Situational Judgement Tests

Situational judgement tests are often used by employers who are recruiting for a role and want to see how well the pool of candidates they have react to commonplace work challenges.

Every question you answer on the test will be framed in the context of the workplace and will put your communication, teamwork, commercial awareness and relationship building skills to the test. Although this may sound simpler than a test such as numerical reasoning, there will be several multiple choice answers that could be right, and selecting the most appropriate one is certainly a skill. The more you practice situational judgement tests, the better you’ll get at identifying how to answer the questions.

A situational judgement test (SJT) is a type of assessment used to evaluate a person's decision-making abilities in hypothetical scenarios. This test format presents candidates with a range of realistic workplace situations and asks them to choose the most appropriate course of action from a list of options. Typically, an SJT consists of multiple-choice questions that describe a situation and ask the test-taker to rank the options based on their effectiveness or appropriateness.

Situational judgement tests are often used in hiring processes to evaluate a candidate's soft skills, such as problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution. The scenarios presented in an SJT are designed to simulate the types of situations that the candidate may encounter on the job. The questions are typically based on a specific job role or industry, and the options provided reflect the kind of decisions that the candidate may be required to make in that role.

The situational judgement test will have a series of different competency based questions, framed as workplace challenges. Your job is to read the questions carefully and then consider the selection of multiple choice answers you have to choose from. As more than one answer could be right, it’s a good idea to read up on the company and role you are applying for. Getting this background information will help you put yourself in the shoes of the employer to understand what they’re looking for.

A situational judgement test is popular with armed forces employers as it tests such a variety of skills. With every question you answer, you’re being assessed on your communication style, ability to build relationships and work as part of a team, and your innate commercial awareness and creative process.

The questions will be presented as work issues, as your employer wants to get a true sense of how you’re likely to react to these challenges should you be hired. The best way you can prepare for this is just to practice as many tests as you can, and read up on the test tips and tricks via Military Aptitude Tests magazine.

Situational judgement tests typically consist of a series of scenarios or situations that a candidate may encounter in a particular job or industry. Each scenario is accompanied by a set of multiple-choice questions that ask the candidate to choose the best course of action from a list of options. The questions are designed to test the candidate's ability to analyze the situation, weigh different options, and make a sound decision based on the available information.

Some common types of questions on SJTs include ranking questions, where the candidate is asked to rank the effectiveness of different actions, and best/worst case scenario questions, where the candidate is asked to choose the best or worst outcome from a set of options. Overall, SJTs are designed to assess a candidate's decision-making skills in realistic and job-relevant situations.

Military organizations use situational judgement tests as a part of their recruitment process for a variety of reasons. One key reason is that military roles require a high degree of critical thinking and decision-making under pressure. Situational judgement tests are designed to simulate real-world scenarios and assess a candidate's ability to make sound decisions in complex situations. This allows military organizations to identify candidates who are likely to perform well in high-stress, fast-paced environments.

Another reason military organizations use situational judgement tests is to evaluate a candidate's suitability for specific roles. Different roles in the military require different skills and qualities, and SJTs can be customized to assess those skills and qualities. For example, an SJT for a combat role may include scenarios that test a candidate's ability to respond to enemy fire or navigate difficult terrain.

Preparing for a situational judgement test can seem daunting, but with the right approach, you can improve your chances of success. Here are five tips to help you prepare and pass your SJT:

Understand the format and content of the test

It's essential to familiarize yourself with the format of the SJT and the types of questions you'll be asked. Look for practice tests online or from the company that is administering the test. Knowing what to expect can help reduce anxiety and improve your performance on the actual test.

Develop your critical thinking and decision-making skills

SJTs are designed to assess your ability to make sound decisions in real-world situations. To improve your skills in this area, try to analyze situations from multiple perspectives and consider the potential consequences of different actions. You can also try practicing with similar scenarios that you might encounter in the workplace.

Pay attention to details and instructions

SJTs often have specific instructions or guidelines that you need to follow. Be sure to read the instructions carefully and pay attention to details such as time limits, number of questions, and scoring methods.

Be honest and consistent in your responses

SJTs are designed to evaluate your thought processes and decision-making abilities, so it's essential to provide honest and consistent responses. Avoid trying to second-guess what the employer might be looking for and instead focus on what you believe to be the most appropriate course of action.

Practice time management

SJTs are often timed, so it's important to practice time management and work efficiently through the questions. If you encounter a difficult scenario, don't spend too much time on it. Instead, move on to the next question and come back to it later if you have time. By practicing time management, you can ensure that you complete the test within the allotted time.