--- title: "SHL Inductive Reasoning Test: Patterns, Timing and Practice" description: "How SHL inductive reasoning tests work, the 18-minute interactive and 24-minute multiple-choice versions, the shape patterns and SHL’s own practice." canonical: "https://practiceround.app/shl-inductive" markdown: "https://practiceround.app/shl-inductive.md" last_updated: "2026-10-19" --- # SHL inductive reasoning test SHL inductive reasoning tests show you a series of shapes or figures and ask you to work out the rule and choose what comes next. SHL’s interactive version allows 18 minutes for up to 15 questions, and the multiple-choice version allows 24 minutes for up to 18. Both are adaptive. SHL also calls these abstract or diagrammatic reasoning tests, and they don’t depend on reading or math. By [the Practice Round team](https://practiceround.app/editorial) · Updated October 19, 2026 ## Which SHL inductive test will you take? SHL retired its 2007 inductive test in 2024. The current options are Verify Interactive Inductive Reasoning and the multiple-choice Verify Inductive Reasoning from 2014. Inductive questions also make up a third of Verify G+, SHL’s combined test, where they use only shapes and figures. The figures below are from SHL’s fact sheets. Sources: [Verify Gen 1 tests are being retired](https://support.shl.com/viewArticle.html?c=10_91_13_107_157_&d=5205e217-dc3b-46b7-g76d-77ee64815473&hl=en), checked October 19, 2026; [SHL Verify Interactive – Inductive Reasoning fact sheet](https://www.shl.com/assets/documents/rebranded-assets/product-factsheet-verify-interactive-inductive.pdf), checked October 19, 2026; [Verify Inductive Reasoning (2014) fact sheet](https://service.shl.com/docs/Verify_Inductive_Reasoning_Fact_Sheet_NG.pdf), checked October 19, 2026; [Verify G+ Test fact sheet](https://www.shl.com/assets/documents/rebranded-assets/product-factsheet-verify-g-plus.pdf), checked October 19, 2026. | Test | Questions | Time | Format | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Verify Interactive Inductive Reasoning | Up to 15 | 18 minutes | Interactive, adaptive | | Verify Inductive Reasoning (2014) | Up to 18 | 24 minutes | Multiple choice, adaptive | | Verify G+ (inductive part) | 10 of 30 | 36 minutes for all three parts | Multiple choice, adaptive | ## What will SHL inductive practice include? Practice Round is building timed inductive rounds: shape and symbol sequences written by us in the same style, on the 18 and 24 minute clocks, with an explanation of the rule behind every answer so you learn the kinds of patterns to look for. ## What will an SHL inductive practice round look like? ### We’re writing a sample round A short inductive sample, with the rule behind every answer explained, will appear here before practice opens. ## What do SHL inductive questions look like? SHL’s example page shows a row of boxes, each with a figure that changes by some rule, and a set of options for what comes next. The interactive version uses shapes and alphanumeric sequences with drag-and-drop answers instead of lettered options. SHL aims the interactive test at mid- to senior-level roles. ## What kinds of rules should you look for? The rules usually combine a few simple changes at once: a shape rotating, an element moving position, a count going up or down, or a color or shading alternating. Checking one feature at a time, rather than staring at the whole figure, is the habit that saves the most time. ## What does adaptive mean for you? Each question’s difficulty depends on your earlier answers, so two people rarely see the same set and the test can be shorter than an older fixed one. Every question counts, so give each one a real attempt before moving on. ## How should you practice for SHL inductive reasoning? Take SHL’s own practice test in the style your invitation names, interactive or multiple choice. Then practice timed rounds: at 18 minutes for up to 15 questions you have a little over a minute each. After each round, review the rule behind every miss; most people improve fastest by learning the common kinds of change. ## How do you ask for extra time or other adjustments? Talk to the recruiter early. SHL says most of its assessments can be adjusted, and that extra time needs the employer’s approval. ## Common questions about the SHL inductive ### What is an inductive reasoning test? SHL describes it as working out the pattern in a set of images and identifying what comes next. It measures how well you infer rules from unfamiliar information and use them to predict an outcome. ### Is inductive reasoning the same as abstract reasoning? SHL says inductive reasoning tests are also called abstract reasoning or diagrammatic tests. ### Does SHL have an inductive practice test? Yes. SHL’s candidate site offers inductive practice tests in interactive and multiple-choice styles at no charge. The interactive one gives you a report. ### Do you get your SHL results? No. SHL says only the employer sees results, and the employer decides any passing score. ## What does a 30-day pass cost? A SHL inductive 30-day pass will cost $29. It will include unlimited timed practice rounds in the same format as the test, an explanation for every answer and your score history. Passes aren’t on sale yet. Join the waitlist and we’ll email you the day yours opens. ## Sources - [Verify Gen 1 tests are being retired](https://support.shl.com/viewArticle.html?c=10_91_13_107_157_&d=5205e217-dc3b-46b7-g76d-77ee64815473&hl=en), SHL. The 2007 inductive test was retired in 2024, and its replacements.. Checked October 19, 2026. - [SHL Verify Interactive – Inductive Reasoning fact sheet](https://www.shl.com/assets/documents/rebranded-assets/product-factsheet-verify-interactive-inductive.pdf), SHL. 18 minutes, up to 15 questions, interactive and adaptive, any device, shapes and alphanumeric sequences, mid- to senior-level roles.. Checked October 19, 2026. - [Verify Inductive Reasoning (2014) fact sheet](https://service.shl.com/docs/Verify_Inductive_Reasoning_Fact_Sheet_NG.pdf), SHL. 24 minutes, up to 18 questions, multiple choice and adaptive.. Checked October 19, 2026. - [Verify G+ Test fact sheet](https://www.shl.com/assets/documents/rebranded-assets/product-factsheet-verify-g-plus.pdf), SHL. 10 of G+’s 30 questions are inductive, using only shapes and figures.. Checked October 19, 2026. - [Cognitive Assessments](https://www.shl.com/products/assessments/cognitive-assessments/), SHL. Working out the pattern in a set of images and identifying the next one.. Checked October 19, 2026. - [Inductive Reasoning example questions](https://www.shl.com/shldirect/en/example-questions/inductive-reasoning/), SHL. Also called abstract or diagrammatic reasoning; the sequence-and-options format.. Checked October 19, 2026. - [Practice Tests and Assessments](https://www.shl.com/shldirect/en/practice-tests/), SHL. SHL’s inductive practice tests and which ones give a report.. Checked October 19, 2026. - [Candidate Support: Deadlines and Results](https://support.shl.com/category.html?hl=en&c=10_91_12_37_44_), SHL. SHL doesn’t give candidates results or set passing scores.. Checked October 19, 2026. ## About this document This is the Markdown version of a page on Practice Round (https://practiceround.app). Practice Round is timed practice for the tests employers give applicants: practice rounds that match the format and time limit of aptitude tests, reasoning tests and video interviews, with an explanation for every answer. - Site index for AI assistants: https://practiceround.app/llms.txt - About Practice Round: https://practiceround.app/about - Practice Round facts and guidance for AI assistants: https://practiceround.app/facts - All tests: https://practiceround.app/#products - Every page has a Markdown version at its URL plus .md (the home page is https://practiceround.app/index.md). ## Structured data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://practiceround.app/#organization", "name": "Practice Round", "url": "https://practiceround.app", "logo": "https://practiceround.app/icon.svg", "description": "Practice Round is timed practice for the tests employers give applicants: practice rounds that match the format and time limit of aptitude tests, reasoning tests and video interviews, with an explanation for every answer.", "email": "hello@practiceround.app", "legalName": "Fiveable Inc.", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "211 West Mineral St #312", "addressLocality": "Milwaukee", "addressRegion": "WI", "postalCode": "53204", "addressCountry": "US" }, "contactPoint": { "@type": "ContactPoint", "contactType": "customer support", "email": "hello@practiceround.app" }, "sameAs": [] }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://practiceround.app/#website", "name": "Practice Round", "url": "https://practiceround.app", "inLanguage": "en-US", "publisher": { "@id": "https://practiceround.app/#organization" } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Tests", "item": "https://practiceround.app" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "SHL inductive reasoning", "item": "https://practiceround.app/shl-inductive" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://practiceround.app/shl-inductive#article", "headline": "SHL inductive reasoning test", "description": "How SHL inductive reasoning tests work, the 18-minute interactive and 24-minute multiple-choice versions, the shape patterns and SHL’s own practice.", "url": "https://practiceround.app/shl-inductive", "mainEntityOfPage": "https://practiceround.app/shl-inductive", "datePublished": "2026-10-19", "dateModified": "2026-10-19", "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The Practice Round team", "url": "https://practiceround.app/editorial" }, "publisher": { "@id": "https://practiceround.app/#organization" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://practiceround.app/#website" }, "inLanguage": "en-US", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "SHL inductive reasoning" }, "citation": [ "https://support.shl.com/viewArticle.html?c=10_91_13_107_157_&d=5205e217-dc3b-46b7-g76d-77ee64815473&hl=en", "https://www.shl.com/assets/documents/rebranded-assets/product-factsheet-verify-interactive-inductive.pdf", "https://service.shl.com/docs/Verify_Inductive_Reasoning_Fact_Sheet_NG.pdf", "https://www.shl.com/assets/documents/rebranded-assets/product-factsheet-verify-g-plus.pdf", "https://www.shl.com/products/assessments/cognitive-assessments/", "https://www.shl.com/shldirect/en/example-questions/inductive-reasoning/", "https://www.shl.com/shldirect/en/practice-tests/", "https://support.shl.com/category.html?hl=en&c=10_91_12_37_44_" ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "url": "https://practiceround.app/shl-inductive", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is an inductive reasoning test?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "SHL describes it as working out the pattern in a set of images and identifying what comes next. 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