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What is a Saville test?
A Saville test is an online assessment from Saville Assessment, the UK publisher founded by Professor Peter Saville and independently owned since 2023, when Willis Towers Watson sold the business. Its aptitude range runs at two depths: Analysis level tests of 24 minutes and Comprehension level tests of 16 minutes, plus the Swift batteries that blend several short timed sections into 9 to 18 minutes. The Wave questionnaires cover workplace personality and styles.
| Test types | Numerical, verbal, diagrammatic and mechanical aptitude; Wave personality questionnaires |
|---|---|
| Format | Online, timed multiple choice aptitude tests; untimed personality questionnaires |
| Typical time limit | Analysis tests: 24 minutes; Comprehension tests: 16 minutes; Swift batteries: 9 to 18 minutes |
| Used by | UK graduate and professional recruitment across finance, professional services and engineering |
What you get with our Saville practice tests
Boost your test readiness by using Practice Aptitude Tests to experience Saville assessments utilised by top recruiters.
- Extensive Question Bank: Access 18 distinct tests comprising 207 targeted questions that span numerical, verbal, diagrammatic, abstract, and mechanical reasoning.
- Exam-Condition Practice: Sharpen your skills using timed formats that accurately recreate the pressure of the real test.
- Methodology Breakdowns: Study comprehensive explanations to master the underlying logic and strategies for every question.
- Progress Tracking: Evaluate your performance with clear data highlights to spot your strongest and weakest areas across different test categories.
- Instant, Risk-Free Entry: Get started right away with an immediate subscription that you can cancel at your convenience.
Saville aptitude tests
Saville aptitude tests can be taken as standalone assessments or combined into a Swift blended assessment covering multiple skills in a single timed session.
Below you’ll find a brief overview of each test type, with a sample question to help you prepare.
Numerical aptitude
Two variants of numerical aptitude tests exist:
Numerical Analysis (24 min, graduate/professional level) and Numerical Comprehension (16 min, entry-level).
Both test your ability to extract the correct data point — not perform complex arithmetic. Try a free Saville numerical test to see the format.
Verbal aptitude
There are also two variants of verbal aptitude tests:
Verbal Analysis (24 min, professional/graduate) and Verbal Comprehension (16 min, entry-level).
Answer True, False or Cannot Say based solely on the passage — real-world knowledge is irrelevant.
Diagrammatic aptitude
In the diagrammatic test, you’ll be given a series of operators: inputs, processes and outputs. Questions come in the form of diagrams that show the operators in action. Your task is to identify which operators result in the illustrated outcome.
You’ll also be tasked with finding faults and comparing flowchart sequences, with 24 minutes to work through the test. There’s also a shorter, slightly easier version which focuses solely on operators.
Mechanical aptitude
The Saville mechanical aptitude test](https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/mechanical-reasoning-tests/) measures your understanding of physical principles, used for technical roles. Questions cover force, direction, gears, pulleys and levers. Individual tests take 16 minutes to complete. When part of a Swift assessment, mechanical aptitude is commonly measured alongside diagrammatic and spatial aptitude.
Abstract aptitude
In 16 minutes, the abstract aptitude tests require identifying the rules and relationships within pattern sequences, then select the correct piece to complete each one. Score is based on speed and accuracy combined.
Spatial aptitude
One of the shorter standalone tests, this eight-minute assessment looks at your spatial awareness when working with shapes. Each question presents four objects, some at different angles — identify the odd one out.
Error checking aptitude
The error checking assessment takes just six minutes, with also longer versions designed for specific professions. You’ll compare original and transposed data to spot errors — speed and attention to detail are both essential.
Workplace English
This test is only administered as a standalone exam, so you won’t find it as part of a Swift assessment (though you may be asked to take it alongside). Multiple-choice word-completion questions in workplace scenarios — 16.5 minutes
Saville situational judgement tests
Saville situational judgement tests present hypothetical workplace scenarios. You rate how effective each response is — there is no single correct answer. The exact format varies by employer.
Saville Wave personality questionnaire
Saville’s Wave personality assessments use complex rating systems to measure an individual’s working styles, preferences and behavioural tendencies. They are widely considered as one of the strongest indicators of a candidate’s future performance and culture fit.
The Wave series comprises four test types used for differing purposes, but the two commonly used in the recruitment process are Wave Professional Styles and Wave Focus Styles.
The only difference between the two is duration. Professional Styles is a 40-minute test, whereas Focus Styles is just 13 minutes long. In both, you’ll rate statements on a scale of very strongly disagree to very strongly agree.
Your responses will be collated into in-depth reports that detail your working personality in terms of things like problem solving, relationships and communication.
Practise Saville style tests
Saville assessments draw on the test types below. Each link takes you to free practice questions in the same format, so you can get comfortable before the real thing:
