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Problem Solving test

Hire candidates who untangle real problems — not just the ones with textbook answers.

Interviews reward confident speakers, not the best problem solvers.
Use our 15-minute, scenario-based test to see how candidates define problems, weigh evidence, and reach practical solutions - before you commit to interviews or a hire.

Business Impact

Why Test Problem Solving?

Problem solving is the single most predictive cognitive skill for job performance — it shows how someone handles ambiguity, complexity, and real-world constraints.

The problem? CVs list achievements, not the thinking behind them. Heroify helps you see the thinking.

Without Testing

What you risk

  • Hires who follow instructions well but freeze when facing unfamiliar challenges
  • Teams that treat symptoms instead of root causes
  • Slow decision-making because no one structures the problem clearly
  • Recurring issues that never get properly diagnosed

With Heroify

What you gain

  • Employees who break down complex situations into manageable parts
  • Faster resolution of cross-functional and ambiguous problems
  • People who propose solutions, not just surface issues
  • Fewer escalations because problems get solved where they start
predictive power

When to test for Problem Solving?

Use this test when the role requires:

  • Defining problems clearly before jumping to solutions
  • Working through ambiguous situations with limited guidance
  • Analysing data and text to draw practical conclusions
  • Prioritising competing demands with incomplete information
  • Applying deductive and inductive reasoning in everyday work
  • Proposing and evaluating multiple solution paths

Rule of thumb: If the role involves figuring things out — not just following a script — use this test.

Target roles

Who Should Take This Test?

Problem Solving is critical for any role where success depends on navigating complexity, making sound judgments, and finding practical solutions under constraints.

Project Managers

resolving blockers and keeping complex initiatives on track

Software Engineers

debugging systems and designing solutions under constraints

Business Analysts

translating messy requirements into structured problem definitions

Operations Managers

diagnosing process failures and implementing fixes

Customer Success Managers

resolving escalations by identifying the real issue quickly

Consultants

structuring ambiguous client problems into actionable recommendations

Team Leads

unblocking teams and making decisions when the path isn't clear

Product Managers

balancing competing priorities and finding the best trade-offs

Any analytical or strategic role

where thinking clearly under pressure is part of the job

Our methodology

What Does The Problem Solving Test Measure?

The Problem Solving test shows how candidates:

Define and structure problems before attempting solutions

Apply deductive and inductive reasoning to real-world scenarios

Evaluate multiple options and select the most effective path

Prioritise actions when time and resources are limited

Our methodology is validated by I/O psychologists and based on decades of research into cognitive assessment. Each question is designed to reveal how candidates think, not just what they know.

15 MINUTES. REALISTIC SCENARIOS. CLEAR INSIGHTS.

How It Works

We don't use riddles or logic puzzles disconnected from real work.

Our test presents realistic scenarios requiring candidates to define problems, analyse information, and choose the best course of action - just like they would on the job.

  • Takes 10-15 minutes, not half an hour

  • Realistic work-like scenarios

  • Balanced difficulty that actually differentiates candidates

  • Scientifically validated

  • Mobile-friendly, candidates can take it anywhere

  • Benchmarking results against real candidates in similar roles

  • Cheat-resistant signals based on behaviour patterns, e.g. unusual speed or tab-switching

  • Candidates don't feel "examined". They feel challenged — in a good way

Part 1: Problem Solving Question: 7 of 11
08:32

Your team's customer churn rate has increased by 15% over the past quarter. You have NPS data, support ticket logs, and usage analytics available. What is the most effective first step?

Select one answer:

Segment churned customers by common characteristics and cross-reference with support and usage data to identify patterns
Immediately launch a discount programme to retain at-risk customers
Survey all current customers to ask why they might leave
Hire additional support staff to reduce ticket response times
WHAT YOU GET

Stop reading scores. Start reading insights that help you decide

Heroify doesn't leave you with a raw score.

You get clear, AI-interpreted insights explaining how results translate to on-the-job performance.

Generic assessment

Generic: "Scored 80% on Problem Solving"

Heroify insight

Heroify: "This candidate excels at structuring ambiguous problems and evaluating trade-offs, but may over-analyse in time-sensitive situations where a good-enough solution is better than a perfect one."

Problem Solving
92
Your candidates' average 49
Time to Complete
16m ↑ +32.0%
Questions
11/11
Area Score
Problem definition and structuring High
Evidence-based reasoning High
Solution evaluation and prioritisation High
Result Comment
Karolina has a very high level of problem-solving ability. Individuals with similar scores typically:
  • Break down complex situations into clear, manageable components.
  • Identify root causes rather than treating surface symptoms.
  • Evaluate multiple solution paths before committing to one.
  • Make sound decisions even with incomplete information.
  • Adapt their approach when initial assumptions prove wrong.
  • Communicate their reasoning clearly to stakeholders.

Compare with other candidates

Candidate percentile distribution chart

Plus:

  • Specific interview questions to explore deeper, tailored to their results.

  • Comparison dashboard to see all candidates side-by-side

  • Red flags if suspicious behaviour is detected

This lets you:

  • Focus interviews on real strengths and risks—not small talk

  • Compare candidates on thinking quality, not confidence level

  • Spot gaps early and avoid mis-hires

  • Make faster decisions with actual data

WHY CANDIDATES LIKE IT

96% Positive Feedback From Candidates

Candidates consistently describe Heroify tests as:

Challenging but fun

"Finally, a test that lets me show what I can do"

Relevant to real work

"Questions felt like actual job situations"

More engaging than standard tests

"Way better than boring personality quizzes"

Every candidate receives instant feedback on strengths and growth areas, so even rejected applicants leave with something valuable — and your employer brand benefits.

GDPR Compliant

Enterprise-grade security

Validated by I/O Psychologists

Science-backed assessments

AI-Enhanced Scoring

Faster, fairer results

START HIRING SMARTER TODAY

Ready to Test Problem Solving?

Stop guessing. Start using data to identify candidates who tackle real problems and deliver practical solutions.

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