What is the SHL test?
SHL (formerly Saville & Holdsworth) is the world's leading provider of psychometric assessments. Their tests — delivered on the TalentCentral platform — are used by thousands of employers to screen candidates objectively at scale. The most common SHL tests for graduates and professionals are Numerical Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Inductive Reasoning.
How hard are SHL tests?
SHL tests are designed to differentiate among candidates who have already cleared CV screening, so the difficulty level is calibrated for a competitive pool. Most candidates find the Numerical Reasoning test hardest due to its data-heavy questions and tight time limit. With structured practice, the majority of candidates improve their score by 15–25 percentile points.
What is a good SHL score?
SHL scores are expressed as percentiles against a norm group (typically graduates or professionals). A score above the 50th percentile is average; most competitive graduate employers set cutoffs between the 70th and 85th percentile. The exact pass score varies by employer, role, and the norm group used — some roles require only the 40th percentile, while elite finance firms may require the top 10–15%.
Can I retake the SHL test?
On our platform, yes — retake any practice set as many times as you like. For real employer tests, most companies do not allow retakes within the same application cycle. If you fail, your application is typically rejected at that stage and you may need to wait 6–12 months before reapplying. Thorough preparation before your first attempt is therefore essential.
Do employers see my practice scores?
No — your CareerTestPrep practice scores are entirely private. Only your official SHL results taken on the employer's own TalentCentral platform are shared with that company. You can practise on our platform without any impact on your live applications.
Which companies use SHL tests?
SHL assessments are used by thousands of employers globally. Major users include Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, Morgan Stanley, Barclays, HSBC, PwC, Deloitte, EY, KPMG, Accenture, Capgemini, Unilever, Procter & Gamble, Shell, Amazon, and most large graduate schemes across finance, consulting, technology, and engineering.
How long does an SHL test take?
The time varies by test type. The real SHL Numerical Reasoning test is typically 17–25 minutes (around 18 questions). Verbal Reasoning is 17–19 minutes (30 questions). Inductive Reasoning is approximately 24 minutes (24 questions). Our practice sets are slightly shorter — 15, 10, and 12 minutes respectively — to build speed before the real thing.
Is there a penalty for wrong answers on the SHL test?
No — there is no negative marking on SHL tests. You are not penalised for an incorrect answer, so it always makes sense to attempt every question. If you are running short on time, make an educated guess rather than leaving any question blank.
What should I expect on test day?
SHL tests are typically taken online via TalentCentral, often unsupervised at home or under remote proctoring. You will need a stable internet connection, a modern browser, and — for Numerical — a calculator. Most employers send a practice link in advance. Ensure you are in a quiet space and complete the test in one sitting, as the timer cannot be paused.
Are CareerTestPrep practice tests free?
Yes — 100% free, always. Set 1 of each test type is accessible without an account. Creating a free account unlocks all question sets (1,000+ questions), full solutions and explanations, and the Analytics dashboard for progress tracking. There is no payment, trial period, or credit card required.
