What is a good reasoning test score?

There is no official pass mark, but there is a pattern. Candidates commonly report that about 60% right gets through first-round screening, and that competitive graduate schemes look for 70% or more. Here is how to read your number.

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By the LifeScore Editorial Team · Updated October 2026 · How we check facts

60%
typical screening level: 70%
competitive schemes: 80%+
strong result: 50
questions here

Why there is no single pass mark

Reasoning tests are usually scored against a norm group, such as other graduate applicants. Your result is a percentile (for example, "better than 70% of the group"), and the employer picks the percentile they will accept. A role that attracts thousands of applicants can set the bar higher than one that struggles to fill places.

Employers do not publish these cut-offs. The figures below come from what candidates report in prep communities, so treat them as typical ranges, not rules.

What candidates report

Ranges reported by candidates, shown as a raw score on our 50-question practice test. They are a target to beat, not a guarantee.
Result	Roughly	What it usually means
About 60% right	30 of 50	Often enough to pass a first-round screen
About 70% right	35 of 50	Competitive for many graduate schemes
About 80% right	40 of 50	A strong result

Accuracy beats finishing

Many applicants run out of time and rush the last questions. Because most tests rank you on correct answers, a careful 75% beats a frantic 90% of the questions attempted at 50% accuracy. Skip a question that is eating your time, and come back only if you can.

Where would you land?

Take the free practice test for a score out of 50 and a split between numerical and verbal. Then use how to pass reasoning tests to raise the half that costs you most.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a good score on a numerical reasoning test?

It depends on the employer. Candidates commonly report that about 60% correct passes a first-round screen and that competitive schemes look for 70% or more.

What percentile do I need?

Employers choose their own cut-off, often between the 40th and 70th percentile of a norm group. They rarely publish it.

Is 70% good?

Yes. It is above what many first-round screens need and competitive for many graduate schemes, though the final answer depends on the employer.

Can I retake a reasoning test?

Often not straight away. Many employers let you retake after a waiting period, and some ask you to re-sit a shorter verification test later, so prepare properly the first time.

LifeScore is not affiliated with SHL or any test publisher. SHL is a trademark of its owner. Our practice tests are original questions written in a similar style (tables of business data, and passages with True, False or Cannot say statements) and are not the real tests. Reviewed October 2026 by the LifeScore Editorial Team.