L.E.K. Consulting · Psychometric Tests
L.E.K. Consulting sifts candidates through SHL before any interview. Below: the exact format, what each section tests, and how to practise it in identical conditions until you walk in confident.
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The format
An automated, objective filter deployed immediately after the CV and cover letter screen, before any video-based review. L.E.K. prioritises hard cognitive data and behavioural alignment first.
Most psychometric tests split into 3-5 sections, each with its own clock. Speed and accuracy both count.
Modern formats get harder if you answer correctly, easier if you struggle. Your final score reflects what you can actually do under time pressure.
L.E.K. Consulting sets a pass mark per test type. Below it, you don't progress regardless of how strong the rest of your application is.
Completion window. The link typically arrives within a few days of clearing the CV screen, with a strict 3-5 calendar-day completion window. Once started, the cognitive portion is strictly timed.
By division. A single unified testing suite runs across all UK practice groups (Life Sciences Specialists, Generalist Associates and Interns), ensuring a standardised data benchmark across the entire London pool.
Recent changes. L.E.K. London has consistently anchored on SHL for core cognitive screening over recent cycles. Some international offices have trialled short HireVue game-based apps or custom business-data cases, but London relies on SHL's psychometric data.
The provider
L.E.K. Consulting configures its own selection of SHL modules. Below: the exact products in the suite, why they were chosen, and what the provider's reputation is across the candidate pool.
History at L.E.K. Consulting. Used consistently for core UK cognitive screening over recent recruitment cycles.
Candidate reputation. Highly intuitive but severely time-constrained. Instead of multiple choice, candidates drag components, build charts, plot calendars and fill in sequences, so it punishes slow calculation and structurally illogical guesses.
Section breakdown
Each section has its own format, timer and trap pattern. Worked examples below show exactly what you will see and where candidates drop points.
What it tests. Quantitative facility, extraction from commercial exhibits and data precision under time limits.
Worked example. Year 1 revenue is £120m, Year 2 rises 15% to £138m (120 x 1.15), Year 3 falls 8% from Year 2 to about £126.96m (138 x 0.92). You drag the Year 2 bar precisely to 138 and the Year 3 bar to 126.96.
Common traps. Misreading axes and scales (thousands versus millions, non-zero baselines) and over-dragging so the graphic does not align with the exact value.
How to handle it. Keep a physical calculator, scratchpad and pen ready, calculate the exact figure before touching the graphic, and read legends so you do not mistake net profit for gross revenue.
What it tests. Synthesising disjointed constraints, isolating independent variables and applying structured logic to plan resources.
Worked example. Given rules such as 'Meeting A must happen before Luncheon B' and 'Project C takes 2 hours and cannot overlap with Meeting A', drag tasks into the only logically viable schedule.
Common traps. Making unwarranted assumptions (such as a 9-to-5 day when constraints specify otherwise) and cascading errors from placing the first variable wrong.
How to handle it. Isolate the anchor rule with zero ambiguity (for example 'Task E must occur at 2:00 PM'), work outwards from it, and track remaining slots on your scratchpad.
What it tests. Abstract problem-solving, fluid intelligence and conceptual pattern recognition without numerical or verbal context.
Worked example. Identify how each component (outer frame, interior shading, central lines, peripheral symbols) moves across the sequence, then complete or modify the final graphic accordingly.
Common traps. Fixating on a single attribute such as rotation while ignoring shading or moving dots, and mixing up clockwise versus counter-clockwise rules across alternating steps.
How to handle it. Break each shape into component parts and track each separately; if a pattern baffles you, check whether it alternates between odd and even steps.
What it tests. Commercial judgment, professional communication, respect for hierarchy, ownership and prioritisation under stress.
Worked example. A target's data arrives 24 hours late, threatening the Partner's deadline while the Partner is in a client meeting. The strongest option adjusts the model with proxy historical data so it is ready the moment real data drops and informs the Project Leader of the contingency; emailing the target's CFO to vent and copying the client is the worst.
Common traps. Choosing extreme options (escalating straight to senior executives or hiding an issue) and confusing what you 'would' do with the high-standard professional choice.
How to handle it. View every scenario through L.E.K.'s operating style: data-driven, highly professional, deeply collaborative and protective of client relationships.
What it tests. Not ability but a behavioural risk and alignment profile checked against a benchmark of successful consultants (data focus, resilience, leadership, structured working).
Worked example. From 'I enjoy taking charge of group decisions', 'I focus intensely on ensuring data is 100% accurate' and 'I actively seek novel solutions', choose one Most and one Least Like You.
Common traps. Trying to game the test with contradictory choices (internal consistency checks flag erratic profiles) and extreme polarisation (a pure data purist who cannot handle people, or vice versa).
How to handle it. Answer honestly with your professional, high-performing self in mind, consistently signalling a structured approach, comfort with data and comfort working in teams.
Pass mark
SHL scoring is normative and percentile-based, not a simple percentage of correct answers. Your raw score (accuracy and speed) is compared against a norm group of UK graduate and executive applicants in elite professional services.
Methodology. Cognitive sections aggregate into a General Ability index, but a fatal flaw applies: a bottom-tier performance in any single cognitive area (such as numerical manipulation) triggers an automatic rejection regardless of the other sections.
Response time. Typically 5-10 working days after completing the assessment, given the rolling cycle.
Score visibility. Candidates do not receive raw scores, percentile rankings or an OPQ breakdown during the active cycle; only a standardised progression email.
How to practise
Same provider, same section structure, same time pressure. With a scored report after every test so you can fix the weakest section before the real one.
Free practice section, scored. Keep practising free on Intervyo.
Why candidates fail
Specific failure patterns documented across past applicants. Most are avoidable with structured preparation.
Treating it as multiple choice
Hunting for an A/B/C/D list instead of instantly calculating and interacting with the charts.
Poor time-per-question management
Getting stuck on one deductive puzzle or inductive sequence for minutes starves the rest of the test.
Overreliance on approximations
Interactive charts require exact precision, so rough estimates lead to misaligned plots.
Poor physical setup
Running out of scratch paper or using a faulty or unfamiliar calculator mid-test.
Inconsistent OPQ profile
Overthinking choices and triggering the internal consistency flags by trying to game the personality section.
Neglecting base units
Missing a footnote that numbers are in thousands or mixing up currency symbols invalidates the calculation.
What works
Concrete habits drilled by candidates who clear the cut-off, drawn from applicant accounts and practice patterns.
Advanced chart fluency
Read axes, labels and footnotes before the question text to know exactly what data is available.
Rapid linear scratchpad layouts
Write deductive constraints in clean symbols (A before B, C not 1) to avoid clutter.
Immediate strategy execution
If an inductive pattern is unrecognisable within about 30 seconds, make an educated guess and move on to preserve time.
Ruthless data precision
Verify the calculated figure a second time before locking a chart node.
Strict analytical discipline in SJTs
Filter every scenario through a highly professional consulting lens, ignoring personal shortcuts.
From past applicants
Anonymised candidate accounts of how recent applicants approached the L.E.K. Consulting assessment. Each covers the prep, the experience, and the outcome.
Full-time Associate (London, passed)
Prep. Used targeted SHL interactive practice after the format caught them off guard.
Experience. The invitation arrived three days after the CV. Numerical questions required physically dragging lines on a financial chart to plot projected growth, and the deductive calendars meant balancing five people's availability at once across 36 intense minutes. A highly organised scratchpad was the differentiator.
Outcome. Passed to the first round of case interviews.
Summer internship (London, passed)
Prep. Prepared with targeted SHL practice tests beforehand, knowing the interactive layout differs from university exams.
Experience. The test combined logic puzzles with data tasks, including an inductive question altering colours and positions of interlocking matrices. The personality part felt long but straightforward by focusing on consistent interest in data and teamwork.
Outcome. Progressed in the autumn internship cycle.
Practice strategy
Preparation must simulate the actual interactive environment rather than generic psychometric drills.
Official SHL Direct platform
Take the free interactive ability and personality tests repeatedly to get comfortable with the interface.
Targeted prep platforms
Use premium platforms such as JobTestPrep, Graduates First or AssessmentDay that offer specific SHL Verify G+ Interactive modules.
Free practice on Intervyo
Run psychometric practice in the firm's real formats to calibrate chart fluency and timing before the live attempt.
Time investment. About 10-15 hours for a strong quantitative background, or 20-30 hours for a non-quantitative background with half on timed mental math, percentages, compound growth and chart analysis.
Time management
FAQ
A stable broadband connection and an up-to-date browser (Chrome, Safari or Firefox). It is mobile-optimised, but use a desktop or laptop with a mouse for precise drag-and-drop control.
The other rounds
Psychometric Tests is one of four rounds. Practise each one free on Intervyo.
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Intervyo is not affiliated with or endorsed by L.E.K. Consulting, SHL, Pymetrics, Cubiks, AON or any other assessment provider. Test details are sourced from past applicants and published guidance; verify on the firm's careers site before applying. Sector: Strategy Consulting.
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