If you’re thinking of using Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs) in your hiring process, one of the first questions that’ll pop up is:
“How long will this take—for both the candidate and us?”
Great question.
Time is precious—whether you’re a busy recruiter screening 100 candidates or a CEO planning a leadership assessment. The good news? SJTs are flexible and can be adjusted based on the role, test format, and depth of evaluation you need.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- How long different types of SJTs typically take
- What affects the test duration
- How to structure your test for accuracy and efficiency
- Timing benchmarks based on job roles
Need the full overview on SJTs before diving into timing? Start here:
👉 Situational Judgement: Complete Guide for CEOs & Recruiters
Average Duration of a Situational Judgement Test
In general, most SJTs take between 20 and 40 minutes to complete.
| Test Length | Ideal For |
| 10–20 minutes | Entry-level screening or quick-fit evaluations |
| 20–30 minutes | Mid-level roles and general soft-skill assessment |
| 30–45 minutes | Leadership, high-stakes, or custom role-based SJTs |
| 45+ minutes | Long-form, open-ended formats like the Casper test |
👉 For reference: What Is the Casper Situational Judgement Test
What Factors Influence Test Duration?
Just like interviews, not all SJTs are created equal. Several things impact how long your test will take:
1. Number of Questions
- Most SJTs include 10–25 scenarios
- Each scenario typically includes 3–5 response options
- Some tests include ranking or rating questions, which take slightly longer
2. Question Complexity
- Simple workplace dilemmas (like handling a late coworker) take less time
- Ethical or leadership scenarios (like managing a conflict across departments) require more reflection
3. Test Format
| Format Type | Time Impact |
| Multiple choice (MCQ) | Fastest, takes 30–90 seconds per item |
| Ranking options | Adds time, ~2 minutes per item |
| Written responses | Longest—up to 5+ minutes per scenario |
4. Candidate Experience
- Test-takers unfamiliar with SJTs may take longer
- Nervous candidates often re-read and second-guess answers
Role-Based Time Guidelines
Here’s a practical breakdown based on job level and use case:
| Role Type | Test Duration | Number of Questions |
| Entry-Level/Interns | 10–20 minutes | 6–10 scenarios |
| Customer Support/Clerical | 15–25 minutes | 10–12 scenarios |
| Mid-Level Professionals | 20–30 minutes | 12–15 scenarios |
| Managers & Team Leads | 25–40 minutes | 15–18 scenarios |
| Executives & Leadership | 30–45+ minutes | 18–25+ scenarios |
Best Practices for Timing SJTs
If you’re designing or choosing a test, here’s how to strike the balance between depth and efficiency:
✅ Keep it job-relevant
Every scenario should reflect real situations the candidate might face. More meaningful questions = less need for extra ones.
✅ Test, then trim
Pilot your test with internal employees. See how long they take and cut any questions that don’t reveal much insight.
✅ Don’t overload candidates
Longer doesn’t mean better. A focused 20-minute SJT can often be more predictive than a bloated 60-minute version.
✅ Use timing as part of the scoring
If appropriate, track how long candidates take per question—but only if speed matters for the role.
Want help scoring your test? Check this out:
👉 How Are Situational Judgement Tests Scored
SJT Duration vs. Other Hiring Steps
Here’s how SJTs compare to other common tools:
| Hiring Tool | Average Time |
| Situational Judgement Test | 20–40 minutes |
| Phone Interview | 20–30 minutes |
| In-person Interview | 45–90 minutes |
| Personality Assessment | 10–20 minutes |
| Cognitive Ability Test | 15–25 minutes |
In many cases, an SJT can replace or enhance a phone interview, especially for screening soft skills and team fit.
How to Communicate SJT Time to Candidates
Set expectations early and clearly:
- Tell them the expected duration upfront
- Mention the number of scenarios
- Let them know if there’s a time limit or recommended pace
Example message:
“This Situational Judgement Test includes 12 real-world workplace scenarios and should take approximately 25–30 minutes to complete. You’ll be asked to choose or rank the most appropriate responses in each case.”
Looking for high-quality sample questions? Download our full PDF of 350 situational judgement test questions and answers to see what candidates typically face.
Final Thoughts
So, how long is a situational judgement test? It depends—but you now have the tools to decide what’s right for your hiring needs.
Whether you need a quick-fit screening tool or an in-depth behavioral analysis, you can customize SJT duration to match the level of complexity and role.
Just remember:
- Quality > Quantity
- Keep it relevant
- Respect the candidate’s time
- Pair SJTs with a strong scoring model for best results
Explore more in our full SJT series:
Because hiring isn’t about how long the test is—it’s about what you learn in the time you have. ✅