SHL OPQ Do's and Don'ts 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Why is faking answers on the OPQ generally a bad strategy?
- It is impossible to lie on any test
- Inconsistent faked answers can be detected and a mismatched role harms you long term (Correct answer)
- Faking always improves your score
- Recruiters never look at OPQ results
Correct answer: Inconsistent faked answers can be detected and a mismatched role harms you long term
Faking risks detection through consistency checks and can land you in a role that doesn't fit, hurting you later.
Question 2: What is the best DO when you encounter a trait you wish you had but don't?
- Answer as the person you aspire to be
- Answer as you actually are right now (Correct answer)
- Skip the question
- Choose the opposite to be safe
Correct answer: Answer as you actually are right now
Respond based on your current actual behavior, not an aspirational version of yourself.
Question 3: How should you treat the absence of right or wrong answers in the OPQ?
- As permission to answer randomly
- As reassurance to answer honestly without fear of a 'wrong' choice (Correct answer)
- As a reason to pick all extremes
- As a sign the test doesn't count
Correct answer: As reassurance to answer honestly without fear of a 'wrong' choice
No answer is inherently correct, so respond honestly without worrying about choosing a 'wrong' option.
Question 4: What is a recommended DO regarding familiarizing yourself with the OPQ format?
- Take practice questionnaires to understand the rating and forced-choice styles (Correct answer)
- Memorize a list of ideal answers
- Avoid all preparation to stay spontaneous
- Only read the title before starting
Correct answer: Take practice questionnaires to understand the rating and forced-choice styles
Practicing the format reduces surprises so you can focus on honest answers on test day.
Question 5: What should you avoid doing with extreme rating options like 'strongly agree'?
- Using them when they genuinely reflect you
- Overusing them on every item to seem decisive (Correct answer)
- Reading them carefully
- Considering them at all
Correct answer: Overusing them on every item to seem decisive
Reserve extreme ratings for items where they truly apply rather than overusing them to appear decisive.
Question 6: If you are unsure how a result will be used, what is the appropriate DO?
- Refuse to complete it
- Answer honestly and trust that genuine fit benefits both you and the employer (Correct answer)
- Answer to match a stereotype of the job
- Ask another person to complete it for you
Correct answer: Answer honestly and trust that genuine fit benefits both you and the employer
Honest answers serve your interests by matching you to roles where you'll genuinely fit.
Question 7: What is a sensible DON'T about discussing OPQ items during the test?
- Don't take notes for yourself
- Don't get other people to influence or supply your answers (Correct answer)
- Don't read instructions
- Don't sit comfortably
Correct answer: Don't get other people to influence or supply your answers
Your answers should reflect only your own self-perception, not input from others.
SHL OPQ Do's and Don'ts 3
Why is faking answers on the OPQ generally a bad strategy?