What is an SHL aptitude test?
The SHL aptitude test is a type of psychometric assessment used by employers to measure a candidate's cognitive abilities, personality traits, and behavioral competencies. SHL stands for Saville and Holdsworth Ltd., the company that developed the test.
The SHL aptitude test is typically administered online and can consist of various types of tests, such as numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning, situational judgment tests, and personality assessments. These tests are designed to assess a candidate's ability to solve problems, understand written and verbal information, and make decisions.
The results of the SHL aptitude test can provide valuable insights into a candidate's strengths and weaknesses, helping employers to make informed hiring decisions. The test is often used as part of a wider selection process, along with interviews, references, and other assessments.
How is the SHL aptitude test formatted?
The SHL aptitude test can take different formats depending on the specific test or tests that an employer chooses to use. However, most of the tests are administered online and are multiple-choice. Here are some of the common formats:
- Numerical aptitude test
- Verbal reasoning aptitude test
- Inductive reasoning test
- Deductive reasoning test
- Situational judgment test
SHL numerical aptitude test
The SHL numerical aptitude test is a type of psychometric assessment designed to evaluate a candidate's ability to work with numerical information and solve problems using basic mathematical concepts. The test is commonly used by employers as part of their recruitment process to assess a candidate's suitability for roles that require numerical and analytical skills.
The test typically consists of multiple-choice questions and is timed. It requires candidates to analyze and interpret numerical information presented in tables, graphs, and charts, and use basic mathematical concepts such as percentages, ratios, fractions, and decimals to solve problems. The test may also assess a candidate's ability to identify trends and patterns in numerical data and to perform mental arithmetic quickly and accurately.
The results of the SHL numerical aptitude test provide employers with valuable insights into a candidate's numerical and analytical skills, helping them to make informed hiring decisions.
SHL verbal reasoning aptitude test
The SHL verbal reasoning aptitude test is a psychometric assessment designed to evaluate a candidate's ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written information. The test is commonly used by employers as part of their recruitment process to assess a candidate's suitability for roles that require strong verbal communication and comprehension skills.
The test typically consists of a passage of text followed by a series of statements, and candidates are required to determine whether the statements are true, false, or cannot say based on the information presented in the passage. The test may also assess a candidate's ability to draw logical conclusions from written information and to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information.
The results of the SHL verbal reasoning aptitude test provide employers with valuable insights into a candidate's verbal communication and comprehension skills, helping them to make informed hiring decisions.
SHL inductive reasoning test
The SHL inductive reasoning test is a psychometric assessment designed to evaluate a candidate's ability to identify patterns and relationships between different elements. The test is commonly used by employers as part of their recruitment process to assess a candidate's suitability for roles that require strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
The test typically consists of a series of shapes or diagrams, and candidates are required to determine the pattern or relationship between them. The test may also assess a candidate's ability to recognize underlying relationships and to make logical deductions based on those relationships. The results of the SHL inductive reasoning test provide employers with valuable insights into a candidate's problem-solving and critical thinking skills, helping them to make informed hiring decisions.
SHL deductive reasoning test
The SHL deductive reasoning test is a psychometric assessment designed to evaluate a candidate's ability to draw logical conclusions from a set of premises. The test is commonly used by employers as part of their recruitment process to assess a candidate's suitability for roles that require strong analytical and reasoning skills.
The test typically consists of a series of statements, and candidates are required to determine whether the statements are logically true or false based on a set of rules. The test may also assess a candidate's ability to identify and apply logical rules and to draw valid conclusions based on those rules.
The results of the SHL deductive reasoning test provide employers with valuable insights into a candidate's analytical and reasoning skills, helping them to make informed hiring decisions.
SHL situational judgment test
The SHL situational judgment test is a psychometric assessment designed to evaluate a candidate's ability to make decisions and solve problems in work-related situations. The test is commonly used by employers as part of their recruitment process to assess a candidate's suitability for roles that require strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
The test typically consists of a series of scenarios, and candidates are required to choose the most appropriate course of action based on the information provided. The scenarios may involve workplace situations such as dealing with conflicts, managing time, or communicating with colleagues or customers. The test may also assess a candidate's ability to prioritize tasks, work effectively in a team, and communicate effectively with others.
The results of the SHL situational judgment test provide employers with valuable insights into a candidate's decision-making and problem-solving skills, helping them to make informed hiring decisions.
Which law firms use SHL aptitude tests?
Many law firms use SHL aptitude tests as part of their recruitment process. Here are a few examples of law firms that have used SHL tests in the past: Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Linklaters and Hogan Lovells. It's worth noting that the use of SHL tests is not limited to these law firms, and many other law firms may also use these tests as part of their recruitment process.
What abilities are the SHL aptitude tests measuring?
The SHL aptitude tests are designed to measure various cognitive abilities, personality traits, and behavioral competencies. The specific abilities that the tests measure can vary depending on the type of test. Here are some examples of the abilities that different types of SHL tests measure:
- Numerical reasoning: a candidate's ability to work with numerical information, including their understanding of basic mathematical concepts, their ability to analyze data presented in tables or charts, and their ability to draw logical conclusions from numerical information.
- Verbal reasoning: a candidate's ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written information. It assesses their reading comprehension, their ability to draw logical conclusions from written information, and their ability to distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information.
- Inductive reasoning: a candidate's ability to identify patterns and relationships between different elements. It assesses their ability to recognize underlying relationships and make logical deductions based on those relationships.
- Deductive reasoning: a candidate's ability to draw logical conclusions from a set of premises. It assesses their ability to identify and apply logical rules and their ability to draw valid conclusions based on those rules.
- Situational judgment: a candidate's ability to make decisions and solve problems in work-related situations. It assesses their ability to prioritize tasks, their ability to work effectively in a team, and their ability to communicate effectively with others.
Top 5 Tips to Prepare for your SHL Aptitude Test
Preparing for an SHL aptitude test can help you feel more confident and perform better on the actual test. Here are five tips to help you prepare for your SHL aptitude test:
1. Familiarize yourself with the test format
The first step in preparing for an SHL aptitude test is to understand the test format. You can research the specific test you will be taking and practice sample questions online. This will help you get used to the types of questions and the format of the test.
2. Brush up on your skills
Depending on the type of test, you may need to brush up on specific skills such as math, reading comprehension, or critical thinking. Practice these skills using study materials or online resources. It's important to practice regularly and gradually increase the difficulty of the questions.
3. Manage your time
Many SHL aptitude tests are timed, so it's important to manage your time effectively. Practice answering questions quickly and accurately to improve your speed and accuracy. Remember to pace yourself and not spend too much time on any one question.
4. Get enough rest
It's important to get enough rest before the test to ensure you are alert and focused. Make sure to get a good night's sleep the night before the test and avoid staying up late cramming.
5. Stay calm and confident
It's normal to feel nervous before a test, but try to stay calm and confident. Take deep breaths, visualize success, and remember that preparation is key.
