Question 1

What is the SHL test?

Accepted Answer

The SHL test is a standardised psychometric and aptitude assessment used by over 10,000 companies worldwide to evaluate candidates' cognitive abilities. SHL (now part of Aon's Assessment Solutions) produces tests measuring numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, inductive reasoning, and personality. Employers use these tests to objectively compare large volumes of applicants during the early stages of recruitment.

Question 2

Which companies use SHL tests?

Accepted Answer

SHL tests are used by many of the world's largest employers, including Goldman Sachs, PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Accenture, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, JP Morgan, Barclays, HSBC, Shell, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, the NHS, the Civil Service, and hundreds of other organisations across finance, consulting, technology, engineering, and the public sector.

Question 3

Is the SHL test hard?

Accepted Answer

The difficulty of SHL tests varies by the role and level you are applying for. Tests are norm-referenced, meaning your score is compared against a relevant peer group — for example, graduates competing for graduate roles. The time pressure is often the biggest challenge. Research consistently shows that practice significantly improves performance, with many candidates seeing a 15–20% improvement after a structured preparation period.

Question 4

How long does the SHL test take?

Accepted Answer

Test duration varies by type: the SHL Numerical Reasoning test takes 17–25 minutes, the Verbal Reasoning test takes 17–19 minutes, and the Inductive/Abstract Reasoning test takes approximately 25 minutes. If an employer administers a full assessment battery covering multiple test types plus a personality questionnaire, the total time can exceed 60–90 minutes. Always check the invitation email for the exact time allowed.

Question 5

Can I retake the SHL test?

Accepted Answer

Whether you can retake an SHL test depends entirely on the employer's policy. Most employers allow only one attempt per recruitment cycle. Some organisations permit a retake after a mandatory waiting period — typically six months. If you are unsure, contact the recruiter directly before starting the test, as you usually cannot undo a completed attempt.

Question 6

How soon do I hear results after taking the SHL test?

Accepted Answer

Results are typically communicated by the employer within 1–5 business days after completing your SHL test, though this varies significantly. Some employers provide automated pass/fail notifications within hours, while others review results manually as part of a wider shortlisting process. SHL itself does not contact candidates directly — all result communications come from the hiring organisation.

Question 7

Is the SHL test the same for every company?

Accepted Answer

No — while all SHL tests are built on the same underlying test engine and question formats, employers configure the tests for their specific roles. This means the difficulty level, time limits, number of questions, and which test types are included can differ between organisations. For example, a bank may use a harder numerical reasoning cut-off than a retailer. The core format and question style remain consistent, so practising with realistic SHL-style questions is beneficial regardless of which employer's version you face.

Question 8

What test types are in an SHL assessment?

Accepted Answer

A typical SHL assessment battery can include: Numerical Reasoning (data interpretation from tables and graphs), Verbal Reasoning (True/False/Cannot Say passages), Inductive/Abstract Reasoning (pattern sequences), Deductive Reasoning (logical argument evaluation), the OPQ32 Occupational Personality Questionnaire, Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs), and Mechanical Reasoning for engineering roles. Most candidates will face two or three of these tests, depending on the role.

Question 9

What is the SHL Numerical Reasoning test?

Accepted Answer

The SHL Numerical Reasoning test assesses your ability to interpret and draw conclusions from numerical data presented in tables, charts, and graphs. It typically contains around 20 questions to be answered in 17–25 minutes. Questions require calculating percentages, ratios, proportions, and percentage change — a calculator is permitted. The test does not assess mental arithmetic in isolation; it assesses data interpretation under time pressure.

Question 10

What is the SHL Verbal Reasoning test?

Accepted Answer

The SHL Verbal Reasoning test presents written passages followed by statements that you must classify as True, False, or Cannot Say — based solely on the information in the passage. It typically contains around 30 questions to be answered in 17–19 minutes. The key skill is basing your judgements strictly on the passage content, not on your prior knowledge or assumptions.

Question 11

What is the SHL Inductive/Abstract Reasoning test?

Accepted Answer

The SHL Inductive (also called Abstract) Reasoning test measures your ability to identify patterns in sequences of shapes and figures, and to predict the next element in the series. It typically contains around 24 questions to be completed in 25 minutes. This test is considered a strong indicator of general intelligence and fluid reasoning, and is particularly common in technology, finance, and consulting recruitment.

Question 12

What is the OPQ32 personality questionnaire?

Accepted Answer

The OPQ32 (Occupational Personality Questionnaire) is SHL's flagship personality assessment measuring 32 dimensions of workplace behaviour and personality. It uses a forced-choice triads format where you select which of three statements is most and least like you. It contains 104 items and takes approximately 25–40 minutes. There are no right or wrong answers — the OPQ is designed to be faked-resistant and is used to predict job performance and cultural fit, not to pass or fail candidates outright.

Question 13

What is a Situational Judgement Test (SJT)?

Accepted Answer

A Situational Judgement Test (SJT) presents realistic workplace scenarios and asks you to choose the most and/or least effective response from a set of options. SJTs assess professional judgement, interpersonal skills, and values alignment. Unlike cognitive ability tests, SJTs are often untimed or have generous time limits. The best responses are typically those that address the root of the situation professionally, avoid blame, and align with the organisation's stated values.

Question 14

How is the SHL test scored?

Accepted Answer

SHL tests use norm-referenced scoring. Your raw score (the number of correct answers) is converted to a percentile rank by comparing it against a norm group — typically a sample of people in similar roles or at a similar career stage. This percentile is then often expressed as a sten score (1–10 scale). Employers set a cut-off score that candidates must meet or exceed to progress to the next stage.

Question 15

What is a passing score on the SHL test?

Accepted Answer

There is no universal passing score — employers set their own cut-off thresholds based on the role and the volume of applicants. For competitive graduate roles at top employers (investment banks, Big Four consulting, and similar), a cut-off of the 70th percentile or above is common. For less competitive roles, the 50th percentile may be sufficient. CareerTestPrep's analytics dashboard shows where you sit relative to your peers so you can track progress.

Question 16

What is a sten score?

Accepted Answer

Sten stands for Standard Ten — a normalised scale from 1 to 10 used to report SHL test results. A sten of 5 or 6 represents an average score for the norm group. Top employers typically look for sten scores of 7 or above (roughly the 70th percentile). A sten of 9 or 10 represents the top 5–15% of the norm group. Sten scores allow employers to compare candidates consistently across different test administrations.

Question 17

What does 'Cannot Say' mean in verbal reasoning?

Accepted Answer

'Cannot Say' is one of the three answer options in SHL Verbal Reasoning, alongside True and False. You should select 'Cannot Say' when the passage does not provide enough information to determine whether the statement is true or false — not when you personally are unsure of the answer. It is not about your level of confidence; it is strictly about whether the evidence in the passage supports or contradicts the statement. This is one of the most common sources of errors for test-takers.

Question 18

How should I prepare for the SHL test?

Accepted Answer

The most effective preparation strategy is to practise under timed, test-like conditions and then thoroughly review explanations for every incorrect answer. Aim to spend 1–2 weeks on structured preparation: start with untimed practice to build familiarity, then move to full timed mock tests. Focus on identifying your weak areas and drilling those specifically. Avoid passively re-reading questions — active review of your reasoning is key.

Question 19

How many practice tests should I do?

Accepted Answer

Aim to complete at least 3–5 full timed practice tests per test type you are facing. More importantly, review every incorrect answer in detail — understanding why an answer is wrong is more valuable than completing additional tests without reflection. Quality of review matters more than volume of tests completed. CareerTestPrep provides detailed worked solutions for every question.

Question 20

Does practice actually help with SHL tests?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Research into psychometric test performance consistently shows that structured, realistic practice can improve scores by 15–20%. Practice helps in three ways: it reduces test anxiety and builds familiarity with the format; it improves time management under pressure; and it sharpens the specific reasoning strategies required (such as efficient data reading for numerical tests and strict passage-only reasoning for verbal tests).

Question 21

Are CareerTestPrep questions similar to real SHL tests?

Accepted Answer

Yes — CareerTestPrep questions are designed to mirror the format, difficulty range, and time limits of real SHL assessments. Our numerical questions use realistic data tables and graphs; our verbal questions use the True/False/Cannot Say format with comparable passage lengths; and our inductive questions use shape-sequence patterns at realistic difficulty levels. We cannot reproduce SHL's proprietary questions, but our content is built to the same standard.

Question 22

What is the best time of day to take the SHL test?

Accepted Answer

Take your SHL test when you are most alert and cognitively sharp — for most people this is mid-morning, roughly 9–11am. Avoid taking the test when fatigued, immediately after a long commute, late at night, or when you are likely to be interrupted. Since most SHL tests are taken online at home, you have flexibility to choose your optimal time — use it.

Question 23

Can I use a calculator on the SHL Numerical test?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a calculator is permitted and expected for the SHL Numerical Reasoning test. Most online versions provide an on-screen calculator, but you may also use your own physical calculator. It is also highly recommended to have rough paper and a pen or pencil for working out calculations and annotating data tables. Familiarise yourself with your calculator before the test day to avoid wasting time.

Question 24

Is CareerTestPrep free to use?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Practice Set 1 (covering all test types) is completely free without requiring a login. Creating a free account unlocks access to all 1,000+ practice questions across multiple sets, plus the analytics dashboard to track your scores and improvement over time. There is no paid tier — everything on CareerTestPrep is free.

Question 25

Do I need to create an account?

Accepted Answer

No account is required to access Practice Set 1. However, creating a free account gives you access to all practice sets (1,000+ questions), saves your progress and test history, and unlocks the analytics dashboard showing your scores over time and how you compare to other users. Sign-up takes under a minute and requires only an email address.

Question 26

How does the analytics dashboard work?

Accepted Answer

The CareerTestPrep analytics dashboard tracks your scores across every practice test you complete. It shows your score trend over time (so you can see improvement), compares your scores to peer averages of other users on the same sets, and breaks down your performance by question type and category. This helps you identify exactly which areas need the most work before your real SHL test.

Question 27

Will my practice data be saved?

Accepted Answer

Yes — if you are logged into your CareerTestPrep account, all test attempts, individual question responses, and scores are automatically saved to your profile. You can revisit past attempts, review the questions you answered incorrectly, and track your progress over multiple sessions. Data is not saved for guest (non-logged-in) sessions.

Question 28

What should I do on the day of my SHL test?

Accepted Answer

Prepare your environment in advance: find a quiet room with no distractions, ensure a stable internet connection, have your calculator and rough paper ready, close unnecessary browser tabs and applications, and charge your device. Read the instructions carefully before starting. Do not rush through questions — work methodically. If you feel stuck on a question, make your best educated guess and move on rather than losing time.

Question 29

Can the SHL test be taken at home?

Accepted Answer

Yes — the vast majority of SHL tests administered by employers today are taken online and unsupervised at home, at a time of your choosing within an employer-specified window. Some employers, particularly for senior or security-sensitive roles, may require the test to be completed at an assessment centre under supervised conditions. Your invitation email will specify which format applies.

Question 30

What happens if I get disconnected mid-test?

Accepted Answer

If you lose your internet connection or experience a technical issue during the test, contact the employer's HR or recruitment team immediately — do not attempt to restart the test yourself. Most SHL online testing platforms have a session recovery feature that allows you to resume from where you left off, but this must be facilitated by the employer. Having a stable wired connection (rather than Wi-Fi) reduces this risk.

Question 31

How many attempts do I get at the SHL test?

Accepted Answer

In most cases you get exactly one attempt. Once you open and begin the test, the clock starts and your session is recorded. Do not close the browser window or navigate away, as this may terminate your session. Complete the test in one uninterrupted sitting. If the employer has granted you multiple attempts, this will be stated clearly in your invitation. When in doubt, assume you only have one chance.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Test Types

Scoring & Results

Preparation & Practice

CareerTestPrep Platform

On Test Day

Ready to start practising for your SHL test?