Free SHL Assessment Test Practice Questions and Answers [2024]

This page contains free practice questions and answers for a variety of SHL tests.

The SHL Assessment is a common and challenging evaluation tool used worldwide for employee recruitment. The name can refer to the General Ability test, which provides interactive questions on Numerical, Deductive, and Inductive concepts. It may also refer to other common psychometric tests distributed by SHL, such as Verbal Reasoning, Mechanical Comprehension, or a unique personality test, the SHL Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ32).

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What Is The SHL Assessment Test?

The SHL Assessment is a well-known pre-employment test provider built to measure multiple skills required for various positions worldwide.

There is not just one SHL Test. In fact, SHL offers a library of assessments that include both assessments of cognitive abilities and personality tests.

The most common cognitive SHL tests are the SHL General Ability, Numerical Reasoning Test, Inductive Reasoning Test, and Deductive Reasoning Test. The most common personality assessments by SHL are the SHL Occupational Personality Questionnaire and the SHL Situational Judgment Test.

  • General Ability Test: also known as the verify G+ test, it includes numerical and logical questions and has an interactive and a non-interactive version. 
  • SHL Numerical Reasoning: This test evaluates the ability to interpret and analyze numerical data, including graphs, tables, and charts. 
  • SHL Verbal Reasoning: This test evaluates reading comprehension, analysis, and interpretation of written information.
  • SHL Inductive Reasoning: This test assesses the ability to identify patterns and logical rules in sequences or sets of data to predict the next item in a series. 
  • SHL Deductive Reasoning: This test evaluates the ability to recognize patterns and logical rules based on the given information, demonstrating the ability to think logically and make sound deductions. 
  • Personality Assessments (OPQ32): This test provides insights into a candidate's personality traits, work preferences, communication style, and interpersonal skills.
  • Situational Judgment test (SJT): This test evaluates decision-making skills by presenting candidates with realistic workplace scenarios and assessing their ability to identify appropriate responses or courses of action.
  • SHL Calculation Test: This is an evaluation of your ability to perform swift and accurate mental arithmetic.
  • SHL Checking Test: A type of clerical exam intended to ascertain your attention to detail.
  • SHL Mechanical Comprehension Test: An evaluation of your understanding of mechanical principles and how they apply in technical work environment. 
  • Aspiring Minds (AMCAT) - an employability test operated by SHL for the Indian job market.

Companies utilizing SHL use the Talent Central evaluation software to view candidate profiles.


SHL Tests Sample Questions

Whichever SHL test you are slated to sit, get a feel for the real test by answering these simulated SHL Test questions. The first three questions are taken from the SHL Verify Interactive test.

(psst... you can find more accurate practice tests for the SHL Tests on our practice pack)

Abacus SHL Numerical Reasoning Practice

Utensil Cost

You recently moved and decided to buy new utensils. Calculate the percentage each type of utensil will cost you if you bought a total of 88 utensils. (rounding to the nearest whole number only in the last step).

*Write whole digits only.

Fork

Amount: 25
Price per unit: $3

 

Knife

Amount: 28
Price per unit: $3.5

 

Teaspoon

Amount: 26
Price per unit: $2.5

 

Tablespoon

Amount: -
Price per unit: 50c more expensive than a knife

*Note: In the interactive format of the test you will have to adjust the pie chart based on your calculations.

View Explanation

Answer:

First, we can see that there is missing data regarding tablespoons, so to calculate the required percentages we must first retrieve the relevant data:

Amount of tablespoons purchased: 88-25-28-22=9
Price of single tablespoon: $3.5+$0.5=$4

Now that we have all of the data we need, we want to calculate the total cost of each utensil so we can calculate the total cost of all utensils, and through that the percentage that each utensil accounts for.

Total cost of forks: 25*3=$75
Total cost of knives: 28*3.5=$98
Total cost of teaspoons: 26*2.5=$65
Total cost of tablespoons: 9*4=$36

Total cost of utensils: 75+98+65+36=$274

Now that we have calculated the cost of each utensil, we can calculate what percentage of the total cost each utensil is worth:

Fork cost percentage: (75/274)*100=27.37% ≈27%
Knife cost percentage: (98/274)*100=35.77% ≈36%
Teaspoon cost percentage: (65/274)*100=23.72% ≈24%

Note that we only need to calculate 3 percentages, and we can get the final percentage by subtracting the 3 we calculated from the 100% total:

Tablespoon cost Percentage: 100%-24%-27%-36%=13%

In the interactive format, your answer will look something like this:

Solution

SHL Aptitude tests that include interactive numerical reasoning questions like this one are the General Ability Test and the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test.

There are five types of interactive numerical questions. Pie charts which you have just experienced, line charts, column charts, number range, and ranking. You can find out more about these on our SHL Prep Course.

Numerical Reasoning Tests are challenging, and practice can impact performance significantly.

Learn more about Numerical Reasoning tests, or try out our Free Numerical Reasoning Practice Test.


Thinking SHL Deductive Reasoning Practice

Team Training - Schedule

Next month each team will spend four consecutive weekdays with an organizational psychologist for a team training and development session. Sessions cannot be scheduled at the same time.

SHL question deductive

 When does the Marketing department start and finish their training period?

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

27

28 29 30 31 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8

9

10 11 12 13 14 15

16

17 18 19 20 21 22

23

24 25 26 27

28

1

2

*Note: In the interactive format of the test you will have to select your response by clicking the dates that fit.

View Explanation

Answer:

The question asks you to select two dates, the start and finish dates of Marketing’s team training session.

Let’s break down the statements, step by step:

First, integrate statements that refer to one another and create a list:

Product should be scheduled after HR: HR->Product

Data is before or after Product: Data-> Product or Product->Data.

Since you know HR has to be the team that immediately precedes Product, then the correct order would be Product->Data

Taken together, so far we have: HR->Product->Data – these teams should be scheduled immediately one after the other.

Second, organize possible lists:

The other two departments that are not scheduled yet are Marketing and Software development. According to Software Development’s statement, these two departments can’t be scheduled one after the other. Therefore, they will be in the first and last spots of the line.

 The options are:

Marketing-> HR->Product->Data->Software Development

Or

Software Development-> HR->Product->Data >Marketing

 

Marketing is not available on the 5th though, meaning they can’t be first in line.

As a result, Marketing will be the last team to do their training.

Third, choose the correct time frame

Counting every 4 consecutive weekdays, there are 5 slots:

(1) 1,4,5,6
(2) 7,8,11,12
(3) 13,14,15,18
(4) 19,20,21,22
(5) 25,26,27,28.

The last training session will be scheduled between the 25th and 28th, so these would be the first and last training days of the Marketing team.

Calendar

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

27

28 29 30 31 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8

9

10 11 12 13 14 15

16

17 18 19 20 21 22

23

24

25

26 27

28

1 2

Questions like this appear on two types of SHL Deductive Reasoning Tests: The Verify G Test (General Ability) and the SHL Deductive Reasoning. Aside from Calendar Questions, You will also find Ordering questions and Daily Schedule questions.

What makes deductive skills assessments challenging is the need to understand many different pieces of information and keep them in mind all while searching for the answer. Practice Assessments can help sharpen this ability. You can find them on our Prep Course.


Tips SHL Inductive Reasoning Practice

Alphanumeric Sequences

Complete the sequence and connect the nodes by writing the numbers from 1 to 10 in the blanks below the node you wish to connect next. The first three nodes in the sequence are already numbered correctly.

SHL Inductive Question

*Note: In the interactive format of the test you will have to connect the nodes yourself, using the mouse.

View Explanation

Answer:

In this question, the given connected nodes are 0Z -> 1A -> 1Y -> 2B and a dashed arrow instructing you to connect 2B to 3X.

As can be seen, each node contains a number and a letter. The letters are alternating between moving backwards starting with the last letter – Z and moving forward starting with the first letter A: Z -> A -> Y -> B -> X and so forth.

The numbers are changing in the following way: The sum of each two previous numbers is the third number: 0 + 1 = 1, 1 + 1 = 2, 1 + 2 = 3, 2 + 3 = 5 and so forth.

Therefore,

On the first step: 0Z -> 1A

On the second step: 1A -> 1Y

On the third step: 1Y -> 2B

On the fourth step: 2B -> 3X and so forth.

 3X -> 5C -> 8W -> 13D ->21V

*Since the correct sequence includes all nodes, make sure not to leave any node unconnected.

SHL Assessments which include interactive inductive questions like this are the SHL Inductive Reasoning Test and the General Ability Test.

Besides Alphanumerical Sequences, there are two other types of inductive questions: Next in Series, and Rules Combination. Their common trait is that they require you to draw conclusions from existing information to find the correct answer.

Practice all Inductive Reasoning Test question types on the SHL Prep Course.


SHL Verbal Reasoning Test Questions

While the numerical, deductive, and inductive SHL tests are the most common SHL psychometric tests, the verbal reasoning test comes in at a very close fourth.

You will likely encounter this SHL assessment if you are trying for a position emphasizing the importance of interpersonal communication and following written instructions. The test differs from other verbal reasoning tests in its strict time limit and the requirement not only to understand written text but also to make logical inferences.

On the Verbal Reasoning Test, you will face short passages with information about a specific subject. You will then have to answer multiple-choice questions about the passage.

Each question will comprise a statement that relates to the text. You will have to determine whether the statement is TRUE, FALSE, or CANNOT SAY (meaning it can't be proven as either right or wrong based on the passage alone).

The Verbal Reasoning Test is a fast-paced and challenging SHL Assessment. It requires you to stay level-headed and focused as you deal with large amounts of information.

The SHL Verbal Reasoning Test is covered in our all-inclusive SHL Prep Course.

Learn to Pass SHL Tests With Our Practice Tests

We have been preparing candidates for the SHL Assessments for over five years. Our rigorous research has helped us create the most comprehensive and accurate course online. 

Most candidates have only a few days to prepare for the SHL Tests. Our goal is to get you comfortable with SHL questions quickly and efficiently. We do so by going over the theory behind every question type.

Our comprehensive SHL Assessment PrepPack includes:

Full Simulations

Answers and Explanations

Detailed Reports

Video, PDF, and Interactive Guides

110 Practice Tests & Simulations

1000+ Questions

Customer Testimonials


Teamwork The SHL Occupational Personality Questionnaire

The Occupational Personality Questionnaire is a personality test measuring a candidate's traits, inclinations, and leadership abilities by ranking them on 32 fundamental personality characteristics. This has earned it the name OPQ32.

The questions on the OPQ32 are forced-choice. This means that, rather than ranking yourself on one trait at a time, each question will force you to choose between two equally desirable traits. You must indicate which of the traits is more representative of you.

For example, you might be asked which of the following describes you better:

  • I believe I am insightful and fair in my judgments.
  • I am driven and always push myself to reach my goals.

There are two versions of the OPQ32, the OPQn and OPQr.


Other SHL Tests

The SHL General Ability Test is SHL's hallmark cognitive abilities test. However, many other assessments are offered by the company, such as:

  • Language Proficiency tests - Exams that assess candidates based on their ability to express themselves and understand others in a certain language.
  • WriteX - This test assesses your ability to write emails to clients.
  • SHL Professional 7.0 - a personality and judgment test which evaluates your work style, work habits, and professionalism.
  • SHL Situational Judgement Test - a test that describes a complete scenario with a professional dilemma, and asks test takers to identify the best way to move forward in such a scenario.

What is the Best Way to Study for SHL?

Preparing for the SHL test requires a comprehensive approach due to its varied sections such as numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and logical reasoning. The test often presents challenging questions within a limited time frame, necessitating efficient time management skills. Since each section demands different cognitive abilities, it's crucial to practice extensively to enhance proficiency across all areas. Focus on understanding the test format and types of questions asked while honing problem-solving techniques under timed conditions.

Prioritize areas of weakness, utilize SHL's practice materials, and seek out study guides tailored to the test. By simulating test conditions, reviewing mistakes, and staying calm under pressure, you can optimize your preparation for success on the SHL test.

To practice more free questions and answers, check out our free SHL Assessment test now

This free test offers 14 questions and answers across various sections, allowing you to further refine your skills and familiarity with the SHL test format and take your preparation to the next level.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Unlike many aptitude tests, SHL does not score you based on the number of correct answers, but rather on how well you performed compared to your norm group. Therefore, your goal is to attain a high percentile. The following table can be used for reference:

Grade Meaning Percentile
A Well above average 90-100
B Above average 70-89
C Average 30-69
D Below average 10-29
E Well below average 0-9

Yes, SHL tests are considered difficult assessments. In order to provide employers with valuable insights during their hiring process, SHL uses questions with a high discrimination rate. This means the difficulty level is high enough to effectively discern weak candidates from strong candidates.


Not quite. Most countries make it impossible to use IQ tests to screen job candidates as this can be considered a discriminatory practice. For this reason, SHL purports to be a predictor of job performance rather than an intelligence test. That having been said, many of the question types on the exams are very similar in style to the ones you might find on a classic IQ test like the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale.


Yes, you are allowed a calculator. The SHL Numerical Test and the numerical questions on the Verify G+ test, are intended to measure numerical reasoning skills rather than mental calculation skills. This means you are being tested on your ability to formulate a path to a solution and follow it though, not to perform arithmetic in your head. A separate SHL Assessment, known as the SHL Calculation Test, is designed to evaluate mental math skills, and this one does not permit use of a calculator.


Yes. SHL's system records any attempts to copy and paste or to leave the browser, for one example.

The best way to pass SHL is simply to practice. Familiarizing yourself with the assessments will allow you to feel calm and relaxed on the actual test. You can use our advanced SHL Prep Course, which is the most accurate pack available online.


The SHL Assessments differ in length. Your assessment length will be mentioned in your email invite.

Here is a table summarizing the lengths of different SHL tests:

Assessment Name Time Interactivity Questions
General Ability 36 min Non-Interactive 30
Interactive 24
Numerical Reasoning 20 min Non-Interactive 16
18 min Interactive 10
Deductive Reasoning 20 min Non-Interactive 18
18 min Interactive 12
Inductive Reasoning 24 min Non-Interactive 18
18 min Interactive 15
Verbal Reasoning 19 min Non-Interactive 30

Yes. The SHL Verify G+, SHL Numerical Reasoning Test, SHL Deductive Reasoning Test and SHL Inductive Reasoning Test all come in interactive and non-interactive versions.

While the skills assessed are the same - the question number and question format differ. The non-interactive version includes simple, multiple-choice questions. The interactive version, which is sampled in the practice test on this page, requires you to interact directly with the question - drag and drop, select dates, etc.

You can find out how to discover the version you will be taking on our SHL Test Guide.


Many companies use SHL. Some of the most noteworthy include Optiver, Capital One, Barclays, Home Depot, Dish Network, ExxonMobil, Honeywell, and Chevron.

These are only a few large-player companies. SHL extends its services to many small and medium-sized organizations around the world.