SHL Numerical Test: 5 Essential Tips for Guaranteed Success
Are you faced with taking the SHL Numerical Test? Worried about what you might encounter, how hard it will be to pass, and how to prepare? Then, you are in luck. We have prepared a comprehensive guide with expert tips for you to ace the SHL Test.
With employers getting large numbers of applications for advertised positions, pre-employment testing has become one of the ways to work through the list of applicants to select people to be interviewed.
The SHL Numerical Reasoning Test is a widely used test to select applicants who may be more suited to a role at the company than others although a more general OPQ test is often used, as well.
All applicants pass through the same impartial selection process, so to land the job you need to make sure you score highly and stand out to the employer. While this is daunting, preparing well will help you face the exam with confidence and get the highest score possible.
Soon that job could be yours!
Table of Contents
What Is the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test?
The SHL Numerical Reasoning test is one of the top aptitude tests used by many companies in various industries, but most especially in the banking and finance industries. The SHL test assesses the mathematical ability of potential candidates in the hiring process.
The test will assess how quickly and accurately you can do data analysis and data interpretation. People doing the test can expect to be asked to perform calculations, read graphs, and deal with word problems within the prescribed time limits.
What Companies Use the SHL Numerical Test?
Thousands of companies use SHL tests. In fact, 80% of the Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 (FTSE 100) work with SHL tests as well as 50% of Fortune 500 companies worldwide. Some of the companies include:
- Amazon
- Crédit Suisse
- Microsoft
- Heineken
How Many Questions Are in the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test?
There are two versions of the SHL Numerical Reasoning tests: the interactive and the non-interactive. These can have around 10-30 questions.
How Long Does the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test Take?
- SHL Verify Interactive – Numerical Reasoning. This version consists of 10 questions that you need to answer in within 18 minutes. It is the newest and most frequently used SHL numerical reasoning test. It is designed to be taken on a smartphone.
- SHL Verify Numerical Reasoning Test (Multiple Choice). In this version, you will be presented with 18 questions to be answered within 25 minutes. It follows a traditional multiple-choice format. Unlike the interactive version, you take this using your computer.
Is the SHL Numerical Test Difficult?
The SHL Numerical Test is regarded as one of the most difficult pre-employment tests. However, you will be surprised that you will be required to just solve realistic numerical problems in this SHL test. This means that you do not necessarily need advanced math knowledge to pass it. However, since the test is usually used by employers in the banking and finance industries, they give high importance to the data handling and analysis skills of the candidates. Naturally, the numerical test will focus on these skills and find the best candidates. This way, companies can properly assess the ability of candidates to work with numbers and deal with maths problems that they will encounter in their workplace.
The SHL Numerical Test may test you in ratios, percentages, and statistical analysis, especially if you are gunning for a managerial position. However, problems that require basic arithmetic operations are expected for those who are applying for entry-level positions.
To find out more about the test, we recommend you take a practice test at Job Test Prep. Here you can take accurate practice tests that are made by experts.
What Is the Pass Mark for the SHL Numerical Test?
While there is no specific pass mark, the higher you score the better. The highest-scoring candidates usually make it through the test and get the job positions they want. If you can score in the top 20% of candidates, you should pass the test.
How to Prepare for the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test?
The SHL Test is challenging, especially when considering the time limit. That means preparing well for the test is imperative if you want to score highly and pass. Make sure to practice solving problems quickly.
In your preparation, you need to ensure that you become familiar with the test, the type of questions asked, and what information the test is looking for. For this, we highly recommend the guidance and tailored resources at Job Test Prep. The site offers free practice tests as well as premium prep packs that will help you ace whatever test you need to take.
The paid prep packs come with guides, practice tests, and tips. These will also be tailored to the version of the test you are taking. Equipped with accurate information and a test prep pack you are ready to begin your preparation. Additionally, it will provide sample questions, the right answer, and a detailed explanation for all so that you will know why one option is the correct answer and the others are the wrong answers.
Get Organised
All good campaigns need to be organised and none more so than the challenge of facing a test when you are no longer in school.
Take the following steps to get your campaign underway:
- Decide where you are going to do your preparation. Find a quiet spot free from distractions to help you study in peace.
- Decide how long you have to prepare. Exclude the day before the test when you make a schedule. You will need that day to review a question or two and get ready to face the test with a clear head.
- Draw up a timetable. Making sure that you actually do proper preparation every day to maintain the flow of the work is essential. Establish a timetable and put it up where you can see it and stick to it.
Use Your Sample Papers
Your sample papers are going to become your friends for the days you are preparing for the test. Use them in every preparation session to lend structure to your work.
Using them like this you will:
- Become familiar with the exam and the style of questioning
- Be able to monitor your progress from test to test
- Become familiar with the time constraints you will be working under in the real test
- Gradually be able to adjust your own answering to the time limit
Keep in mind that your work will be assessed in relation to other applicants’ work. It is not enough to merely do the test. After all, competition for jobs at this level is intense. You need to shine above other applicants to get to the next stage of the recruitment process.
Can You Cheat on the SHL Numerical Test?
It would be very difficult to cheat on the SHL Numerical Test as there is no way of knowing the questions beforehand. The best thing you can do is take simulation practice exams, so you are familiar with the types of questions that will come up. Of course, YOU MUST NOT CHEAT in any kind of exam. Do the proper work necessary and believe in yourself.
Points to Remember
As you are working on your sample tests there are important points to bear in mind.
- Become familiar with all the functions of your calculator. You will be using it at speed on the day of the test.
- Read the in-depth explanation for each question in your test prep pack. They will ease you into understanding how to deal with the questions.
- Discover your strengths and weaknesses. You will do better on some types of questions than others. Pay particular attention to the ones that bring down your scores. They will need more practice.
- Lack of confidence is the enemy of good test performance. Practice until you can face all or even most questions without fear of making mistakes.
- As your confidence in your own ability grows you will notice your scores improving. When the real test comes round you will have the confidence to put in a good performance.
Sarah is an accomplished educator, researcher and author in the field of testing and assessment. She has worked with various educational institutions and organisations to develop innovative evaluation methods and enhance student learning. Sarah has published numerous articles and books on assessment and learning. Her passion for promoting equity and fairness in the education system fuels her commitment to sharing insights and best practices with educators and policymakers around the world.
