Situational Judgement Test 2026 — 📗 Practice Questions

AAMC Situational Judgement Test

Currently, the AAMC Situational Judgment Test is only required of certain medical schools. Its primary function is to measure an applicant's knowledge of effective pre-professional behavior. The test consists of a series of scenarios that ask you to rate the effectiveness of a number of behavioral responses.

The test itself isn't that difficult to complete. You'll be presented with 30 scenarios and asked to rate the relative effectiveness of the responses. Your rating will determine your scores. These scores range from 1-9, and you may receive partial credit for the responses that correspond to your rating.

The AAMC Situational Judgment test is based on a series of hypothetical scenarios that ask you to rate the effectiveness of various behavioral responses. In this context, the best answer is the one that improves the situation the most.

The AAMC Situational Judgment tests are designed to be administered by students on their own computers. The AAMC has provided free materials to help students prepare for this test. These materials include a six-page examinee guide and a video demonstration of the test.

💡 SJT Basics

What is a Situational Judgement Test?: A Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is a psychometric assessment presenting realistic workplace scenarios where candidates select the most and least effective responses to evaluate decision-making skills.
What does SJT stand for?: SJT stands for Situational Judgement Test, an assessment measuring behavioral competencies, problem-solving abilities, and interpersonal skills through scenario-based questions.
Who takes SJTs?: Job applicants for graduate programs, medical schools, civil service positions, corporate roles, and nursing programs take SJTs as part of selection processes.
How long is an SJT?: SJT duration varies from 20-90 minutes depending on the employer and position, typically containing 20-50 scenario-based questions.

📋 SJT Format

What subjects do SJTs cover?: SJTs cover workplace situations including teamwork, communication, conflict resolution, time management, ethics, customer service, and professional judgment scenarios.
How many questions are on an SJT?: Most SJTs contain 20-50 questions presenting workplace scenarios with multiple response options, varying by employer and assessment provider.
What is the SJT question format?: SJT questions present realistic scenarios followed by 4-5 possible responses, asking candidates to identify the most effective and least effective actions.
Are SJTs computer-based?: Yes, most SJTs are administered online via computer or tablet, though some employers use paper-based formats for group assessments.

📝 SJT Registration

How do I register for an SJT?: Employers send SJT invitations directly to candidates via email with unique access links and instructions for completing the assessment online.
How much does an SJT cost?: SJTs are typically free for candidates, with employers covering assessment costs ranging from $15-$100 per test administration through providers like SHL or Pearson.
Where can I take an SJT?: SJTs are taken online from any location with internet access, or at employer offices and assessment centers for proctored administrations.
Can I take SJTs at home?: Yes, most SJTs are unsupervised online assessments completed at home, though some high-stakes positions require proctored testing at designated locations.

✅ SJT Passing & Results

What is a good SJT score?: Good SJT scores typically place candidates in the top 30-40% of test-takers, though passing thresholds vary significantly by employer and position level.
How are SJTs scored?: SJTs use expert consensus scoring comparing candidate responses to judgments from subject matter experts, with points awarded based on alignment with ideal answers.
When do I receive SJT results?: SJT results are typically available within 1-2 weeks, with employers notifying candidates of pass/fail status or inviting them to next interview stages.
Can I retake an SJT?: Retake policies vary by employer; some allow retesting after 6-12 months, while others permit only one attempt per application cycle.

📚 SJT Preparation

How should I prepare for an SJT?: Research the employer's values, practice sample SJT questions, understand competency frameworks, and consider workplace scenarios from multiple professional perspectives.
Are there official SJT practice tests?: Yes, providers like SHL, Pearson TalentLens, and Kenexa offer official practice SJTs, and many employers provide sample questions before assessments.
What resources help with SJT prep?: Use JobTestPrep, AssessmentDay, practice materials from SHL and cut-e, employer-specific guides, and books like '350 Questions for the Situational Judgement Test.'
How long should I study for an SJT?: Dedicate 5-10 hours over 1-2 weeks practicing scenarios, reviewing competency frameworks, and familiarizing yourself with the SJT format and scoring methodology.

Start Practice Test

Review the official Situational Judgement Test exam content outline

Take a diagnostic practice test to identify weak areas

Create a study schedule (4-8 weeks recommended)

Focus on your weakest domains first

Complete at least 3 full-length practice exams

Review all incorrect answers with detailed explanations

Take a final practice test 1 week before exam day

Pros

Industry-recognized credential boosts your resume
Higher earning potential (10-20% salary increase on average)
Demonstrates commitment to professional development
Opens doors to advanced career opportunities

Cons

Exam preparation requires significant time investment (4-8 weeks)
Certification fees can be $100-$400+
May require continuing education to maintain
Some employers may not require certification

Sample Situational Judgement Test Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free Situational Judgement Test practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

You are completing an online situational judgement test and realize one scenario describes a situation very similar to a real event you handled badly. What should you do?
- A. Answer based on what you actually did in the real event
- B. Answer based on what you know to be the most effective professional response
- C. Skip the question to avoid reliving the experience
- D. Answer based on what you wish you had done even if it is unrealistic
Answer: B. Answer based on what you know to be the most effective professional response
SJTs assess judgment about ideal professional behavior, not autobiographical recall.
A situational judgement scenario presents a conflict between meeting a tight deadline and completing thorough quality checks. Which response best reflects professional judgment?
- A. Always meet the deadline regardless of quality
- B. Always complete full quality checks regardless of the deadline
- C. Communicate the trade-off to your manager and agree on a prioritized course of action
- D. Delay both the deadline and quality check until you can do both perfectly
Answer: C. Communicate the trade-off to your manager and agree on a prioritized course of action
Escalating trade-offs to management enables informed decision-making and demonstrates professional accountability.
You are completing a cognitive ability test and notice the clock on the testing platform is running faster than real time, potentially shortening your available time. What should you do?
- A. Continue answering and mention it only after the test
- B. Stop the test immediately and inform the invigilator before continuing
- C. Ignore it since you cannot verify the issue
- D. Answer all questions randomly to finish before time runs out
Answer: B. Stop the test immediately and inform the invigilator before continuing
Reporting a potential platform error before it affects your score protects the fairness of your assessment.
An assessment center requires you to complete a numerical reasoning test under strict time pressure. You find one question particularly confusing. What should you do?
- A. Spend as much time as needed on the confusing question to get it right
- B. Skip it, continue with remaining questions, and return if time allows
- C. Guess randomly and move on immediately without rereading
- D. Ask a fellow candidate for help
Answer: B. Skip it, continue with remaining questions, and return if time allows
Skipping a difficult question and returning later maximizes your overall score by preserving time for answerable items.

Take the full Situational Judgement Test practice test

Free Situational Judgement Test Study Tools

Interactive Situational Judgement Test resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

Situational Judgement Test flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
Situational Judgement Test study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
Situational Judgement Test cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

Situational Judgement Test Questions and Answers

What is a Situational Judgement Test (SJT)?

A Situational Judgement Test (SJT) is a psychometric assessment used by employers and universities to evaluate how candidates respond to realistic workplace scenarios. Respondents choose the most and least effective actions from a list of options, demonstrating their judgement, professionalism, and interpersonal skills.

Who uses Situational Judgement Tests?

SJTs are widely used in graduate recruitment, NHS medical foundation programme selection, civil service fast-stream applications, and corporate hiring across sectors such as finance, consulting, and retail. They are a core screening tool for high-volume hiring where soft skills matter.

How many questions are in a typical SJT?

Most SJTs contain between 20 and 60 scenario-based questions and must be completed within 20 to 40 minutes depending on the employer. The NHS Foundation Programme SJT uses 70 questions in 140 minutes, combining ranking and multiple-choice scenarios.

Is there a pass or fail mark for an SJT?

SJTs are usually scored on a points-based scale rather than a simple pass/fail threshold. In graduate recruitment, scores are compared relative to other applicants. For the NHS Foundation Programme, the SJT contributes 50% of the total application score used for hospital placement ranking.

Can you practise for an SJT?

Yes. Practising SJT scenarios significantly improves performance by helping you understand the competencies being assessed — such as communication, patient safety awareness, and professional integrity. Reviewing model answers and explanations after each practice test is the most effective preparation strategy.

What topics does an SJT typically assess?

Common SJT competency areas include communication and empathy, teamwork and collaboration, problem-solving under pressure, ethical decision-making, and prioritisation. NHS SJTs additionally test clinical prioritisation and patient safety awareness relevant to foundation doctors.

Situational Judgement Test Practice Test

Situational Judgement Test Practice Test

Situational Judgement Test Practice Test

Situational Judgement Test Practice Test Questions

AAMC Situational Judgement Test

💡 SJT Basics

📋 SJT Format

📝 SJT Registration

✅ SJT Passing & Results

📚 SJT Preparation

Pros

Cons

Sample Situational Judgement Test Practice Questions

Free Situational Judgement Test Study Tools

Situational Judgement Test Questions and Answers

What is a Situational Judgement Test (SJT)?

Who uses Situational Judgement Tests?

How many questions are in a typical SJT?

Is there a pass or fail mark for an SJT?

Can you practise for an SJT?

What topics does an SJT typically assess?