How to ace the SHL test

So, you're applying for a job or internship, and you're asked to take an SHL test. Don't worry. Here's everything you need to know about the tests - what they are, why they matter, and how to ace them

What are SHL tests?

SHL is a leading provider of pre-employment tests and psychometric assessments, trusted by employers in over 150 countries and used by global organisations such as:

• Amazon
• Deutsche Bank
• Freshfields
• Jefferies.

Psychometric and behavioural assessments are designed to evaluate a range of skills and attributes essential for various roles, including:

• attention to detail
• decision-making
• inductive and logical thinking
• key personality traits and tendencies
• numerical and verbal reasoning
• problem solving.

Since SHL offers different types of assessments, let's go over the tests you're likely to encounter during the application process.

SHL General Ability (Verify G+)

The most commonly used SHL assessment is the General Ability test, also known as SHL Verify G+, which assesses numerical, inductive, and deductive reasoning.

This test is available in two formats - interactive and non-interactive. Both are known for their difficulty, as they demand sharp numerical and logical abilities, along with the capacity to quickly analyse data under tight time limits. While both versions evaluate the same core skills, they differ not just in format but also in structure and experience.

The test invitation won't always specify which version you'll be taking, so to help you identify whether it's interactive or not, refer to the table below:

Now, let's take a closer look at the types of questions you'll be tackling.

Interactive numerical reasoning question

Using the given information, determine how many likes per day each post received and what percentage of the total likes was given to each.

Likes on Facebook:

• Two net personalities shared posts on Facebook.
• The total number of likes for both posts increased by 15% from the first day to the second, reaching 575,000 likes on day two.
• Post B was given 150,000 likes on day one.
• The number of likes for post A increased by 8% from day one to day two.

Adjust the graph below to represent the correct information and answer the question accordingly.

The answer is…

Non-interactive numerical reasoning question

How many GBP can be purchased for 7500 CAD?

A. 11.772

B. 4776

C. 477.7

D. 8720

E. 6369.

The answer is B (4776).

Interactive deductive reasoning question

A team of employees is planning a day trip together for the following month.

Select all possible weekdays in the next month when all team members can join the trip.

• Anna - must be in the office from 13-20
• Lee - is busy on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
• Simon - is free to join the trip every fourth day starting the 2, including weekends.
• Greg - is not occupied on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

The answer is 29th of the month.

Non-interactive deductive reasoning question

In a university library there are seven categories of books: history, science, literature, philosophy, art, mathematics, and psychology. A librarian needs to select exactly four different categories to feature in a special display. The selection must follow these conditions:

• Philosophy can be selected only if literature is selected.
• Mathematics can be selected only if science is selected.
• Either History or art must be selected, but not both.
• Either Psychology or philosophy must be selected, but not both.

Which of the following could be a complete and accurate list of categories chosen for the display?

A. Science, mathematics, history, philosophy.

B. Science, art, psychology, literature.

C. History, literature, philosophy, psychology.

D. Science, literature, philosophy, art.

E. Science, mathematics, literature, psychology.

The answer is B (science, art, psychology, literature).

Interactive inductive reasoning question

Complete the following sequence:

The answer is AZ -> 19 -> BY -> 28 -> CX -> 37 -> DW -> 46 -> EV -> 55.

Non-interactive inductive reasoning question

Which diagram would appear next in the series?

The answer is A.

Feeling confident? Put your skills to the test with the Free SHL Practice Questions.

SHL Personality Test - OPQ32

These days, employers aren't just looking for skills - they also want to know if your personality and work style are a good match for their team. This is where behavioural tests come in.

OPQ32 is a personality questionnaire designed to get a better idea of how you behave at work. Like the ability tests, the OPQ32 has several versions, but the most common one includes 104 questions presented in small sets of three or four statements.

In each set, you'll pick the one that sounds most like you and the one that feels least like you.

Here's how it looks:

• I prefer to take charge in group situations
• I focus on completing tasks efficiently                             
• I enjoy coming up with new and creative ideas                

The latest version of the OPQ32 is more interactive and works in two steps.

First, you'll pick the statement that describes you best - this is your 'most' choice.

• I stay calm under pressure
• I enjoy following clear rules
• I often come up with original solutions.

After you choose your statement (let's say it's the one highlighted in bold), it will disappear from the screen. Then you'll need to pick the one that best describes you from the remaining options:

• I stay calm under pressure
• I often come up with original solutions.

There's no single right answer, but each statement you choose helps build a picture of your traits and how they relate to the role you're applying for.

To answer wisely, consider the organisation's values and the qualities that matter most for the job, then select the statements that demonstrate you possess the qualities that match the job as well as your tendencies.

Try more SHL OPQ32 personality assessment questions.

SHL Situational Judgement Test

Situational Judgement Tests, or SJTs, are another type of personality assessment. These are used to see how you handle different situations in the workplace and are designed to measure your behaviour, decision-making, and professional instincts.

SHL has two types of SJTs - one for graduates and another for managerial-level roles.

• Graduate SJT - You'll go through ten work-related scenarios, each of which comes with four to seven possible responses. You need to rate how desirable each option is. Altogether, there are 70 questions, and the test usually takes about 25 minutes.
• Managerial SJT - This version is aimed at more experienced roles. It includes 14 scenarios, each followed by five to nine response options to rate. You'll answer around 100 questions in total, and it typically takes about 40 minutes to complete.

Let's take a look at a Graduate SJT question.

You've recently joined a new team and have been working hard to make a good impression. A few weeks in, you notice that one of your teammates has made repeated mistakes in a shared project, which could affect the team's overall performance. You're not sure if they’re aware of the issue.

Response 1: Raise the issue directly with your teammate and suggest reviewing the work together to identify and correct the errors.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Response 2: Keep quiet and focus on your part of the project. It's not your responsibility to point out others' mistakes.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Response 3: Mention the mistakes to your manager and ask them to address it with the teammate.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Response 4: Bring it up casually in a team meeting and hope the teammate realises the feedback is directed at them.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Response 5: Fix the mistakes yourself without saying anything, so the project is delivered properly.

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

The answer is 1>3>5>4>2.

The best response is 1, as it shows strong communication, teamwork, and a proactive attitude by addressing the issue directly and constructively with your teammate.

Response 3 is also a reasonable option, especially if you're unsure how to handle the situation. However, going straight to the manager may come across as avoiding personal responsibility.

Response 5 demonstrates dedication to the project, but fixing mistakes silently can create ongoing issues and miss the opportunity for team learning.

Response 4 is too indirect and unclear. It risks being misunderstood and doesn't guarantee the problem will be resolved.

The least effective is response 2, which reflects a lack of ownership and team spirit, as ignoring the problem could negatively impact the entire group.

When tackling SJT questions, aim to choose responses that reflect professionalism, teamwork, and sound judgement, while also keeping in mind the organisation's values and workplace culture.

Think about how a strong team player in that environment would handle the situation.

Other SHL tests

Now that we've gone over the most common SHL assessments, let’s look at a few other tests you might come across during the application process.

SHL Verbal Reasoning Test

This test is only available in a non-interactive format. It consists of 30 questions to be completed within 19 minutes.

SHL Checking Test

Also known as the Error Checking Test, this assessment measures your ability to identify and correct mistakes accurately.

In each question, you’ll see a string of up to nine letters or numbers on the left, alongside several similar-looking options on the right. Your job is to find and select the one that exactly matches the original.

SHL Mechanical Comprehension Test

This test is designed for candidates applying to mechanical or technical roles.

It evaluates your understanding of basic physical principles and your ability to apply them to everyday mechanical devices and tools. The test covers five key topics, each with a range of sub-topics:

• fluid mechanics
• gears, force and torque
• mechanical devices interaction
• tools and equipment.

How to prepare for SHL tests

First things first - figure out which SHL test you're about to take. That way, you can prepare for it properly, rather than guessing and hoping for the best.

While general practice helps sharpen your skills, the real game-changer is using practice materials that closely resemble the actual test. That means you'll get familiar with the question types, time limits, and overall structure, so there are no surprises on test day.

Tools like JobTestPrep's SHL Prep Pack can make things easier. They give you realistic practice tests, clear explanations, smart solving tips, and even a way to track how you're doing. It's a solid way to find out what you've already mastered and what needs a little more work.

Find out more

• Discover more about psychometric tests.
• Take a look at what people think about the practice packs in these JobTestPrep reviews.