How are situational judgement tests scored?

The test is used by armed forces employers to help recruit the best people possible for each and every job. When you test people on scenarios they are likely to encounter regularly in the role, you start to build up a much clearer picture of their strengths, weaknesses, values and overall ability.

What are situational judgement tests used for?

Each test involves multiple work challenges, and a selection of possible responses to that challenge. Your job is to pick the most appropriate response to show a potential employer that you’re the type of person who would add value to the company.

What do situational judgement tests involve?

The situational judgement test measures commercial awareness, common sense, problem solving and relationship building skills.

What do situational judgement tests measure?

The tests measure your skills and competencies. The simulated situations are an employers best chance of assessing yours skillset in more detail before offering you a role where these situations are likely to become everyday realities.

Where can I practice situational judgement tests?

We have lots of different practice situational judgement tests for you to try. On Military Aptitude Tests you’ll also find tips and tricks that’ll help you get better scores each time.

Which employers use situational judgement tests?

Everyone from armed forces employers to those in the public sector! In fact, situational judgement tests are probably the most popular aptitude test used by employers as the questions focus on real workplace scenarios to tease out people’s strengths and weaknesses.

Situational Judgement Tests

Situational judgement tests assess how you deal with scenarios and challenges that come up in the workplace.

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What are 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.
What is the situational judgement test format?
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.
What is the situational judgement test format?
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.
What skills do situational judgement tests assess?
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.
What types of questions are on situational judgement tests?
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.
Why do military organizations use situational judgement tests in their Recruitment?
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.
How To Prepare and Pass Your Situational Judgement Test
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.

Sample Situational Judgement Tests question Test your knowledge!

Score: /5

Your team is asked to complete a project much sooner than anticipated due to a new priority shift. How do you motivate your team to meet the new deadline?

Explain the importance of the new deadline and offer incentives for early completion.
Insist that everyone stays late until the project is completed to ensure the new deadline is met.
Request additional resources and assistance from other departments to meet the new timeline.
Remind the team of the consequences of not meeting deadlines to ensure they prioritize this project.

You have discovered a minor mistake in a report that has already been sent to a client. The error does not affect the overall findings but could be noticed. What do you do?

Ignore the error since it does not affect the findings and could cause unnecessary worry if pointed out.
Inform your supervisor of the error and ask for guidance on whether to inform the client.
Immediately call the client to apologize and correct the mistake.
Correct the mistake internally but wait to see if the client notices or brings it up.

During a meeting, a senior colleague takes credit for your idea which has contributed significantly to the project's success. How do you respond?

Address the matter immediately in the meeting, clarifying that it was your original idea.
Stay silent during the meeting, but later talk to your colleague privately to express your concerns.
Complain to other colleagues about the situation after the meeting to gather support.
Speak to your supervisor after the meeting to discuss the situation and how it was handled.

A colleague is struggling with their workload and has missed a couple of deadlines. This is beginning to affect project timelines. How do you handle this situation?

Report the situation to management without speaking to your colleague, so they can handle it.
Offer your assistance to your colleague and suggest ways to manage their workload effectively.
Assume part of their workload without discussing it with them, to ensure all deadlines are met.
Do nothing as it is not your responsibility to manage your colleague's workload.

You are assigned to work with a team member who is known for having a difficult personality. What is the best approach to ensure a productive working relationship?

Keep interaction with the team member to a minimum to avoid possible conflicts.
Try to establish common ground and build rapport with the team member to improve communication.
Discuss the team member's reputation with your supervisor and request to work with someone else.
Document all interactions with the team member in case you need to report inappropriate behavior.

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