The SHL online verbal reasoning test for training contract applications

Transcription

1 The SHL online verbal reasoning test for training contract applications BPP Legal Awareness Society 28 June 2012 Summary Background to SHL Observations on the online SHL verbal reasoning test Actual SHL example Further practice material Equality and reasonable adjustments LegalAware: the BPP Legal Awareness Society A brief history Can I avoid the test? Usually not virtually all firms use the test Only a handful of firms don t use the test, and they tend to use the Watson-Glaser test instead. It is virtually impossible to contract out of doing some form of verbal reasoning test, however well you ve done in your academic studies. 1

2 Useful links SHL practice tests (for graduatelevel) What is the test? Unofficial observations. Passages are written in plain English. Sentence lengths are reasonable. Passages avoid technical and political subject-matter. After the passage 2-3 sentences follow, and candidates are asked to make a decision as to whether the statement is definitely true, definitely false or cannot say. The passages cover a broad range of subjects, such as geology, technology and history. No prior knowledge is expected (or indeed advisable!) It doesn t matter, but biology, business economics education engineering environment geography geology health and safety human resources medicine modern languages physics technology transport 2

3 How is it marked? One mark per question. No negative marking. Usually the outcome metric is the total number correct (NOT the speed at which you do it HOWEVER check with your graduate recruitment team.) The total mark is then converted to a normative score where your score is ranked out of a normative population of people of graduate standard (e.g. Candidate X scored in the 88 th percentile) How is the information used? You ll be usually asked to do the SHL verbal reasoning test within one week of submitting the online application form. If you need reasonable adjustments (e.g. extra time), for an evidenced condition (such as dyslexia or movement disorder), you should discuss this with the graduate recruitment team of your chosen firm. They should be able to give you bespoke instructions for a special test. All candidates normally receive the test, but the purpose is not to compare candidates in any particular cohort against each other. However, firms tend to use the results from the test to sift who comes to interview. Some Magic Circle firms will use a notional cut-off of about 80% percentile, but all firms emphasise that they judge the application holistically. Equality and reasonable adjustments Dyslexia can be a legally recognised disability depending on its severity. Therefore, when applicants or candidates are being assessed, the qualified test user should have due regard to the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act (1995) or Equality Act (2010); this makes it unlawful for an employer to treat a disabled person less favourably than a non-disabled person without good reason. 3

4 Discrimination is outlawed in a wide range of employment activities including selection, promotion and training. Employers have a duty to make reasonable adjustments to selection processes and working conditions so that disabled persons are not placed at a substantial disadvantage. British Psychological Society ( Facebook: In search of the training contract page 4

5 @legalaware (4702 followers as of today) Summary Background to SHL Observations on the online SHL verbal reasoning test Actual SHL example Further practice material Equality and reasonable adjustments LegalAware: the BPP Legal Awareness Society 5