Quick answer
A situational judgement test for a graduate scheme gives you realistic workplace scenarios and asks you to choose or rank the most and least appropriate responses. To prepare, learn what the employer values, try official sample questions and answer as you would act in a professional setting. This guide uses the Impact Local Government Graduate Programme as a worked example.
What a situational judgement test is
A situational judgement test (SJT) checks how you would handle everyday work situations. You are not tested on subject knowledge. You are asked to use judgement.
According to the London School of Economics careers service, SJTs are designed to assess your ability to choose the most and/or least appropriate action in a range of workplace situations. They are often used by a wide range of UK employers in graduate recruitment.
The same page explains that SJTs most commonly use scenarios relevant to the job you have applied for. They may ask you to select or rank responses based on how effective or appropriate they are. So the format can vary from one employer to the next. Always read the instructions at the start of your own test.
A real example: the Impact Local Government Graduate Programme
The Impact Local Government Graduate Programme includes an SJT, so it shows what you might meet in practice.
- When it is open: applications run from 7 October 2026 to 6 January 2027 (12pm), and you must complete an SJT as part of the application.
- What it covers: the test uses real-life local government management scenarios. Each one has a short scenario and three possible responses, and you select the most and least appropriate response.
- How long it is: there are 24 scenarios. It typically takes 30-45 minutes, although it is not formally timed.
- Pausing: you can pause after any question and log back in later, but you must finish before the application deadline, according to the Impact timeline page.
- Where it sits: the SJT is the first stage. It was created specifically for this programme and looks at how you respond to realistic workplace situations and your understanding of key skills and behaviours.
- Finance Stream: if you apply for this stream, you also need to take a numeracy test.
Dates and requirements can change, so check the official Impact page for the current deadline and rules before you apply.
If you are also looking at funded study as well as graduate jobs, you can get free scholarship alerts from CareerEdu. It is a free service, and you can use it alongside your job search.
Situational judgement test examples: how a question looks
The Local Government Association publishes sample questions for the Impact test. Work through those first, because they match the real format.
Here is a short example we have made up to show the thinking. It is not from Impact or any employer.
Scenario: You are working on a team report due on Friday. A colleague tells you they have not started their section. Your manager is away until Monday.
- Response A: Write your colleague's section yourself and say nothing to anyone.
- Response B: Ask your colleague what is getting in the way, agree what they can realistically deliver by Friday, and tell your manager if the deadline is at risk.
- Response C: Email your manager's manager straight away, without speaking to your colleague.
A sensible reading is that B is the most appropriate. It deals with the problem directly, protects the deadline and keeps people informed. A hides the problem. C skips a conversation you could have had first. Employers set their own scoring, so treat this as practice in thinking, not as an answer key.
How to pass a situational judgement test: a practice checklist
No one can promise a result, but a steady routine helps you answer more calmly. Use this checklist.
- Research the employer. Preparation should involve looking at the employer's values and competencies, as these are likely reflected in the scenarios and scoring. Read the job advert and the careers pages closely.
- Try official samples. Use the Impact practice questions if you are applying there. For other schemes, look on the employer's own site.
- Answer as you would act. Focus on what you would do in a professional context. The LSE suggests a rule of thumb: often put business or customer considerations first, and your team or colleagues second.
- Read every response before choosing. Decide which is best, then which is worst. Check that your two choices are not the same.
- Look for the sensible middle. Strong responses usually talk to the right person, keep others informed and stay calm. Weak ones ignore the problem, take over or escalate without cause.
- Choose a quiet time. If your test allows pauses, as Impact's does, stop after a question when you are tired. Do not rush to finish.
- Review afterwards. Note what you found tricky and what the employer seems to value, then use it in your interviews.
How this fits with the rest of your application
An SJT is usually one stage among several. Your CV, cover letter and interview matter too, and the same research helps with all of them.
- If you are short on work history, read how to get a graduate job with no experience in the UK.
- For your written application, try the four-paragraph graduate cover letter plan.
- Scenario thinking also helps in interviews, so see graduate job interview questions and how to answer them.
Frequently asked questions
Is a situational judgement test timed?
It depends on the employer. The Impact test is not formally timed and typically takes 30-45 minutes. Check the instructions for any test you are given.
Can I pause a situational judgement test?
For Impact, yes. You can pause after any question and log back in, but you must finish before the application deadline. Other employers may have different rules, so read the guidance before you start.
Can I learn the right answers in advance?
Not in a reliable way. Scenarios are usually relevant to the job and reflect the employer's values. Understanding what the employer cares about will help you more than memorising.
Do I need to take any other tests?
It depends on the scheme. For example, applicants to the Impact Finance Stream also take a numeracy test. Check the official page for the role you want.
Next step
Practise a few scenarios, read the employer's values and keep your answers grounded in what you would really do. If you are also exploring funded study, you can get free scholarship alerts from CareerEdu. Check the funder's official page for current deadlines and rules before you apply.
