Preparation guide

One scale, six ratings

Every question on the test is answered with one of these six ratings. Knowing what each one means, and using the whole scale, is half the work.

1. 1Very ineffective

   Makes the situation worse.

2. 2Ineffective

   Does no harm, but does nothing to solve the problem.

3. 3Somewhat ineffective

   Unlikely to help solve the problem.

4. 4Somewhat effective

   Likely to help solve the problem.

5. 5Effective

   Helps solve the problem.

6. 6Very effective

   Solves the problem, or goes a long way toward it.

How to prepare

1. 1

   Read the whole situation first

   Identify the real problem, who is involved and what is at stake. A response can sound reasonable until you see what it ignores.

2. 2

   Use the whole scale

   A response that makes things worse is a 1; one that does no harm but does not help is a 2; one that solves the problem is a 6. Don't park everything at 3 or 4.

3. 3

   Judge each response on its own

   On the real test each response is a separate question, in random order. Rate it against the situation, not against other responses you may have seen.

4. 4

   Time yourself

   About 100 seconds per question on the 376 (52 in 90 min) and 90 seconds on the 377 (40 in 60 min). Practise at that pace, not without a limit.

Six areas the situations involve

Frequently asked questions