All About SHL Psychometric Tests

Psychometric testing has been a regular pre-employment practice across the Globe for many years. SHL is one of the most popular creators of these exams and other pre-hire tools.

Being faced with one of these exams can feel like a huge roadblock on the way to employment, but they are much easier to overcome with proper practice. If you are facing an SHL pre-employment test, take a look through this testing guide for details to help you prepare.

Who is SHL?

SHL is short for Saville and Holdsworth Ltd, a company formed in 1977. The company focuses on creating hiring solutions for companies all over the world. This is done by creating pre-employment psychometric and personality assessments and other hiring tools that help businesses save time and money by narrowing down potential applicants to those with the highest potential for job success.

SHL is popular in the pre-employment testing world because they constantly adjust their exams to match modern needs and educational standards. Additionally, they focus heavily on ensuring their exams are unbiased so candidates are not unfairly treated during the testing process.

What is Psychometric Testing?

Psychometric testing are exams that test your behavior, logical thinking, and cognitive skills, often as they pertain to your ability to perform certain tasks in a specific job. The tests don’t rely on your educational background, but on your natural ability to problem solve. 

The term “psychometric” refers to the field of studying psychological capacity and measurement techniques. When referring to psychometric testing as it pertains to pre-employment tests, we are discussing exams that utilize these same principles of psychological measurement to determine a person’s natural thinking ability and logical skills.

What Kind of Psychometric Tests Does SHL Produce?

SHL Numerical Reasoning Test

Numerical tests, especially those by SHL, have a large focus on the test takers ability to understand numerical data.

This means that you don’t have to be an algebraic whiz to pass a numerical reasoning test, but you do need to have a grasp on the concept of identifying, organizing, and utilizing numeric data as presented in charts and graphs.

SHL customizes their tests for the company you are applying to. This means that the questions will be framed around the specific industry you are entering.

SHL Inductive Reasoning Test

Inductive reasoning refers to a person’s ability to recognize rules, patterns, and similarities among information or graphic items in order to solve patterns or problems.

The SHL inductive reasoning test uses illustrations to create partial patterns that you must complete by inferring rules from the portion that is provided.

SHL Deductive Reasoning Test

Deductive reasoning is like the logical opposite of inductive reasoning. When you are trying to solve a deductive reasoning problem, you are already given the rules of the scenario. You must then follow those rules to deduce the logical conclusion or resolution of a problem.

The SHL deductive reasoning test contains written questions that illustrate hypothetical scenarios with a single question to answer. The information laid out in the scenario is descriptive and gives you all the information you need to come to the most logical conclusion.

SHL General Ability Tests

SHL offers general ability tests that are custom to the job-type the test taker is applying to. These exams cover a series of skills, general cognitive abilities, and broad work-related concepts to give the hiring body a quick view at the test-taker’s compatibility with a role.

The best way to prepare for a general ability test is to practice the other specific exam types by SHL (numerical reasoning, inductive reasoning, etc.) as those skills may all be used on the general ability test.

SHL Mechanical Reasoning Test

The SHL Mechanical Reasoning test is one of the most niche exams available in their arsenal. The exam covers a variety of difficult concepts dealing with physics, general mathematics, and other mechanical/ electrical concepts.

SHL Verbal Reasoning Test

The Verbal Reasoning test is sometimes referred to as the Reading Comprehension test. This exam focuses on your ability to read information, understand its content, and retain information as necessary to resolve related problems.

Typically, this test will involve reading prompts, email, newsletters, or another piece of written information. After you’ve read the written portion, you will be shown a series of multiple choice questions. The answer to each of the questions can be found or deduced from the content of the prompt.

SHL Situational Judgement Test

SItuational Judgement Tests are a unique form of behavioral and personality testing that involves reading through hypothetical scenarios and revealing how you would feel or behave in that situation.

In this exam, you will be shown a hypothetical situation that is specific to your potential job or workplace. Following the scenario, you will be asked a question relating to the scenario.

Most questions will be similar to “Which of the following actions would you take next?” Though you are sometimes asked to rate how closely you relate to the actions taken in the hypothetical scenario.

The overall intent is to get an idea of how you might naturally behave during stressful work situations.

Other SHL Tests

There are many other SHL tests that you may be faced with during your job search. Here are a few more of the exams SHL provides:

• SHL Calculation Tests
• SHL Personality Test
• SHL Personnel Battery
• SHL-OPQ (SHL-OPQ32)
• SHL Graduate Test
• SHL Managerial Test
• SHL Critical Reasoning Tests

Companies that Use SHL Tests

Not sure if you will be taking an SHL assessment? Here is a list of some of the biggest employers that utilize SHL testing:

Which SHL Test Might I Have to Take?

The hiring party at the job you’re interviewing for should be responsible for informing you on which test you need to take. However, you may be able to guess which tests you’ll need to take based on the position you applied for.

For instance, engineering and technical jobs are more likely to require you to take tests like: mechanical reasoning, inductive reasoning, numerical reasoning, and situational judgement.

On the other hand, customer service and administrative jobs are more likely to require you to take tests like: verbal reasoning, deductive reasoning, personality, and general ability.

How do I Prepare for an SHL Psychometric Test?

Preparing for an SHL psychometric test is simple. You simply need access to professionally curated prep materials that can ensure that you have all the knowledge necessary to pass your test on the first try.

At JobAssessmentHelp, you can access prep materials for any pre-employment assessment and know that you will get multiple practice tests, tons of uniquely written prep questions, and additional study materials to help you get ready for your big day. If you want to ensure your SHL testing goes off without a hitch, check out the prep materials at JobAssessmentHelp, today!

SHL Test FAQs

What is the SHL Verify G+ Test?

The SHL Verify G+ Test is a cognitive ability assessment that evaluates numerical, deductive, and inductive reasoning skills. It is widely used by employers to gauge a candidate’s potential for problem-solving and critical thinking in various work scenarios.

What is percentile scoring in SHL assessments?

Percentile scoring compares your performance to other test-takers. For example, a 70th percentile score means you scored higher than 70% of the candidates. This method helps employers select top candidates based on relative performance.

Are SHL tests timed, and how strict are the time limits?

Yes, SHL tests are timed, and the time limits can be quite strict. The duration varies depending on the test type, with some cognitive tests allowing only 10-25 minutes. Managing time effectively is crucial to performing well.

Can I retake an SHL test if I’m not satisfied with my score?

Generally, retakes are not allowed unless explicitly stated by the employer. Once an SHL test is completed, the score is typically final and used in the recruitment decision.

What is the SHL Situational Judgment Test (SJT)?

The SJT evaluates how you respond to hypothetical, job-related scenarios. It measures your decision-making skills and ability to navigate workplace challenges, which are critical for roles that require strong judgment.

How do SHL Mechanical Reasoning Tests differ from other cognitive tests?

SHL Mechanical Reasoning Tests focus specifically on understanding mechanical concepts such as gears, pulleys, and levers. They are tailored for roles in engineering and technical fields, assessing practical problem-solving skills.

Are calculators allowed during SHL Numerical Reasoning Tests?

Yes, calculators are typically allowed for SHL Numerical Reasoning Tests. However, it is important to confirm with the test instructions provided by your employer, as this can vary.

What should I do if I experience technical issues during an SHL test?

If you encounter technical problems, it is crucial to contact the test administrator or your potential employer immediately. Most platforms provide support to help resolve issues without penalizing the candidate.

How do SHL tests accommodate different languages and cultural contexts?

SHL tests are available in over 30 languages and are designed to be culturally neutral to ensure fairness across diverse candidate pools. The tests are used globally, in over 50 countries.

Do SHL assessments include any adaptive testing methods?

Yes, some SHL assessments, like the SHL AMCAT, are adaptive. This means the difficulty of the questions can change based on your previous answers, providing a more tailored and precise measurement of your abilities.

Is there a penalty for guessing on SHL tests?

No, there is no penalty for incorrect answers on SHL tests, so it’s better to guess than to leave a question unanswered. However, accuracy is still important, as your score depends on the number of correct responses.