SHL Psychometric Tests
Current Status
Not Enrolled
Price
Get Started
Our Bundle Practice Pack covers the common tests you are going to face in the SHL assessment.

  • Basic Math
  • Numerical Reasoning & Series
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Logical Reasoning (Inductive & Deductive)
  • Situational Judgement Tests
  • Personality Tests
  • Spatial Reasoning Tests
  • Mechanical Reasoning
  • Error Checking Tests
  • Memory Tests

Tests: 148 Questions: +2000

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 behaviour, 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, organising, 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 behavioural 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:

  • Adtalem Global Education
  • OGTAP
  • Experian
  • EDP
  • Becton Dickinson
  • Ericsson
  • Dublin Airport Authority
  • Mercury Energy
  • IMI Norgren
  • IQVIA
  • GKN
  • Gannett Co
  • Dassault Systemes
  • Calor Gas
  • NCB
  • NNIT
  • Nutreco
  • PGW
  • PhD/ Doctorate Programmes UK
  • Prysmian
  • Swedish Security Services
  • Westpack
  • Raiffeisen Bank
  • Matrix Care
  • Coller Capital
  • Costa Coffee
  • Novozymes
  • Pertamina
  • Philip Morris
  • PraxAir
  • Air France
  • Australian Air Traffic Control
  • Caltex
  • Bevilles Jewelers
  • Orkla
  • Everything Everywhere (EE)
  • Emaar Properties
  • John Lewis Partnership
  • CSC Computer Sciences Co
  • Leonardo

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!

Curriculum