Cisco SHL Assessment: Prep Guide and Example Questions

What Is the Cisco SHL Assessment?

If you have applied for a role with Cisco, you will likely be required to complete a series of assessments as part of the interview process.

For candidates applying for graduate schemes, technology roles, engineering roles, and business functions positions, the Cisco SHL test is a commonly used tool for assessing applicants.

Designed to assess analytical thinking, problem solving and role-specific competencies effectively, the Cisco SHL assessment provides recruiters with a comprehensive overview of the suitability of an individual candidate.

Typically, candidates must complete their Cisco SHL assessment before being invited to an in-person interview. Recruiters initially screen CVs to identify individuals who would potentially be suitable for a role before SHL screening, and the results of these tests will be used to select the best candidates to proceed to interview.

In this article, you will learn more about the Cisco SHL Test and how to prepare for it effectively. 

What to Expect in the Cisco SHL Test

The Cisco SHL assessment is usually split into several different sections. Each section will be targeted to assess a different skill.

Cisco specifically focuses on selecting candidates who show innovation, clarity of communication, and logical problem-solving skills. A clear understanding and use of these abilities will help to highlight your application to recruiters.

Candidates will typically be required to complete assessments in numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, logical/inductive reasoning, and a situational judgment test (SJT).

It is also possible that recruiters will ask for an additional SHL Verify Interactive G+ test, although this will often depend on the role being applied for and the core skills required. 

All sections of the Cisco SHL assessment are multiple-choice and administered under strict timed conditions. This means that candidates will need to be able to answer questions both quickly and accurately.

Numerical Reasoning

Questions within the numerical reasoning section aim to evaluate how well individuals can understand and extract information from numerical data. 

Candidates are presented with graphs, charts, or other numerical information and then asked to find answers or solutions to questions.

Verbal Reasoning

Verbal reasoning questions assess an individual's ability to understand and form conclusions from written information. 

Typically, this will involve being presented with a piece of text and then answering questions related to it. 

Logical Reasoning

Sometimes called inductive reasoning, logical reasoning questions require candidates to identify the rules or common denominators from the information provided and then apply the same rules to find the correct answer from a selection of options. 

In some cases, this will mean considering a series of images to find the next in a sequence. Alternatively, candidates may be provided with written information and then asked to choose a correct option from a series of choices. 

Situational Judgment Tests

Employers need to know that their potential new employees will fit well within the company and uphold company values. 

A good way of assessing this is with situational judgment tests. Candidates are asked a series of questions related to hypothetical workplace scenarios.

They then need to provide answers that they feel would best suit the scenario or resolve a problem. 

SHL Verify Interactive G+ Test

This assessment aims to assess general cognitive ability in three core areas: numerical reasoning, deductive reasoning, and inductive reasoning.

This is achieved using a visual and drag-and-drop format. 

Cisco SHL Test Example Questions

Numerical Reasoning

Question 1:

Cisco’s sales revenue increased from £450 million to £540 million over a year. What is the percentage increase in revenue?

a) 18%
b) 19%
c) 20%
d) 25%

The correct answer is: c) 20%

Increase = £540m – £450m = £90m
Percentage increase = (90 ÷ 450) × 100 = 20%

Question 2:

A network engineer has a budget of £12,000. They have already spent £7,250. What percentage of the budget remains?

a) 35%
b) 38%
c) 40%
d) 42%

The correct answer is: c) 40%

Remaining = £12,000 – £7,250 = £4,750
Percentage remaining = (4,750 ÷ 12,000) × 100 ≈ 39.58%

Verbal Reasoning

Question 1:

Read the statement and answer the question:

"Cisco’s collaboration tools have been adopted globally by companies seeking efficient communication platforms."

Which of the following is true based on the statement?

a) Only companies in the US use Cisco’s collaboration tools.
b) Cisco’s collaboration tools are unpopular globally.
c) Cisco’s collaboration tools are used by companies worldwide.
d) Companies do not use Cisco’s collaboration tools for communication.

The correct answer is: c) Cisco’s collaboration tools are used by companies worldwide.

The statement mentions global adoption.

Question 2:

Which statement weakens the argument:

"Cisco’s cybersecurity solutions guarantee complete protection from online threats."

a) No cybersecurity solution can guarantee complete protection.
b) Cisco invests heavily in cybersecurity research.
c) Cybersecurity is a growing concern for businesses.
d) Many companies use Cisco’s cybersecurity products.

The correct answer is: a) No cybersecurity solution can guarantee complete protection.

This directly challenges the claim of guaranteed protection.

Logical (Inductive) Reasoning

Question 1:

Identify the next letter in the sequence:

E, G, J, N, S, ?

a) U
b) W
c) X
d) Y

The correct answer is: c) X

The pattern increases by +2, +3, +4, +5:

E (+2) → G
G (+3) → J
J (+4) → N
N (+5) → S
S (+6) → X

Question 2:

Find the missing number:

4, 9, 19, 39, ?

a) 49
b) 69
c) 79
d) 99

The correct answer is: c) 79

Pattern: Multiply by 2, then subtract 1

4 × 2 + 1 = 9
9 × 2 + 1 = 19
19 × 2 + 1 = 39
39 × 2 + 1 = 79

How to Prepare for the Cisco SHL Assessment

Cisco looks for a mixture of technical aptitude and communication skills, so candidates will need to be well-prepared for a range of questions.

Thorough preparation will enable you to fully understand the requirements of the test. You will also be able to identify any areas of weakness you may have and dedicate time to improving them.

Preparation doesn’t have to be complicated. There are several simple steps candidates can take to ensure that they are thoroughly prepared for their Cisco SHL assessments.

Focus on Logical and Analytical Thinking

Having strong logical and analytical thinking skills is vital to performing well on the Cisco SHL assessment. Focusing on these areas will help to improve your knowledge and confidence ahead of test day.

Taking the time to practice skills like interpreting data, pattern recognition, and decision-making will strengthen the core skills required to achieve the best possible results in your Cisco SHL assessment.

Practice SHL-Style Tests

Practice tests are one of the best ways to identify your strengths and improve on your performance. 

They will help to familiarize you with the format of assessments and can provide guidance on how to strengthen any areas of weakness. Practice tests are also useful for helping individuals get used to the timed nature of the Cisco SHL assessment and improve their ability to answer accurately at speed.

There are several websites offering practice tests, and many will provide free sample questions. JobTestPrep helps candidates with comprehensive study packages and constructive evaluation of results. 

Review Cisco’s Core Competencies

As part of any job application, it’s a good idea to research the core competencies of the company you’re hoping to work for. Cisco’s core competencies include knowledge and expertise of networking technologies, innovation, a customer-focused attitude, collaboration skills, and innovative thinking.

These competencies are likely to be focused on in your Cisco SHL assessment, so it’s a good idea to consider your answers to questions in relation to how well they highlight the attributes recruiters are looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the Cisco SHL assessment?

The Cisco SHL assessment is an online evaluation tool used to assess a range of skills, including reasoning ability, problem-solving, and work-related behaviors. Most commonly, this is done as part of recruitment processes. 

Is the Cisco SHL test hard?

Although it’s not specifically known to be a difficult test, the recruitment process can be highly competitive. This is especially true for technical roles and graduate schemes. Scoring as highly as possible in your SHL tests will help you to stand out from other candidates. 

How is the Cisco SHL test structured?

Typically, the assessment is structured in multiple-choice sections. Each section aims to focus on different reasoning skills that have been identified as being desirable for a role at Cisco.

Can I fail the SHL assessment?

There isn’t a specific pass or fail mark, although low scores might prevent your progression to the next round of the recruitment process, so you should aim to score as highly as possible. This is why it’s important to prepare ahead of your assessments.

Where can I practice for Cisco’s SHL test?

There are several websites offering candidates revision and practice tools. JobTestPrep provides Cisco-specific SHL practice tests as well as useful, practical tips for improving your results and preparing for your assessment. 

Final Thoughts

Assessments are a commonly used tool when it comes to recruiting the best possible staff members for every role. At Cisco, this means taking the Cisco SHL assessment. Thorough preparation is key to performing well and highlighting your suitability to recruiters.

The Cisco SHL test assesses a candidate's speed, reasoning abilities, and cultural fit to select the most suitable candidates for in-person interviews. 

Taking the time to familiarize yourself with the core competencies and ethos of Cisco, as well as making use of Cisco SHL practice test papers, will mean you’re able to perform to the best of your ability on the day. Working quickly and accurately, you will be in the best possible position to progress to the next stage of the interview process.