The CareerTestPrep Blog
In-depth articles to help you understand SHL tests, maximise your score, and land your dream role.
Written by assessment specialists — always free.
Start here — most popular articles
How to Pass the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test: 12 Expert Tips
The SHL numerical test isn't a maths exam — it's a data interpretation challenge under time pressure. Learn the 12 strategies that separate high scorers from the rest, from reading the question first to mastering percentage change.
SHL Test Scores Explained: Percentiles, Sten Scores, and What Employers See
Raw scores, percentile ranks, sten scores, and employer cut-offs — all decoded in one place. Find out exactly what your SHL result means and how employers interpret the score report they receive.
Verbal Reasoning: Mastering True, False and Cannot Say
The three-answer format of SHL verbal reasoning trips up even confident test-takers. Understand exactly when to choose True, False or Cannot Say — and why your intuition is often wrong.
All articles
How to Pass the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test: 12 Expert Tips
The SHL numerical test isn't a maths exam — it's a data interpretation challenge under time pressure. Learn the 12 strategies that separate high scorers from the rest, from reading the question first to mastering percentage change.
SHL Test Scores Explained: Percentiles, Sten Scores, and What Employers See
Raw scores, percentile ranks, sten scores, and employer cut-offs — all decoded in one place. Find out exactly what your SHL result means and how employers interpret the score report they receive.
Verbal Reasoning: Mastering True, False and Cannot Say
The three-answer format of SHL verbal reasoning trips up even confident test-takers. Understand exactly when to choose True, False or Cannot Say — and why your intuition is often wrong.
Goldman Sachs Online Assessment: What to Expect in 2026
Goldman Sachs uses a bespoke online assessment combining numerical reasoning, situational judgement, and a video interview. Here's the full breakdown of each stage, what the questions look like, and how to prepare.
The OPQ32 Personality Test: What It Really Measures (And How to Approach It)
The OPQ32 is the world's most widely used occupational personality questionnaire. Learn what the 32 scales actually measure, how ipsative scoring works, and how to present your authentic self without second-guessing every question.
Test Anxiety Before Your SHL Assessment? Here's What Actually Helps
Feeling anxious before your SHL test is normal — but most common advice is generic and unhelpful. Here are six evidence-backed techniques that specifically address the time-pressure and performance anxiety of aptitude tests.
Inductive Reasoning Patterns: The 7 Rules That Appear Every Time
SHL inductive reasoning tests recycle the same seven pattern rules across virtually every question set. Master these rules and you'll be able to decode any abstract sequence in under 90 seconds.
PwC Assessment Centre 2026: Aptitude Tests, Group Exercises and What to Expect
PwC's assessment centre is one of the most structured in the Big Four — numerical and verbal tests, a case study presentation, group exercise, and partner interview all in one day. Here's exactly how to prepare for each stage.
PwC Online Assessment 2026: SHL Tests, Format & Preparation Guide
Complete 2026 guide to the PwC online aptitude assessment for UK graduates — SHL numerical, verbal and logical reasoning tests, SJT format, how scoring works, and a proven 3-week preparation plan.
Deloitte Online Assessment 2026: Numerical, Verbal & SJT Guide
Complete guide to the Deloitte Immersive Online Assessment for UK graduates — what each section involves, how the numerical, verbal and situational judgement components work, how Deloitte scores your results, and a 4-week preparation plan.
KPMG Online Assessment 2026: Numerical, Verbal & SJT Guide
Complete guide to the KPMG online aptitude assessment for UK graduates — numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and situational judgement tests explained, with format details, how KPMG scores your results, and a 4-week preparation plan.
EY Online Assessment 2026: Numerical, Verbal & SJT Guide
Complete guide to the EY online aptitude assessment for UK graduates — numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, situational judgement, and Watson Glaser tests explained, with format details, how EY scores your results, and a 4-week preparation plan.
HSBC Online Assessment 2026: Numerical, Verbal & SJT Complete Guide
Complete 2026 guide to the HSBC online assessment for UK graduates — SHL numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, situational judgement test, HireVue digital interview, assessment centre, and a 4-week preparation plan.
JP Morgan Online Assessment 2026: Pymetrics, HireVue & Numerical Tests Guide
Complete guide to the JP Morgan online assessment for UK graduates — pymetrics game-based tests, HireVue video interview, numerical reasoning, and the Superday. Format, scoring, and a 4-week preparation plan.
Situational Judgement Tests (SJT): How to Answer Every Question Type
A complete guide to Situational Judgement Tests used by PwC, KPMG, EY, HSBC, Goldman Sachs and more. Learn the three question formats, how SJTs are scored, which competencies they test, and a proven 3-week preparation strategy.
Amazon Online Assessment 2026: Work Style Survey, Simulation & Aptitude Test Guide
Complete 2026 guide to the Amazon online assessment for graduates — Work Style Survey, Work Sample Simulation, numerical reasoning for specialist roles, how Amazon scores applications, and a 4-week preparation plan.
Barclays Online Assessment 2026: Numerical, Verbal & SJT Complete Guide
Complete 2026 guide to the Barclays online assessment for UK graduates — SHL numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, situational judgement test, HireVue digital interview, Barclays Assessment Centre, and a 4-week preparation plan.
Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test: The Complete 2026 Guide
Everything you need to know about the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) — the 5 sub-tests decoded, which law firms and employers use it, how scoring works, and a proven 4-week preparation strategy.
Microsoft Online Assessment 2026: Cognitive Tests, HireVue & Graduate Guide
Complete 2026 guide to the Microsoft online assessment for graduates — cognitive ability tests, work scenarios, HireVue video interview, the loop interview, and a proven 4-week preparation plan.
Shell Online Assessment 2026: Numerical, Verbal & SHL Test Complete Guide
Complete 2026 guide to the Shell graduate online assessment — SHL numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, digital video interview, assessment centre structure, Shell's competency framework, and a 4-week preparation plan.
Behavioural Interview Questions: The Complete STAR Method Guide 2026
Master behavioural interview questions with the STAR method. Includes 20 most common questions with example answers, competency frameworks for Goldman Sachs, PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, HSBC, and a proven story-bank strategy.
How to Answer "Tell Me About Yourself": The Complete Graduate Interview Guide 2026
Master the most common opening interview question at Goldman Sachs, PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, Amazon and more. Learn the Present-Past-Future formula, what recruiters actually want to hear, employer-specific tips, and 5 full example answers for different backgrounds.
Why Do You Want to Work Here? How to Answer for Goldman Sachs, PwC, Deloitte & More
Master "Why do you want to work here?" with a 3-part framework, company-specific research tips, 6 full example answers, and the 5 mistakes that sink most candidates — covering Goldman Sachs, PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, EY, HSBC, Amazon, and Microsoft.
What Are Your Greatest Strengths and Weaknesses? Complete Graduate Interview Guide 2026
Master the strengths and weaknesses interview question at Goldman Sachs, PwC, Deloitte, KPMG, Amazon and more. Learn the SER and AWG frameworks, which strengths different employers value, 6 full example answers, and the 7 mistakes that sink most candidates.