SHL Amazon Test: What to Expect + Practice Questions

American multinational technology company Amazon is a household name thanks to its service in the areas of e-commerce, cloud computing, online advertising, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence.

Founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994, Amazon is today one of the Big Five American technology companies alongside Alphabet, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft.

Amazon is committed to recruiting a talented, global team of more than 600,000 who provide a great experience for customers, employees, partners, and communities across the world.

Some of the many roles available across Amazon’s 260 global locations are software engineer, designer technologist, marketing manager, warehouse operative, and research scientist.

The company’s four principles are customer obsession, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. To ensure that Amazon onboards the most promising candidates, the company has a lengthy recruitment process including several assessments and interviews.

One of the recruitment stages for some roles is the Amazon SHL Test. In this guide, you will learn what the test includes and how to prepare for it effectively.

What Is the SHL Amazon Test?

If your Amazon application is successful, you will be invited to take a series of assessments. One of these is the Amazon SHL Test, designed by assessment provider Saville and Holdsworth Limited (SHL).

Amazon employs people with varied skill sets, but it has high standards for problem-solving, speed, and decision-making.

The SHL set of tests are used to screen thousands of Amazon applicants to ensure they possess these necessary skills.

The tests that Amazon uses in its selection process are SHL Numerical Reasoning, SHL Verbal Reasoning, and SHL Diagrammatic Reasoning. You may also be required to take a personality or situational judgment test.

These assessments may be used across a variety of roles including operations, graduate programmes, and corporate functions.

Amazon’s SHL tests help the company assess a set of core competencies that are necessary to contribute to the Amazon customer-centric way of working. These include analytical ability, logical reasoning, and situational judgment.

What to Expect in the SHL Amazon Test

If you are to score highly on the Amazon SHL assessment, understanding the format and content is key.

The typical components of the Amazon SHL test are:

Numerical Reasoning

The Numerical Reasoning SHL test is a challenging assessment that measures your math skills and ability to analyze written data. The data may be presented in forms such as graphs, tables, and charts.

This fast-paced test requires excellent math skills and a quick eye for detail, so practice and preparation are crucial.

You will be allowed a calculator for the Numerical Reasoning test, so ensure it works and that you understand the functions before the assessment.

Depending on the position you have applied for, you may be required to take the SHL Verify G+ Numerical Reasoning Test or the SHL Verify Numerical Reasoning Test.

These two versions have some key differences:

SHL Verify G+ Numerical Reasoning Test

The Verify G+ Test is an interactive, activity-based test in which you will interact with graphs, and charts. You will use these visualizations to analyze data, make calculations, and tweak the graphs.

If you are taking the Verify G+ test, you will have 18 minutes to answer 10 drag-and-drop or visual questions.

SHL Verify Numerical Reasoning Test

This test is non-interactive and is instead a multiple-choice assessment. You will use numerical data presented in tables, graphs, and charts to answer questions.

You will have 25 minutes to answer 18 questions.

Verbal Reasoning

In addition to the Numerical Reasoning test, you may also be invited to take a Verbal Reasoning assessment.

This test measures your critical thinking skills and ability to interpret written information.

In a Verbal Reasoning test, you will typically be presented with a passage of text and a set of corresponding questions. Your task will be to read the text and respond to the statements with ‘true,’ ‘false,’ or ‘cannot say’ if there is insufficient information to agree or disagree.

The Amazon Verbal Reasoning test will be timed, so you will need to work quickly with precision.

Diagrammatic Reasoning

The Diagrammatic Reasoning assessment is a type of aptitude test that measures how well you can understand concepts and ideas.

In this test, you will be required to work out the rules associated with a set of symbols or diagrams and then use those rules to select the correct answer. The rules may be that a diagram features colors that repeat in a pattern, or a shape that rotates 90 degrees each time.

Amazon uses these results to identify candidates who can apply logic to abstract ideas. This type of psychometric test has been shown to be a good predictor of job performance.

Amazon Work Style Assessment

The Amazon Work Style Assessment is a personality test that evaluates a candidate's professional preferences. It identifies how well they fit with Amazon’s corporate culture.

The test, usually lasting between 10 and 20 minutes, will present you with a set of statements about working styles. You will be asked to choose which you most identify with.

The statements may include ‘I enjoy working alone’ or ‘I prefer to work collaboratively as part of a team.’

It is a good idea to keep in mind the Amazon Leadership Principles when taking this assessment. Your answers will be measured against the Amazon ideal employee benchmark.

Amazon Work Sample Simulation

As part of the Work Sample Simulation, you will be asked to complete a virtual task that relates to the role you have applied for.

The task could be anything that you would come across in your chosen role, such as handling a customer query, developing a solution for a problem, or analyzing financial information.

Depending on your task, the simulation can take up to one hour to complete.

SHL Amazon Test Example Questions

Numerical Reasoning

Question 1:

An Amazon delivery van completes 180 deliveries in 6 hours. What is the average number of deliveries per hour?

a) 25
b) 28
c) 30
d) 35

The correct answer is: c) 30

Average deliveries per hour = 180 ÷ 6 = 30

Question 2:

Amazon’s quarterly revenue increased from £85 billion to £93.5 billion.

What is the percentage increase?

a) 8%
b) 9%
c) 10%
d) 12%

The correct answer is: b) 10%

Increase = £93.5bn – £85bn = £8.5bn
Percentage increase = (8.5 ÷ 85) × 100 = 10%

Verbal Reasoning

Question 1:

Read the statement and answer the question:

"Amazon’s sustainability strategy includes reducing packaging waste, investing in electric delivery vehicles, and committing to net-zero carbon by 2040."

Which of the following can be inferred?

a) Amazon will eliminate all packaging by 2040.
b) Amazon’s sustainability strategy focuses only on carbon emissions.
c) Amazon is taking steps to lower its environmental impact.
d) Amazon does not plan to change its delivery methods.

The correct answer is: c) Amazon is taking steps to lower its environmental impact.

The statement outlines various environmental initiatives.

Question 2:

Which statement strengthens the argument:

"Reducing delivery times improves customer satisfaction."

a) Many customers complain about late deliveries.
b) Some customers prefer slower, cheaper delivery options.
c) Delivery times do not affect product quality.
d) Amazon rarely receives complaints about delivery speed.

The correct answer is: a) Many customers complain about late deliveries.

This supports the argument that faster delivery increases satisfaction.

Logical (Inductive) Reasoning

Question 1:

Identify the next shape in the sequence:

■, ▲, ●, ■, ▲, ?

a) ■
b) ▲
c) ●
d) ◆

The correct answer is: c) ●

The pattern repeats every three shapes: ■, ▲, ●.

Question 2:

Find the missing number:

5, 9, 17, 33, ?

a) 49
b) 55
c) 65
d) 66

The correct answer is: b) 65

Pattern: Each number is doubled, then subtract 1

5 × 2 – 1 = 9
9 × 2 – 1 = 17
17 × 2 – 1 = 33
33 × 2 – 1 = 65

How to Prepare for the SHL Amazon Test

The key to passing the Amazon set of SHL tests is effective preparation. These tips will help get you ready for success.

Improve Core Skills

One of the best ways to prepare for the Amazon SHL assessment is to sharpen your math and comprehension skills ahead of the test.

For the Numerical Reasoning test, you should take some time to refine your math skills and mental arithmetic. You will also need to study percentage calculations and ratio changes.

To prepare for the Verbal Reasoning test, improve your reading comprehension by studying an unseen passage and responding to statements about the text.

Understand the Amazon Leadership Principles

Amazon has a unique set of expectations from prospective hires. It is customer-obsessed, not just focused, and you will need to share that passion if you are to succeed in joining the multinational tech giant.

To ensure your test performance aligns with Amazon’s values, you should familiarize yourself with the company’s Leadership Principles. These include constantly learning, maintaining high standards, and thinking big.

Practice Interactive SHL-Style Tests

You can familiarize yourself with the SHL test structure by practicing with SHL-style questions. This will help you get straight to answering in the real test instead of taking time to understand the format.

You can find verified resources in the style of SHL tests online – JobTestPrep is one example. They include questions on the topics covered in the Numerical, Verbal, and Diagrammatic Reasoning tests.

Practicing with SHL-style questions is particularly important, as it will allow you to understand the logic behind the correct answers.

If you are taking the Verify G+ Numerical Reasoning test, you can practice using platforms that simulate the interactive drag-and-drop question formats.

Time Yourself During Practice

The Amazon SHL tests have a strict time limit, so you should practice against the clock.

You may find that you need to speed up to complete the test, or slow down to consider the correct answers more carefully.

Either way, practicing in test conditions will help you pace yourself and score as many points as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Amazon SHL test?

A set of online cognitive and behavioral assessments used during Amazon’s recruitment process.

Is the Amazon SHL test difficult?

It can be challenging due to time limits and high standards for accuracy and reasoning.

How is the SHL test scored at Amazon?

Results are compared to a norm group and assessed against job-specific benchmarks.

Can I retake the Amazon SHL test?

Retakes aren’t usually offered in the same application cycle, so prepare thoroughly to pass first time.

Where can I find Amazon SHL test practice?

JobTestPrep offers practice tests specifically for Amazon’s SHL assessment.

Final Thoughts

The Amazon SHL test is a significant part of the Amazon hiring process. It allows the recruiter to screen candidates immediately after application to ensure that shortlisted applicants have the required skills. 

What’s more, it ensures that onboarded employees align with Amazon’s missions that are at the heart of the company.

While the test is difficult, you can give yourself the best chance of passing with effective preparation.

As well as practicing with sample questions, such as those found on JobTestPrep, you should ensure you familiarize yourself with the test format and Amazon’s principles.

Remember that progressing past the application stage is already an achievement and that with confidence and preparation, you have a great chance of landing your dream career with Amazon.