Online test
SHL Tests for US Applicants: Formats, Timing and Who Uses Them
SHL makes many of the online tests US applicants get after they apply, from timed ability tests to untimed work-style questionnaires. For summer 2028, the US firms we cover that send an SHL assessment are EY, PwC, BCG, Barclays and Perella Weinberg. Here is what each SHL format looks like, how long it takes, and what those firms' versions involve.
In short
SHL is a test publisher whose assessments run on its TalentCentral platform. Its ability tests include Verify G+ (30 multiple-choice questions on numerical, deductive and inductive reasoning in 36 minutes, per SHL's 2022 fact sheet) and Verify Interactive (drag-and-drop numerical and inductive tests of 10 and 15 questions, 18 minutes each). It also makes situational judgment tests and personality questionnaires. US firms use different SHL products: EY and PwC send untimed work-style questionnaires of about 15 to 20 minutes, while BCG's Consulting Career Assessment is a 30 to 35 minute SHL test with behavioral questions and a logic portion.
The basics
What it is
SHL is one of the largest assessment publishers, and its candidate tests run on its TalentCentral platform. The same company makes very different things: timed ability tests with right and wrong answers, situational judgment tests where you rate responses to a workplace scenario, and personality questionnaires where there are no right answers. Which one you get depends entirely on what the firm has licensed.
Its ability tests come in two styles. Classic Verify tests, such as Verify G+ and Verify Deductive Reasoning, are multiple choice and adaptive, so the difficulty adjusts to your answers. Verify Interactive tests use drag-and-drop tasks, such as building a chart or filling a spreadsheet, and SHL says they work on any device, phones included. SHL's practice site offers both a standard multiple-choice and an interactive version of several tests.
At US firms, the SHL step is often not an ability test at all. EY's skills assessment arrives from talentcentral@shl.com and asks about your experiences and which of three skill statements is most like you; it is untimed and takes most people about 20 minutes. PwC's assessment, whose help desk is SHL's, is an untimed questionnaire about your work style. BCG's Consulting Career Assessment is designed and administered by SHL and combines behavioral questions with a logic portion, with a calculator allowed.
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What it measures
The dimensions under test
Numerical reasoning
Answering questions from tables and charts. On Verify Interactive you work with numbers to build charts and graphs and fill in spreadsheets.
Deductive reasoning
Reading statements, then deciding which options must be true or cannot be true. Part of Verify G+ and a standalone Verify test.
Inductive reasoning
Finding the pattern in a sequence of shapes or characters and picking what comes next. Also called abstract or diagrammatic reasoning.
Verbal reasoning
Reading a passage and judging statements about it as True, False or Cannot Say. SHL offers it as a separate test.
Situational judgment
Rating how effective each response would be in a workplace scenario. SHL's versions can use animations and interactive video.
Work style and personality
Questions about how you prefer to work. SHL's personality format shows three statements and asks which is most like you, then which of the remaining two.
The format
What to expect
See it in action
A worked example
Our own items, one per SHL format, written to show the shape of each. None is a real SHL question.
- 01
Deductive: which must be true?
Every analyst on the team speaks Spanish. Maya is on the team. Some Spanish speakers work in Miami. Which must be true? (a) Maya works in Miami (b) Maya speaks Spanish (c) Every Spanish speaker is an analyst. Answer: (b). The other two may be true, but nothing forces them.
- 02
Numerical: read the table, then calculate
Revenue was $40 million in 2024 and $46 million in 2025. What was the growth rate? $6 million on $40 million is 15%. Read which year is the base before you divide; the trap answer uses $46 million and gets 13%.
- 03
Inductive: find the rule
A dot moves one corner clockwise each step while a line rotates 90 degrees. Track one feature at a time across the five boxes, predict the next box, then check the options.
- 04
Situational judgment: rate each response
A client email asks for numbers you have not checked, due in an hour. Rate each option. Sending unchecked numbers rates low; telling your manager and sending a checked partial set with a time for the rest rates high.
- 05
Work style: most like you
Three statements, such as "I take initiative without being asked", "I adapt quickly when plans change" and "I seek feedback to improve". Pick the one most like you, then the next. Answer honestly and consistently; there is no right profile.
The takeaway
Find out which SHL product your firm sends before you practice. A work-style questionnaire needs no drilling, while a timed Verify test rewards practice on the same format.
The scoring
How it is marked
SHL scores ability tests adaptively, so the difficulty of each question depends on your earlier answers. SHL says this gives a precise score from fewer questions.
Adaptive ability tests
Verify G+, Verify Deductive and Verify Interactive are all adaptive, so two candidates rarely see the same set. Do not judge how you are doing from how hard a question feels.
Partial scoring
SHL says its interactive tests use partial scoring, so a drag-and-drop task can earn credit for parts you get right.
Behavioral questionnaires
On EY's and PwC's work-style questionnaires and BCG's behavioral questions there are no right or wrong answers. EY says the score alone does not decide whether you progress.
Who sees the result
Only the employer. EY and PwC say they do not share results with candidates, and PwC's result stays valid for 120 days.
The variants
Versions you might be sent
EY skills assessment
From talentcentral@shl.com, required for EY Early Careers roles. Two parts: your experiences, then choosing which of three skill descriptions is most like you. Untimed, about 20 minutes, one attempt per validity period (EY FAQ, 2025).
PwC work-style assessment
Untimed, about 15 to 20 minutes, can be done over several sittings. No preparation needed. Due by the application deadline, valid 120 days. Some roles, such as senior associate intern positions, skip it.
BCG Consulting Career Assessment
Designed and run by SHL for BCG's US applicants. About 30 to 35 minutes including the tutorial, calculator allowed, pause between sections, no retake. Invitations arrive 30 to 90 minutes after you apply, with 48 hours to finish.
Barclays and Perella Weinberg
Barclays sends a timed SHL online assessment with numerical reasoning, logical reasoning and situational judgment questions (New York, Feb 2026). Perella Weinberg has set an SHL online skills test before the first round (Chicago, Jan 2026).
Who uses it
Firms that screen with this test
Each links to that firm's US page for the stage, or to the firm overview, which covers every stage of its process.
The prep
How to prepare
Read the invitation for the product
The email or portal usually says whether it is an ability test or a questionnaire, and whether it is timed. That decides how you prepare.
Use SHL's own practice tests
SHL's practice site has numerical, verbal, inductive, deductive and situational judgment tests, in standard and interactive versions. SHL says they match the question types, though not always the difficulty.
Practice on the device you will use
Interactive tests work on phones, but drag-and-drop is faster with a mouse. Practice in the same setup you will sit the real test in.
Ask for accommodations early
SHL can add time, support screen readers and change presentation. Tell the recruiting firm as early as possible; waiting until test day can limit what is available.
Do not over-prepare a questionnaire
EY, PwC and BCG say no preparation is needed for their behavioral parts. Answer consistently and draw on school, work and volunteer examples.
How not to fail
Common failure modes
The specific ways candidates lose marks on this test. None of these need talent to avoid, only awareness.
- 01Missing the invitation. Barclays' link can arrive within minutes of applying, sometimes in spam, with five days to finish. EY asked for completion within 24 hours in 2025. Check spam the day you apply.
- 02Practicing the wrong product. Drilling numerical tests for a work-style questionnaire wastes time, and the reverse leaves you unready for a timed test.
- 03Clicking Exit when the screen freezes. SHL warns that the Exit button can submit your answers so far. Refresh the page instead, and contact the firm if a reset is needed.
- 04Using AI tools. EY and PwC both say generative AI is not allowed during their assessments.
- 05Answering a questionnaire for an imagined ideal. Work-style questions have no right answers to aim for. Choose what is most like you, using real examples from school, work and activities.
On the day
What strong candidates do
The habits that separate high scorers, most of them decided before the timer even starts.
Take the tutorial
BCG says its 30 to 35 minutes include a tutorial and practice questions and encourages you to do them. The same applies to any SHL test.
Have paper and a calculator ready
SHL suggests paper and pencil, and allows a calculator on numerical tests unless told otherwise.
Block quiet time
Even untimed questionnaires go better in one sitting. Pick a time with a stable connection and no interruptions.
Keep the confirmation
PwC asks you to click every assessment link it emails and check the homepage shows the assessment complete.
Practice on the real format
Reading about the test is not practicing it.
Intervyo recreates SHL Test in its real format, timed and scored, with instant feedback so the structure is familiar before it counts. Start free, no card required.
FAQ
Common questions
It depends on the product the firm sends. SHL's ability tests cover numerical, deductive, inductive and verbal reasoning; Verify G+ combines numerical, deductive and inductive in 30 questions. SHL also makes situational judgment tests and personality questionnaires. EY and PwC send untimed work-style questionnaires; BCG's assessment adds a logic portion.
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Sources
Firm pages first, then dated reports. Last checked Nov 5, 2026.
- 1SHL, via the Wayback Machine: Practice Tests and Assessments (archived Oct 20, 2026)
- 2SHL: Verify G+ Test: Test Fact Sheet (2022)
- 3SHL: SHL Verify Deductive Reasoning: Assessment Fact Sheet (2022)
- 4SHL: SHL Verify Interactive, Numerical Reasoning: Assessment Fact Sheet (2022)
- 5SHL: SHL Verify Interactive, Inductive Reasoning: Assessment Fact Sheet (2022)
- 6SHL, via the Wayback Machine: Cognitive Ability Tests (archived Aug 4, 2026)
- 7SHL, via the Wayback Machine: SHL Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ) (archived Oct 19, 2026)
- 8SHL: Verbal Reasoning: Example Questions
- 9SHL: Situational Judgement: Example Questions
- 10SHL: Personality Questionnaire: Example Questions
- 11SHL, via the Wayback Machine: Accessibility Support (archived Oct 23, 2026)
- 12SHL: Candidate Support: Assessments, Timing, Submitting and General Issues
- 13EY, via the Wayback Machine: Early Careers skills assessment, frequently asked questions (archived Sep 18, 2025)
- 14PwC: Entry Level Assessment FAQs
- 15PwC: Entry level recruiting process and FAQs
- 16BCG: Consulting Career Assessment (CCA) FAQs, Applicants to US offices (Jul 2024)
- 17BCG: Associate Job Opportunities, United States
- 18Candidate report on a public forum: Summer Analyst interview, New York (Feb 2026)
- 19Candidate discussion on a public forum: Barclays 2027 Summer Analyst Program (thread, from Dec 2025)
- 20Candidate report on a public forum: Investment Banking Summer Analyst interview, Chicago (Jan 2026)
- 21PwC: Guidance for Candidate Use of AI
Intervyo is an independent preparation platform. Our practice tests simulate the style and format of SHL assessments and are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the test publisher.