Mastering SHL Inductive Tests: Practice Free Questions and Boost Your Score
May 12, 2025
An increasing number of employers are using pre-employment screening tests to assess whether potential candidates have the skills and attributes they desire in employees. One such test is the SHL inductive reasoning test.
The SHL inductive reasoning assessment is used to assess pattern recognition and logical thinking. It’s typically used as part of the recruitment process for roles requiring abstract or conceptual thinking skills.
Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the SHL inductive reasoning test, including what the test looks for and tips for boosting your scores. You’ll also get information about how to best prepare for test day and sample questions to familiarize yourself with the test format.
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What Is the SHL Inductive Reasoning Test?
Inductive reasoning is the ability to identify patterns, trends, and rules based on visual information. In the SHL inductive reasoning test, this means answering a series of diagram-based, multiple-choice questions under strict time conditions. This is done by using pattern recognition and logical thinking skills.
Throughout the assessments, candidates will be provided with a series of images. They will follow some sort of pattern or have a rule that unites them. There will be several multiple-choice options for potential answers, with a question requiring abstract reasoning. Individuals must then complete sequences, predict patterns, or find the odd one out for each question.
Unlike the SHL numeracy or verbal reasoning assessments, the inductive reasoning test doesn’t require any prior knowledge. Instead, it looks for candidates who have strong reasoning skills.
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Why Do Employers Use Inductive Tests?
When hiring new employees, companies need to know that they’re selecting the best possible candidates for each and every role.
Pre-employment assessments like the SHL inductive reasoning test enable recruiters to objectively evaluate an individual's logical thinking and problem-solving skills, making it easier to ensure that only candidates with strong problem-solving and abstract reasoning skills progress to the next stage of the recruitment process.
SHL inductive reasoning tests are commonly used for roles in tech, data analysis, and research and development. Employers will also often use them to evaluate candidates applying for graduate schemes.
What to Expect in the SHL Inductive Reasoning Test
Your SHL inductive reasoning test will be formatted as a multiple-choice assessment with between 15 and 25 individual questions.
You will also have a strict time limit of between 18 and 25 minutes. The exact number of questions you will face and the time limit you’ll be given will vary depending on the version of the test you’re taking.
Candidates are presented with a group of images and asked to correctly identify the next item in a sequence or the odd one out.
There is a paper-based version of the SHL inductive reasoning test, although most people will be asked to complete an adaptive, online assessment. This means that the questions will get more difficult as the test progresses, with questions adapting to the candidate’s answers. When a candidate answers a question incorrectly, the subsequent question will either be of the same level of difficulty or easier.
There is no specific prior knowledge required for candidates taking the SHL inductive reasoning test. It is designed to assess logical thinking and reasoning skills.
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Practice Free SHL Inductive Test Questions (With Answers)
Pattern Completion (Find the Next in Sequence)
Q1.
The correct answer is: a)
The arrow completes a full rotation every four steps. The pattern repeats from the beginning.
Q2.
The correct answer is: a)
The star rotates clockwise through the corners. After bottom left, it returns to top left.
Q3.
The correct answer is: b)
Each step adds one dot. Next is 6 dots.
Q4.
The correct answer is: b)
The triangle orientation alternates each time. The next should be upright.
Odd One Out
Q1. Which is the odd one out?
The correct answer is: c)
All shapes in (c) are not the same colour.
Q2. Which is the odd one out?
The correct answer is: c)
All others have shapes with the same number of sides. Option (c) mixes 3 different ones.
Q3. Which is the odd one out?
The correct answer is: d)
Option (d) does not alternate – it’s all shaded.
Q4. Which is the odd one out?
The correct answer is: c)
All other options contain two identical shapes; only (c) has different ones.
Rule Identification
Q1. Identify the rule and identify the next figure in the sequence.
The correct answer is: c) 5 lines
One line is added each time.
Q2. What is next in the sequence?
The correct answer is: a)
Rotation and colour both cycle. After full rotation, it repeats from red-up.
Q3. What is next in the sequence?
The correct answer is: c) 16 shaded
1 → 2 → 4 → 8 → next is 16 (powers of 2).
Q4. What is next in the sequence?
The correct answer is: a) E – Ellipse
The pattern is alphabetical shape names (arrow, box, circle, diamond)
Rotation / Symmetry Logic
Q1.
The correct answer is: d)
Alternating 180° rotation.
Q2.
The correct answer is: b)
The shapes are mirror images of each other.
Q3.
The correct answer is: c)
The shape rotates through a full 360° in 4 steps, so step 5 resets to original.
Q4.
The correct answer is: b)
A checkerboard pattern is rotated and flipped horizontally in alternating steps. The pattern follows: normal → flipped → rotated → flipped → rotated
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Tips to Improve Your SHL Inductive Test Score
While the SHL inductive reasoning test isn’t based on knowledge, it does require candidates to possess a specific skill set. Working to improve those skills will, in turn, help to improve your scores. There are a few simple steps you can take to prepare ahead of your SHL inductive assessment.
Familiarize yourself with common visual patterns (rotation, symmetry, number of sides) and reinforce this knowledge by taking free practice SHL inductive test questions.
Your test will be made up of a series of image-based questions. Learning more about visual patterns will help to strengthen the skills you need to identify patterns and answer questions both quickly and accurately.
Don’t Overthink – Most Patterns Follow a Simple Rule
Inductive reasoning tests are designed to assess pattern recognition and logical thinking. If you find that you’re looking at a question and it seems too easy, it’s possible that the answer is just very logical to you. Sometimes, the obvious answer is the right one.
Look At Each Element in the Image (Shape, Color, Direction, etc.)
You’ll need to be able to identify small changes within patterns and images. This means it’s important to evaluate each element of an image to be able to accurately recognize the patterns it follows.
Skip Hard Questions and Come Back If Time Allows
Your score will be based on the total number of correct answers you give. For this reason, it’s important to answer as many questions as possible within the time limit.
If there’s a tricky question, it’s much better to move on and go back to it if you can at the end. This way, you don’t risk running out of time to answer more questions.
Practice Free SHL Inductive Test Questions Under Timed Conditions
You will have a strict time limit. Practicing under these conditions will mean that you’re more able to answer both quickly and accurately.
Use the Process of Elimination If Unsure
By automatically disregarding the options you know to be wrong, you’re more likely to be able to work out the correct answer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What skills does the SHL Inductive Reasoning Test measure?
The SHL inductive reasoning test is designed to accurately assess logical thinking, problem solving, and abstract reasoning skills.
Are calculators or scratch paper allowed during the test?
No, you generally won’t be allowed to use any additional tools in the SHL inductive reasoning test. You will be provided with information about any equipment you might need in your invitation email.
How many questions are in the SHL Inductive Test?
This will vary depending on the version of the SHL inductive reasoning test you’re asked to take. There are usually between 15 and 25 questions in total.
Can you fail an SHL test?
Technically, this isn’t a pass or fail test. Employers decide the threshold they want for candidates, and if you fail to reach it, it will often mean the end of your application process.
What happens if I don’t finish all the questions?
An incomplete test will mean that you can’t achieve the highest score and may impact your chance of progressing to the next stage. This is why it’s important to practice working quickly under pressure so that you can answer as much of the test as possible within the time limit.
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Final Thoughts
If you’re asked to take the SHL inductive reasoning test as part of the pre-employment assessments for a position you’ve applied for, it’s important to be as prepared as possible.
A good score could, quite literally, make all the difference when it comes to moving to the next stage of the recruitment process or having your application rejected.
Making use of online resources and practice test packages, such as those found on JobTestPrep, will help to familiarize you with the test format and understand what is being asked of you.
By taking the time to evaluate your incorrect answers, you can work on building the skills you need to strengthen and improve. It will also enable you to feel calmer when taking the assessment on test day, as you’ll know more about what to expect.
Remember, as with any test or assessment, consistency is key when it comes to preparing for the SHL inductive reasoning test.
