Ace Your Korn Ferry Assessment

Prepare for Your Korn Ferry. Assessment with Our Practice Materials 

What is the Korn Ferry Assessment?

The Korn Ferry Assessment is a comprehensive testing system used to measure how well a person fits a role—based on their personality traits, leadership potential, and cognitive skills. These tests are commonly used in recruitment and internal promotions to identify high-potential talent.

Korn Ferry assessments are divided into two main categories:

Personality Tests

These tests explore your behavioural traits, motivations, and work preferences. They help employers understand your leadership style, communication approach, and decision-making habits. Popular Korn Ferry personality assessments include:

• KFALP (Korn Ferry Assessment of Leadership Potential)
• KF4D (Korn Ferry Four-Dimensional Assessment)
• viaEDGE
• Talent Q Dimensions Test 

Cognitive Ability Tests

Also known as Talent Q Tests, these evaluate your ability to work with numbers, text, patterns, and problem-solving under pressure.

Key areas tested:

• Numerical Reasoning
• Verbal Reasoning
• Logical/Inductive Reasoning
• Checking Skills 

Korn Ferry Leadership Assessments

Leadership potential is a key focus of Korn Ferry’s personality assessments. If you’re aiming for a management or executive role, expect one or more of the following:

• KFALP (Korn Ferry Assessment of Leadership Potential): This test explores your career motivations, decision-making preferences, and leadership readiness. It often includes a Raven’s Progressive Matrices section to assess abstract reasoning.
• KF4D (Four-Dimensional Assessment): This innovative test looks at four dimensions of leadership: competencies, experiences, traits, and drivers. In a highly interactive format, you will be required to rank statements, select characteristics, and evaluate your preferences.
• Korn Ferry Dimensions Questionnaire: This test dives into your personality across three key areas:
  • People & Relationships
  • Tasks & Projects
  • Drives & Emotions

Two versions are available:

• Long version (40 questions, ~25 minutes)
• Short version (13 questions, ~8 minutes)

Korn Ferry Cognitive Ability Tests (Talent Q Tests) 

These online tests are designed to measure the cognitive skills needed to perform effectively in a workplace. They are often presented as part of two test types:

• Talent Q Elements Test: Includes numerical, verbal, logical reasoning, and a personality test.
• Talent Q Aspects Test: Includes numerical, logical, checking, and personality questions.

Employers use these to spot candidates with sharp thinking skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to adapt quickly to new challenges.

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Sample Questions

The Raven's Progressive Matrices Test is a cognitive ability test that checks how well candidates can do with abstract reasoning, cognitive reasoning, and nonverbal reasoning.

There are 60 questions in the Raven Standard Progressive Matrices, and there are 6 answers to each question. You have 40 minutes to do it. There are 5 sets of 12 questions in each of these questions. You should also know that the items are not all the same level of difficult. The level of difficulty of each new question gradually rises.

Sample Question 1:

Correct Answer:

Explanation: If you look at the rows and columns, you will see that each shape appears in 3 fills: no fill, black fill, and containing diagonal lines. The smaller squares that are in the matrix have no fill and contain diagonal lines.

Sample Question 2:

Correct Answer: 

Explanation: If you look at the top two rows, you will see that the first two shapes have the same direction, and each third shape has the opposite direction of the first two. 

Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices

Raven Advanced Progressive Matrices demand a higher level of cognitive abilities from candidates, making them more complex.

 Employers use the Matrigma Test, a non-verbal psychometric test, to assess candidates' performance. Like an IQ test, the Matrigma Test aims at assessing the cognitive ability of a person. Being a non-verbal psychometric test, Matrigma Tests are easy to apply in different countries; neither cultural/religious nor language differences restrict the candidates’ abilities to pass this test. 

Matrigma tests have many features/rules, and at first glance they may seem very difficult to solve. But when you learn about the main features of the test, it is much easier to pass the test.

Therefore, we strongly advise practicing the Matrigma Test before taking the test, and it would be better to test different types of tests to be familiar with as many common features of the test as possible.

In other words, practicing for the Matrigma Test will help you increase your chances of getting hired compared to other candidates.

Sample Question 1: 

Correct Answer: 

In this example, there are different patterns in the same matrix. If you look at the rows, you will see that the third shape includes the two items from the first shape, just in opposite colors. The second shape from each row has different items with a diagonal line inside. Besides, you may see that in the third shape of each row, there is one triangle. When the triangle is in the left corner of the shape, the line inside it is diagonal. When the triangle is in the right corner, the line is horizontal.

Sample Question 2: 

Correct Answer: 

Explanation: This matrix is more complicated than the previous ones. Let’s list the patterns here:

1. In each row, the trapezium changes its direction clockwise.
2. In each row, the trapezium changes its size (small, medium, large).
3. In each row, the heart changes its place (right angle, middle, left angle). 
4. In each row, the heart changes its size (small, medium, large).
5. In each column, the trapezium changes its size (small, medium, large).

Sample Question 3: 

Correct Answer: E

Explanation: 

In each row, the number of arrows changes. Meanwhile, in the first row, the number of horizontal arrows remains the same, the number of vertical arrows changes. In the second row, the number of horizontal arrows changes, and in the third row, the number of both the vertical and horizontal arrows changes.

Situational Judgment Test

Situational Judgment Test measures the ability of a candidate to select the most efficient action in different scenarios and situations taking place in the workplace and relating to their position. In this way, the employer assesses whether you fit the role you are applying for and your overall performance.

The SJT assessment will present you with various scenarios relevant to the position you are applying for. You must make judgments based on each situation and select one from the given choices. The questions are grouped by the types of responses they require.

• What are the most and least effective actions from the provided list?
• What will be your most and least likely actions in the presented situation?
• Rate the given responses according to the presented situation.

Situational Judgment Sample Questions:

 Sample Question 1:

The company hired a new employee and assigned you as his or her supervisor. The company granted him/her a probationary period of three months, during which he/she diligently worked. However, due to sudden changes in the economic climate and financial losses incurred by the company, the board has decided to dismiss several employees, including him/her. You must inform the employee about the board's decision. How would you proceed?

A. You understand and respect the board’s decision and will email the employee to inform him/her about the dismissal.

B. You invite the employee to an in-person meeting to inform him/her about the dismissal and the reasons behind the board’s decision.

C. You try to convince the board to deliver an explanation to the dismissed employees so that it doesn’t make you look bad.

D. You do or say nothing. You wait for the employee to ask you about the decision and then you disclose the news of his/her dismissal. 

Correct Answer:

There is no right or wrong answer. However, consider the perspective of the employee when selecting your answer.

Sample Question 2:

You are working as a graduate trainee for ABC Company, a manufacturer of single-use, eco-friendly tableware for the European market.

You are on a rotational placement programme. You will spend 6 months in different departments of the organization to understand all the linkages in the firm, and after the rotational program, you will be assessed for a permanent managerial position in the Finance unit. At this moment, you are spending your rotational period in the HR department. 

Situation 1:

Your main task in the HR department is to review the procurement of recruitment services by your organization. You must evaluate the best value vendor and place a 12-month contract with them. 

You are going to meet with the team consisting of three members from the Finance, HR, and Procurement divisions. You have produced a list of three companies, and you know that the colleague from Finance favors vendor A for its low price, the colleague from Procurement favors vendor B because of their old warm relationships, and the colleague from HR supports vendor C as they are the “gold standard” in the sector. 

You must make the final decision during this one-hour meeting.

Review the responses given in the table below and choose which one you think to be the “most effective” response to the situation and the “least effective” response to the situation.

How to Prepare for the Korn Ferry Assessment: 7 Smart Strategies for Success

The Korn Ferry assessments are known for their depth and accuracy in measuring leadership potential, decision-making ability, and personality traits. To perform well, you’ll need more than just intelligence—you’ll need self-awareness, focus, and strategic thinking.

Here are seven proven ways to help you get ready:

Understand the Test Structure

Start by learning what the assessment looks like. Get familiar with the types of questions you’ll face; whether it’s verbal reasoning, numerical analysis, or personality profiling, so you’re not caught off guard.

Sharpen Emotional Awareness

Many Korn Ferry tests explore your motivations, behaviours, and leadership style. Spend time reflecting on how you handle pressure, interact with others, and make decisions. This self-awareness can help you respond more thoughtfully during the test.

Strengthen Your Analytical Thinking

Practice breaking down complex problems, spotting patterns, and thinking strategically. These skills are especially useful in cognitive sections and leadership scenarios.

Build Your Core Reasoning Skills

Boost your performance by working on numerical reasoning, verbal comprehension, logical thinking, and attention to detail. These are the building blocks of the cognitive ability tests.

Reflect on Past Experiences

Prepare for questions about your work style, values, and past leadership experiences. Think about moments where you demonstrated resilience, initiative, or collaboration—these stories will help shape authentic and impressive responses.

Practice with Sample Tests

Don’t skip practice. Working through mock assessments will make you more comfortable with the time limits and formats, helping you stay focused and calm on test day.

Take Care of Your Body and Mind

Rest well the night before, eat something nourishing, and do a short walk or breathing exercise to reduce stress. A calm and rested mind performs better under pressure.