Ace Your SHL Test With Accurate and Realistic SHL Practice Tests [2020 Edition]

What Is the SHL Test?

SHL is one of the largest providers of job applicant screening tests in the UK and worldwide. The tests conducted by SHL are perhaps the most important screening stages standing between you and your desired job.

Usually, you’d be asked to take the test on SHL On Demand, which is an online platform for the delivery of SHL assessments.

The SHL Tests can be hard, but that’s on purpose. They assess your abilities compared to your competition and help employers significantly narrow down the pool of candidates.

Watch my short video below to get more insights, tips, and essential info on the tests:

Now, you might be wondering:

What score is necessary to increase my chances to get hired? In the next section, I’m going to explain exactly that:

What Is a Good SHL Test Score?

The pass rate for most of SHL’s Tests is low when only around 20% of test-takers make the cut. Yep, that’s only 1 out 5.

An above-average SHL Test score will usually fall in the 80th percentile. In this case, your chance of being hired for the job is the same as another 10-20 candidates whose scores fall into your score range.

Your test results will usually be kept on file at the recruiting company. This means that applicants who received a low or average SHL score will have a reduced chance of being hired by the same company in the future.

Nonetheless, about 5% of the candidates get an outstanding score (in the 95th percentile).

Getting such a high score will tremendously increase your chances to get hired and may carry three major benefits:

• The salary you will be offered
• The possibility of being offered a higher-level position
• The likelihood of being promoted in the future

How Do You Pass the SHL Test?

At JobTestPrep, we’ve already helped thousands of job candidates to prepare and pass their SHL assessments.

Here are 5 proven tips that work every time to pass the SHL Tests:

Get Accurate Practice and Pass With a High Score

To help you prepare and place yourself in the top 5% candidates for your desired job, our test experts created an All-Inclusive SHL Test Practice. It includes:

• Hundreds of SHL-style practice questions (as similar as possible to the actual tests’ questions) covering the most common SHL aptitude and personality tests
• Full-length & accurate SHL practice tests simulating the real testing experience
• Step-by-step explanations, showing you the fastest ways to answer any question to save you precious seconds
• Video tutorials and PDF study guides with foolproof SHL tips, inside information and expert hacks

As I’ve mentioned before, the SHL Tests consist of a wide variety of aptitude, psychometric and even behavioural assessments.

Below, I’ll elaborate on each of these test types (and give you some realistic sample questions), so you’ll know what to expect on test day.

SHL Psychometric and Aptitude Tests

These SHL Tests are designed to assess cognitive abilities, such as problem-solving and critical reasoning, as well as specific skills required for certain positions.

SHL Verify G+ Test

SHL Verify G+ Test is a later version of the SHL General Ability Test. It comprises of 30 items to be answered in 36 minutes. The questions are in three different topics: Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning.

While the SHL Verify G+ Ability Test is similar to the ordinary SHL Tests in substance, it differs from them in form. The two main new features it introduces are interactivity and multi-point scoring.

SHL Numerical Reasoning

On the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test, you will encounter maths equations in the form of tables and graphs similar to the one you previously solved. The test consist of 18 questions and typically lasts 17-25 minutes, depending on job level.

Frequently, questions will be centred around time change. Your task is to calculate, examine and interpret the changes presented in the question.

A few things to note:

1. Depending on the specific assessment, calculators may or may not be used. Be prepared for either scenario.

2. The number of questions and solving time for SHL numerical tests varies depending on your position.

3. SHL also administers tests geared specifically towards calculation abilities.

Try a sample question:

Share Sales and Dividend

 

In the first half of the year, what was the total cost of buying 450 HPQ shares at their highest price and a fifth of this amount of DELL shares at their lowest price?

A. £8,730 B. £11,880 C. £17,730 D. £12,330

Correct Answer

Incorrect Answer

Answer & Explanation

✔️ The correct answer is (D) £12,330

According to the table, the highest price of HPQ shares in the first half of the year

(i.e. between Jan-June) was £25.
Thus, the cost of 450 HPQ shares was: 25 x 450 = £11,250.

According to the table, the lowest price of DELL shares in the first half of the year

(i.e. between Jan-June) was £12.
The question specifies that the number of DELL shares bought was 1/5 of the number of HPQ shares (=450.)

Hence, the number of DELL shares bought was: 450 x 1/5 = 90 shares.
Thus, the cost of DELL shares was: 12 x 90 = £1,080.

Therefore, the total cost of the transaction was: 11,250 + 1,080 = £12,330.

Visit our designated SHL Numerical Test page to get more free sample questions, dozens of accurate practice drills and expert tips.

SHL Verbal Reasoning Test

The SHL Verbal Reasoning Test presents questions based on passages of text. During the assessment, you will be asked to determine the validity of statements based upon each passage. The tests usually consist of 30 questions and typically last 17-19 minutes, depending on the job level.

These tests are commonly known as TFC (true/false/cannot say) tests.

• A true statement follows logically from the information or opinions contained in the passage.
• A false statement is logically false from the information or opinions contained in the passage.
• Select cannot say if you cannot determine whether the statement is true or false based on the information given in the text.

Try the following SHL-style Verbal Reasoning question:

Visit our SHL Verbal Reasoning page for a comprehensive study guide, tips, tricks and more question examples.

SHL Inductive Reasoning

In the SHL inductive test, also known as SHL Logical Reasoning Test, you are presented with a row of abstract figures. The test usually consists of 24 questions and typically lasts for 25 minutes.

You'll need to identify the underlying pattern of the sequence and choose the figure that comes next in the series from the possible answers. This type of question is commonly known as a next in series.

Try an SHL Deductive sample question:

A B C D

Correct Answer

Incorrect Answer

Answer & Explanation

✔️ The correct answer is  (A).

Each frame contains four lines that change their direction and position alternately.

In each step, the four lines either rotate 90° or move closer together to the centre of the frame.

Thus, just as the first, third and fifth frames create an X, the second, fourth and sixth frames create a diamond.

Visit our SHL Inductive Test page to get instant access to more free sample questions with full solutions and solving tips.

SHL Deductive Reasoning

Unlike verbal tests, where the required piece of data is typically hidden in a broader textual context, as deductive reasoning has its data up-front.

The challenge is to follow the logic and quickly draw the correct conclusion.

SHL Deductive Tests consist of 18 questions and typically lasts 10 minutes. They contain two types of questions:

• Syllogisms: The word 'syllogism' ('conclusion' in Greek) can be found in the works of Greek philosophers, mainly Aristotle. Syllogism questions present you with a number of premises (taken as true). You are requested to decide which conclusions follow.
• Seating Arrangements: Named after the mother-in-law’s favourite part of the wedding; this type of question presents you with a set of rules that must be followed in order to arrange a number of objects, people, etc. It is your job to decide the correct order following the listed rules.

Go ahead and try an SHL-style Deductive sample question:

To try some more sample questions and to get additional solving tips and hacks, visit our SHL Deductive Test Page.

SHL Calculation Test

The SHL Calculation Test is used to measure your basic numerical abilities using problems that contain missing variables. In order to find the value of these variables, the following is required:

• Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing
• Manipulating equations
• Using the correct order of operations (BODMAS rules)

The questions range from straightforward to quite difficult.

SHL Mechanical Reasoning Test

The Verify Mechanical Comprehension Test is an online, unsupervised aptitude test that SHL administers at the beginning of the assessment process along with other Verify tests.

If you are applying to mechanical or technical positions and are about to be assessed by SHL, odds are you will be required to sit this test.
On the test, you are required to interpret images depicting simple mechanical concepts such as levers, gears, and pulleys.

The test involves 15 questions to be answered in 10 minutes.

SHL General Ability Test

The SHL General Ability Test is a cognitive assessment that covers multiple test areas at once, such as Numerical, Verbal, Inductive Reasoning and more.
The General Ability Test is mostly used to screen candidates applying for graduate-level positions or higher, and it takes 36-46 minutes to complete.

SHL Personality and Behavioral Tests

Behavioral tests focus on the personality traits and behaviors relevant for the job.

These examinations differ from cognitive ability tests as they try to evaluate your behavior, work-related skills and personality traits together. Thus, we made it its own guide.

SHL Situational Judgement Test

SHL SJT's, or Situational Judgement Tests, measure your behavior and compare it to the role you are applying for.

Thus, the test presents you with real situations you may encounter on the job, while offering viable multiple-choice options to handle each situation.

Your task is to choose what you would likely do if the opportunity presented itself.

A typical SJT has 12 to 25 scenarios either with no time limit or enough time allotted to read, contemplate and answer all questions comfortably.

Commonly used SJT question types:

1. Choose two viable responses in the given situation
2. Pick what you consider is the best response
3. Rank all responses from most likely to least likely typically on a numerical scale

Try an SHL SJT sample question:

SHL Personality Test

The SHL Personality Tests are used to identify candidates most likely to succeed in a specific role. There are two primary SHL personality assessments:

1. SHL Occupational Personality Questionnaire (SHL OPQ32):

   The OPQ32 test is comprised of a maximum of 104 questions that measure 32 specific personality characteristics. It is highly complex and is administered on a computer.
   You’ll be presented with a block of four statements in which you must choose which of the statements best describes you and which of the statements least describes you.
   
   Here’s an example of a statement:
   
   Choose ONE statement that is Most and one that is Least like you:
   • I really like to help others.
   • I work best in teams.
   • I want to get things exactly right.
   • I sustain high levels of energy.

2. SHL Motivation Questionnaire (MQ):

   Many global corporates, as well as local businesses in the UK, use SHL MQ Motivation Questionnaire. The MQ measures 18 factors that affect motivation, divided into four main areas. Some of these factors are activity, achievement, power, personal growth, status, financial benefits, recognition, fear of failure and more.