Bain Sova verbal question

Question

Hi,

I'm prepping for the SOVA and I've come across two opposing solution rules:

(1.) Quote: “Staff training can have a number of objectives […] It can raise levels of employee satisfaction by ensuring employees are able to improve their existing skills.” - Statement: “Employees that have the opportunity to improve their skills are more satisfied with their jobs”. - Solution: TRUE.

(2.) Quote: “Businesses that use social media to promote their products or services may benefit from increased brand awareness." - Statement: “Using social media to promote products or services will enhance brand awareness.” - Answer: FALSE.

One of these solutions has to be wrong, because they are both based on the same premise. The first statement says that it's true, despite the quote saying staff training CAN raise levels of satisfaction, and the statement saying “employees that […] ARE more satisfied”.

The second solution distinguishes between MAY increase brand awareness, and WILL increase brand awareness.

What is the rule for this? Can you say a statement is false based on can/are, may/will misrelationships? If you consider them general statements that don't necessarily have to always apply, the statements are true. But if they must ALWAYS apply, the statements are false.

Answer 1

Hi there,

Ok, this may not be the answer you're looking for, but it's true.

In some instances, these online assessments honestly make no sense. Probably 1 in every 20 of so questions I come across is just silly/wrong/pedantic. Alas, such is the truth of standardized testing.

You are right here.

Quick question: Is this an official SOVA test, or a “cheap” practice one? Because, remember, the practice ones are often re-produced/re-created and more likely to have errors.

Here's the important thing: Your reading comprehension is excellent. Paying attention to can/may etc. in wording of questions will serve you well in these online assessments

(Personally, I think question 1 is wrong and question 2 is correct)

Answer 2

Dear candidate, great you are asking. A) First, if this were not a test but more general questions in for example a case interview meant as tricky questions, then you might have been asked to consider all the options and come up with different view points. B) Second, in case you are asking why sova is using these answers, then I propose they do it because: in first statement the company can achieve sth, if they choose a certain path. (It seems to be meant is that they certainly will achieve this if they choose the path hence TRUE). In the second statement the situation is different, there is no clear relation between the different events, hence FALSE. Best regards,