Pearson TalentLens, the publisher, says the Watson Glaser test is a timed assessment that asks you to analyse, reason, interpret and draw logical conclusions from written information (Pearson TalentLens). The University of Manchester Careers Service tells candidates to use only the information in the passage, not their general knowledge, to judge the situation (University of Manchester Careers Service).
What the test measures
Pearson TalentLens defines critical thinking as the ability to look at a situation from multiple perspectives, separate facts from opinions and assumptions, and reach rational decisions (Pearson TalentLens). When you read a passage, separate what it states from what it assumes and from what you think about the topic. Then choose the answer that follows from that separation.
The University of Manchester Careers Service says the test explores your ability to reason through an argument logically and make an objective decision (University of Manchester Careers Service). That means the test is interested in the steps you take from the passage to the conclusion, not in whether you agree with the conclusion.
University of Exeter Career Zone says the appraisal is based on the RED model of critical thinking: Recognised Assumption, Evaluation Assumption, Draw Conclusion (University of Exeter Career Zone). The labels are a reminder to recognise an assumption, evaluate it, and then draw a conclusion.
Pearson TalentLens says the questions vary in difficulty and format to measure all areas of critical thinking ability (Pearson TalentLens). Do not assume that a question you found easy will look the same as the next one. Read the instruction and the answer options before you decide which skill is being tested.
How the five question types differ
| Question type | What you are asked to do |
|---|---|
| Drawing inferences | Pearson TalentLens says you rate the probability that inferences are true, based on the information given. |
| Recognising assumptions | Pearson TalentLens says you identify unstated assumptions or presuppositions behind given statements. |
| Deducing | Pearson TalentLens says you decide whether conclusions follow logically from the information or data. |
| Interpreting | Pearson TalentLens says you weigh the evidence and decide whether generalisations or conclusions based on data are warranted. |
| Evaluating arguments | Pearson TalentLens says you assess the strength and relevance of arguments about a particular question or issue. |
Read the instruction above each set before you answer. It tells you which judgement to make.
How long the test takes
Pearson TalentLens gives the test as 40 items, timed at 30 to 40 minutes, and available in several languages (Pearson TalentLens). The University of Manchester Careers Service describes a 30-minute critical reasoning test (University of Manchester Careers Service). University of Exeter Career Zone says the test typically has 40 questions drawn from a large bank, a 30-minute time limit and five sub-tests (University of Exeter Career Zone).
Use the time limit in the invitation you receive. Employers differ, and each employer sets its own test arrangements. The University of Manchester Careers Service also says the test is timed but not usually as pressurised as other tests, so you should get time to think (University of Manchester Careers Service). That is a reason to read carefully rather than rush.
Pearson TalentLens says the test is suitable for unsupervised screening and for online completion in a supervised environment (Pearson TalentLens).
What to read before you practise
The University of Manchester Careers Service notes that the test uses concepts such as inferences, deductions and assumptions to frame questions, and suggests reading about these before you start (University of Manchester Careers Service). Read a plain explanation of each term before you start. That way the vocabulary is not new when you meet it under time pressure.
How to practise
Imperial College London Careers says practice is the best way to improve on aptitude tests because the question formats may be unfamiliar (Imperial College London Careers). If a question type feels strange, practise that type before you worry about your overall score.
University of Exeter Career Zone recommends 12 to 20 hours of practice, and says practice and familiarity are key to improving performance (University of Exeter Career Zone). Use that as a target for the time you set aside, not as a promise about your score.
Pearson TalentLens says its free practice test is not a live test; it is intended to help you understand how the Watson-Glaser test works, what the questions in each subtest are like, and the skills needed to answer them (Pearson TalentLens). Use it to see the shape of each subtest, then switch to timed practice once the instructions are familiar.
Newcastle University Careers lists the Watson-Glaser critical thinking test among the recruitment tests available to practise on its Graduates First portal (Newcastle University Careers).
A practice routine you can start this week
Prospects advises simulating the real test with a timer and full-length practice (Prospects).
- Set a timer for a full-length practice session.
- Work through the full session.
- Do another practice test, as Prospects advises.
- Track your progress across the tests (Prospects).
If you want more timed practice, Graduate Chat has timed test sets covering numerical, verbal, situational judgement and logical reasoning, with the working shown after every question; the site says they are written for the site, not real tests from any publisher.