SHL Verify G+ General Ability Test – Ultimate Study Guide with Practice Questions
As one of the most recognized test providers in the world, SHL has helped thousands of Forbes 500 companies recruit their newest talents. SHL constructs a delicate testing system with a fair grading mechanism to automatically filter out top candidates.
The SHL General Ability Test is the most used SHL test. It covers three aspects that determine a candidate’s suitability for the role. The results directly dictate your fate in the company. Find out everything you need to know about the SHL General Ability Test below.
Table of Contents
What Is the SHL G+ or SHL General Ability Test?
The SHL General Ability Test, also known as Verify G+, is conducted to assess your proficiency in three aspects:
It is the most popularly adopted aptitude test designed by SHL.
What Is the Format of the SHL General Ability Test?
Each section contains 8 to 10 questions to examine your proficiency in the topic. A maximum of 30 questions will be on the test. Basic concepts and application questions will be asked.
To pass the test, you will need to demonstrate strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The test is divided into two versions:
- The interactive version
- The non-interactive version
Interactive Version
In the interactive mobile version, candidates need to answer 24 questions in 36 minutes. The interactive method includes:
- Drag and drop of blocks
- Connecting the dots
- Rearranging images, etc.
The interactive version is also adaptive. It takes on the learning mode in which candidates will be administrated advanced questions if they keep successfully giving the correct answer. Conversely, the difficulty level will drop if the candidate fails to answer correctly.
The interactive version is endorsed by firms that need to further divide the candidates into groups. By administrating different questions based on the candidate’s ability, each candidate will be given a more accurate final score that separates them from others in the same group.
Non-interactive Version
The non-interactive version contains a maximum of 30 questions although the number of questions varies in each test. The time limit is also 36 minutes. There is no adaptive feature in the non-interactive mode. All questions are multiple choices. Candidates in the same batch will receive the same questions.
Whether the interactive feature or non-interactive feature will be given is entirely based on the company and the candidate’s ability to access the platform.
What Is Included in the SHL General Ability Test?
Numerical, inductive reasoning, and deductive skills are the core skills tested in the SHL General Ability Test. Different types of questions are designed to magnify the responsibility a candidate will face in the real workplace. Those who possess the relevant skills to solve the questions are likely to give a satisfactory performance on the job.
1. Numerical Reasoning
Your basic numerical understanding is tested with the aid of charts, tables, and figures. You need to calculate, extract, add, or utilize any other mathematical formulas that you know to arrive at the correct answer.
A typical numerical reasoning question will look like this, “Based on the following table, what is the profit margin for XYZ company in the third quarter of 2019?” “What is the ratio of tourists in the total number of visitors from May to June according to the Tourism Board?”
Candidates need to calculate with the numbers provided in the table or chart. The data points are mostly organized since the test does not aim to test your logical reasoning skills. Select from the source carefully. Sometimes, the table shows irrelevant columns to purposefully misguide you. Pay attention to the question word and choose from the correct cell.
The non-interactive version will only require you to choose the correct answer. In the interactive version, you will be asked to create a graph with the data given or drag to alter the graph to reflect the data accurately. You will also be asked to adjust the figures when a change happens. Read here to know more about SHL numerical reasoning test.
2. Inductive Reasoning
In the inductive reasoning section, the emphasis on graphical creation is highlighted. Most of the questions involve finding out the pattern and inferring the next. A series of graphs are presented. The candidate has to spot the pattern that connects them and hence, decide what will be the next graph in the display.
The inductive reasoning part is considerably engaging because instead of robotically extracting numbers, you are toying around with a bunch of images and can exercise your logical reasoning skills.
The series of graphs given follow various traits. Some of the patterns are based on mathematical features while some others are strictly visual. You may encounter graphs with no logical patterns available. For example, there are five different images with the 5th one being the same as the 1st one.
If you have tried logically breaking down the images to no avail, this can be a question where the answer is simply following the images. The 6th image is the 2nd image, so on and so forth.
Since there can be numerous “correct answers,” sometimes candidates will need to use the elimination method rather than the inductive method to come up with the best answer.
In the interactive version, candidates can freely explore the rules and patterns by playing around with the canvas. You can drag and replace shapes, lines, and colors to construct the answer.
3. Deductive Reasoning
The deductive reasoning section assesses your logical reasoning skills to see how you can comprehend order and communicate efficiently. You will be given a paragraph describing a situation. In the non-interactive version, you need to select the correct conditional answer with the limitations and hints according to the passage.
The passage will include a few conditions that steer your logical reasoning direction. For example, there can be questions about the relationships among the characters listed according to their interactions and the titles they call each other.
Common questions will be similar to this but with more conditions applied, “Maggie only goes on holiday if Jake goes, and Jake only goes if Linda does not go, who will join Linda on this weekend trip?”
Conditions are often contradictory. Candidates need to exercise judgment and draw up a table to better analyze the conditions. Find the answer that best matches the situation.
In the interactive version, you will be asked to drag and drop the corresponding blocks to indicate the ranking of the items. With reference to the information, arrange the correct order of things.
How to Prepare for the SHL General Ability Test?
1. Practice the SHL General Ability Test
There is no alternative to practicing the SHL General Ability Test. It is guaranteed to be the quickest way to get yourself familiarized with the structure, content, and answering techniques. Not only will you feel the confidence boost, but it will also take your score up a notch with consistent practicing and studying.
We highly recommend using the online study resource Job Test Prep, where you will find dozens of practice sets for each test. You will also get customized study guides that break down the proper way to tackle each question type and format.
All students are satisfied with the materials and have given superb reviews to this full comprehensive practice set. The tests and study guides are prepared by experts that have worked with the SHL tests for years.
2. Formulate a Study Plan for the SHL G+
Instead of aimlessly studying a new topic each day, formulate a functioning study plan so you can better allocate your time. Group similar topics together so you can use the concepts interchangeably. Know your strengths when you create your study plan. If your mind is always the freshest with numbers in the morning, pack your numerical reasoning practices during the daytime.
Sticking to your study plan is essential. A demanding study plan will drain your energy because it is not achievable. Find a balance in between. Do not cramp all the studying at once the night before the test. Scatter the topics across your calendar so your mind and body can also rest and recover.
3. Research the Role that You Are Applying for
The existence of the SHL General Ability Test and other pre-employment tests is to eliminate candidates that blindly apply for jobs without looking at their suitability and capability. You will not excel at a job that you are not fit for.
Take a good look at your resume and match it with the skills required for the position. Make sure you have what it takes to perform well. Some companies may integrate roles into one. So, being an accountant also means you have to deal with some office administration work. Never skip a line when applying for jobs.
If you think the invitation to the test does not align what the job nature that you applied for, take a look at your application again to see if you have misread something. Only attend the test if you are truly capable at the job.
4. Time Management
Time management is another factor that will determine your candidacy. 36 minutes is not a lot of time with all the questions you have to answer. Time yourself when you start the test. Once you are stuck with a question, you need to decide if you should give it more attempts or move on. Whatever you do, never go over the allotted time limit.
Divide your time among the questions equally. You should always go through each question at least once so you have time to attempt all of them. Then, when you have done the ones that you are more certain about, you can go back to the difficult ones.
Only when you have completed the ones that you are confident in should you attempt the rest. It is fine to move on. It is better to focus on sections that you are the best at.
5. Understand What Is Expected of You
Each section has a purpose. You need to understand what is expected of you before you can give the correct answer. In the deductive reasoning section, based on various conditions, you can either arrive at the correct answer by aligning the conditions or eliminating the impossible answers.
Sometimes, there may not be a clear answer that explains the logical link. That means you just need to eliminate all the wrong answers, whichever remains will be the right answer. Do not get fixated on following one method. There are multiple ways to derive the answer. That is why the test is brilliantly designed. It detects your problem-solving skills and how resourceful you are.
Most importantly, candidates need to remember that the test was designed with real data collected from actual workplaces and offices. Hence, a huge portion of the test will require you to think like an office staff. When you can put yourself in their shoes, the answer will surface.
6. Do Not Hesitate to Contact the Company if You Did Not Hear Back After a While
Companies will usually inform you when to expect to hear a reply. If you haven’t heard back after the said date, it is smart to contact them to see. You do not have anything to lose from doing so.
Even if you did not pass, it is still good to know. If the company does not specify the date, emailing them about a month after the test would be reasonable. That is when you should expect to hear a decision.
Do not feel ashamed to contact companies and ask about your status. This move can land you a job and leave a good impression.
Who Uses the SHL General Ability Test?
SHL mostly serves international companies that require a bulk testing platform to reduce the manpower invested in the hiring stage. The results and performance reports are generated automatically and delivered to the employers.
Each candidate gets a report slip that indicates their performance level. Companies can automate this pre-employment testing stage and send the passing candidates through to the next round.
The SHL General Ability Test is useful in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of a candidate, thus estimating how likely they will perform their tasks well at work. It is widely used by various departments as an entry test at the beginning of the elimination process.
After a candidate has passed the SHL General Ability Test, they will be invited to the next round of the pre-employment tests. The next stage can be physical interviews or further assessments to see the consistency in the candidate’s performance.
The tests that follow can be manually monitored so the interviewers can decide if your ability matches the description. All in all, the SHL General Ability Test is the crucial step candidates have to take to open the door for opportunities to present themselves in person with the HR managers and corresponding officers.
Is the SHL General Ability Test Difficult?
The SHL General Ability Test is a prestigious assessment system developed by occupational psychologists and data derived from real workplaces. Every question has a specific aim that delves into the candidate’s psyche.
In general, the test revolves around skills that are required to succeed in the role. The test is designed to be challenging but not difficult. Candidates need to exercise their problem-solving skills to arrive at the most reasonable answer either through logical assumption or the process of elimination.
However, candidates should not find the SHL General Ability Test not achievable. The challenging nature aims to separate the elites from the rest of the applicants. Every question is solvable with more practice and study.
Some questions are tricky because they deliberately try to mislead you to test your attention to detail and logical reasoning skills. Each question mimics a scenario that you will face in daily operations and how you will tackle undesirable situations. It is a brilliant way for candidates to see what they will face in this role.
If you have allocated a fair amount of time to the SHL General Ability Test, you will be able to handle it with ease. But you should not overlook the importance of dissecting the test because you will not be able to answer accordingly otherwise.
The average score on the SHL tests is around 80%. Since it uses the bell curve grading system, your results are directly compared to other candidates. It judges candidates fairly in case the test is unintentionally too easy or too difficult. Therefore, the result is only valid if you take the benchmark and general performance results into account.
What Is SHL?
SHL (Saville and Holdsworth Limited) is a British company founded in 1977 by Peter Saville and Roger Holdsworth. Dedicated to serving companies in their search for the right recruits, SHL has been providing quality assessments to examine candidates’ quality.
Specializing in creating assessment schemes for graduate recruitment, the majority of SHL’s clientele is international corporations that outsource part of the initial hiring process to uphold the fairest and unbiased results.
Over the years, over 10,000 companies around the world have adopted the SHL testing method in their pre-employment tests. SHL has a meticulous flow in constructing the right test tailor-made for each company upon request.
Summary
If you have been invited to take the SHL General Ability Test, congratulations. That is the first step towards your dream job. Dealing with the SHL General Ability Test does not have to be dreadful. Follow everything listed here and get your practice set from Job Test Prep, and you will be able to finish the test with plenty of time left!
Recommended Reading
- How to Pass Verbal Reasoning Test?
- SHL Verbal Reasoning Test
- IBM Kenexa vs SHL Test – What’s The Difference?
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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.
