SHL Aptitude Test

SHL tests are often a central part of graduate recruitment campaigns, requiring a particular level of performance to progress further through the application process.

Aptitude tests, such as those produced by SHL, aim to assess an individual’s ability in a competency that has been identified as important for success in a job role. For instance, numerical reasoning aims to measure the computational skills required for a quantitative position.

Different Types of SHL Test

While there are many kinds of SHL tests available, these are the main ones you’ll see:

• • Numerical Reasoning – Tests your ability to interpret and use numbers and statistics. You’ll be shown some data, probably in the form of a table or graph, and then you must use that information to answer a question.
  • Verbal Reasoning – Evaluates your ability to understand and analyse passages of written information. Usually, you’ll be presented with a written passage and, based on that, you must then identify whether a given statement is true or false, or whether it’s impossible to say.
  • Inductive Reasoning – Also called logical reasoning or diagrammatical reasoning, this tests your more abstract problem-solving abilities. Typically, it will involve patterns of shapes; you must work out the rules that govern the pattern and complete it.
  • Deductive Reasoning – Requires you to solve logical conundrums. Syllogisms, seating arrangement puzzles and questions involving numbers and tables are all likely. Basically, you’re trying to use a set of premises to arrive logically at a conclusion.
  • General Ability – A broader kind of test that assesses your ability over a number of different areas all at once.
  • Reading Comprehension – Very similar to the verbal reasoning test, this measures your ability to comprehend information in written sources and to make judgement.
  • Calculation – A more focused kind of numerical reasoning. Instead of graphs and tables, you will need to work with mathematical equations and solve problems.
  • Mechanical Comprehension – Focusing on cogs, pulleys, springs and levers, to test your knowledge of mechanical systems and how they work.
  • Situational Judgement – These tests don’t have right or wrong answers per se, but rather aim to see how you would respond to potential workplace situations.
  • Personality – Again, this is less of a right-or-wrong test; often it’s used to evaluate whether you’d be a good fit in a team.
  • Work Behavior – Another sort of personality test, which looks specifically at your style of working. Do you work well in terms or are you better alone? Big teams or small teams? Are you detail-oriented or more of a big picture person?

Verbal Reasoning

In a verbal reasoning test, you are usually provided with a passage of text followed by one or more statements. In the example below, determine whether each statement is true or false, or whether you cannot say, given the information in the passage:

A – True (the statement follows logically from the information or opinions contained in the passage)

B – False (the statement is logically false from the information or opinions contained in the passage)

C – Cannot say (cannot determine whether the statement is true or false without further information)

Sample question

Give your answer to each question by clicking on either A, B, or C. You will be told whether or not your answer is correct.

Example:

“Many organisations find it beneficial to employ students over the summer. Permanent staff often wish to take their own holidays over this period. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for companies to experience peak workloads in the summer and so require extra staff. Summer employment also attracts students who may return as well-qualified recruits to an organisation when they have completed their education. Ensuring that the students learn as much as possible about the organisation encourages interest in working on a permanent basis. Organisations pay students on a fixed rate without the usual entitlement to paid holidays or bonus schemes.”

Statement 1: It is possible that permanent staff who are on holiday can have their work carried out by students.

True

False

Not Sure

Statement 2: Students in summer employment are given the same paid holiday benefit as permanent staff.

True

False

Not Sure

Numerical Reasoning

In a numerical reasoning test, you are required to answer questions using facts and figures presented in statistical tables. In each question you are usually given a number of options to choose from. Only one of the options is correct in each case. Test takers are usually permitted to use a rough sheet of paper and/or a calculator. However, the use of a calculator may not be permitted in all test.

Inductive Reasoning

An inductive reasoning test measures abilities that are important in solving problems. They may also be referred to as abstract reasoning tests or diagrammatic style tests. These tests measure the ability to work flexibly with unfamiliar information and find solutions. People who perform well on these tests tend to have a greater capacity to think conceptually as well as analytically.