Get 25% off all test packages.

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.

Buy tests Free test

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.

I learnt exactly where I needed more practice and could focus on improving those areas.
Lora used Practice Aptitude Tests to keep track of her practice and progress. Start your success story

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.

Neuroworx

Hire better talent

At Neuroworx we help companies build perfect teams

Join picked Try Neuroworx today

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

Try SHL Style Verbal Reasoning Tests for Free

Improve your scores with our intelligent learning system

    • Get instant access 24/7 to real life tests
    • Track historical test performance with our custom dashboards
    • Learn from mistakes with our fully worked solutions
    • Prepare for top employers with our bespoke employer packages
    • Compare your scores against industry standards
    Access all 30 Verbal Reasoning Tests
    Intelligent learning system
Improve your hiring chances by 76%

Prepare for your Verbal Reasoning Test

Immediate access. Cancel anytime.

Pro

Pay Annually
Pay Monthly
--- --- ---
  • 30 Numerical reasoning tests
  • 30 Verbal reasoning tests
  • 30 Diagrammatic reasoning tests
  • 30 Situational judgement tests
  • 34 Publisher packages e.g. Watson Glaser
  • 252 Employer packages e.g. HSBC
  • 29 Extra packages e.g Mechanical
  • Dashboard performance tracking
  • Full solutions and explanations
  • Tips, tricks, guides and resources

Basic

---
  • Access to free tests
  • Basic performance tracking
  • Solutions & explanations
  • Tips and resources
Free

Reviews of our Verbal Reasoning tests

What our customers say about our Verbal Reasoning tests

  • United Kingdom

    June 30, 2023

    Tough

    Difficult; but better to have hard practice questions so that the real assessments aren't as daunting.

  • Nigeria

    June 28, 2023

    Interesting

    The objective is to measure ones speed and accuracy while handling a task. Its crucial to pay attention to details.

  • United Kingdom

    June 28, 2023

    Comprehension on inference skills

    I enjoyed the need to read between the lines for answers; it means that you need a much deeper understanding of the text in order to answer, and can't just skim it in order to be finished quickly

  • United Kingdom

    June 23, 2023

    Difficult yet fun.

    I enjoyed the questions and that there was few explicit answers however the changing topic and reading source made it difficult.

  • Spain

    June 14, 2023

    good

    it was complicated at first, especially to understand the text and relate it to the questions but it got easier throughout

  • Philippines

    June 11, 2023

    Hard but good

    It provided comprehensive and realistic experiences for practicing verbal reasoning.

  • South Africa

    June 08, 2023

    Read fast

    The test requires a person to read fast and comprehend the information in a short period of time.

  • Australia

    June 07, 2023

    Not enough time to answer the questions

    I’m not a strong reader and I couldn’t read fast enough within the 1 minute time frame to do each question.

  • Australia

    June 06, 2023

    Inferences are used a lot

    Based on the test and the text that you need to read, it is required that you read "between the lines" and find inferences within a lot of information that is not specifically said.

  • India

    June 01, 2023

    Challenging and Interesting at the same time

    This was my first such a type of test, I felt the test to be thought provoking and challenging at the same time.

By using our website you agree with our Cookie Policy.

I agree