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What Is the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test?
The SHL Numerical Reasoning Test is designed to evaluate your ability to calculate, analyze, and interpret numerical data.
Your SHL Numerical Reasoning Test may be in 1 of 3 versions, which differ in their question types, difficulty, and time limits. To be properly prepared, it is crucial to know which version you take.
Don't worry, we will explain everything further below.
The three versions of the SHL Numerical Test are:
- SHL Verify Numerical Reasoning Test (Interactive) - 10 questions in 18 minutes
- SHL Verify Numerical Reasoning Test (Multiple-Choice) - 30 questions in 36 minutes
- SHL CEB Verify Numerical Reasoning - 18 questions in 25 minutes. This test is less common but is still occasionally used.
Below we will go over each test separately, alongside sample questions with full explanations and a free sample test.
SHL Verify Numerical Reasoning Test (Interactive)
The SHL Verify Interactive Numerical Reasoning Test is one of SHL’s new assessments and is currently the most common version. While it’s much more engaging for the test-takers, it is also more complex and takes longer to solve. That’s because you have to consume long instructions, analyze data, make calculations, and finally tweak and interact with graphs, charts, and pies.
The test allows a calculator and contains 18 questions to be answered in 10 minutes.
The test instructions will specifically say “…an activity-based test that allows you to drag, drop, and interact…”
SHL Numerical Reasoning Test (Interactive) Sample Question
This question is a classic case of systems of equations used to find several variables.
In this case, we have 6 variables – let’s arrange them in a table for convenience:
| Variable | Region | Method |
| NR | Northern | Referrals |
| NC | Northern | Cold Calls |
| NI | Northern | Client-Initiated |
| SR | Southern | Referrals |
| SC | Southern | Cold Calls |
| SI | Southern | Client-Initiated |
Note: This table is for the sake of explanation only. During the real test, don’t spend time arranging it, and simply name the variables as is most convenient for you.
Out of the 4 data items, the first and last ones on the list are the best place to start, as they can immediately reveal the number of clients in each method.
Let’s dismantle these pieces of data to their components:
A total of 540 new clients were acquired this year
Referrals accounted for 1/3 of all new clients
Therefore, Cold Calls and Client-Initiated account for the remaining 2 thirds of new clients:
Cold Calls + Client-Initiated = 540 - 180 = 360
Using the last bit of information - Cold Calls accounted for twice as many as Client-Initiated:
2 (Client-Initiated) + Client-Initiated = 360
Client-Initiated = 120 Clients
Cold Calls = 240 Clients
So, we can now rearrange the graph as:
Tip: The pale grey lines above the graph means that you are able to change the value below the line. In this case, the total value of all bars can be changed, but the division of Client Initiated between Northern (60%) and Southern (40%) is pre-determined.
Now, let’s form some other equations using the other data items.
We should try and focus on data items containing the least variables. Data item 2 is the best for this purpose:
The Northern region produced 40% more Referrals than the Southern region.
Or in the form of an equation:
(I) NR = 1.4 x SR
We already know the total number of referrals:
(II) NR + SR = 180
Plugging (I) into (II):
2.4 x SR = 180
SR = 75
NR = 105
Converting to percentages (Don’t forget that!):
And again, we can rearrange the graphs as:
It is time to approach the last piece of information – data item 2:
The Southern region produced 84 more clients through cold calls than those that were Client Initiated.
Or in the shape of an equation:
SC = SI + 84
Since we already know the percentages in the Client-Initiated bar, we can easily deduce SI:
SI = 0.4 x 120 = 48
Plugging into the previous equation:
SC = 48 + 84 = 132
Again, converting into percentages:
And rearranging the graph to its final position:
The ONLY SHL Numerical Test Prep Covering the Interactive Version!
The Complete SHL Numerical Reasoning Test Preparation is the only prep course with accurate simulations of the SHL Numerical Reasoning Interactive Test, which is becoming increasingly popular among test takers.
Need more than one SHL test preparation? Check out the All-in-One SHL Practice Pack or send me an email for a customized plan!
SHL Verify Numerical Reasoning Test (Multiple-Choice)
The SHL Verify Multiple-Choice Numerical Reasoning Test is a classic multiple-choice assessment. Here, you usually face tables, graphs, or charts with some data on them, and you need to choose the correct answer — no interactions, tweaking, or games.
The test usually allows a calculator and contains 16 questions to be solved in 20 minutes.
If the test instructions say "After each question, there are four or five response options.” And “Click on the answer…”
SHL Numerical Reasoning Test (Multiple-Choice) Sample Question
What proportion of both sites' April and May traffic was for Cuisine.net?
Ace Your SHL Numerical Reasoning Test with the Most Accurate and Comprehensive Practice Plan!
The Complete SHL Numerical Reasoning Test Preparation follows the structure, content, difficulty level, and time limit of the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test, with over 300 practice questions, answers, and explanations.
Need more than one SHL test preparation? Check out the All-in-One SHL Practice Pack or send me an email for a customized plan!
SHL CEB Verify Numerical Reasoning Test
The SHL CEB Numerical Reasoning test is the oldest version of the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test. It is increasingly becoming obsolete, but several employers still use it.
The test contains 18 questions to be solved in 25 minutes.
This version is much easier to identify because you’ll see CEB’s logo in the top left corner of the instructions screen.
CEB SHL Numerical Reasoning Sample Question
How many GBP can be purchased for 7500 CAD?
To learn more about the SHL CEB Numerical Reasoning Test, visit our UK website page.
How Hard Is the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test?
The most challenging elements of the SHL Numerical Reasoning test are the time frame and the information overload that some questions present. You’ll often have little more than 60 seconds to answer every question, and for some, a slight misreading of a question will cause you to lose marks.
The more you practice, the faster and more accurate you'll get in solving different types of questions you come across. For this reason, we've created a question bank of hundreds of SHL-style Numerical practice questions for you to practice from.
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How to Practice for the SHL Numerical Test
Based on thorough research, our psychometric experts' team had created accurate practice tests designed to get you ready for the SHL Numerical assessments. This is the only practice that simulates the increasingly popular interactive version of the test.
How will this improve your score?
- Cover different question types to be ready for any question on the test, with practice questions and explanations customized to your test version. This exclusively includes the new Verify G+ Interactive version.
- Get more confident and quick when solving questions under time pressure by practicing questions at the same difficulty level and time limit as in the actual test.
- Refresh your math skills with simple and easily digestible math video tutorials and study guides, in case you run into math subjects you haven’t touched in years and want to review the basics from square one.
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Need more than one SHL test preparation? Check out the All-in-One SHL Practice Pack or send me an email for a customized plan!
Have less than 3 days to prep? You can still make it!
We are not going to teach you all maths basics from scratch in less than 3 days. But we ARE going to give you precisely what you need to pass your SHL numerical test- targeted simulations and detailed answers.
Should you use the SHL Direct Numerical Practice?
On the official assessment email, SHL invites you to try sample numerical questions and practice tests using its preparation site, SHL Direct.
Here are three reasons why you can't count on SHL Direct practice tests alone:
#1 They don’t tell you which version to practice (you’ve already learned there are three different versions). Also, you can only complete their practice test once and to retake it you'll need to use a different email every time.
#2 You don’t get to see what questions you got wrong, nor you get any solutions or explanations (yes, that’s annoying).
#3 The practice tests don’t include the wide variety of questions you’ll see on the real test. Additionally, the difficulty level of the practice material is easier. In fact, SHL says on their site that the “difficulty level of the practice tests may not exactly reflect the level of difficulty of the test you will be asked to complete.”
So, you can use the SHL direct numerical practice as a supplement, but for the reasons listed above, we would not recommend relying solely on these tests as these will likely not represent the exact test you'll face. Instead, use more comprehensive practice tests that reflect the difficulty level and format of the actual test.
How to Get Answers to the Real SHL Numerical Test?
If you're looking for a cheat sheet that has all the answers to the actual SHL Numerical Reasoning test, we have good and bad news for you.
The bad news is that we don't have a magic PDF with all the answers to the actual assessment.
In fact, no one on the internet has (and don't let them tell you otherwise).
SHL holds a question bank of hundreds of numerical reasoning questions that change with time. And getting your hands on this question bank is impossible.
But even if you do, how would you know which of the questions will appear on YOUR test? Would you be able to memorize all hundreds of questions and their correct answers?
Now, to the good news:
You can find a massive bank of SHL numerical practice questions with full answers, explanations, and solving tips on this page.
The more you practice these, the faster you master the solving techniques, and no question will catch you by surprise, no matter its difficulty level.
Because overall, SHL uses the same question types and formats across its numerical tests. So you don't need any PDF cheat sheets. You just need some practice and experience with these question types.
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How to Know Which SHL Numerical Test Version You’ll Be Taking?
The SHL Numerical test is sent to candidates either as a standalone test, like the Amazon SHL Numerical Reasoning test or as part of the larger SHL General Ability test (also including Inductive and Deductive sections).
Now, the assessment invitation you get from SHL is one of the vaguest parts of your recruitment process.
Your test invitation will include the assessment’s name, the overall time limit, and what you’re allowed to use (i.e., pen and paper).
That said, this email won’t reveal which of the three versions you’ll be taking and what you’re up against. For example, you won’t be able to distinguish if you got the interactive version or the non-interactive one.
For that, you’ll need to click on the assessment’s link and read the assessment’s intro and instructions.
(don’t worry, clicking on the link won’t start the test)
In the next screen, you’ll see three details that will help uncover the test you’re about to take.
- No. of questions
- Time limit
- Instructions / guidelines
Use the overview of the different tests above to uncover the test version you’re going to take.
Identifying which SHL Numerical test version you’ll be taking is key, because it impacts your whole practice process. That said, don’t worry if you can’t detect your version, since we got you covered with a complete preparation pack for all three tests mentioned above.
How the SHL Numerical Tests are Scored & What Are the Result’s Key Takeaways
Once you complete the SHL Numerical assessment, you’ll receive a “Candidate Assessment Report” that includes both feedback and scoring.
Note that the SHL Numerical Reasoning test scores are comparative.
This means that your scores are being compared to a large group of candidates who took these tests in the past (graduates/interns/seniors, etc.).
There are five percentile scores, from A to E, and your score will be placed in one of them, as you can see in this illustration:
The higher you score, the closer you’ll be to group “A”, meaning chances are high that you’ve passed the test.
Generally, it’s safe to say that the pass mark is around 80%, and in this case, it’s group “B” and above.
5 SHL Expert Tips and Tricks to Boost Your Numerical Reasoning Test Score
- The SHL Numerical tests include lots of chart question types. When dealing with two-axes charts, be aware of: Time elements (days, months, years etc. that will mostly appear on the horizontal ("X") axis, and Quantity elements that will mostly appear on the vertical ("Y") axis.
Axes being swapped around or mismatched are one of the most common things you’ll encounter on the test, so pay extra attention to this. - Ensure you read the questions carefully and don’t rush to choose a potentially wrong answer, as this is where many candidates tend to fall. To lower the chances of getting a question wrong when time’s running out, use the educated guessing technique (explained in detail in our preparation pack).
- If you have enough prep time before the test, ensure you have strong maths foundations, especially if you’ve been out of school for a while. Tripping on small things like decimals, fractions, and percentages conversions would be a real shame.
- Ensure not to leave any blank questions. Every question left unanswered will result in score reduction.
- Avoid generic Numerical Reasoning practice tests like the plague. The internet is packed with Numerical practice materials that look nothing like the real SHL tests. They might be good for practicing your overall numerical reasoning skills, but they are no good for learning what to expect on the actual test.
