Verbal (Elements Verbal)
Short passages, each followed by questions about what the text says. In the 2017 sample, 3 questions per passage.
Tip: Answer only from the passage. The adaptive engine raises the difficulty as you get answers right.
Pre-employment test guide · Checked November 3, 2026
The Korn Ferry (Talent Q) Assessment: Elements Tests Explained
Korn Ferry's ability tests, formerly Talent Q, measure verbal, numerical and logical reasoning, plus checking for some roles. Every one is adaptive and has a time limit on each question: answer wrong or run out of time and the next question gets easier. In Korn Ferry's 2017 sample reports, Elements Verbal was 15 questions (16 minutes maximum), Numerical 12 questions (16 minutes) and Logical 12 questions (15 minutes). Have a calculator ready, and expect results to go to the employer, not to you.
Korn Ferry assessment at a glance
Facts from Korn Ferry's own pages, checked November 3, 2026. Employers can change settings, so your invitation email wins if it says something different.
| Publisher | Korn Ferry, formerly Talent Q |
|---|---|
| Ability tests | Verbal, numerical, logical and checking |
| Adaptive | All Korn Ferry cognitive ability tests |
| Timer | A time limit on each question; running out counts like a wrong answer |
| Elements Verbal (2017 sample) | 15 questions, 3 for each of 5 passages, 16 minutes maximum |
| Elements Numerical (2017 sample) | 12 questions, 3 for each of 4 tables, 16 minutes maximum |
| Elements Logical (2017 sample) | 12 questions, 15 minutes maximum |
| Aspects (entry level, 2017) | Verbal 12 / 13 min, Numerical 12 / 15 min, Checking 46 / 8 min |
| Calculator | Allowed; have paper, a pen and a calculator ready |
| Scoring | Percentile against a comparison group of earlier test takers |
| Your results | Go to the employer; Korn Ferry support only handles technical issues |
| Verification tests | Shorter supervised versions, 6 questions each, can check an earlier score |
| Device | Korn Ferry's current requirements list a Windows or Mac computer with Chrome or Edge |
| Free practice | Four free practice tests: numerical, verbal, logical and checking |
Korn Ferry assessment question types
Korn Ferry names four ability tests for candidates. Leadership roles may also get the Korn Ferry Assessment of Leadership Potential.
Numerical (Elements Numerical)
Tables or sets of tables with questions that need calculation. In the 2017 sample, 3 questions per table set.
Tip: Use the calculator, and read the units and column headers before you calculate.
Logical (Elements Logical)
Logical reasoning items with heavy randomization built in, so candidates rarely see the same questions.
Tip: Look for one rule at a time, then check it against every item in the set.
Checking (Aspects)
For entry-level roles: fast, accurate checking of information, 46 questions in 8 minutes in the 2017 sample.
Tip: Compare in small chunks and keep a steady rhythm.
Leadership potential (KFALP)
Korn Ferry's Assessment of Leadership Potential: 35-40 minutes, plus up to 40 minutes if an optional reasoning section is added.
Tip: Answer honestly and consistently; it is compared against the role level you are applying for.
How Korn Ferry scores your tests
In an adaptive test, the difficulty of the questions you get right matters, not just how many you get right. Wrong answers and timeouts lead to easier questions. Korn Ferry's guide says the best strategy is to use the full time given for each question.
Results are a percentile against a comparison group of people who took the test before. They go to the employer; Korn Ferry support only handles technical problems and tells candidates to ask the employer about results.
How to prepare for the Korn Ferry assessment
- Step 1
Take Korn Ferry's four free practice tests
Numerical, verbal, logical and checking practice tests are on Korn Ferry's candidate assessment page. Do the ones your invitation names.
- Step 2
Practice with a per-question timer
Each question has its own time limit, so practice answering within a fixed time per item rather than budgeting across a whole test.
- Step 3
Use the full time on each question
Korn Ferry's own advice: running out of time counts like a wrong answer, so use the time you have, but do submit an answer.
- Step 4
Use a computer with Chrome or Edge
Korn Ferry's current technical requirements list a Windows or Mac computer. Have a calculator, pen and paper on the desk.
Is the Korn Ferry assessment proctored, and can it detect cheating?
Korn Ferry's tests are adaptive and heavily randomized, so it is extremely unlikely two people get the same questions. Its sample reports also describe shorter supervised verification tests of 6 questions each, used to check an unsupervised score.
Korn Ferry has not published webcam proctoring details for candidates. Its research arm tested GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 on its assessments and said the models "did not shine."
Korn Ferry assessment answers, AI help and cheating
Are there Korn Ferry (Talent Q) test answers online?
No. Korn Ferry's tests are adaptive and heavily randomized, so it is extremely unlikely two people see the same questions. For the question on your screen, OphyAI Aptitude Test shows the answer and a one-line reason.
Can AI help on Korn Ferry tests?
Yes on the verbal, numerical and logical items, which are multiple choice and what OphyAI Aptitude Test was built for. Korn Ferry's own research found that general chatbots (GPT-3.5 and GPT-4) "did not shine" on its assessments.
Can Korn Ferry detect cheating?
Korn Ferry relies on adaptive, randomized tests and shorter supervised verification tests that can check an unsupervised score. It has not published webcam proctoring details for candidates. OphyAI's popup is hidden from screen sharing and recording, but not from a webcam, a person in the room, proctoring software that inspects your computer, or a supervised retest.
Compare every platform: Can online assessments detect AI?
OphyAI Desktop for Mac and Windows
OphyAI Aptitude Test and the Korn Ferry assessment
Aptitude Test mode in the OphyAI desktop app reads each multiple-choice question on your screen and shows the answer, with a one-line reason, in a small popup only you can see.
Use OphyAI Aptitude Test on your real Korn Ferry assessment, not just for practice. Start a test in the desktop app, open the Korn Ferry assessment and turn on Auto: each question is answered as it loads, with the option to pick and a one-line reason, in a popup that macOS and Windows leave out of screen sharing and recording. Or press Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + A on any question.
It fits Korn Ferry's verbal, numerical and logical items. With a timer on every question, Auto answers each one as soon as it loads. Korn Ferry can follow up with a supervised verification test.
Online assessment11:42
Question 18 of 50
Which number comes next? 3, 6, 12, 24, ...
- 30
- 36
- 48
- 52
Sharing entire screen
Online assessment11:42
Question 18 of 50
Which number comes next? 3, 6, 12, 24, ...
- 30
- 36
- 48
- 52
OphyAI · Aptitude Auto
48
Each term doubles the one before it.
Free download. Each test uses 15 credits and stays open for 2 hours. See everything it does
What it is hidden from, and what it is not
Hiding the popup from screen share does not hide it from a webcam, a person in the room, or proctoring and lockdown software that lists running apps or blocks screen capture.
Korn Ferry assessment questions
Korn Ferry's set of online ability tests, formerly Talent Q: verbal, numerical, logical and checking, plus personality and leadership assessments for some roles.
In Korn Ferry's 2017 sample report, Elements Numerical had 12 questions with a 16-minute maximum. Because the test is adaptive, the exact items vary.
Yes. Each question has its own time limit. If you run out of time or answer wrong, the next question is easier.
Yes. Korn Ferry tells candidates to have paper, a pen and a calculator ready.
Results go to the employer that asked you to take the test. Korn Ferry support only handles technical issues.
The former name of Korn Ferry's ability tests. Talent Q Elements and Aspects are now Korn Ferry assessments.
Yes. Korn Ferry offers four free practice tests: numerical, verbal, logical and checking.
Sources
Read on November 3, 2026. Korn Ferry assessments (formerly Talent Q) is a product of Korn Ferry; OphyAI is not affiliated with Korn Ferry.
- Korn Ferry: candidate guide to assessments
- Korn Ferry: guide to taking psychometric assessments (PDF)
- Korn Ferry: customer support FAQ
- Korn Ferry: technical requirements
- Korn Ferry: Talent Q Aspects (PDF, 2017)
- Korn Ferry sample report: Elements Numerical (archived, 2017)
- Korn Ferry Institute: assessment in the age of generative AI
Other test guides
CCATCriteria Cognitive Aptitude Test: 50 questions in 15 minutes.
Criteria OnDemand AssessmentWhat an ondemandassessment.com invite from Criteria contains.
WonderlicWonderlic Select and the classic 50-question, 12-minute test.
PI Cognitive AssessmentThe Predictive Index test: 50 questions in 12 minutes, scored 100-450.
SHLSHL Verify numerical, verbal, deductive and inductive tests.
TestGorillaUp to 5 timed tests, no going back, webcam snapshots.
HireQuotientSkills, cognitive, coding and video tests, including BCG.
Indeed AssessmentsRetired in 2024: what they were and what employers send now.
Aon (cut-e)scales numerical and verbal, gamified logic, points lost for wrong answers.
SavilleSwift Analysis and Executive aptitude, timed by section.
Verbal reasoningTrue, false or cannot say, analogies and word meaning, with tips.
Walk into the Korn Ferry assessment prepared
Download OphyAI Desktop, start Aptitude Test before your Korn Ferry assessment begins, and see each answer and its reason in a popup only you can see.