Free SHL Deductive Reasoning Test Practice Guide [2025]

These tests measure how well you can draw a logical conclusion from broad principles that are accepted as true.

Here's a basic illustration of how deduction works:

- Every dog falls under the category of mammals.
- Every mammal has warm blood.

By applying deductive reasoning, it's logical to infer that every dog has warm blood.

Deductive reasoning starts with broad premises to arrive at particular outcomes, whereas inductive reasoning begins with detailed observations leading to broader generalizations.

Currently:

Many companies appreciate workers who possess sharp deductive and reasoning capabilities. For this reason, they often employ evaluation exams, like those provided by SHL, to confirm that the individuals they recruit have these skills.

The SHL Deductive Reasoning test is a screening tool used by employers to evaluate a candidate's ability to reason logically. It includes tasks like evaluating arguments for their validity, examining situations, and making logical deductions from given information. SHL offers three different forms of this test: one is an interactive version, while the other two are traditional multiple-choice formats that are not interactive.

The specific SHL Deductive Reasoning Test you encounter will vary based on the employer's preferences. Each variant of the test has its own set of questions, allotted time, and level of challenge.

We've outlined the details for each version of the test and included examples of the types of questions you might face to help you become familiar with what to expect.

You will face 12 questions in this exam, and you are given a total of 18 minutes to complete them.

Specific directions will guide you through an activity-based test that requires you to engage directly by dragging and dropping elements on your screen.

The SHL Interactive Deductive Reasoning test represents a significant shift from the traditional multiple-choice format you might be used to.

In this assessment, you'll encounter tasks like arranging a dynamic calendar, inferring the order of individuals based on various factors, organizing meeting spaces, and similar challenges.

This is part of the reason why this test is seen as more challenging, with each question demanding more time to solve.

(Keep in mind, you are allotted roughly 1.5 minutes for each question.)

To gain a clearer sense of this interactive test's distinct nature, consider this example of a typical question you might encounter:

There are 18 questions in total.

You have a time limit of 20 minutes to complete the test.

Specific instructions include: "For each question, you will be given multiple choice options, ranging from four to five possible answers." Additionally, the instruction "Click on the answer..." suggests that this is not a hands-on test.

The SHL Deductive Reasoning test is a multiple-choice assessment that is not interactive. It provides five possible answers for each question, but only one is correct.

The test will present you with three different kinds of questions:

1. You will read a paragraph or a set of statements and then determine which statement must or cannot be true.
2. You will be given a detailed paragraph and asked to identify the assumption that the argument is based on.
3. You will analyze tables filled with data and numbers and answer a complex question related to them.

Here is an example of the third type of question:

The SHL Verify Deductive test features 18 questions that must be completed within a 20-minute time frame. You can identify this test by the SHL logo positioned in the upper left corner of the initial screen. Starting in 2024, only a few companies will continue to use this particular version, as the majority have transitioned to SHL's newer interactive and non-interactive assessments.

In terms of evaluating deductive reasoning abilities, this version bears a strong resemblance to the non-interactive variant. However, its presentation and visual design appear more dated.

Consider this example of a typical question format you might encounter on the test:

To successfully navigate the SHL Deductive Reasoning test, preparation is key.

Even those with strong deductive reasoning abilities may find it challenging to adjust to the format of the questions. This is particularly true for those who are accustomed to traditional multiple-choice tests and are now faced with the interactive version of the SHL test.

Jumping into the test without preparing means you'll miss out on the chance to familiarize yourself with its unique style. You'll only have a handful of practice questions to warm up before you're expected to tackle the main test questions.

To increase your chances of passing the SHL Deductive Reasoning test, it's advisable to engage in a comprehensive practice routine in advance, one that's specifically designed for the version of the test you'll be taking.

Currently, you have a couple of preparation options:

1. SHL Direct offers a practice test.
2. JobTestPrep provides a detailed SHL preparation package.

The email inviting you to take the SHL assessment typically provides a link to SHL Direct, which is SHL's official platform for practice questions and complimentary practice exams.

However, there are several issues to consider:

Firstly, the email doesn't specify which version of the SHL test you should prepare for—the interactive or the non-interactive one—both of which are significantly different.

Secondly, after completing a practice test, particularly the non-interactive version, the score report doesn't indicate which questions you answered correctly or incorrectly. This makes it difficult to identify the areas you need to improve on. Moreover, the report doesn't offer solutions, feedback, or explanations, so it's hard to learn from any mistakes you make.

Lastly, the practice tests on SHL Direct cover only a limited range of question types you might encounter on the actual test. Some practice questions may also be less challenging than those on the real test. SHL acknowledges this on their website, noting that the difficulty level of their practice materials may not match that of the actual assessments.

This brings us to consider other preparation options...

JobTestPrep offers the most comprehensive and accurate-to-the-test SHL prep currently on the market. It includes:

✔ An extensive collection of practice exams that covers all test formats, including interactive and non-interactive versions, helping you become accustomed to the test's demands.

✔ Detailed walkthroughs for each practice item, teaching you the methodology to tackle any SHL deductive reasoning question, rather than just supplying the correct answers.

✔ Practice questions set at a realistic level of difficulty and timed conditions to equip you for one of the test's most challenging elements – the strict time constraints.

Instant Access & Money-back Guarantee

Once you've completed the SHL Deductive Reasoning Test, you will be provided with a score report, which is referred to as the "Candidate Assessment Report."

The numbers presented in this report, along with the overall scoring system used by SHL, are relative. This indicates that your scores are evaluated in relation to a substantial number of other individuals who have taken the same assessment before you.

The outcome of your test is categorized into five levels, from A to E, which you can observe in the example provided below:

The better your score, the more likely you are to be placed in group "A". Generally, those who find themselves in groups "A" or "B" stand a good chance of passing the exam.

Therefore, despite the scoring system being relative to how others perform, aiming for the highest score you can achieve remains important.

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