4 Essential Tips for Mastering the Watson Glaser Test

Effective preparation is key to succeeding in the test. The following tips will guide you through essential strategies to enhance your performance and boost your chances of success.

One of the most challenging aspects of the Watson Glaser test is understanding when it’s appropriate to use your knowledge and experience - and when to set them aside and focus solely on what is presented in the test. Our natural inclination is to fill in the blanks with our prior knowledge, experiences, and opinions. This is a normal cognitive process, but in the case of this test, it can be counterproductive.

Some questions will ask you to rely only on the information provided in the text. This means you need to avoid making assumptions, incorporating outside knowledge, or interpreting the text in a way that suits your own beliefs or experiences. Instead, you must base your answers solely on the information presented in the question.

On the other hand, other questions may require you to think more broadly. In these cases, you may need to apply your general knowledge and understanding of broader contexts. These questions ask for a higher level of reasoning, where your prior knowledge can help you fill in the gaps and make logical connections between different pieces of information.

This distinction is critical, particularly in questions that ask you to evaluate arguments or positions. Even if you strongly agree or disagree with a certain perspective, it’s important to set aside your personal opinions and focus on objectively analysing the quality of the reasoning and the internal logic of the argument presented. This requires a high level of objectivity, which can be challenging when personal beliefs are involved.

To apply the correct approach - whether to rely on your own knowledge or not - it’s essential to understand each question type and follow its specific instructions closely.

One of the first things you should do when preparing for the Watson Glaser test is to familiarize yourself with the types of questions it includes. The test comprises five different types of inference questions, each focusing on a different aspect of critical thinking. These are designed to challenge the way you process information, assess arguments, and draw conclusions.

When encountering these question formats for the first time, it’s easy to get confused between the emphasis of the various question types. This can lead to misinterpreting the question and ultimately choosing the wrong answer. Therefore, it is important to understand the structure of each question type and how to approach them correctly. Understanding the specific skills that each question type assesses will not only help you perform better but also reduce the anxiety that comes with unfamiliarity.

Another advantage of early familiarity is time management. The Watson Glaser test is timed, which means the clock starts ticking as soon as you begin reading the instructions. The better you understand the differences between the question types in advance, the less time you'll need to spend on the instructions themselves, and the more time you'll have to focus on answering the actual questions.

Knowing the question types can help you save time in reading the instructions, but it is essential to address the time pressure in the questions themselves.

To develop the necessary pace, it’s essential to practice under conditions that closely simulate the actual exam. This means using a timer, minimizing distractions, and practicing in a quiet, focused environment. The more accustomed you become to working under time constraints, the better you'll perform when the clock is ticking during the real test.

However, it’s important to note that practicing under time pressure should come after you’ve built a solid understanding of the question types and developed confidence in your abilities. Start by practicing without time limits to get familiar with the questions and the thinking style they require. During this phase, focus on identifying areas where you hesitate, make mistakes, or fall behind. Once you feel comfortable with the questions, gradually introduce timed practice sessions.

This approach allows you to build the speed and accuracy you need for test day. Additionally, timed practice will help you gauge how well you’re managing your time, enabling you to adjust and improve your pacing in subsequent practice sessions.

It’s crucial to remember that your score on the Watson Glaser test is based solely on the number of correct answers, and there is no penalty for incorrect ones. This means that if you’re unsure about a question, it’s better to make an educated guess rather than leaving it blank—especially when time is limited.

An educated guess involves a combination of logic, prior knowledge, and reasoning. It’s not just a random guess based on luck but rather a thoughtful assessment based on the information you have. By using your critical thinking skills, you increase the likelihood of selecting the correct option.

Even if you're unsure, remember that skipping a question results in zero points. A blind guess gives you a 25% chance of being right, while an educated guess significantly boosts your odds. So, don’t hesitate to take a calculated risk when you’re uncertain.

To fully implement these tips and improve your performance on the Watson-Glaser test, it’s important to practice with questions that closely resemble those on the actual exam. We encourage you to explore our comprehensive Watson Glaser Test package, which includes simulated questions in the Watson-Glaser style, timed drills, and practical tips to help you answer every question type effectively.

By practicing in this way, you’ll build not only your speed and accuracy but also your confidence. This focused, targeted practice will allow you to handle the test under time pressure while making well-reasoned decisions in each section. The more you practice, the better equipped you'll be to succeed on test day.