SHL Tests

Who are SHL?

SHL are a talent assessment provider with over 40 years experience. They are renowned within the recruitment industry and are highly regarded by most of the top graduate firms. In 2012, a global firm acquired them and since then (and up until 2018), they referred to their assessment tests as CEB tests. In 2018, they began to refer back to the original SHL title and so just be aware that both of these references can be used to refer to the same tests.

Whilst SHL do offer a handful of free tests on their website, the content of the assessments and your performance results are limited. Practice Aptitude Tests provide a comprehensive series of SHL practice test packages that include explained solutions and solving tips to help you improve.

Like most assessment providers, SHL’s tests range in difficulty and skill set. It is important that you understand which tests an employer has asked you to complete, so that you can select the right practice package for you. The type of test you will face will typically be related to the job in hand. Below are the different types of tests SHL have created.

SHL Aptitude Tests

Otherwise known as reasoning tests, these typically consist of Numerical reasoning, Verbal reasoning and Logical reasoning tests.

SHL Personality and Behavioural Tests

These types of tests are normally an addition to the recruitment process and help employers gain an insight into your character and temperament. They assess your core values and are useful in evaluating whether there is a synergy between a candidate and the company. It is, therefore, important that you understand the type of characteristics required in order to carry out the role you have applied for. For example, if you were applying for a sales focused role, it would be advisable to demonstrate confidence, assertiveness and ambition.

SHL have two types of tests that fall within this category, and these are outlined below:

1) A personality test comprised of questions that will ask you to choose statements that are most reflective of your personality. The test looks at 32 personality characteristics and will evaluate the most suitable one for you based on your answers.

2) A situational judgement test comprised of tasks that simulate duties to that of the role you are applying for. You will be expected to decide which action to take, from the options given, based on the situation that you are faced with.

3) A motivational questionnaire that will assess your behaviours, feelings, values and motivations that are relevant to the workplace.

4) An analytic test where you will be given a brief that you will be expected to carefully analyse. With the information provided, you will need to reach a logical conclusion and then present this back to the assessors. Sometimes, you may be asked to produce a report, specifying your recommendations and reasons behind reaching this conclusion.

As mentioned above, SHL also vary their tests according to difficulty, which is based on the level or position you are applying for. Below we have listed these below:

SHL Personnel Test Battery

These tests are typically used for administrative and clerical type roles. There are 12 different test types that fall under this category, and each of them will assess the following:

• Processing basic work correspondence

• Understanding written information

• Basic reasoning skills

• Straightforward calculation

• Proofreading

• Data checking

• Handling multiple sources of information and filing it correctly

Graduate and Managerial Tests

These tests can come in two formats: 1) Verify tests, which are completed online and typically sent via email by the employer. They are unsupervised but will typically be followed up with a shorter, supervised version at the assessment centre. They typically include a numerical and verbal reasoning test, with the addition of an inductive, deductive and spatial reasoning test. 2) Management and Graduate Item Bank tests, which are supervised and taken at an assessment centre. You can become familiar with these tests by selecting our graduate and managerial practice test packages. Each of them will show you clear solutions so that you can review your answers and learn from your previous mistakes.

Senior Managerial Tests

These tests are also split into two formats: 1) Verify tests, which are similar to what is presented in the Graduate and Managerial tests, but will be positioned at a higher level of difficulty. 2) Advanced managerial tests (AMT), which range from numerical and verbal analysis to numerical and verbal reasoning tests.

If you would like further help in improving your SHL test performance, then we recommend you sign-up to one of our practice packages listed at the top of this page.