SHL Verify G+ Test: Format, Scoring and Practice Questions

SHL Verify G+ Test: Format, Scoring and Practice Questions

The SHL Verify G+ is one of the most common first hurdles in graduate and professional recruitment. Instead of three separate tests for numbers, logic and patterns, you get one mixed test that measures all three and produces a single general ability score. If your invitation mentions "G+", "General Ability" or "Verify Interactive", this is the test.

This guide covers what SHL publishes about the test, how the classic and interactive versions differ, how adaptive scoring works, eight practice questions in the style of the three sections, and a realistic preparation plan. For the bigger picture of SHL's assessments (personality questionnaires, situational judgement tests, the TalentCentral platform), see our SHL test explained guide.

What Is the SHL Verify G+?

SHL describes Verify G+ as a test of general cognitive ability that also produces accurate assessments of three specific abilities:

• Numerical reasoning: solving problems with numerical data and interpreting charts, graphs and tables;
• Deductive reasoning: drawing logical conclusions from information, judging the strengths and weaknesses of arguments and completing scenarios with incomplete information;
• Inductive reasoning: spotting patterns and rules in sequences of shapes and figures, without words.

You receive a score for each of the three abilities plus an overall general ability score. SHL positions it as suitable for all job levels, most relevant for roles needing a range of reasoning skills. Candidates most often report it in graduate and professional recruitment, but SHL does not publish which employer uses which test, so only your invitation tells you for sure.

Two Versions: Verify G+ and Verify Interactive G+

There are two versions in circulation, and the differences matter for practice.

	Verify G+ (classic)	Verify Interactive G+
Question format	Multiple choice, adaptive	Interactive, activity-based, adaptive
Maximum questions	30 (10 per ability)	24
Allowed time	36 minutes	36 minutes
Average testing time	32 to 36 minutes	Not stated
Device	Not stated	Mobile-first, any device
Supervision	Designed for unsupervised use	Designed for unsupervised use

All of these figures come from SHL's own fact sheets; "Not stated" means the relevant fact sheet does not say. The Interactive version is newer and, if your invitation is recent, more likely. Its items are activity-based: on SHL's cognitive assessment pages, numerical tasks include word problems, calculations and chart reading, deductive tasks ask you to decide which options must be true or cannot be true, and inductive tasks ask you to find the pattern in a set of images and select what comes next. Candidates describe drag-and-drop answers, sliders on charts and placing items into a schedule or grid.

Instructions and short practice items run before the timed section begins. Use them: they show the exact controls.

How the Adaptive Format Works

Both versions use computer adaptive technology. SHL lists the benefits as shorter administration time, suitability for unsupervised testing and a more precise score.

In practice, adaptive means the test adjusts the difficulty of the next items to your performance. Answer well and the items get harder; struggle and they get easier. Two consequences:

1. Your score is not simply a count of correct answers. Harder items carry more information. Two people with the same number correct can end up with different scores.
2. Hard questions are a good sign. If the test feels tough halfway through, that usually means you are doing well. Do not let it rattle you.

Candidates commonly report that they cannot go back to earlier questions, and that the timer keeps running once started. Treat each item as final and keep moving.

Practice Questions

These are our own items in the style of the three G+ sections. Real Verify Interactive items use drag-and-drop and similar controls; the reasoning is the same.

Practice question 1

A team of 8 people has an average salary of £32,000. One person earning £39,000 leaves and is not replaced. What is the new average salary?

A. £30,500 B. £31,000 C. £31,500 D. £32,000

Answer: B. Total salary = 8 x £32,000 = £256,000. After the departure: £256,000 − £39,000 = £217,000, divided by 7 people = £31,000. The trap is to adjust the average directly instead of going back to the total.

Practice question 2

Unit sales: Product A sold 1,200 units in Q1 and 1,500 in Q2. Product B sold 800 units in Q1 and 760 in Q2. By what percentage did total unit sales change from Q1 to Q2?

A. 10% increase B. 11.5% increase C. 13% increase D. 15% increase

Answer: C. Q1 total = 2,000. Q2 total = 2,260. Change = 260 / 2,000 = 0.13, a 13% increase. Note that averaging the two products' percentage changes (+25% and −5%) gives 10%, which is wrong because the products have different volumes.

Practice question 3

A supplier invoices €4,200. The exchange rate is €1 = £0.85, and your bank adds a 5% fee on the converted amount. What is the total cost in pounds?

A. £3,570.00 B. £3,748.50 C. £3,780.00 D. £4,410.00

Answer: B. €4,200 x 0.85 = £3,570. Add 5%: £3,570 x 1.05 = £3,748.50. Option A forgets the fee; option D applies the fee in euros and forgets to convert. More drills like this are in our numerical reasoning practice questions.

Practice question 4

All analysts in the team use Excel. Some people who use Excel also use Python. Priya is an analyst in the team. Which statement must be true?

A. Priya uses Python. B. Priya uses Excel. C. Priya does not use Python. D. It cannot be determined whether Priya uses Excel.

Answer: B. Priya is an analyst, and all analysts use Excel. Nothing tells you which Excel users also use Python, so A and C cannot be concluded either way.

Practice question 5

Four meetings (Finance, HR, IT and Legal) take place at 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00. Legal is at 11:00. Finance is not the first meeting. IT is immediately after HR. Which meeting is at 12:00?

A. Finance B. HR C. IT D. Legal

Answer: A. Legal takes 11:00, leaving 9:00, 10:00 and 12:00. IT must directly follow HR, and 10:00 to 12:00 is not consecutive because Legal sits between them, so HR is at 9:00 and IT at 10:00. That leaves 12:00 for Finance, which also satisfies "Finance is not first". In the Interactive version this type of item often asks you to drag meetings into a calendar.

Practice question 6

"If the server is updated, the app goes offline. The app is not offline." Which conclusion follows?

A. The server was updated. B. The server was not updated. C. The app is online because the server was updated. D. Nothing can be concluded.

Answer: B. If an update always causes the app to go offline, and the app is not offline, there cannot have been an update. This is a classic valid argument form. Answer A is the most common error. Our deductive reasoning tests guide covers the other forms.

Practice question 7

A sequence of squares: figure 1 is white with a dot in the top-left corner; figure 2 is grey with a dot in the top-right corner; figure 3 is white with a dot in the bottom-right corner. What does figure 4 look like?

A. Grey square, dot bottom-left B. White square, dot bottom-left C. Grey square, dot top-left D. Grey square, dot bottom-right

Answer: A. Two rules: the shading alternates white, grey, white, grey, and the dot moves one corner clockwise per step. Figure 4 is grey with the dot in the bottom-left.

Practice question 8

Figures contain 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 lines in that order. How many lines does the next figure contain?

A. 10 B. 11 C. 12 D. 13

Answer: D. From the third figure on, each figure has as many lines as the previous two combined: 1 + 2 = 3, 2 + 3 = 5, 3 + 5 = 8, so 5 + 8 = 13. The differences (1, 1, 2, 3) do not follow a simple step, which is the clue to look for a different rule. Check every candidate rule against all the figures, not just the last two. The inductive reasoning tests guide lists the rule types that come up most.

Scoring and Results Explained

SHL reports a general ability score and three ability scores, normally compared with a norm group the employer chooses, such as graduates or managers. Results are usually expressed as percentiles or bands. The employer decides the cut-off, and it can differ by role, so there is no universal "pass mark" for the G+.

SHL also notes that cognitive scores can be combined with behavioural and personality data into an overall job score. That is why some employers look at your OPQ personality profile and your G+ result together; see our SHL OPQ32 personality test guide.

Some employers ask strong candidates to sit a short verification test later, sometimes supervised. If your unsupervised score was genuinely yours, there is nothing to worry about.

Common Mistakes

• Spending too long on one item. With 24 to 30 items in 36 minutes, you have roughly 70 to 90 seconds each. A stubborn question costs you two easier ones.
• Skipping the practice screens. Interactive controls are easy, but not on first sight under time pressure.
• Rounding too early. In multi-step numerical items, keep full figures until the last step.
• Bringing outside knowledge into deductive items. Use only the information given.
• Tracking only one rule in inductive items. Most items combine two: position plus colour, count plus rotation.
• Panicking when items get hard. In an adaptive test, harder items usually mean you are doing well.

A Two-Week Preparation Plan

1. Days 1 to 2: baseline

Take one timed mixed practice test covering numerical, deductive and inductive items. Note which section costs you the most time.

2. Days 3 to 6: numerical foundations

Revise percentages, percentage change, ratios, averages and currency conversion. Do 20 minutes of timed table and chart questions daily. Our guide to numerical reasoning in SHL tests covers the interactive chart items.

3. Days 7 to 9: deductive logic

Practise syllogisms, if-then statements and scheduling puzzles. Draw quick grids for ordering problems.

4. Days 10 to 12: inductive patterns

Work through figure series with a rule checklist: position, rotation, shading, number, size, appearing and disappearing elements.

5. Day 13: full simulation

Take a full mixed practice test in one sitting, at the same time of day as your real test, under strict timing. Our SHL practice tests mirror the SHL formats.

6. Day 14: rest and logistics

Check your device, connection and the invitation instructions. Prepare rough paper and, if permitted, a calculator. Then stop practising and sleep well.

Practical Tips

• Use a laptop if you can, even for the mobile-first Interactive version; a larger screen makes charts easier to read.
• Sit the test in one go, in a quiet room, with notifications off.
• Read each question before studying the data, so you know what to look for.
• Answer every item you reach; SHL does not publish a penalty for wrong answers, but read the on-screen instructions.
• If you need extra time or other adjustments, ask the employer before you start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SHL Verify G+ test?

It is SHL's general ability test. It measures numerical, deductive and inductive reasoning and gives a general ability score plus a score for each of the three abilities.

How long is the Verify Interactive G+?

SHL's fact sheet gives an allowed time of 36 minutes with a maximum of 24 questions, in one sitting. Instructions and practice items come on top of that.

Is the SHL G+ test adaptive?

Yes. SHL says both the classic Verify G+ and Verify Interactive G+ use computer adaptive technology, so the questions you see depend partly on how you answered earlier ones.

What is the difference between Verify G+ and Verify Interactive G+?

The classic G+ uses multiple-choice items, up to 30 questions with 10 per ability. The Interactive version uses activity-based items such as drag-and-drop, up to 24 questions, and is designed mobile-first.

Can I use a calculator in the SHL G+ test?

Check your invitation and the on-screen instructions. Candidates commonly report that a calculator is allowed for numerical items, but the employer and test version determine the rules.

About the author

Ingmar van Maurik is a specialist in test and interview preparation who helps candidates perform better in recruitment processes.

References

SHL, Verify Interactive G+ fact sheet: https://service.shl.com/docs/Verify%20Interactive%20G%20plus%20Factsheet.pdf SHL, Verify G+ fact sheet: https://service.shl.com/docs/Verify_G%20plus_Fact_Sheet.pdf SHL, Cognitive assessments: https://www.shl.com/products/assessments/cognitive-assessments/