Gartner CEB SHL-Style Logical/Inductive Reasoning Test Preparation

The answer to this question is not so straightforward. Technically, there are two main types of logical reasoning tests delivered by CEB’s SHL Talent Measurment: inductive reasoning and deductive reasoning.

The first type refers to non-verbal, figural tests involving shapes, whereas the second one is based on verbal (and sometimes also numerical) information. However, when using the term ‘CEB SHL logical reasoning test’, employers and assessors usually refer only to the inductive tests offered by CEB SHL. For that reason, we are going to focus on this type of test. In our discussion, we will use the terms ‘logical’ and ‘inductive’ test interchangeably, always referring to the shapes-based inductive test.

The logical reasoning tests SHL produces measure your abstract reasoning skills. These skills are based on mere logic, and they are independent of your language skills or prior knowledge. On these tests, you need to identify the logical pattern behind the shapes presented to you and select the diagram that completes it. That is why these tests are often also referred to as abstract reasoning tests or diagrammatic series tests. (These tests should not be confused with CEB SHL’s diagrammatic reasoning tests in which you need to follow a system of inputs, operators, and outputs in the form of symbols.)

The most common type of question one can expect to encounter on an SHL logical test is 'next-in-series'. In this type of question, you are presented with a row of figures and must choose the figure that comes next in the series. Here is an example of such a question (we will get back to it later):

You may also face other types of questions on your logical reasoning test. For example, you may be presented with a matrix of shapes missing a piece. Your task would be to identify the missing piece from the available options.

Our CEB SHL-Style Logical/Inductive Reasoning Test Practice pack includes practice drills for next-in-series questions as well as other question formats.

This is the most common type of logical reasoning test SHL offers, often delivered to candidates applying for graduate, managerial, and executive roles. On this test, you are presented with a series of five objects. Your task is to select the object that would come next in the series from the five available options (just like in the first example above).

The test consists of 24 questions to be solved in 25 minutes. It is administered online at the beginning of the recruitment process, along with other CEB SHL-style Verify tests. If you pass the test, you are often invited to an assessment centre, where you are required to sit an additional, shorter verification test. This test is supervised and is designed to substantiate the integrity of your former results. It is, thus, important that you prepare for both tests.

Practising for the online test will increase your odds of qualifying for the assessment centre, where you will have the chance to show your virtues in person. Refreshing your logical reasoning skills once again before the assessment centre will ensure you pass the verification test.

Let’s start by examining the different elements of the figures:

The black dot shifts between the corners of the outer square in a clockwise direction. First it shifts one place, then two places, then one place again, and so forth. Since it moved two places between the fourth and fifth figures, in the next figure it should move one place clockwise. Thus, the correct answer must include a black dot in the bottom left corner. This leaves us with three options: B, C, and D.

The white dot shifts between the corners of the inner square in a clockwise direction, moving one place at a time. Thus, in the next figure it should move to the bottom right corner. Of the three options left, option C is the only one to follow this pattern. Thus, option C must be the correct answer, and we do not need to further examine the series to figure out the movement pattern of the diagonal lines.

In each row and in each column, one and only one of the shapes appears twice.

If we look at the 2nd row from the top, we can see that it already contains a shape that appears twice (the arrow pointing right). Thus, we need to look for an option that would complete this row with a shape that does not already appear in it (i.e. a shape other than an arrow pointing right, a triangle, or a pentagon). This allows us to eliminate options A, B, and C.

Now, if we look at the 1st row, we can see that none of the shapes appears twice. So, the correct answer has to either include one of the shapes that already appears in this row (a triangle, a diamond, or an arrow pointing left), or it must include two identical shapes that do not yet appear in this row. Option E does not fulfil this requirement, leaving us with option D.

Answering CEB’s SHL logical reasoning questions can initially seem extremely difficult, especially considering the fact that you only have about a minute for each question. However, if you put some time and effort into practising, you can get to know most of the patterns that appear on SHL’s tests, thus arriving at your test more skilled and confident.