A Situational Judgment Test (SJT) is a type of assessment used by employers to evaluate a candidate’s judgment and decision-making abilities in various work-related scenarios. SJTs present hypothetical situations that require the candidate to make a decision or take an action. The candidate is then evaluated based on the quality of their response.
To prepare for an SJT test, it is important to become familiar with the format and the types of scenarios that may be presented. Practice tests are available online or in books and can help you prepare for the test. It’s also important to review your judgment and decision-making skills and consider strategies for improving them.
The SJT Practice Pack:
If you are invited for a situational judgment test, this is the right pack for you! You will find different scenarios, simulations, the real tests and gain confidence and knowledge how to choose your answers better. This pack includes general SJT test pratice and bonus practice for the following positions: management, administration, supervisor, interpersonal, customer service, call center, and sales positions.
In the pack, you will also find a study guide and access for 6 months to the practice materials.
The pack includes SJT practice materials for all positions and tailor made practice tests for candidates for management, administration, interpersonal, supervisor, customer service, call center, and sales positions.
Learn About SJT
One of the most popular job tests is the Situational Judgement Test (SJT). These psychological assessments are designed to simulate realistic job scenarios related to the job to which you have applied. Companies and employers often use them to see how you might respond to role-based situations without hiring you first.
Job types that might require you to pass an SJT are:
- Firefighters
- Customer service
- Management and supervisory
- Administrative positions
- Civil service
- Police
- Nurses
- Engineers
SJT Format
SJTs are multiple-choice tests that are usually timed. Most SJTs start with a given scenario and have 25-50 to scenarios in total. The scenarios are based on realistic but hypothetical job experiences. After reading each situation, you will be presented with a number of possible responses.
There are two main SJT question styles:
1. Selecting Questions- Your goal is to select the most or least appropriate choice out of the ones given. A variation of this format is to ask you to select multiple favorable or least favorable choices for your answer.
2. Ranking/Rating Questions- You may encounter scenarios that require you to rank or rate the given responses from best to worse.
Types of SJT Scenarios
Each SJT scenario is presented with a conflict that you are responsible for resolving. Even though the situations are hypothetical, they are realistic and, therefore, present challenging experiences where you must use critical thinking and strong intrapersonal skills to choose the most effective responses.
The conflicts can be about a number of relationships and are largely job-specific, as each job has specific traits and key aptitudes they are looking for in future employees. A police applicant is going to have a vastly different SJT than a customer service applicant, for example.
Let’s look at the kinds of relationship scenarios that you might encounter during your test.
Employee-Customer– In this situation, you, the hypothetical employee, are put into a conflicting scenario with a customer. You will be required to choose the best (or worst) way to respond to the given situation.
Supervisor-Subordinate– These scenarios involve a stressful situation involving you as the subordinate and a supervisor. Your job is to understand your position in relation to theirs and choose the best way to proceed.
Employee-Work Colleagues– In this scenario, your work is being negatively affected by colleagues. You must be able to show employers that you have good conflict-management skills by attempting to resolve these situations independently. Responses that resort to upper management to resolve situations should be saved for extenuating circumstances.
Intrapersonal– These scenarios involve your morality and how you work independently.
SJT Sample Questions
Example 1
While you’re leaving work, you see Robert, a colleague, clocking out both himself and his friend, John. You don’t recall John being at work today.
Rank the following responses from best to worse.
A. Text John to see what he’s up to.
B. Don’t say anything. It’s none of your business.
C. Let your manager know in case it happens again.
D. Ask Robert if John was at work today to clarify.
Answer: D, A, C, B
There might be a reason why Robert is clocking out John. Though you can tell the manager, it’s best to clear things up with Robert in a nonconfrontational way before getting anyone else involved.
Example 2
A big project is due at the end of this week. You’re almost done, but then you notice you’ve made a mistake that is going to take days to rectify.
Choose the best way to precede.
A. Stay up all week to try to finish.
B. Inform your supervisor and complete as much as you can.
C. Inform your supervisor and see if any colleagues can assist you.
D. Submit it without correcting it.
Answer: C.
Keeping your supervisor informed and working as a team reflects strong communication skills and knowing your limitations.
Understanding SJT scores and feedback
SJT scores are typically presented in the form of a numerical score or a ranking compared to other candidates who have taken the same assessment. The score is usually based on how well the candidate performed on each scenario presented in the test. A higher score generally indicates better judgment and decision-making abilities.
To understand SJT scores and feedback, it’s important to review your performance on each scenario presented in the test. Pay attention to the scenarios where you scored lower and identify areas where you could improve your judgment and decision-making abilities. Use the feedback provided to guide your preparation for future assessments.
Prepare for Your SJT
If you want to ace your SJT, then you will need to identify the top qualities within your job role and anticipate your response to these scenarios. Let’s look at tips on how to pass the SJT.
- Take a practice SJT under similar conditions to what you will be taking in the real exam.
- Familiarize yourself with the kinds of attributes each question is looking for according to the job.
- Remember your job role and try to answer with your job’s limitations and requirements in mind.
- Study and review practice questions that are hard to answer.
- Time yourself to get used to working under pressure.
The best way to prepare for an SJT is by taking a pre-assessment. We offer a wide variety of practice questions and supplemental material that can help you score high on your test and get the job you want.
