What is a common format for situational judgment questions?

Situational judgment questions typically present candidates with "What would you do?" scenarios to assess their responses to specific situations they may encounter in a professional environment. This format allows test-takers to demonstrate their judgment, decision-making skills, and ability to prioritize values within relevant contexts. By providing a realistic situation, these questions gauge how an individual might behave in the workplace, allowing for an evaluation of traits such as problem-solving abilities, interpersonal skills, and ethical considerations.

The structure of situational judgment items makes them particularly effective for measuring competencies that are critical in various roles, enabling a better prediction of future behavior compared to more straightforward question formats. Other formats, like true or false statements or past experience inquiries, do not focus as directly on an applicant's real-time judgment in hypothetical but relevant scenarios.