About the guide

If acing the Talent Q tests is a task you are aiming for, then given here is a comprehensive guide, which is sure to help you clear the tests, with flying colours. Keep in mind,  preparing for the tests might seem incredibly complicated and daunting at first. If you put your mind to it nothing is impossible.

Skilled professionals who have an in-depth knowledge on the subject of Talent Q assessment system have come together to prepare this detailed and all-encompassing guide. So, rather than looking for any other source online or off, it would truly behove you to listen to pay heed to the advice which has been given here.

What is Talent Q?

Talent Q, established in the year 2006 by Roger Holdsworth and his team. It is a systematic assessment system that sets out to provide very flexible psychometric assessments. It is a unitary test, that could be used for an array of different applications. This is indeed rather revolutionary in terms of the fact that previously the various diverse categories of psychometric tests served very distinct purposes, with different tests were used as and when required. For example, separate tests were made use of for things like identifying potential, recruiting or even team building.

It is interesting to note that, Holdsworth is famous over the world as an authority on objective assessment. That as well as co-founder of the testing company SHL.

What tests does Talent Q have?

  • Ability Tests


Tests of this nature, measure an individual’s ability to solve numerical problems. This specially pertains to an individual’s ability to both analyse as well as interpret data. Such data is required to be analysed by the use of arithmetic. Most often than not, the test taker, must deduce the data from a graph, table or even a diagram. Most often than not, the test entails twelve questions.


Much like in the numerical section, in this section too there are twelve questions which will be given. Though there is no overall time, yet each question has a time limit of its own, For example, the time limit for the first question is 75 seconds and for the second question it is a minute. Verbal tests are used in order to test the individual’s ability to comprehend and interpret data which has been presented in a written format.


This section will require the candidate to deduce information from diagrammatically presented data. On an average the test takes roughly 6 minutes in totality and the test taker will be required to detect the similarity as well as differences within the patterns of data which has been presented before him or her.

  • Situational judgement

These tests are specifically designed with the intention of gauging a person’s maturity level and to find out whether he or she are suitable for the said position. In this test, the candidate will be required to pick the response (from 4 to 5 options) he or she thinks is most suitable for a given situation.

  • Personality Tests

Used to test an individual’s behavioural style and preferences in the professional environment, personality tests are administered by means of a questionnaire. The said questionnaire includes 160 statements and ought to be filled in roughly 25 minutes.

Which industries use Talent Q tests for evaluation?

Talent Q, provides revolutionary assessment tools and this is one of the main reasons why it has found its footing in so many industries. Five of which are as follows-

  • Education
  • Administration
  • Marketing
  • Consulting
  • Hospitality

What kind of jobs use Talent Q tests for evaluation?

The Talent Q assessment system has certainly carved a considerable niche for itself in the professional world and that is one of the main reasons why, it is widely in use by various companies such as Deloitte, British American Tobacco, Verizon, Carlsberg, Vodafone, Somerfield, GE Money or City Group.

How do Talent Q tests work?

By marrying together both science and technology, Roger Holdsworth and his team, came up with this new systematic assessment system.

It is indeed rather interesting to note that the test works by a systematised process, where the candidates response to a particular question, will determine what his or her next question will be. For example, if a test taker answers one particular question wrong, then the subsequent question is easier. However if the candidate answers the question right, the subsequent one is always harder (in terms of its difficulty level). This is in fact one of the chief ways in which talent Q tests differ from psychometric tests.

How hard are the Talent Q tests?

In order to eliminate the need of having to re assess candidates, Talent Q tests are all encompassing in nature. It is precisely for this reason that they are also much tougher than other regular assessment systems. However apart from this, another way in which this test is rather challenging, is owing to the fact that it is well known for always providing a lot of excess information in the questions. This implies that candidates are always required to sift through a lot of information and pick out only what they feel is relevant.

Appearing for the test and clearing them with flying colours is no cake walk. Yet, at the same time it is no impossible feat as well. If the test taker is serious and does his or her talent q test preparation with sincerity, then there is no reason why they said candidate wouldn’t be able to do well.

How important are Talent Q tests for my evaluation?

Prior to anything else, it must be understood that Talent Q tests assess an array of different things and it is for this very reason that they are so very important for any candidate’s evaluation. Various organisations opt for this assessment system to prevent the wastage of both time and money and that is why any candidate who wishes to get a good job, ought to take the talent q tests very seriously.

Many candidates, falsely believe that doing well on certain aspects of the talent q tests is good enough, however this is not so. If the test taker wishes to bag a good job, then doing well in all the tests, whether the situational judgement or ability is absolutely imperative.

When do I take the Talent Q tests?

Most often than not Talent Q tests are administered to candidates, prior to-

  • Taking them on board for a job
  • Giving them a promotion

However in addition to the two scenarios mentioned above, often enough candidates are expected to take the test prior to any major project. In this way the test will determine, the strengths and weaknesses of people effectively. Once the results are received, then based on it, the candidates can effectively be divided into proper teams as well.

What kind of abilities or knowledge do I need before taking the test?

Since the Talent Q tests, encompass a number or abilities and a wide range of knowledge, therefore it would behove any candidate to take all preparations very seriously indeed. The kinds of abilities or knowledge required to pass the tests with flying colors include-

  • Mathematical Ability
  • Comprehension Skill
  • Logical Reasoning Ability
  • Knowledge on how to act in various situations
  • Observational Ability
  • Rationality

Mastering all these skills, abilities and kinds of knowledge is certainly not an easy task. At the same time, it is an effort ought to be made to do ones best under all circumstances.

Talent Q practice tips

  • Always time yourself when solving Talent q test sample questions
  • Remember, ones preparation can never be ‘complete’. So keep solving as many tests as you can.
  • Use your resources wisely, get as much help as you can from the internet and various specialists as well.
  • Make sure that you are focusing on the various nuances of the talent q tests.
  • Do not attempt to take on too much at one time. Do only how much you can handle on a given day.

Clearing these tests with flying colors will surely open new avenues for you in your professional life. That is why taking the preparations seriously is an absolute must!