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.
SHL Style Verbal Reasoning Tests
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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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
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
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
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 could prepare for specific companies and industries. It’s been an invaluable resource.Sean used Practice Aptitude Tests to prepare for his upcoming job applications. 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.
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
Try SHL Style Verbal Reasoning Tests for Free
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Free
Verbal Reasoning 01
20 Questions|20 Minutes
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Verbal Reasoning 02
20 Questions|20 Minutes
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Verbal Reasoning 03
20 Questions|20 Minutes
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Reviews of our Verbal Reasoning tests
What our customers say about our Verbal Reasoning tests
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takondwa makwakwa
Malawi
March 26, 2023
I found it easy to understand and follow
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Rey Christian Cinco Gomomit
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
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LAURA AMADI
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
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Belinda Williams
Australia
March 19, 2023
Got the brain ticking!
The passages and accompanying questions really got the clogs turning. Great practice for my upcoming test.
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Dr. Buyema
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
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Begum Uysal
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.
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Roselle Bustamante
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.
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Sultan Julian
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.
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Subalakshmi Sarvani
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
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William Chamberlain
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.