Graduate Development Programme: candidate guide 2026

Part 1: Global skills and cognitive ability

• this assesses your personality and cognitive skills, including numerical reasoning
• it is timed, so make sure you have a pen, paper, and calculator ready
• you may notice some repetition in the questions—this is a normal part of the test
• if you haven’t worked in a relevant role before, answer questions based on your past experiences (such as university group work), or alternatively, how you would expect to respond in the situation presented

Part 2: Motivational questionnaire

• this helps us understand what drives you in a workplace setting. It is untimed, so you can take it at your own pace
• you’ll be asked to rate a series of work-based scenarios based on how they affect your motivation

Example question

How does this statement affect your motivation:

Having to justify my work in terms of profits?

Rating options provided:

• very motivating
• motivating
• neutral
• demotivating
• very demotivating

This part of the final assessment is untimed, so you can take it at your own pace.

SHL provide the following guidance as recommended system requirements for completing online assessments:

Connection speed

You should use a 56Kb, or faster, Internet connection to get the best experience.

Pop-up windows

Please disable any pop-up blocking software, that may prevent the test from downloading, before attempting the tests. University or company networks may have restrictions in place so please check with your local systems administrator first.

The following browsers and operating systems have been thoroughly tested and certified for use with the assessment system. It is strongly recommended you use one of the following:

Supported Internet browsers

• Google Chrome Version 50 and higher (Windows, Mac)

• Mozilla Firefox Version 50 and higher (Windows, Mac)
• Safari Version 11 and higher (Windows, Mac)
• Microsoft Edge Version 80 and higher (Windows)

Supported operating systems

• Apple Mac OS 11.x (up to Mac OS X v11.2 1 - Big Sur)
• Microsoft Windows 10, 8, 7, Vista

Some assessments also require you to have a display applet installed.

Supported display applets

• Active Scripting (or JavaScript)
• ActiveX Controls and Plug-ins
• Java Runtime Environment (virtual machine)

Auto translate

When using Microsoft Edge please ensure you disable the page translation function. When the translate function is enabled the translate button is shown in blue in the address bar.
Please click on the translate button and click on Show Original.
Please note, most browsers can be downloaded from the supplier's website for free. Click here to check your settings now.

Technical support

If you have any questions or experience technical difficulties while completing your assessment, please contact SHL Technical Support using one of the following methods:

• contact form: submit your query to your local SHL Technical Support team via the online contact form
• phone support: call the dedicated support team on 0330 100 3435 — available 24 hours a day, 5 days a week
• webchat: use the live chat function available directly on the assessment platform for quick assistance

After completing the assessment, you’ll see an on-screen confirmation with a link to a short video featuring personalised feedback based on the strengths you demonstrated during the assessment. This video will take a few minutes to load as the content is tailored to your results and is unique to each candidate. A transcript option is available and is operated by clicking on the button offering this on screen.

You’ll also receive a separate link to a detailed feedback report highlighting both your strengths and any areas for development.

Final results are not issued immediately. All scores are reviewed after the assessment window closes, and it may take up to six weeks to receive your results, depending on when you completed the assessment.