How Situational Judgment Tests Are Scored: A Detailed Guide

Situational judgment tests (SJTs) are a commonly used assessment tool throughout the employment world. Often used as part of a recruitment process, the results of situational judgment tests will provide the recruiter with information about a candidate's psychological aptitude and ability to solve problems within the workplace. 

This style of testing is used in a vast array of industries including healthcare, management and public services.

During a situational judgment test, individuals will be asked a series of hypothetical work-based questions. These will all have a range of multiple-choice answers to choose from. Your answers will offer insight into your approach to conflict and problems; highlighting your personality type and ability to find solutions. 

Employers use these types of tests as they can be a useful indicator when it comes to understanding whether an individual will be a good fit for the company's ethos and values. 

If you are due to undertake a situational judgment test, it is important to know how to interpret the score. This guide will provide you with valuable insight into the scoring process (such as the situational judgment score to band conversion) and what scores might mean for you. 

How Are Situational Judgment Test Scores Calculated?

Situational judgment tests are commonly tailored for individual employers. This is because the attitudes and values an employer will seek in candidates can vary. This means that a response that could potentially score highly with one employer may not score as highly with another.

Because of this, it can be difficult to understand the situational judgment test scoring system.

Typically, situational judgment test scores are awarded based on how closely your scores match an ideal answer previously selected by an employer or recruiter. This is referred to as a ranked answer. There are usually four possible answers to choose from. 

These will be ranked in order from most to least desirable. In most cases, four points will be awarded for an exact match, with the number of points awarded reducing as the answers get further from the ideal.

Your scores will often then be presented in a range of ways. Usually this will be overall scores, individual competency scores and comparative scores.

Overall Scores

This will be the overall number of points you have achieved throughout your situational judgment test. The higher your score is, the more closely your answers align with the preferences of an employer.

Individual Competency Scores

This is a more detailed breakdown of scores and aims to highlight your abilities in key areas such as communication and people skills.

Comparative Scores

This score will compare your results against those of others who have completed testing and be presented as a percentile rank. Using this score, it’s possible to see how well you have scored in comparison to other applicants.

Situational Judgment Score to Band Conversion

Raw situational judgment scores are typically converted into bands. This is a system designed to show how well a candidate matches with the ideal responses set by an employer.

Typically, situational judgment Band 1 scores (also known as the SJT Band 1 score) indicate candidates who are most closely aligned, while Band 4 indicates candidates who are not likely to be a good match:

• Situational Judgment Band 1 scores – The SJT Band 1 scores indicate the candidates who are most closely aligned with the ideal responses set out by an employer. 
• Situational Judgment Band 2 scores – These scores suggest that although a candidate doesn’t match the ideal responses completely, they have good judgment and could potentially be a good match.
• Situational Judgment Band 3 scores – These scores suggest that a candidate has moderate judgment and responses that are noticeably different to the requirements of an employer.
• Situational Judgment Band 4 scores – These scores indicate poor judgment and it is unlikely that a candidate within this band would be a good match for the requirements of a potential employer.

Band scores are calculated by considering the percentage of answers given by a candidate that match with the preferred answers set by an employer.

What Is a Good Situational Judgment Test Score?

The exact score you will need to proceed through a recruitment process will vary, as different employers will have different expectations of their employees.

As a rule of thumb, a Band 1 or Band 2 score is most likely to see your application proceed.

There is also no guarantee that a good situational judgment test score will mean being offered a role.

Although the information provided by testing offers valuable insight to potential employers, they will consider it along with a range of additional information.

How to Improve Your SJT Score

If you’d like to improve your situational judgment test score to achieve the best possible result, there are several practical things you can do:

Take Practice Tests 

One of the best ways to familiarize yourself with the format and expectations of an assessment is by taking practice tests.

 TestHQ offers free situational judgment practice tests and sample questions as well as analysis and explanations to help you prepare.

Understand the Concepts 

Situational judgment tests assess concepts such as communication, people skills and decision-making.

It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with these concepts thoroughly so you fully understand what a question is asking you.

Research the Employer

Each employer will have preferences and requirements for candidates. This is why situational judgment tests are tailored to individual employers' needs. 

Research the company you are applying to work for and learn about its values and ethos. This will help you to know what they are looking for from testing.

Take a Practice Test Under Timed Conditions 

Testing is typically undertaken in strictly timed conditions. When you are taking practice tests, make sure to practice under timed conditions. This will help you to answer both quickly and accurately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are SJT scores calculated?

The answers to each question are given a score based on how desirable a particular response is. These scores are then calculated as a total and put into bands. The bands will tell you how closely your answers reflect the attributes a potential employer is looking for.

What is considered a good score in an SJT?

Essentially, the higher your score is, the better. Your score will either be presented as a total number or a band rating. The higher your score or band, the closer your answers will have aligned with the requirements of your potential employer.

How can I improve my SJT score?

One of the best ways to improve your score is with practice. Free practice situational judgment tests are available from websites such as TestHQ with explanations and helpful preparation tips.

Can you fail a Situational Judgment Test (SJT)?

This isn’t really a pass or fail test. However, your potential employer will be looking for candidates who closely match its attitudes and ethos. 

The more closely your answers match with its requirements, the more likely it is that you’ll proceed to the next stage of the recruitment process. 

Do all employers use the same SJT scoring system?

Yes and no. The scoring system will remain largely the same, so you will be able to understand what your scores mean. However, the value placed on certain answers may change. 

How long does it take to receive SJT results?

Because this is a computerized assessment, scores are generally calculated instantly. 

However, you will not always be presented with your results right away. Sometimes, this information is given to recruiters rather than candidates.

Can I retake an SJT if I don't score well?

This will depend on your reason for taking the situational judgment test. Often, if you are taking the test as part of a recruitment process, you will only have one opportunity. 

Employers will then choose the candidates who most closely match their requirements to move through to the next stage of the process. 

Final Thoughts

Understanding how your situational judgment test scores are calculated and what the results mean is vital when preparing for your situational judgment test.

Free situational judgment practice tests and other resources will help you to understand the way you answer questions and how your responses affect your scores. 

Having a firm understanding of the different bands and scoring systems, along with an understanding of what a potential employer is looking for, can be a useful way of guiding your practice and the way you answer.

By taking the time to work through practice tests and understand scoring systems, you will have the best possible chance of performing well and moving to the next stage of the recruitment process for your dream role.