Overview

  • Verbal Reasoning Tests (VRTs) looks at your ability to reason with information provided in passages of text

You do not need to have a large variety of tests to improve – focussing on a handful of tests repeatedly will encourage deeper learning and understanding, which is better than spreading yourself thinly across say 15 Verbal tests

  • Whilst a VRT requires knowing a language as a prerequisite, it is not assessing your language capability. i.e. many native English speakers can fail a VRT
  • Pass marks are typically around the 30th and 50th percentiles, but you should aim as high as possible. If you do not know an answer, guessing (although not recommended) may give you extra points as there is no negative marking on these tests
  • Practice will reduce your anxieties, help you prepare and give you a better chance to succeed on the day
  • Our tests are written by ex-SHL and Kenexa Test Psychometricians and developers. You can get a very strong experience of the real thing simply by taking our FREE Numerical, Verbal and Logical Tests – click on the tab on the top-left of the screen now

What are SHL Verbal Reasoning Tests for Managers and Graduates (VMG)

The VMG is a series of verbal reasoning tests aimed at the managerial and graduate level which belong to a test battery known as MGIB – Managerial and Graduate Item Bank. There are 6 verbal reasoning tests labelled VMG1-6, with VMG 6 reflecting the latest version. The VMG tests are often taken online but have been used by many organisations for supervised re-testing (assuming an online version has previously been completed) at an assessment centre stage. This verification process adheres to fixed question booklets although the organisation can use any version they wish. However, the online tests vary in terms of the content to prevent candidates sharing answers to questions.

  • For the online assessment, a test is produced for each candidate using a number of items selected from an item bank; a pool of items.
  • The items are chosen based upon their difficult levels such that each candidate is given a test of comparable difficulty.
  • Candidates are required to answer questions which require verbal reasoning using information contained in passages of text.
  • There are 3 options to choose from; ‘True’, ‘False’ or ‘Cannot Say’ which is determined based upon the information contained in the passage. Only 1 of the options is correct.
  • Those with English as their first language may have an advantage over others; however the low cut-offs or requirement criteria to pass will ensure that no one is disadvantaged over others. It is advised that candidates practise as much as possible.
  • The Verbal reasoning tests consists of 24 questions with around 12 minutes in which to complete them. You are advised to work both quickly and accurately. For more information, see ‘Ability Tests’.

Did you know our tests are written by ex-SHL test developers? Take a FREE Verbal Reasoning Test and receive FREE expert feedback too. Click on the tab at the top-left of this page now.

The results of each test are compared against a relevant ‘norm’ group, which consists of similar individuals who have previously completed the same test; this helps to benchmark a candidate’s response against others to see how well they have done in comparison.

Our feedback reports also give ‘normed’ scores as well as a detailed breakdown of your performance – no other test publisher provides this.

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