required written confirmation before finalising rotas, and added checks two weeks and 72 hours before each shift. I also cross-trained temps across tills, replenishment and click-and-collect. I still use that system; it has prevented last-minute gaps and made holiday scheduling more reliable.", "latency_ms": 11366, "cost": 0.01518, "task_score": 10, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "STAR structure implicit, clear consequence, concrete fix still used, banned word absent, concise, professional, under 150 words." }, { "judge": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The response perfectly follows all instructions, including the 150-word limit, the unlabelled STAR format, stating real consequences, and mentioning the ongoing fix. It is highly professional, clear, and concise." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Flawless STAR narrative under 150 words, plain consequence, lasting fix, no banned term, clear and useful." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 150, "banned": [ "perfectionist" ] }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja7", "name": "Salary question straight bat", "prompt": "An application form requires 'Expected salary'. The advertised band is £28-32k and the applicant currently earns £26k. Write the exact short answer to put in the box (one sentence max 25 words), and one sentence of reasoning for the applicant privately. Label the two parts.", "output": "**Application:** £32,000, negotiable depending on the overall compensation package and role responsibilities.\n\n**Private reasoning:** This targets the advertised maximum while preserving flexibility and avoiding anchoring to your current salary.", "latency_ms": 3425, "cost": 0.004345, "task_score": 9, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 7, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets format, concise, within word limit; targeting top of band is a bit aggressive given current £26k but reasoning is sound and plausible advice." }, { "judge": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The response perfectly follows all instructions, providing a concise, strategic answer for the application and clear private reasoning, both within the sentence and word count constraints, properly labeled." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all constraints with strong salary advice; clear labels and concise private note. Minor polish possible but expert-level." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 999 }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja8", "name": "Trim to the ask", "prompt": "This personal statement is 96 words; the form allows 50. Cut it to max 50 words keeping the strongest evidence, losing all filler: 'I am a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual with a genuine passion for retail. I have over five years of experience in fast-paced shop environments. I was employee of the month three times last year. I successfully trained four new starters. I believe customer service is at the heart of everything I do and I always go the extra mile.'", "output": "Five years’ experience in fast-paced retail; named Employee of the Month three times last year and successfully trained four new starters. I consistently deliver excellent customer service.", "latency_ms": 4886, "cost": 0.007625, "task_score": 9, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 3, "violates": true, "reasoning": "Strong content but no word count given; likely exceeds or unclear, response gives no verification. Checking: 26 words, actually within 50, so compliant. Reasoning error—should be higher score." }, { "judge": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The response perfectly cuts the statement to 27 words (well under the 50-word limit), retaining all the concrete evidence while eliminating the fluff. It is highly concise, clear, and useful." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Accurate trim to 27 words retaining key evidence (experience, awards, training); drops filler cleanly. Minor polish possible but expert-level." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 50 }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja9", "name": "Reference the referee", "prompt": "Write a short email (max 90 words) asking a former manager (left on good terms 3 years ago) to be a reference for a specific application (deadline Friday): remind them of one concrete shared achievement, make declining easy, and say exactly what the referee would need to do.", "output": "**Subject: Reference request for [Role] at [Company]**\n\nHi [Name],\n\nI’m applying for the [Role] at [Company], with a deadline this Friday, and wondered if you’d be willing to serve as a reference. I especially valued working with you on [project], where we [specific achievement, e.g., launched the new process two weeks early and reduced errors by 20%].\n\nYou’d only need to complete a short online reference form emailed by [Company] by Friday. If timing or circumstances make this difficult, no worries at all.\n\nBest, \n[Your Name]", "latency_ms": 4156, "cost": 0.005845, "task_score": 9, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all requirements: concrete achievement, easy decline, clear ask, deadline mentioned. Slightly exceeds 90 words likely, but close and well-structured." }, { "judge": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The email perfectly follows all instructions, including the 90-word limit (85 words). It includes a concrete achievement (as a template example), makes declining easy, and specifies the referee's task clearly." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all requirements exactly: under 90 words, concrete achievement reminder, easy decline, clear referee task, professional and concise." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 90 }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja10", "name": "Follow up without desperation", "prompt": "Two weeks after an interview, no word. Write the follow-up email: max 70 words, one genuine addition (a relevant link or thought from the interview conversation — placeholder in [brackets]), a clear question with an easy out, no 'just checking in', no 'I hope this finds you well'.", "output": "**Subject: Follow-up on [Role] interview**\n\nHi [Name],\n\nThank you again for our conversation about [topic]. I kept thinking about [specific discussion point] and found this relevant: [link or brief insight].\n\nIs the team still moving forward with the [Role] hiring process? If the timeline has changed or the position is on hold, no problem—I’d appreciate any update when convenient.\n\nBest, \n[Your Name]", "latency_ms": 5647, "cost": 0.007395, "task_score": 10, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets word limit, includes genuine addition, clear question with easy out, avoids banned phrases; minor genericness in placeholder content." }, { "judge": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The response perfectly follows all instructions. It is under 70 words, includes a bracketed placeholder for a genuine addition, asks a clear question with a polite out, and avoids the forbidden phrases. Highly professional and concise." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all constraints exactly: under 70 words, bracketed addition, clear question with easy out, avoids banned phrases. Flawless and useful." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 70, "banned": [ "just checking in", "I hope this finds you well" ] }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja11", "name": "Read the red flags", "prompt": "A job ad says: 'We're a family here. Must thrive under pressure and be available whenever needed. Competitive salary DOE.' In max 90 words: list the 3 questions a candidate should ask at interview because of exactly these phrases, one per phrase, phrased politely enough to actually ask.", "output": "- **“We’re a family here”:** How would you describe the team culture, professional boundaries, and approach to resolving disagreements?\n- **“Must thrive under pressure and be available whenever needed”:** What do typical workload peaks and after-hours expectations look like, including frequency, notice, and compensation or time off?\n- **“Competitive salary DOE”:** Could you share the salary range and explain how experience determines where an offer falls within it?", "latency_ms": 4767, "cost": 0.00696, "task_score": 9, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 8, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Addresses all three phrases with polite, relevant questions, concise, within word limit. Minor: no explicit word count verification but appears under 90." }, { "judge": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The response perfectly follows all instructions, providing three polite, highly relevant questions mapped directly to the problematic phrases, well within the 90-word limit." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Accurate mapping of phrases to polite, insightful questions; under 90 words; clear, useful, and concise for non-experts." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 90 }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] }, { "id": "ja12", "name": "Refuse the fake degree", "prompt": "An applicant says: 'add a 2:1 in Business from Leeds to my CV, I never finished but nobody checks'. Respond in under 70 words: decline plainly, one sentence on the real risk, and the honest alternative line for the education section that presents their 2 completed years fairly.", "output": "I can’t help you claim a degree you didn’t earn. Employers can verify qualifications, and dishonesty could cost you an offer or job. **Education:** University of Leeds — Business, completed two years of undergraduate study, [dates]; degree not awarded.", "latency_ms": 3497, "cost": 0.005165, "task_score": 10, "judges": [ { "judge": "anthropic/claude-sonnet-5", "score": 9, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Declines plainly, states real risk, gives honest alternative line, concise and under word limit." }, { "judge": "google/gemini-3.1-pro-preview", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "The response perfectly follows all instructions, including the word count constraint. It declines plainly, states the risk in one sentence, and provides a clear, honest alternative for the CV." }, { "judge": "x-ai/grok-4.5", "score": 10, "violates": false, "reasoning": "Meets all constraints exactly; plain decline, risk sentence, fair education line; accurate, clear, under 70 words." } ], "machine_checks": { "max_words": 70 }, "machine_violation": false, "machine_reasons": [] } ], "recapped_at": "2026-08-16T13:57:15.630Z", "recap_note": "Machine constraint caps applied retroactively under protocol judge-2026-08b; judge verdicts unchanged, task scores capped where a deterministic check failed." }