What Is A Sova Assessment?
Sova is a test publisher that provides psychometric assessments that it says are reliable and valid, as well as a recruitment platform for candidates to complete the process on. They have an extensive and customisable library of cognitive skill questions, which are used to create tailored tests for their clients.
Sova names John Lewis Partnership, RSA, Sky, TUI, Nationwide and Vodafone among its customers. Its assessments are built for volume hiring, early careers, contact centres, professional and leadership roles, sales and internal moves, so you may meet one at almost any stage of a career.
The Structure Of Sova Assessments
Sova has a wide range of assessments, and employers choose and tailor the ones that suit the role.
This means that you will probably encounter Sova assessments that are made up of a blend of different kinds of tests, rather than multiple separate tests for each specific ability. Sova says it combines different question types into one concise assessment, so a single sitting can cover several abilities and behaviours.
Sova Ability Test
A Sova ability test is designed to assess how quickly and accurately you process information that is presented in different ways. Ability tests measure skills such as working with numbers, understanding written information and reasoning logically.
Sova's practice test covers three types of ability question, described below. Sova also lists checking and accuracy tests among its assessments.
Sova Numerical Reasoning Test
A numerical reasoning test is asking you to demonstrate your ability to work with numbers and how well you process and analyse information presented in a numerical format. Questions of this kind often use graphs, charts and tables, though Sova does not publish the exact content of its numerical questions.
Employers like to use numerical reasoning tests for all kinds of jobs as most roles include working with numbers in some capacity, but they are especially popular for sales, finance, and managerial roles.
Sova Verbal Reasoning Test
To test how well you process and interpret written information, you will be given a verbal reasoning test. Employers use them to gauge reading comprehension and critical thinking.
Many verbal reasoning tests present a passage and ask whether statements are true, false or cannot be determined from it. Sova does not publish the format of its own verbal questions, so read the instructions carefully. This kind of test structure shows how quickly you process information, if you are able to quickly and accurately draw correct conclusions, and whether you can separate what the passage says from what it does not.
Sova Logical Reasoning Test
A logical reasoning test assesses the same kind of information processing skills, but it does so through patterns and shapes, so tests like this are sometimes called diagrammatic reasoning. You will be asked to identify sequences and relationships between images, showing that you can follow through a logical process and have good problem-solving skills.
Logical reasoning does not depend on any kind of prior knowledge or information, but can be abstract and relies on you to follow patterns to their logical conclusion in order to get the correct answer. Employers use them as a measure of problem-solving and reasoning ability.
Sova Personality Test
Sova also provides personality questionnaires, which assess your behavioural preferences and how you tend to work. Sova does not publish the full format, but its own guidance says personality questions ask you to select only one answer in each column, so expect to choose between statements rather than rate each one on a scale. Sova also uses motivation and competency questionnaires.
It is important to remember that there are no right or wrong answers on a personality questionnaire, and it is not scored in the same way as the ability tests. Instead, employers may compare your answers with what the role needs or with their values to judge how well you fit.
Try to answer as closely to how you would respond in a professional setting as possible, and keep in mind the kind of role you are applying for and what the candidate specification listed as desirable qualities.
Sova Situational Judgement Test
Another kind of behavioural test that Sova publishes is the situational judgement test, which gauges how you might respond to scenarios that you are likely to encounter on the job. You will be presented with a realistic workplace situation and asked to judge possible responses. Sova says these tests assess decision-making, problem-solving and interpersonal skills, but it does not publish the response format.
This shows employers how you are likely to approach situations at work, such as handling a disagreement or prioritising tasks. SJTs are often combined with ability questions, and they focus on judgement rather than technical knowledge.
Tips To Pass Sova Tests
1. Prepare Your Environment
When taking a test it is important to make sure that your work space is suitably prepared so that you are able to concentrate. Sova says you will need a pen, paper and a calculator for the ability questions, so have them ready before you start.
2. Research The Company
Employers can tailor Sova assessments to their own skills framework and the role, so knowing the company well can help. This is particularly true for the personality and situational judgement tests, as these tend to reflect the employer's culture and the way it works.
Research the company and their values in order to get a better understanding of the type of person they are looking for, and how that compares to your usual working style.
3. Practise With Example Tests
A good way to prepare for a Sova test is to work through some practice tests first. This way you can get a better understanding of the structure of the questions, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and become comfortable working under test conditions.
4. Avoid Distractions
The tests are taken remotely online, so it is important that you find a space where you will not be interrupted or distracted for the entire duration. This includes putting your phone on silent, or better yet, leaving it in a different room entirely. Sova recommends completing all tasks in one sitting if you can, so set aside enough time to finish without interruption.
5. Read The Questions Carefully
Read every instruction carefully. Sova notes that some ability questions need two or more answers before you can move on. Take your time to read the questions carefully so that you completely understand what is being asked of you and you are less likely to make little mistakes, which can quickly add up to making a big impact on your final score.
