Verbal reasoning tests are among the most common assessment tools used by employers worldwide. Applications to law firms, consulting companies and FTSE 100 corporations almost all involve one. The good news: verbal reasoning is a highly trainable skill, and with the right strategies, you can move from average to top-20% performance.
What is a Verbal Reasoning Test?
A verbal reasoning test presents you with a short passage of text, followed by a statement. Your job is to determine whether the statement is True, False, or Cannot Say based solely on the information in the passage. The key word is 'solely'. You must ignore your own knowledge and base your answer only on what the passage states.
Never use your own knowledge. Even if you know a statement is true in real life, if the passage doesn't support it, the answer is 'Cannot Say'.
True / False / Cannot Say: Explained
- True: The passage directly states or logically implies the statement is correct.
- False: The passage directly contradicts the statement.
- Cannot Say: The passage neither confirms nor denies the statement. There is insufficient information.
7 Proven Strategies to Improve Your Score
- 1Read the statement before the passage: Know what you're looking for before you read. This makes your reading active and targeted, saving 10-15 seconds per question.
- 2Look for keywords: Identify the key nouns, verbs, and qualifiers in the statement. Scan the passage for those exact words or their synonyms.
- 3Watch for absolute language: Words like 'always', 'never', 'all', 'none' in statements are usually False. Passages rarely make absolute claims.
- 4Distinguish between 'implies' and 'states': A passage that implies something doesn't make it True. The statement must be directly supported.
- 5Don't overthink Cannot Say: If you can't find clear evidence in the passage, select Cannot Say. Don't infer beyond what's written.
- 6Practice with a timer: Verbal tests are typically 1-2 minutes per question. Practice under time pressure from day one.
- 7Review your True/False errors: Most errors fall into predictable patterns. Identify yours and focus your practice there.
Publisher Differences
| Publisher | Questions | Time | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHL Verify | 30 questions | 19 minutes | Medium | Passages are 100-150 words, professional business topics |
| Korn Ferry | 24 questions | 20 minutes | Hard | Dense academic-style passages, complex vocabulary |
| Talent Q Elements | 15 questions | Adaptive | Adaptive | Passages get harder as you answer correctly |
MakingMoves.ai offers publisher-specific verbal reasoning practice with AI-powered feedback. Identify your weak areas and improve fast.
Start Free PracticeIngmar van Maurik is the founder of MakingMoves.ai and Assessment-Training.com. With 10+ years in psychometric assessment design, he has helped over 1 million professionals prepare for job assessments.