Korn Ferry is a global organisational consulting firm, headquartered in Los Angeles, that helps companies find, assess, develop and reward their people. Among other things, it publishes online ability tests, personality questionnaires and leadership assessments that many employers use when hiring, which is why job seekers come across its name. If you have been told to expect a Korn Ferry test, Korn Ferry built the test, but the employer chose it and decides how the results are used.
You can get a feel for the format with a free Korn Ferry-style test. Our practice tests are written in the style of Korn Ferry’s assessments; they are not Korn Ferry’s own tests, and we are not connected with the firm.
What Korn Ferry does
Korn Ferry started in 1969 as an executive search firm, finding senior leaders for organisations, and that is still part of its business. Over time it has grown into a much broader consultancy. Its work now includes:
- Executive search and recruitment, including running all or part of the hiring process for some employers.
- Assessment, through tests and questionnaires used in hiring, promotion and leadership development.
- Leadership and professional development, such as coaching and training programmes.
- Organisation and reward consulting, advising on how roles are structured and how jobs are graded and paid.
The firm is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and works with employers around the world, including in the UK.
Where Korn Ferry’s tests came from
Much of Korn Ferry’s testing business came through acquisitions. In 2015 it bought Hay Group, a consultancy known for its methods of grading jobs and setting pay. Hay Group had itself bought Talent Q, a UK publisher of online ability tests and personality questionnaires, the year before.
Talent Q’s products became part of Korn Ferry’s range. You may still see the older names, such as Elements for ability tests and Dimensions for personality, in invitations, practice materials or older guides. That is why some sources describe Korn Ferry tests and Talent Q tests as the same thing.
What Korn Ferry assessments include
The exact mix depends on the employer and the role, but a Korn Ferry assessment usually draws on some of the following:
- Cognitive ability tests. Verbal, numerical and logical reasoning tests, taken online and timed. These are often adaptive, which means the difficulty changes depending on whether you answer correctly.
- Personality and motivation questionnaires. Statements about how you prefer to work and what drives you. There are no right or wrong answers.
- Situational judgement questions. Realistic work scenarios where you choose or rank possible responses.
- Leadership assessments. For more senior roles, tools such as the Korn Ferry Assessment of Leadership Potential look at the traits, experiences and drivers linked with moving into bigger roles.
An employer might use just one of these, or combine several into a single online session. Our guide to Korn Ferry test examples and what to expect walks through sample questions for each type, with answers.
Who uses Korn Ferry tests
Employers of many kinds use Korn Ferry assessments, from banks and manufacturers to retailers and public sector bodies. They appear in graduate schemes, experienced hiring and internal promotion, and they are especially common in leadership hiring, given the firm’s roots in executive search.
The invitation usually comes from the employer, or from an online platform acting for the employer. Korn Ferry’s role is to provide and score the assessment. The employer decides what score or profile it is looking for, and how much weight the results carry next to your application and interviews.
Is an invitation from Korn Ferry genuine?
Generally, yes, if it matches a job you applied for. Employers often send test invitations through the publisher’s platform, so an email from or linking to Korn Ferry is normal. If you are unsure, check with the employer’s recruitment team before you start, and never pay to take an employer’s test.
How to prepare for a Korn Ferry test
Ask the employer which tests are included and how long each one lasts. Then practise those formats under timed conditions, so the question styles and the pace are familiar before the real thing. For personality questionnaires, there is nothing to learn: answer honestly and consistently.
The quickest way to start is a timed Korn Ferry-style practice test, followed by the worked solutions for anything you get wrong.
