What is a Korn Ferry logical test?
Korn Ferry is a management consultancy firm with a global presence.
Korn Ferry tests are used in the recruitment process for a huge variety of job roles worldwide and assess everything from motivations and personality, to competency and overall ability. There are also Korn Ferry tests that can be used in the workplace to help employers identify potential future leaders.
The Korn Ferry logical test (otherwise known as Raven’s Matrix or Raven’s Matrices), uses a simple grid-based backdrop to assess your ability to determine which squares are missing, or what shape comes next based on the limited information you have before you.
As you’d expect with a test like this, you’ll be under a tight time limit which is designed to make the assessment more challenging, while putting your skills to the test.
Unlike many exams where answers can be learned, there’s a certain amount of innate skill involved in passing the Korn Ferry logical test — although practice and following our top 10 tips will certainly help.
1. Practice makes perfect
Perhaps the most important tip of all is that there’s no substitute for practice.
Using sample Korn Ferry logic tests will not only help you to improve your skills and speed, but it’ll also give you a big confidence boost as you’ll know what to expect on the day.
To make your practice really count, it’s worth timing yourself as you would if it was the real test. Then, once you’ve finished, go back over your answers and see where (and why) you might have gone wrong so you have the opportunity to learn from any mistakes.
2. Get as much information as possible
Knowing that you’re taking the Korn Ferry logical test is a good start, but finding out even more details can help to calm your nerves.
If you feel you don’t have all the necessary information, get in touch with the hiring manager, recruiter or your contact and ask questions about the test setup (location, time etc.), not to mention the test itself (the time limit, how it’s marked etc.)
Knowing these extra details will make you feel more comfortable and ensure you turn up to the test feeling ready and prepared.
3. Keep things interesting
Practice is essential, but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to the same old routine day in, day out.
While it’s important to integrate Korn Ferry practice tests into your preparation, it can also be really beneficial to think outside the box and test your problem-solving skills in other ways. Try sudoku, challenge a friend to a shape-based computer game, or pick up any one of the numerous puzzle books, crosswords or online quizzes out there.
Not only will your brain relish a different type of challenge, but you’ll also benefit from taking a break from serious study to enjoy something a little more lighthearted (while still reaping the rewards!).
4. Create a calm working environment
Preparing for the Korn Ferry test is best done in a quiet and calm environment.
Wherever possible, try to create a space that’s well-lit and free from noise and distractions. Ensure you’re well prepared and have everything you need at hand, including a means of timing practice tests, any relevant equipment and a glass of water.
If you’re finding it hard to escape noise, consider noise-canceling headphones or even scheduling your practice time for quieter periods in the day.
Ensuring you can maintain focus free from distractions is one of the best ways you can prepare for the Korn Ferry test.
5. Don’t spend too long on each question
At the beginning of the test, make a rough calculation as to how long you can spend on each question by dividing the time allotted by the number of questions on the test.
Trying to stick roughly to a set amount of time per question will stop you from dwelling on tricky questions, which in turn can mean you don’t end up finishing the test.
When in doubt, make an educated guess and go back to anything you’re unsure about if you have time at the end of the test.
6. Focus on the question, not the answer
It can be very tempting to look straight at the selection of multiple choice answers before the question, but this can impact how clearly you’re able to focus on using your logical reasoning skills to answer the question in front of you.
Instead, try to focus on the question and work the answer out yourself. Once you have an idea of what it might be, you can then look at the selection of multiple choice answers before you to see if any correspond, or are very similar.
7. An educated guess is better than nothing
One of the worst things you can do on any test (unless it’s negatively marked), is leaving a blank space rather than taking an educated guess at what the answer could be — especially when the answers are multiple choice.
The easiest way to make an educated guess is to start with anything you know to definitely be incorrect, discount these answers and look at what you’re left with — are there any clues in previous problems you’ve answered that could help? Do you have a gut feeling? Can you apply any of your revision and practice principles?
Even if you’re not 100% sure about the answer you finally select, you’ll have given yourself the best possible chance of getting the mark by taking the time to follow these simple steps.
8. Go back to anything you’re stuck on
Before taking the test, it’s worth checking whether you’ll be able to return to any questions you want to have another look at if you have time at the end of the test.
Not only does this help ensure you don’t get stuck answering something tricky and miss out on questions further into the test that you may have found easier, but it can also help you come to the problem with a fresh perspective.
It’s amazing how taking a break and coming back to something later on can make answering the same question a lot easier. Remember to input an answer just in case you don’t have time to return.
9. Get a good night’s sleep
It sounds obvious, but it really is one of the best ways you can mentally and physically prepare for the test.
The night before the test, try to put together a relaxing routine a few hours before you go to bed (nice and early!). Limit screen time and ensure your bedroom is cool and free from noise and distraction. You could even have a bath, read a book or do anything that relaxes you and takes your mind off the test.
It’s also worth making sure you’ve set your alarm and got everything you’ll need ready so you don’t lie in bed worrying about being underprepared.
10. Just do your best
And finally, just do your best! As long as you’ve put the preparation, time and effort into it, you can hold your head up high and know that you did all you could.
Whether your score was as you hoped or not, it can be worth asking for a more detailed breakdown of your results so you know which areas to work on if you need to take a Korn Ferry exam again.
Not everyone succeeds the first time around and failure can be one of the best ways to learn, grow and eventually get on the right path.