SHL Checking Test: Overview And Preparation Guide

If you are applying for a job at large companies, it is possible that you will take the SHL test. The SHL Test is produced by Saville and Holdsworth Limited, a publisher of psychometric testing.

The SHL Test has many test types and formats. One of them is the SHL Checking Test, an assessment tool used by employers in more than 150 countries. If you have questions about what the checking test is about and how to pass it, then this article is for you.

Read on to discover all you need to know about the SHL Checking Test.

What Is The SHL Checking Test?

The SHL Checking Test, commonly referred to as the SHL Error Checking Test, is specifically designed to assess the candidate’s ability to spot errors and check data accurately. Job candidates who are looking to fill entry-level positions are often required to complete this SHL Checking Test.

Which Companies Use SHL Testing?

 

There are thousands and thousands of companies in various industries that use tests published by SHL. Some of these organizations are part of the FTSE and Fortune Global 500. As such, if you want to obtain a really good job, you need to properly prepare for the SHL Test.

Here are some companies that use SHL Tests for their hiring process:

• Amazon
• Danone
• Microsoft
• BAE Systems
• Bayer
• Heineken
• Credit Suisse

The Purpose Of The SHL Checking Test

The SHL Checking Test is an error and data-checking test. It is a tool that is commonly used by many employers in various industries to make their recruitment process easier. The test is designed to help them narrow down the potential pool of job candidates.

The results of the SHL tests allow employers to see which applicants have the highest skill level and who would be the best fit for the job that the employer is looking to fill.

Error checking allows employers to make sure that the candidates that they are hiring possess can do the following:

• Maintain records accurately.
• Identify spam or scam emails, which usually feature email addresses that are very similar to the email addresses of real businesses.
• Make sure that numbers are written properly to ensure that companies do not suffer financial losses.
• Price items properly.

If you are applying for a position in which a great deal of attention to detail is a part of the job description, then there’s a good chance that you will be required to complete an error-checking test.

The following are just some of the positions in which applicants are required to complete error-checking tests:

• Administrative assistants
• Retail workers
• Copywriters
• Marketing professionals
• Hospitality workers (restaurants, hotels, etc.)
• Educators
• Customer service representatives

While there are several companies that create and publish error-checking tests, Saville and Holdsworth are the most commonly used across the world.

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The Format Of The SHL Checking Test

The SHL Checking Test is comprised of a total of 25 questions and is divided into five separate sections, with each section containing five questions. Job candidates are given a total of five minutes to complete all 25 questions across all five sections. Each question has a time limit of around 5 to 8 seconds.

All of the questions that are provided on the SHL Checking Test feature a sequence of alphabet characters or numerical characters. The task of the job candidates is to find from the list of options the sequence of characters that matches exactly what is given.

As test takers progress throughout the SHL Checking Test, the amount of time that is allotted to complete each question is shortened.

As such, in the first section of the Checking Test, test takers will have a total of 8 seconds to answer the questions, and by the time they reach the final section of the Checking Test, they will have a total of 5 seconds to answer the questions that are provided.

Sample SHL Checking Test Questions

Error-checking test questions are not necessarily hard, per se, in that they do not require complex language or mathematical skills. The questions usually involve assessing a set of data and selecting the correct answer that matches the data set provided from a collection of several answers.

What makes the SHL Checking Test challenging is that the questions have to be completed within a certain window of time and that window of time is very narrow, and it gets shorter and shorter as the test progresses.

Trying to assess sequences of many numbers and letters quickly can be dizzying and even overwhelming. For instance, you might be given a number, such as 8527986. Across from that number, you will be provided with a collection of five different sets of numbers, and all of them feature the same exact numbers as the given number, and only one is transposed correctly. Imagine doing this multiple times with a very short time limit.

As you are taking the test, a timer is displayed that counts down the amount of time remaining to choose the correct answer, which further adds to the intensity and challenge of taking an error-checking test.

Here are sample questions that you will find in practice tests and the actual exam. Remember: in each item, you need to choose the option that is the exact copy of the given.

Sample Question 1:

WZQXVYRU

A. WZQXVYRU

B. RUQYVXZW

C. XZVYQWRU

D. WUQYRZVX

E. WZYVXURQ

Answer: A. WZQXVYRU

Sample Question 2:

G3J8R5W1Q7

A. G8J3R5W1Q7

B. G38J5RW1Q7

C. G3J8R1W5Q7

D. G5J3R8W7Q1

E. G3J8R5W1Q7

Answer: E: G3J8R5W1Q7

How to Prepare for the SHL Checking Test

To increase your chances of passing an error-checking test and proceeding to the next phase of the hiring process, practicing is highly recommended.

Preparing for these tests is a lot easier than it sounds, especially if you are a detail-oriented individual. This means you already have a keen eye and can quickly spot errors, which gives you an advantage. However, this does not mean you don’t have to prepare anymore. Regardless if you are detail-oriented or not, you need to practice. Remember, you will be competing with other candidates. So, practice is truly key.

There are several online resources that you can use in order to prepare. For example, Job Test Prep provides premium prep packs that contain practice tests and guides to help you prepare for aptitude tests. Of course, you can find other online resources on the Internet. Keep in mind, however, that free practice tests do not offer the same breadth and accuracy as premium ones. But, they’re still worth answering and are helpful for study sessions.

It is also important to keep in mind that the SHL Checking Test is a timed test. So, whenever you answer practice tests, time yourself. You will become accustomed to the time limit and will not feel so nervous during the real test. As such, you will be able to navigate the test conditions much better.

When taking the test, make sure that you read all of the directions that are provided. Take your time reading the instructions so that you know exactly what you are supposed to do. Don’t get frazzled and trip up when the test – and the timer – starts. Also, make sure that you keep a cool, level head so that you can avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Other tips that you can use to prepare for the SHL Checking Test include:

• Practice taking a real checking test. Preparing for the SHL Checking Test by taking practice SHL Checking Tests is highly encouraged. Doing so will allow you to become more familiar and comfortable with the exam.
• Practice, practice, and practice some more. We can’t stress this enough: practice, practice, practice! The more you practice, the more you will increase your speed and your accuracy.
• Assess your results. After each practice test, be sure to assess the results. Doing so will allow you to see what mistakes you made and see where you’re struggling so that you can improve on those mistakes and reduce your struggles.

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How to Pass the SHL Checking Assessment Test

In addition to taking timed practice checking test exams, there are several other things that you can do in order to increase your rate of success – and improve your chances of landing the job that you applied for.

The following are just some of the tips that you can apply to help boost your chances of success:

• Remember: There’s only one right answer. It’s important to remember that when it comes to the SHL Error Checking test, there is only one correct answer. It’s also important to remember that the options that you are provided to choose from are purposely made to be confusing. For example, the numbers in all five options that you are provided to select from may all be the same as the numbers that the initial number you are supposed to choose a match for. The only difference is the digits in the other four options may be slightly transposed. Keep this in mind, and don’t let the fact that several answers might look like the right one confuse or frustrate you.
• When in doubt, guess. While you might be the kind of person who would rather skip a question completely than run the risk of choosing a wrong answer, avoid the temptation to skip items. When it comes to the SHL Checking Test, you are far better off guessing than not putting an answer at all. When your time runs out for each question, the test will automatically move you to the next question. Since correct answers are used to calculate your score, any answer that you provide is definitely better than no answer at all. With that said, always take a stab at it.
• Be efficient. While making sure that you haven’t made any mistakes is important, it’s also important to remember that you should not linger on a question for too long, as doing so can prove to be a fatal mistake. If you linger on a question for too long, you may not be able to complete the test, and not completing the test is worse than getting the wrong answer, as it can seriously reduce your chances of moving to the next level of the hiring process.
• Have no regrets. Once you select an answer, as stated, the Checking Test will automatically move you to the next question. There is no option to go back and change your answer once you have selected it. Don’t let that frustrate you, either. Once you have made your selection, that’s it. Don’t dwell on or regret your choice, and simply move on.

Final Thoughts

The SHL Error Checking Test is one of the most commonly used error and data-checking tests in the world. Many employers use the SHL Error Checking Test as a requirement during the hiring process when they are looking to fill entry-level positions.

Usually, this test is used to screen candidates for positions that require one to quickly and accurately assess sets of data, numbers, and letters. So, if you are applying for a position in data entry or as an administrative, your prospective employer may require you to take an SHL Error Checking Test.

It is important to remember that you should not be overwhelmed or nervous. Always remember that these tests are purposely designed to confuse, as accurately identifying the correct information in the shortest amount of time possible is the objective of the exam.

By taking as many practice error-checking tests as possible prior to your actual exam, you will familiarize yourself with the SHL type questions, improve your speed and accuracy, reduce your anxiety, and increase your chances of success.

Recommended Reading:

• SHL Numerical Test: 5 Essential Tips for Guaranteed Success
• SHL Verbal Reasoning Test – Ultimate Guide With Practice Questions
• SHL Inductive Reasoning Test – A Definitive Guide With Practice Questions
• How to Prepare for SHL Calculation Test? – Study Guide & Practice Questions
• How to Prepare for SHL Situational Judgement Test (SJT)?
• How to Prepare for SHL Mechanical Comprehension Test?