CareerTestPrep

How the Full SHL Mock Assessment Works

This mock assessment replicates the structure of a real SHL aptitude battery — three distinct test types delivered back-to-back with individual timers, just as you would experience them on an employer's TalentCentral platform. Here is exactly what happens when you click Start:

  1. 1

    Section briefing

    Before each section you will see a briefing card showing the test type, number of questions, time limit, and a key exam tip. Take a moment to read it — once you click Begin, the countdown starts immediately.

  2. 2

    Numerical Reasoning — 15 minutes

    Interpret data from tables and charts, then answer multiple-choice questions involving percentages, ratios, and trend analysis. A calculator is recommended. The timer is displayed prominently and changes colour as time runs low.

  3. 3

    Verbal Reasoning — 10 minutes

    Read short business passages and classify each statement as True, False, or Cannot Say based only on the information in the passage. Base every answer on the text alone — outside knowledge is not relevant.

  4. 4

    Inductive Reasoning — 12 minutes

    Identify the pattern or rule in sequences of abstract shapes and select the next shape in the series. Look for changes in size, rotation, colour, and the number of elements across each frame.

  5. 5

    Score report

    After completing all three sections you receive a combined percentage score, a performance band (Excellent / Good / Developing / Needs Work), a per-section breakdown with time used, and a comparison against the CareerTestPrep mock average.

The Three Test Sections Explained

📊 SHL Numerical Reasoning — 15 Minutes

The Numerical Reasoning section tests your ability to interpret data presented in tables, bar charts, line graphs, and pie charts, then draw accurate conclusions using calculations. You are not being tested on advanced mathematics — the maths itself (percentages, ratios, currency conversions) is straightforward. The challenge is reading the data accurately and working quickly under time pressure.

What you will see: Each question presents a data table or chart with four or five multiple-choice answer options. You must select the correct answer within the overall 15-minute section limit. There is no per-question timer.

Key tip: Read axis labels and table headings carefully before calculating. A common mistake is misreading units (e.g. thousands vs millions) and getting an answer that is a factor of 10 out. Use a calculator to avoid arithmetic errors — the real SHL test permits one.

📖 SHL Verbal Reasoning — 10 Minutes

The Verbal Reasoning section presents short business passages followed by statements you must classify as True, False, or Cannot Say. True means the statement follows directly from the passage; False means the passage explicitly contradicts it; Cannot Say means there is insufficient information in the passage to determine either way.

What you will see: A passage of 80–150 words describing a business scenario, followed by one or more statements to classify. The 10-minute limit is tight — quick, accurate reading is essential.

Key tip: The most commonly missed answer type is Cannot Say. If the passage does not explicitly confirm or deny a statement, the answer is Cannot Say — even if the statement seems likely or reasonable based on common sense. Rely solely on what is written.

🔷 SHL Inductive Reasoning — 12 Minutes

The Inductive Reasoning section (also known as Diagrammatic Reasoning) presents sequences of abstract shapes and figures. You must identify the underlying rule governing how the sequence changes from one frame to the next, then select the shape that comes next. This test measures fluid intelligence — the ability to identify patterns and reason logically without relying on language or numerical knowledge.

What you will see: A row of four or five abstract diagrams followed by five answer options. Each diagram differs from the previous by one or more attributes — shape, size, colour, rotation, position, or number of elements.

Key tip: Analyse one attribute at a time — shape type, then colour, then size, then rotation. Most sequences vary only one or two attributes per step. Once you identify the rule, verify it holds across all frames before committing to your answer.

Mock Assessment vs the Real SHL Test

Our mock assessment is designed to be as close as possible to the employer experience. Here is how it compares to the official SHL assessment delivered on TalentCentral:

FeatureCareerTestPrep MockReal SHL (TalentCentral)
Sections coveredNumerical, Verbal, InductiveNumerical, Verbal, Inductive (varies)
Total test time37 minutesTypically 50–70 minutes
Sections back-to-backYesYes
Calculator permittedYes (Numerical only)Yes (Numerical only)
Negative markingNoNo
Score formatPercentage + performance bandPercentile vs norm group
Can pause timerNoNo
Employer sees resultsNo — fully privateYes
Retakes allowedUnlimitedUsually not within same cycle
CostFreePaid by employer

The real SHL test length varies by employer and the number of questions selected. Our mock is slightly shorter to focus on the highest-value practice time, while preserving the same back-to-back structure.

What Your Mock Score Means

Your combined score is expressed as a percentage of all questions answered correctly across all three sections. We convert this into a performance band to give you a clear signal of where you stand relative to other candidates preparing for SHL assessments. Use your band as a guide for how much preparation you still need:

Excellent75% and above

You are in the top tier of candidates actively preparing for SHL assessments. A score in this range suggests you are well-prepared for the real test and competitive for most employers' cut-offs. Continue practising to maintain your speed and accuracy.

Good60–74%

Above average — you demonstrate solid aptitude across the test battery. Identify your weakest section from the breakdown and do targeted practice to push into the Excellent band before your real assessment.

Developing45–59%

You are on track but have clear room to improve. Focus on the fundamentals of your lowest-scoring section and build up speed through timed practice sets. Aim to retake the mock after a week of targeted preparation.

Needs WorkBelow 45%

There is significant room for improvement before your real test. Start with Set 1 of the Practice page to re-establish the core skills for each test type, then work through additional sets under timed conditions before retaking the mock.

The peer average on the mock is 58%, based on CareerTestPrep users. This is a directional benchmark, not an official SHL percentile — but it is a useful signal of how you compare to other candidates actively preparing for their assessments. For employer-specific score requirements, see our guide to what is a good SHL score.

7 Tips for Your Best Mock Score

01

Treat it like the real thing from the start

Sit in a quiet room with no distractions, close unnecessary browser tabs, and set your phone to silent. The more you simulate real exam conditions, the more useful your benchmark score will be — and the less anxious you will feel on test day.

02

Use a calculator for the Numerical section

Real SHL Numerical tests permit a calculator, so use one here too. Whether you use an on-screen calculator or a physical one, it will save you time on arithmetic and reduce careless errors — letting you focus on reading the data correctly.

03

Keep a scrap of paper and pen nearby

For Numerical Reasoning, jotting down intermediate calculations prevents compounding errors. For Inductive Reasoning, sketching a quick note of each pattern attribute (shape, colour, size, rotation) can help you identify the rule faster.

04

Manage your time section by section

You cannot carry unused time from one section to the next. If you finish Numerical with minutes to spare, use them to double-check your answers — they cannot be applied to Verbal or Inductive. Know the approximate time-per-question pace: 45 seconds per Numerical question, 50 seconds per Verbal, and 1 minute per Inductive.

05

Always answer every question — never leave blanks

There is no negative marking on SHL tests, including this mock. An unanswered question scores zero; a guess gives you a chance of a correct answer. If you are stuck on a question, make your best educated guess and move on.

06

For Verbal Reasoning — trust only the passage

The most common Verbal Reasoning mistake is using outside knowledge instead of relying strictly on the passage. If the text does not explicitly confirm or deny a statement, the answer is Cannot Say — even if the statement seems obviously true or false in real life.

07

Review your section breakdown to guide future practice

Your score report shows a separate score and time used for each section. Your lowest-scoring section is where targeted practice will give you the biggest overall improvement. Head to the Practice page to drill that test type with question-by-question explanations.

Why Take a Full Mock Assessment?

Practising individual test types is valuable, but the full mock assessment adds something individual drills cannot: the experience of sustained mental effort across three back-to-back sections. In a real SHL battery, cognitive fatigue accumulates between sections. Candidates who have only ever practised in isolation often find that their Inductive score drops significantly on their actual test — not because they lack pattern-recognition ability, but because they are mentally tired from the earlier sections.

A full mock also gives you a combined benchmark score. Most employers assess you on your performance across the entire battery, not just one test type. Knowing your overall percentage alongside your per-section breakdown lets you prioritise your remaining preparation time more effectively.

Finally, the mock replicates the psychological pressure of a real assessment. Knowing you are being timed, that you cannot pause, and that a score will be produced at the end triggers the same exam-day anxiety that causes many well-prepared candidates to underperform. Taking the mock regularly desensitises you to that pressure so it becomes routine rather than stressful.

We recommend taking the mock at the start of your preparation to establish a baseline, then again one to two weeks before your real test after completing targeted practice sets. Compare your two scores to confirm you have made progress across all three sections.

Which Companies Use SHL Assessments?

SHL assessments are used by thousands of employers globally to screen graduate and professional candidates. You are most likely to encounter them when applying to roles in finance, consulting, technology, FMCG, and engineering. Major users include:

  • • Goldman Sachs
  • • J.P. Morgan
  • • Morgan Stanley
  • • Barclays
  • • HSBC
  • • Deutsche Bank
  • • PwC
  • • Deloitte
  • • EY
  • • KPMG
  • • Accenture
  • • Capgemini
  • • Unilever
  • • Procter & Gamble
  • • Shell
  • • Amazon
  • • Microsoft
  • • IBM

If you are preparing for a specific employer, see our full list of companies that use SHL tests for employer-specific test formats and reported difficulty levels.

SHL Mock Assessment — Frequently Asked Questions

What is an SHL mock assessment?

An SHL mock assessment is a full-length simulation of the three most common SHL aptitude tests — Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Inductive Reasoning — taken back-to-back under timed conditions. It mirrors the structure of the SHL battery delivered on TalentCentral, giving you a realistic benchmark score before your official employer test.

How long does the full mock take?

The three timed sections total 37 minutes: 15 minutes for Numerical Reasoning, 10 minutes for Verbal Reasoning, and 12 minutes for Inductive Reasoning. Including section briefing cards and reviewing your score report, allow approximately 45–50 minutes in total.

How is the mock different from practising individual test types?

Individual practice tests let you focus on one skill at a time with immediate feedback after each question. The mock chains all three sections together without breaks, replicating the sustained concentration required in a real SHL battery. Your results are reported as a single combined score alongside per-section breakdowns — exactly as an employer would see them.

Does the mock use official SHL questions?

No — the questions are original CareerTestPrep content created to match the style, difficulty, and format of genuine SHL questions. They cover the same skills: data-table calculations for Numerical, True/False/Cannot Say reasoning for Verbal, and abstract shape-sequence patterns for Inductive Reasoning.

Can I pause the mock mid-way?

No — the timer cannot be paused once a section begins, just like the real SHL test. If you navigate away or close the tab, your progress for that section is lost. Sit down in a quiet space with a stable internet connection and complete all 37 minutes in a single sitting.

Should I use a calculator?

Yes — on real SHL Numerical Reasoning tests, candidates are normally permitted a calculator (either an on-screen calculator provided by SHL or their own physical one). Use a calculator during the Numerical section of the mock to simulate real conditions. No aids are permitted for Verbal or Inductive Reasoning.

What score do I need to pass?

Pass thresholds vary by employer and role. Most graduate employers set the bar at the 40th–70th percentile; elite finance and consulting firms may require the 80th–90th percentile or above. As a rule of thumb, aim for 75%+ on our mock to give yourself a comfortable margin on the real assessment. Use the score report's peer comparison to gauge where you stand.

Are my results saved automatically?

If you are signed in to a free CareerTestPrep account, each section score is saved to your Analytics dashboard so you can track improvement over multiple attempts. Without an account, your results are shown at the end of the session but are not stored.

How many times can I retake the mock?

Unlimited times — there is no cap. We recommend taking the mock first to get a baseline, then completing targeted practice sets on your weakest section, and retaking the mock to measure your improvement. Most candidates see meaningful gains after three to five retakes combined with deliberate practice.

What is the peer average score?

The 58% peer average shown on your score report is calculated from CareerTestPrep users who have completed the mock. It is a directional benchmark, not an official SHL percentile. SHL's own percentile norms are based on a larger standardised sample — but our mock average gives you a useful relative signal for how you compare to other candidates actively preparing for their assessments.

Further Reading

Deepen your preparation with these expert guides: