Who Are SHL? How to Prepare for SHL Online Assessments?

SHL, or Saville and Holdsworth Limited, is a global leader in talent innovation, offering a wide range of assessment and development solutions. Established in 1977 by Peter Saville and Roger Holdsworth, SHL has grown to become one of the most respected names in the field of psychometric testing and talent measurement. Their products and services are designed to help organisations make informed decisions about hiring, developing, and managing their workforce.

 

What Types of Tests Does SHL Provide?

SHL provides a variety of psychometric tests designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's abilities, personality traits, and competencies. These tests are commonly used in recruitment, employee development, and talent management. Here are the main types of tests that SHL offers:

1️⃣ Cognitive Ability Tests

These tests assess a candidate's reasoning and problem-solving abilities. They are typically used to predict job performance and cognitive potential and are widely used by major employers for their internship and graduate programmes. SHL Cognitive Ability Tests often include Numerical Reasoning Tests, Verbal Reasoning Tests, Logical (Inductive) Reasoning Tests and Deductive Reasoning Tests.

2️⃣ Personality and Behavioural Assessments

These assessments are used to understand a candidate's personality traits, work preferences, and behavioural tendencies. SHL Personality and Behavioural Assessments include Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ and Motivational Questionnaires.

3️⃣ Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs)

These tests present candidates with hypothetical, job-related situations and ask them to choose the best course of action from a set of options. SJTs assess decision-making skills, problem-solving abilities, and judgement in a work context.

SHL also offer other tests, such as skills tests and management and leadership assessments.

 

Which Companies Use SHL as a Test Provider?

Many graduate employers across various industries use SHL as their test provider due to the comprehensive and reliable nature of SHL assessments. These employers rely on SHL tests to evaluate candidates' cognitive abilities, personality traits, and job-related skills. Here are some prominent graduate employers that are known to use SHL assessments:

Certainly! Here is the complete list of companies in alphabetical order:

Airbus

AstraZeneca

BAE Systems

Barclays

BT (British Telecom)

Capgemini

Civil Service Fast Stream

Deloitte

E.ON

EDF Energy

Fujitsu

General Electric (GE)

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)

HM Treasury

Jaguar Land Rover

Johnson & Johnson

L'Oréal

Ministry of Defence

National Grid

NatWest

Nestlé

Novartis

Pfizer

Procter & Gamble (P&G)

PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers)

Rolls-Royce

Roche

Schlumberger

Shell

Siemens

Standard Chartered

Tesco

Unilever

Vodafone

These employers leverage SHL assessments to streamline their recruitment processes, ensuring they identify the best candidates for their graduate programmes. Preparing for SHL assessments can give candidates a significant advantage when applying to these organisations.

 

How to Prepare for SHL Assessments

Preparing for SHL assessments requires a strategic approach, as these tests are designed to evaluate a range of competencies and abilities. Here are some key steps to help you prepare effectively:

✅ Understand the Test Format

👉🏻 Research the Specific Test: SHL offers various assessments, including numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, logical reasoning, and personality tests. Familiarise yourself with the type of test you will be taking by reviewing sample questions and understanding the format.

👉🏻 Time Management: Most SHL assessments are timed, so practising under timed conditions is crucial. This helps you get accustomed to the pressure and improves your time management skills.

👉🏻 Practice Regularly: Regular practice is key to improving your performance. Set aside dedicated time each day to work on practice questions and review your answers. Learn and Pass provides a realistic

✅ Develop Relevant Skills

👉🏻 Numerical Reasoning: Brush up on basic mathematical concepts, such as percentages, ratios, and data interpretation. Practice solving problems quickly and accurately.

👉🏻 Verbal Reasoning: Enhance your reading comprehension skills by reading articles, reports, and other complex texts. Practice summarising information and drawing logical conclusions.

👉🏻 Logical Reasoning: Engage in activities that challenge your logical thinking, such as puzzles, brainteasers, and pattern recognition exercises.

✅ Prepare for Personality Assessments

👉🏻 Self-Reflection: Understand your own personality traits and how they align with the job requirements. Be honest and consistent in your responses during the test.

👉🏻 Understand the Job Role: Consider the key competencies and traits required for the role you are applying for. Highlight these traits in your responses, but remain truthful to your own characteristics.

✅ On the Day of the Test

👉🏻 Rest Well: Ensure you get a good night's sleep before the test day. Being well-rested will help you stay focused and perform better.

👉🏻 Stay Calm and Focused: During the test, stay calm and maintain your concentration. Read each question carefully and avoid spending too much time on any single question.

👉🏻 Manage Your Time: Keep an eye on the time and pace yourself to ensure you complete all the questions. If you get stuck on a question, move on and come back to it if time permits.

 

Conclusion

SHL assessments are a crucial part of the hiring and development processes for many organisations. By understanding the format of these assessments and preparing strategically, you can enhance your chances of performing well. Regular practice, developing relevant skills, and staying calm and focused on the test day are essential steps to success.