Verbal Reasoning Test for Job Assessments
What is a Verbal Reasoning Test and How Can You Prepare?
A verbal reasoning test is a common assessment used by employers to measure your ability to understand and interpret written information. You’ll encounter questions based on short passages that test your logic, vocabulary, and comprehension. These tests are often timed and are part of pre-employment screenings in industries like law, finance, customer service, and tech. To succeed, practice reading carefully, expand your vocabulary, and take sample tests to build confidence and speed. Try free verbal reasoning questions to improve your score and prepare for real assessments.
Verbal Reasoning Tests are commonly used by employers to evaluate a candidate’s ability to understand, interpret, and analyze written information. These tests are a standard part of pre-employment assessments, especially in roles that require communication, comprehension, and decision-making based on text.
If you’re applying for a job in customer service, management, finance, law, or any role where written communication is essential, practicing verbal reasoning questions can give you a strong advantage.
What Is a Verbal Reasoning Test?
A verbal reasoning test measures how well you can read, understand, and draw conclusions from written information. You’ll typically be presented with a short passage of text followed by a question. The most common question formats are:
True / False / Cannot Say based on a given statement
Multiple-choice questions testing logic or comprehension
Synonyms and antonyms for vocabulary evaluation
Word relationships or analogies
The goal is to assess your critical thinking, attention to detail, and reading comprehension under timed conditions.
Why Do Employers Use Verbal Reasoning Tests?
Employers use these tests to:
Evaluate communication skills and reading comprehension
Predict how well candidates will handle job-related documents, reports, or emails
Create a fair and objective way to compare applicants
Verbal reasoning is particularly important in industries like law, administration, sales, marketing, journalism, and any position that requires reading and writing as part of the daily job.
Types of Verbal Reasoning Questions
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Understanding the main idea of a passage |
| Logical Deductions | Determining if a statement is supported by the text |
| Grammar & Vocabulary | Choosing correct word usage or identifying errors |
| Synonyms & Antonyms | Understanding word meaning and relationships |
| Critical Thinking | Making logical decisions based on arguments presented in the text |
Most common verbal reasoning tests
1. SHL Verbal Reasoning Test
Widely used by global employers. It includes short passages followed by True/False/Cannot Say questions to assess comprehension and logic.
2. Aon / Cut-e Verbal Test
These are fast-paced, gamified tests. They often require quick comparison of statements or identifying correct sentences under time pressure.
3. Talent Q (Korn Ferry) Verbal Reasoning Test
Adaptive testing format. The difficulty adjusts based on your answers. Questions focus on analyzing written arguments and choosing the best answer.
4. Thomas International Verbal Test
Used to evaluate verbal comprehension and communication ability. Often part of a broader aptitude suite.
5. Criteria Corp (CCAT)
The Criteria Cognitive Aptitude Test includes a verbal section with analogies, antonyms, and reading comprehension. It’s fast-paced and covers multiple skills.
6. PI Cognitive Assessment
While it’s a general cognitive test, the PI includes several verbal reasoning components like vocabulary, sentence completion, and analogies.
7. Wonderlic Personnel Test / SLE
Both tests include verbal reasoning questions that assess vocabulary, grammar, and sentence logic under strict time limits.
8. Berke Assessment
Includes verbal reasoning and personality questions. Common in sales and customer service hiring.
Tips to Succeed in a Verbal Reasoning Test
Read carefully: Avoid assumptions. Only use the information provided.
Practice under timed conditions: These tests are usually time-limited.
Expand your vocabulary: Read articles, books, and editorials to improve your word knowledge.
Eliminate wrong answers: Narrowing your choices boosts accuracy.
Who Uses Verbal Reasoning Tests?
Many employers and test providers include verbal reasoning as part of their assessments. These include:
SHL
Aon / Cut-e
Thomas International
Talent Q
Criteria Corp (CCAT)
Wonderlic
PI Cognitive Assessment
You may encounter verbal reasoning sections in both standalone tests and broader aptitude test batteries.
Try Our Free Verbal Reasoning Practice Test
Our practice test includes realistic verbal reasoning questions to help you prepare for job assessments. Test your skills and review explanations to improve your accuracy and speed.
Sample Question 1: True / False / Cannot Say
Passage:
“Remote work has become increasingly popular over the last five years, with many companies reporting higher employee satisfaction and productivity.”
Statement:
All companies that implemented remote work saw an increase in productivity.
Options:
A. True
B. False
C. Cannot Say
Correct Answer: C. Cannot Say
Explanation: The passage says “many companies,” not “all.” So we can’t confirm the statement for all companies.
Sample Question 2: Synonyms
Question:
Choose the word that is most similar in meaning to “concise.”
A. Detailed
B. Brief
C. Confusing
D. Repetitive
Correct Answer: B. Brief
Explanation: “Concise” means expressing much in few words, which is closest in meaning to “brief.”
Sample Question 3: Reading Comprehension
Passage:
“In 2022, the tech industry faced major layoffs due to economic uncertainty. However, many startups continued to grow and hire new talent.”
Question:
Which of the following is supported by the passage?
A. All tech companies laid off workers in 2022.
B. Economic uncertainty caused layoffs in some tech companies.
C. Startups stopped hiring in 2022.
D. Tech hiring was consistent across all companies.
Correct Answer: B. Economic uncertainty caused layoffs in some tech companies.
Explanation: The passage states that economic uncertainty led to layoffs, but also mentions that some startups grew and hired.
Sample Question 4: Antonyms
Question:
Choose the word that is opposite in meaning to “expand.”
A. Inflate
B. Increase
C. Contract
D. Extend
Correct Answer: C. Contract
Explanation: “Contract” means to make smaller or reduce in size, which is the opposite of “expand.”
Sample Question 5: Logical Deduction
Passage:
“All employees must attend the cybersecurity training. Those who complete the training will receive a certificate.”
Statement:
If someone did not receive a certificate, they did not attend the training.
Options:
A. True
B. False
C. Cannot Say
Correct Answer: C. Cannot Say
Explanation: It’s possible someone attended the training but didn’t complete it, and thus didn’t get a certificate.
FAQ
Employers use these tests to measure communication skills, critical thinking, and the ability to process information from written sources. It helps them predict how candidates will perform in roles that involve reading and decision-making.
Typical question types include:
True/False/Cannot Say based on a passage
Reading comprehension
Synonyms and antonyms
Logical deductions
Sentence completion
The duration varies, but most verbal reasoning tests last between 15 to 30 minutes with around 20 to 30 questions. Time pressure is part of the challenge.
Yes, most verbal reasoning tests are multiple choice. Some may use statements with “True,” “False,” or “Cannot Say” as answer options.
A good score usually places you in the top 30% or higher of test takers. However, passing scores vary depending on the employer or job level.
