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shl verbal reasoning

SHL Style Verbal Reasoning Tests

  • 30 tests
  • 450 questions
shl verbal reasoning

SHL’s verbal tests are used by many employers as part of their recruitment process. The tests allow the employer to assess a candidate’s aptitude for comprehension, understanding and evaluation of written passages, and compare that score to those of other applicants.

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About the SHL verbal reasoning test

SHL is a common provider of verbal tests, typically used at graduate-level and managerial entry roles. Its verbal tests often are just one part of a larger suite of tests carried out by the employer to assess the candidate’s skills and suitability for a particular role.

The SHL verbal reasoning test is an online assessment that demonstrates a candidate’s potential to be successful.

SHL verbal test is a type of assessment that is usually taken on a computer. It varies depending on the recruiter as to whether the test is taken online (at a time and place of the candidate’s choice) or at a test centre or the employer’s office.

SHL verbal tests take the form of a series of short written passages, after which a question is posed. Each question is presented as a statement with multiple-choice options; you must decide if the statement is ‘true’, ‘false’ or ‘cannot say in response. This is often referred to as TFC.

Candidates should remember to only base their answers on the information given in the passage, not any other additional facts or outside knowledge.

The SHL assessment usually contains 30 questions, with candidates given a time limit of 17 to 19 minutes to answer. Questions are drawn randomly from a database of questions, so each candidate sits an individual test.

SHL verbal reasoning skill tests are straightforward but usually require practice for a candidate to confidently answer in the required way, using only information contained within the written passages.

How to prepare for and pass an SHL verbal test

As with any psychometric test, the key to success with an SHL verbal test is to practice. Each question must be answered in less than a minute, which includes reading the passage and all three answers, as well as the time is taken to select the correct choice.

Careful preparation for the SHL verbal test will improve your speed and accuracy, as you become more familiar with the types of passage and the format in which questions are asked.

After you’ve taken a practice SHL test, look at where you went wrong. Is there a pattern? Are you jumping to conclusions, or basing your choice on information or knowledge beyond what is written in the passage?

You will learn as much from considering the wrong answers as you will just practicing multiple questions.

We also recommend practicing SHL aptitude tests in exam conditions (e.g. silence, on your own, without assistance or looking up answers) and to time yourself with every set of practice questions.

SHL doesn’t reveal its pass marks or average scores, and they differ between positions and employers.

To pass and succeed at an SHL verbal test, you should aim to get 90% or more of the questions correct. This will come from a combination of answer accuracy and familiarity with the format of the test, to allow you to complete the test in the required time frame.

Prepare yourself for leading employers

  • BBC
  • Deloitte
  • HSBC
  • Amazon
  • Google
  • NHS
  • Civil Service

Free example SHL style verbal questions

We recommend you start with our free SHL style verbal practice tests and questions. Each example practice question includes one passage and then multiple questions relating to that same passage.

Answers and explanations follow beneath the questions.

Verbal critical reasoning

shl verbal reasoning practice test

Statement: The passage suggests that it is safer to spread your savings across a range of different investments.

  • A) True
  • B) False
  • C) Cannot say

Reading comprehension

shl verbal reasoning practice test

If more tourists come to this country, it will mean:

  • A) Fewer jobs in some restaurants
  • B) Fewer people wanting fast food
  • C) More jobs in many hotels
  • D) The government doesn’t worry about job creation

Word analogy

shl verbal reasoning practice test

Which of the following would best replace the word ‘outstanding’ in sentence 3?

  • A) Remaining
  • B) Superb
  • C) Multiple
  • D) Supportive

Answers

Verbal critical reasoning: True – the third sentence explains that the very rich have been diversifying their portfolios to reduce the risk of sudden changes in share prices.

Reading comprehension: The second paragraph talks about the fact that if more tourists are encouraged to come to this country it will translate into more business for hotels and this will result in more jobs (‘Just think of the new jobs this will generate!’). This makes C) the only correct response.

Word analogy: The use of the word ‘outstanding’ suggests that customer service has to be really great. Option B – superb – is the best word to replace outstanding in this case.

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SHL Style Verbal Reasoning Tests FAQs

Are SHL verbal tests difficult?

SHL verbal tests are not difficult once you are familiar with the format, and are confident assessing whether the question bears any relation or relevance to the contents of the passage of text. SHL verbal tests are pitched at an appropriate level for the job applied for – a graduate role will be harder than an apprentice level role, for example.

How are SHL verbal tests scored?

SHL verbal tests are scored by awarding one mark per correct answer. There is no pass mark as such, as it will depend on the scores of the other candidates also interviewing for the same role. Candidates should aim to be in the top 20% of scores to succeed, which at a graduate assessment centre is likely to mean scoring 27 or higher out of 30.

How long is an SHL verbal test?

An SHL verbal test will take between 17 and 19 minutes to complete and you will need to answer 30 questions.

What if English isn’t my first language?

If English is your second language, you will find an SHL verbal test harder. You will need to practice more, concentrating as much effort on practising reading different publications about different subjects, as much as you practice set format tests.

Where can I practice verbal reasoning tests?

You can practice verbal reasoning tests using our free practice tests and example questions. You can also find our entire suite of practice questions here.

How can I improve my verbal reasoning?

We recommend finding as many practice questions and answers as you can, and familiarising yourself as much as possible with different written passages and styles of questions. Once you have a good idea of what to expect and how to answer the types of questions posed, you will be able to practice answering the questions faster.

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SHL Style Verbal Reasoning Tests Tips

1Practice

This is always our number one tip, as we know that candidates who have spent time preparing and practising – and are familiar with the style and format of the SHL verbal test – will perform better than those who don’t.

2Keep an eye on the time

When you take the test, it’s no good getting all the answers right if you don’t finish the test, as you will automatically get no score for the answers you don’t complete. Make sure that you keep practising to a timer, and that when you sit the test, you keep to the time you’ve allocated per question (just over 30 seconds per question).

3Read

Read widely and about subjects outside of your area of interest, so that you are used to reading unfamiliar text. Turn reading into more practice by identifying themes and concepts; try explaining what you have read to someone else.

4Understand where you go wrong

When assessing the answers to your practice tests, try to understand whether your issue is in inaccurately reading the passage or question (e.g. skim reading), making assumptions or perhaps introducing additional knowledge. Take time to eliminate each of these errors.

5Be prepared

Make sure you know where you are taking the test and that your brain is in the right state. Sounds obvious, but ensure you’ve had sleep and are not thirsty, as both of these can affect your ability to read and think under pressure.

Verbal Reasoning Video Tutorials

SHL Tests: A Guide

5 mins

English Language

2 mins

Analogies

2 mins

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Reviews of our Verbal Reasoning tests

What our customers say about our Verbal Reasoning tests

  • Malawi

    March 26, 2023

    I found it easy to understand and follow

    I liked that the passage carried a good number of questions so the reading time wasn't wasted on just a couple of questions. However, the passages were quite long.

  • Philippines

    March 24, 2023

    The most important to know is how strong your reading comprehension is. This is important in this kind of situation since it requires you to deeply understand the text so that you will be able to answer the questions correctly whether it is true, false, or cannot tell

    I really like this test because it enhances my capabilities in answering such tests like comprehension, gut, and critical thinking. Overall, it gives me the chance to improve on myself on what are my weaknesses and to make it my strength

  • Nigeria

    March 22, 2023

    That i finished before time

    i like the fact we have answers, however concepts used to arrive at the answer should be given for example in numerical reasoning

  • Australia

    March 19, 2023

    Got the brain ticking!

    The passages and accompanying questions really got the clogs turning. Great practice for my upcoming test.

  • Kenya

    March 19, 2023

    Interesting

    The test allowed me to read very fast and be able to comprehend at the same time. It made me be alert

  • Turkey

    March 13, 2023

    intense

    I liked that it was challenging with a wide vocabulary and complicated seeming texts. Maybe some texts were too terminology based.

  • Philippines

    March 08, 2023

    Comprehensive

    It was good and easy to understand, also allows people to think comprehensively in order to get the gists of it.

  • Indonesia

    March 07, 2023

    Pretty challenging for non-native speakers.

    What I like from this test is that it is challenging, but gives you feedback on how to assess paragraph the better way next time.

  • India

    March 06, 2023

    Speed is required

    I like the way the test was organised, to help the students to learn things easily, i had a good learning experience with this test, it helped me enhance my ability to read things and understand them effectively,they are useful for placement preparations

  • United Kingdom

    March 05, 2023

    Good test

    The test seems suitably designed. I did it quite quickly, so hopefully my results will still be accurate.

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