Prepare for SHL's Situational Judgement Tests - Graduate and Management Scenarios
Situational Judgment test (SJT), also known as SHL Scenarios Test, is a psychological assessment tool that evaluates behaviour and soft skills by presenting workplace situations. The test is used as part of the hiring process of job candidates applying for managerial and supervisory positions and often serves companies and organizations such as civil services, government offices, law firms, and banks like HSBC and Deutsche bank.
There are two test versions – SHL Graduate Situational Judgement Test and SHL Managerial Situational Judgment Test. The Graduate SJT contains 10 workplace scenarios followed by 4-7 responses to be rated by their desirability; an overall of 70 questions to be answered in an average time of 25 minutes. The Managerial SJT contains 14 workplace scenarios followed by 5-9 responses to be rated by their desirability; an overall of 100 questions to be answered in an average time of 40 minutes.
Although the response to the scenarios should be authentic and spontaneous, these tests often block people from gaining employment because of the misconception that since you will be faced with real-life scenarios, you cannot prepare for these tests. However, to receive high-score, it is essential to be acquainted with the test and the questions you will answer.
You will not always know in advance which version of the test you will be asked to take, the Graduate SJT or the Managerial SJT.
The following guide will show you what to expect on your real-time SHL Situational Judgment test and provide you with the tools you need to prepare effectively for its unique challenges.
SHL Situational Judgment Test
- 8 Management SJT’s (lower and middle management levels, not executive)
- 6 Graduate SJT’s
- 3 Administrative SJT’s
- 3 Customer Service SJT’s
- 4 Study Guides
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What Is the SHL Situational Judgment Test?
The SHL SJT has two versions – Graduates and Managerial.
Though different in length, both Graduate and Management SHL Situational Judgment tests contain various workplace-based scenarios and a number of responses.
You will be asked to rate the effectiveness of each of the responses on a 5-level scale ranging from highly undesirable to highly desirable.
- SHL Graduate Situational Judgement Test – you will be presented with 10 workplace scenarios; for each, you will need to rate 4-7 responses; 70 questions overall. There is no time limit for the test, but you will be expected to complete it within 25 minutes.
The Graduate SJT is usually given to candidates applying for entry-level and junior management positions, so the focus of the scenarios can be on establishing your management skills, such as decision-making, the delegation of powers, planning, and organization, and critical reasoning. - SHL Managerial Situational Judgment Test – you will be presented with 14 workplace scenarios; for each, you will need to rate 5-9 responses; 100 questions overall. There is no time limit for the test, but you will be expected to complete it within 40 minutes.
The Managerial SJT is usually given to candidates with management experience, so the focus of the scenarios can be on recognizing your management style in situations like negotiating, people management, and disputes between co-workers or clients.
Below we provide two sample questions, one for SJT Graduate and one for SJT Management.
SHL Situational Judgment Sample Questions and Answers
SJT Graduate
You've been working in the same place for the past three years and have managed to work your way up. Lately, you have been feeling you have reached your potential in the company, so you pursue options for advancing your career in other companies. You are now in negotiations for a new position.
Rumours are, you are leaving have spread in your workplace.
Response #1: Since the rumour is out, confirm your intention to anyone who asks if you are in the midst of negotiations for a new position.
Response #2: Because the rumour is out, you update your manager and only him about your intention to leave. Since you are still an employee there, you keep working normally.
Response #3: Since the rumour is out, and you will probably leave, you invest a little less in your work and more in attaining the new position.
Response #4: Since it is only a rumour, you update no one until you hand in your notice. Nothing has been decided yet.
Response #5: Inform your manager about your intentions to leave but deny this to anyone else who asks, as your resignation has not been confirmed yet.
SJT Management
You have been appointed manager of a customer service department in a large bank. You have been told by your superiors that the last manager of this department was laid off due to a sharp decrease in customer satisfaction. There was also a decline in employee discipline in the department. Nevertheless, no one knows what caused the problem. You know that you were brought in to change these irregularities.
What would you do in this situation?
Rate how effective you think each action would be. Each rating can be used more than once (Index: 1= Very Effective; 2= Somewhat Effective; 3= neither effective nor Ineffective; 4=Somewhat Ineffective; 5= Very ineffective)
Response #1: First, speak to your employees and tell them that changes are about to be made. Then, investigate working methods and personnel issues in the department until you reach the root of the problem.
Response #2: Assemble your new employees and make immediate changes that may increase customer satisfaction. You want your employees to understand that you intend to make modifications and, if needed, make additional changes later.
Response #3: Assemble your employees and ask them what they think caused the decrease in customer satisfaction and the department's discipline. Make changes once you feel you know something about the causes of the problems.
Response #4: Find out who the disobedient employees are and replace them, in the hope this will solve both problems.
Response #5: Assemble your new employees and tell them that you want the department to be the best customer service department in the bank a year from now.
How to Prepare for Your SHL SJT?
- Get ready for the real SHL Situational Judgement Tests with test guides covering all the information and fine details you need to know before taking the test.
- Get familiar with the test's style and questions with a PrepPack that prepares you specifically for the test, with 6 Graduate practice tests and 8 Management practice tests.
- Maximize your readiness with varied question styles that will familiarize you with the SJT’s methods and techniques.
- Review your management skills with detailed results and a complete explanation of every question, you can see your current management strengths and what can be improved.
SHL Situational Judgment Test Tips
- Know your role: Read as much as possible about the company, the nature of the job, and its responsibilities. Your responses on the actual test can be different if you apply to a marketing firm, where the focus may be on negotiating skills, and if you apply to a finance firm, where the focus may be on problem-solving.
- "Should" instead of "Would": The scenarios prompt spontaneous responses. However, your genuine response is not always the best one. Take a moment and think not "what would you do" but rather "what should you do."
- Be attentive: Incorrect answers can lead to a negative score. Pay careful attention to the scenarios and each of their responses before placing your rating.
- Be active: Doing nothing is rarely the right choice. Always take action, look out and avoid passive responses.
- Don't be afraid of the edges: You are encouraged to use the full range of the rating scale – from highly undesirable up to highly desirable.
- Consider SHL’s Personality Profiling Test: Oftentimes, candidates taking the SHL SJT will also be requested to take SHL’s personality questionnaire, the OPQ32 Test. Not only this test will be considered as a part of their score, but it will also be used to “cross-reference” their SJT test answers and find any mismatch between their personality profile and reported behaviors. If you have indeed received both assessments, make sure you prepare for them both.
With JobTestPrep's PrepPack, you will be acquainted with the Situational judgment test format and questioning, including the styles and concepts seen on SHL assessments, and gain a better understanding of the management skills and competencies organizations are looking for in their employees. The PrepPack also provides preparation for the Administrative SJT and the Customer Service/Sales SJT.