Sova Tests

Prepare for your Sova publisher test with tailor-made practice assessments.

What Is A Sova Assessment?

Sova is a test publisher that provides scientifically-tested psychometric assessments, 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.

They are used by a number of major companies such as John Lewis, Pfizer, Santander, and RSA for all different kinds of hiring needs. Currently, they offer services for finding talent, internal hiring, volume hiring, and lateral hiring, so you may come across a Sova assessment on most recruitment pathways.

The Structure Of Sova Assessments

As Sova has a wide range of psychometric tests, they offer complex and bespoke testing services in order to meet the unique needs that each company asks for.

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. They aim to learn more while asking less by assessing candidates holistically, making the process more accurate and more streamlined.

Sova Ability Test

A Sova ability test is designed to assess how quickly and accurately you process information that is presented in different ways. An ability test demonstrates workplace skills such as communication, numerical literacy, and how well you work under pressure.

The three types of ability test are:

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. This usually includes concepts such as graphs, charts, fractions, currency conversions, and basic algebra.

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. They are a popular ability test as they demonstrate someone's communication skills, their level of mastery with the English language, and critical thinking, which are all important for a high performing employee.

Typically, a verbal reasoning test will present you with a passage and then you will be asked to answer 'true/false/cannot say' questions regarding the information. This kind of test structure shows how quickly you process information, if you are able to quickly and accurately draw correct conclusions, as well as differentiate between fact and fiction.

Sova Logical Reasoning Test

A logical reasoning test assesses the same kind of information processing skills, but it does so through patterns and shapes, and so, are sometimes known as 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. They are often used by employers as they demonstrate problem-solving skills, creativity, and general intelligence, which are all highly valued skills in the workplace.

Sova Personality Test

One of the other categories of test that Sova provides is a personality test, which most people are familiar with, and are assessments of your behavioural preferences and general temperament. For the questionnaire, you will be given statements and then asked to rate them on a five-point scale from 'most like me' to 'least like me'.

It is important to remember that there are no right or wrong answers on a personality test, they are not scored in the same way as the ability tests. Instead, companies will compare your answers to current employees' tests and/or their company values and ethics, in order to ascertain whether you are the right fit for the company and the role.

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 workplace situation, usually some kind of conflict or difficult decision, and asked to rank responses according to which you think is 'least effective' to 'most effective'.

This shows employers what kind of personality you have, particularly when it comes to conflict resolution, assertiveness, empathy, and professionalism. Again, these are often used in conjunction with other ability tests in order to assess how well you fit the company culture, rather than depending on any technical skills that you have.

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. You should check and get together any equipment that you are allowed, e.g. calculator, notepaper, dictionary, etc, ensuring that you will not be caught out during the test and are able to do your best.

2. Research The Company

Sova assessments are customisable and usually made bespoke for the company and the role being recruited for, which means that knowing as much about the company as possible will help immensely. This is particularly true for the personality and situational judgement tests, as they are highly dependent on the culture of the company and the way that they operate.

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. Practice Example Tests

The best way to improve your chances of passing a Sova test is to do as manypractice tests as possible. 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. The tests are not timed, but you are scored on how long it takes you to answer the questions, so it is vital that you are focused the entire time you are taking the test.

5. Read The Questions Carefully

Although your test time is taken into consideration, it is still most important to focus on getting as many correct answers as possible. 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.

Sample Sova Tests question Test your knowledge!

Score: /5

Read the following statement: 'Despite the heavy snowfall, the school decided not to declare a snow day.' What conclusion can you draw from this statement?

  • The school usually declares a snow day when it snows.
  • The snowfall was not heavy enough to affect the school's schedule.
  • Heavy snowfall does not always lead to a snow day at this school.
  • The school never declares snow days.

Consider a set where all even numbers are followed by their next odd number, except for multiples of 5 which are immediately followed by the number 2. What comes after 14?

  • 15
  • 16
  • 2
  • 17

An empty box is filled with marbles in such a way that the number of marbles doubles every minute. If the box is full in one hour, at what minute was the box half full?

  • 30 minutes
  • 59 minutes
  • 45 minutes
  • 15 minutes

If all roses are flowers and some flowers fade quickly, which of the following must be true?

  • All flowers fade quickly.
  • Some roses fade quickly.
  • No roses are flowers.
  • Some roses may fade quickly.

A car travels 30 kilometers using 2 liters of petrol. How many liters of petrol are needed to cover a distance of 150 kilometers?

  • 15 liters
  • 10 liters
  • 5 liters
  • 7.5 liters

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Psychometric Tests was an invaluable resource to ace a multitude of different pre-interview screening assessments.

Natasha used Psychometric Tests in preparation for her interviews at Think Ahead

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Sova Tests Tips

Understand the SOVA Style

Before you start your practice sessions on Psychometric Tests, it's crucial to get familiar with the SOVA assessment format. SOVA tests are highly customizable, meaning each one can be a bit different. Spend time understanding the range of question types and the methodologies they employ. This could be anything from logical reasoning to verbal skills, depending on the job you're aiming for. A great start is reviewing the basics and then diving into specific areas related to the role you seek.

Simulate the Test Environment

When you're practicing for a SOVA assessment, try to mimic the test conditions as closely as possible. Set aside uninterrupted time and choose a quiet space. This approach on Psychometric Tests helps to acclimate you to the demands of the actual exam, making it less daunting when the big day arrives. Remember, the right environment can boost your focus significantly!

Use a Variety of Practice Tests

Due to the varied nature of SOVA assessments used by companies like John Lewis and Pfizer, it's beneficial to work on a diverse range of practice questions on Psychometric Tests. Cover different skill sets - from critical thinking to numerical ability. A broader base will help you be prepared for any test customization you might encounter, and will give you a solid foundation to answer any question confidently.

Review Your Answers

After each practice exam on Psychometric Tests, take the time to go over your answers carefully. This is a chance to learn from any mistakes and understand the reasoning behind correct responses. The more you review, the better you'll grasp the common themes and strategies in these psychometric assessments, which will be incredibly valuable, whether you're applying internally, for a first-time position, or looking at moving laterally.

Stay Calm and Confident

Taking a SOVA test can feel overwhelming, but keeping a cool head is essential during both practice and the real deal. Stress can impede your ability to think clearly, so adopt relaxation techniques that work for you, whether that's deep breathing, positive visualization, or brief exercise. Confidence comes with preparation, so by the time you're completing assessments on Psychometric Tests, you'll feel ready and able to tackle any challenge.

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Sova Tests FAQs

Are Sova Assessments Timed?

No, there is no time limit for the ability assessments. However, it is important to note that your score is based on how many questions you answered correctly and how long it took you to answer the questions, so your timings are still very important.

What Type Of Questions Are Asked In A Sova Test?

There are three categories of questions for a Sova test: ability, situational, and personality. While sometimes you may be asked to one or more of these categories in separate tests, Sova specialises in blended assessments, which combine a mixture of questions into one test.

What Score Do You Need To Pass A Sova Test?

The score that you need to pass will most likely depend on the recruitment team and the performance of the other candidates that you are competing against. The tests are scored by how many correct answers and how long it took for you to answer the questions, then that score is viewed as a percentile, and the top scorers will move onto the next stage. Therefore, there isn't usually a specific number that will ensure you pass.

Which Is Harder: Sova Tests Or Cappfinity Tests?

It is difficult to directly compare the two as they provide different types of tests and services. The main difference between Sova and Cappfinity is that Cappfinity tests are adaptive, meaning that they get more difficult as you answer correctly, and less difficult if you start to get questions wrong.

How Can I Practice Sova Tests?

You can practice Sova tests on their website, where they provide more information and practice questions for each type of assessment. However, we also have 100s of free practice questions across all kinds of psychometric tests including verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and situational judgement.