Updated April 2026 · 14 min read · 30 million+ assessments administered per year
| Full name | Kenexa (acquired by IBM in 2012) |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Wayne, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Core test series | Infinity Series (Advance) · Computer Adaptive Tests (CAT) · Prove It · BMQ (retail/hospitality) |
| Portfolio size | 1,500+ assessments, customisable per employer and role |
| Major employers using Kenexa | Nomura, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Grant Thornton, Balfour Beatty, NatWest |
| Assessment delivery | Online, browser-based, webcam proctoring optional |
IBM Kenexa is one of the world's largest psychometric assessment providers, delivering over 30 million tests annually and drawing on more than 30 years of behavioural science expertise. After IBM's acquisition in 2012, Kenexa expanded its portfolio to over 1,500 assessments, all fully customisable to an employer's specific competency framework and role requirements. If you've received an invitation to an online test from Nomura, Bank of America, Grant Thornton, or a range of other global employers, there's a strong chance the test is built on the IBM Kenexa platform.
The Infinity Series is the most widely encountered Kenexa product at graduate and managerial level. It contains two primary tests:
Kenexa Numerical Reasoning (Infinity): Built from a bank of 174 numerical reasoning items using the three-parameter Item Response Theory (IRT) model — the same mathematical framework behind standardised tests like the GRE. Each candidate receives a unique, randomised instance of the test, making it impossible to share or memorise specific questions. The test is 20 minutes long with 20 questions. Questions present numerical data in tables and charts; candidates must interpret the data, perform arithmetic (percentages, ratios, growth rates), and select the correct answer from 5 options. No calculator is provided. Difficulty is calibrated for graduate and managerial applicants.
Kenexa Verbal Reasoning (Infinity): 24 questions in 20 minutes. Candidates read a passage of text (typically 100–200 words on a business or general topic) followed by a statement. They must judge: True (the statement follows from the passage), False (the statement contradicts the passage), or Cannot Say (neither confirmed nor refuted by the passage). No prior knowledge of the topic is required — all answers must be drawn from the passage alone. The verbal test has parallel forms rather than randomised instances, meaning some questions recur across test-takers — though updated banks rotate regularly.
The CAT is a combined assessment that adapts difficulty based on your responses. It contains numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning questions in sequence. 20 questions drawn from a pool of 174+ items, delivered in 20 minutes — approximately 1 minute per question. Difficulty increases if you answer correctly and decreases if you answer incorrectly, allowing the test to precisely calibrate your ability level with fewer questions than a traditional fixed test. Employers choose the CAT when they want a holistic picture of reasoning ability without administering three separate timed tests.
Abstract/inductive reasoning using shape sequences. You see a series of shapes presented one at a time, with a rule or pattern governing each sequence. Your task is to identify the missing shape that continues the pattern. Rules typically involve: rotation, reflection, size change, colour change, number of elements, or combination of two simultaneous rules. Rarely administered as a standalone test — usually combined with numerical or verbal reasoning as part of a CAT assessment.
Role-specific technical assessments covering over 300 software applications, professional skills, and industry-specific competencies. Common Prove It tests include: Microsoft Excel (basic, intermediate, advanced), Microsoft Word, Typing Speed and Accuracy, Accounting principles, and Software QA testing. Prove It tests are scenario-based — you're given a simulated application environment and asked to complete real tasks, not multiple-choice questions about them. If you've been invited to a "skills test" rather than a "reasoning test," you're likely taking a Prove It assessment.
Specifically designed for management roles in retail, leisure, and hospitality. Contains numerical reasoning (15 minutes), verbal reasoning (15 minutes), and a 20-minute personality questionnaire evaluating seven management values: Customer Focus, Drive for Results, Leading Others, Planning and Organising, Problem Solving, Adaptability, and Integrity. Questions in the reasoning sections are calibrated for managerial-level difficulty — slightly easier than the Infinity Series but more focused on operational contexts (e.g. stock management, rota scheduling, customer complaint data).
Many employers add a Kenexa SJT to the reasoning test battery. SJT questions present a workplace scenario followed by 4–6 possible actions. Candidates select the most effective and least effective response. Unlike the reasoning tests, SJTs have no universally correct answer — responses are scored based on how they align with the employer's specific competency framework. For banking and finance employers (Nomura, BofA), the SJT will prioritise: client confidentiality, risk awareness, escalation of concerns, and regulatory compliance. For consulting (Grant Thornton), the SJT will prioritise: analytical rigour, client relationship management, and team leadership.
The Job Fit test assesses personality, motivational drives, and work preferences against a role profile. Format: typically 50–70 statements rated on a 5-point Likert scale ("strongly agree" to "strongly disagree"). Scoring is compared against a norm group of high performers in the target role. Kenexa has role-specific norm groups for over 300 job families — your responses are not compared to the general population but to people who already perform well in the specific role you've applied for. This makes the Job Fit assessment harder to "game" than a generic personality questionnaire.
Pass marks: Typically set at the 30th–50th percentile by employers, but you should aim as high as possible. If two candidates tie on interview, the higher scoring candidate is nearly always preferred. Aim for 70th percentile or above.
Adaptive CAT: Early questions in the CAT determine the difficulty of subsequent questions. A strong start leads to harder (higher-scoring) questions. A weak start locks you into easier (lower-scoring) territory. Answer the first 5 questions with maximum accuracy.
Item banking: The Infinity numerical test is randomised per candidate. Do not expect to find specific questions online — the bank is proprietary and rotates. Practice the underlying skills, not specific questions.
Kenexa tests are used across investment banking, consulting, engineering, retail, and public sector hiring. Notable users include: Nomura (numerical reasoning for front office roles), Bank of America Merrill Lynch (numerical + verbal at the screening stage), Grant Thornton (both reasoning tests for graduate audit roles), Balfour Beatty (numerical for engineering and project management), NatWest (verbal and numerical for retail and commercial banking roles). The exact test and duration is customised by each employer — always check your invitation email for the specific test name and time limit.
For the numerical test: practice percentage change, compound growth, ratio comparison, and profit margin calculations. Focus on speed — 20 questions in 20 minutes means 60 seconds per question, with no time to go back. Skip questions you're unsure about and return to them in the final 3–4 minutes. For the verbal test: practice the "True / False / Cannot Say" distinction rigorously. The most common error is selecting "True" for a statement that sounds plausible but is not directly supported by the passage — that is "Cannot Say." For the CAT: practise all three reasoning types since any may appear, in any order.
Numerical reasoning on Kenexa tests is almost always table-based: two or three small tables of financial, sales, or operational data, followed by a question that requires a multi-step calculation and a unit conversion.
Q. A retail chain sells three product lines. Units sold last quarter were 660 (Line A), 1,140 (Line B) and 310 (Line C). Average selling price was £1.00, £1.00 and £1.00 respectively. Total revenue to the nearest £ was:
A) £1,780 B) £1,950 C) £2,048 D) £2,110
A. Sum the units: 660 + 1,140 + 310 = 2,110. Answer: D.
The actual Kenexa question adds distractors: prices in pence rather than pounds, mixed currencies, unit ambiguity (per pack vs per item). Candidates who rush the unit check pick C or B despite nailing the arithmetic.
Standard Kenexa Verify numerical assessments give 18 questions in 18 minutes — about 60 seconds per question. That sounds generous but each question has 3–5 numbers to read, a calculation (often multi-step), and a unit conversion.
If you're past 75 seconds and still unsure, flag and move on — you can't recover four lost minutes from one stubborn question.
If you want a shortcut: TestSolve reads each test question on your screen and sends the answer to your phone in about 5 seconds. Free first solve, no signup. Pricing.
These companies commonly include Kenexa assessments in their hiring process.