SHL OPQ SHL OPQ Test Scoring and Results 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What type of score is used to report SHL OPQ results, comparing a candidate to a reference group?
- Sten scores (Correct answer)
- Raw scores
- Percentile ranks only
- Z-scores
Correct answer: Sten scores
OPQ results are typically reported as Sten scores (Standard Ten), which place the candidate on a 1–10 scale relative to a normative comparison group.
Question 2: In SHL OPQ Sten scoring, what does a Sten score of 5 or 6 indicate?
- The candidate is near the average of the comparison group (Correct answer)
- The candidate scored in the top 10% of the norm group
- The candidate has an unusually low trait level
- The candidate's response was flagged for inconsistency
Correct answer: The candidate is near the average of the comparison group
Sten scores of 5 and 6 represent the middle of the scale and indicate a score close to the average of the normative reference group.
Question 3: What does a high Sten score (8–10) on an OPQ32 trait typically indicate?
- The candidate exhibits that trait strongly relative to the norm group (Correct answer)
- The candidate is more qualified for the role
- The candidate's responses were more consistent than average
- The candidate scored above average on all traits
Correct answer: The candidate exhibits that trait strongly relative to the norm group
Sten scores of 8–10 indicate the candidate rates themselves highly on that particular trait compared to the normative population.
Question 4: Which of the following best describes a 'norm group' in the context of SHL OPQ scoring?
- A reference population used to compare a candidate's trait scores (Correct answer)
- A group of employees who have passed a specific certification
- A benchmark of ideal personality traits for a job role
- A sample of candidates who took the test without preparation
Correct answer: A reference population used to compare a candidate's trait scores
A norm group is the comparison population against which a candidate's OPQ scores are measured to produce relative scores like Stens.
Question 5: Why might an employer select a job-specific norm group when interpreting OPQ32 results?
- To compare the candidate against others in a similar professional role for greater relevance (Correct answer)
- To reduce the statistical margin of error in personality measurement
- To ensure the candidate's scores are adjusted for cultural bias
- To meet legal requirements for fair hiring practices
Correct answer: To compare the candidate against others in a similar professional role for greater relevance
Job-specific norm groups allow employers to compare a candidate's traits against those of people already performing the same or similar roles, making the comparison more meaningful.
Question 6: What does the SHL OPQ Profile Report primarily provide to employers?
- A visual summary of a candidate's Sten scores across all 32 traits (Correct answer)
- A pass/fail recommendation for hiring decisions
- A ranked list of candidates based on total personality score
- A breakdown of cognitive ability alongside personality scores
Correct answer: A visual summary of a candidate's Sten scores across all 32 traits
The OPQ Profile Report displays a candidate's Sten scores on all 32 personality dimensions in a visual format for easy interpretation.
SHL OPQ SHL OPQ Test Scoring and Results 1
What type of score is used to report SHL OPQ results, comparing a candidate to a reference group?