What Is the Clifford Chance Watson Glaser Test?

The Clifford Chance Watson Glaser Test is the standard critical thinking assessment taken by most candidates seeking to join one of Clifford Chance's training contracts or looking to apply for other programs the company provides.

The test assesses your critical thinking skills through 40 multiple-choice questions distributed across five sections, with a time limit of 30 minutes. This well-known critical thinking test measures your ability to evaluate arguments, identify assumptions, recognize implications, and draw conclusions.

The Watson Glaser test is famous for its complexity and can be confusing. Therefore, proper preparation and thorough hands-on practice of sample questions are crucial to ensure your success.

Update 2024: the application for the prestigious Clifford Chance SPARK work experience programme ends on Thursday, 08 February 2024.


What Are the Watson Glaser Test Sections?

Inference

The Inference section comprises 5 questions. In each question, you will be presented with a text followed by a statement and a proposed conclusion that one might draw from the previous statement. Your task is to decide how accurately true or false the conclusion is based on the text according to a scale of – True, Probably True, Insufficient Data, Probably False, or False.

💡Tip: Carefully analyse the text and base your answers solely on the given information. Practice under time constraints and avoid extremes in your responses.

 

Recognition of Assumptions

The Assumptions section includes 12 questions. In each question, you will be presented with a statement followed by a proposed assumption. Your task is to decide whether a person, in making the given statement, is making the proposed assumption. Note that these assumptions do not have to concur with reality or reason – you are not judging their common sense, but plainly whether they are made or not.

💡Tip: Make sure that you assess if the statement implies the proposed assumption and focus on logical connections since real-world accuracy is not necessary.

 

Deduction Reasoning

The Deduction section contains 5 questions. In each question, you will be presented with a premise followed by a suggested conclusion. Your task will be to determine whether the conclusion logically follows the premise.

💡Tip: Your main task is to assess the logical conclusion of the premise, using internal logic. Accordingly, you could use a binary approach: either the conclusion logically follows (True), or it doesn't (False).

 

Interpretation

The Interpretation section contains 6 questions. In each question, you will be presented with a premise followed by a suggested conclusion. Your task is to determine whether the conclusion follows the premise beyond any reasonable doubt.

💡Tip: Focus your training efforts to make yourself rely on clear logical connections and practice under time constraints.

 

Evaluation of Arguments

The Arguments section section contains 12 questions. In each question, you will be presented with a yes/no question, followed by an argument. Your task will be to determine whether the argument is strong or weak in addressing the question.

💡Tip: Your focus must lie on the argument's relevance and logical soundness and practice under time constraints to enhance your assessment speed will be necessary.


Watson Glaser Free Practice Test

At JobTestPrep our experts have developed a dedicated, short, and additional free sample test for the Watson Glaser assessment. While this free practice test does not cover all the different test sections, it will undoubtedly give you a good sense of what the test is like. If you want to practice more, you can check out our Watson Glaser Free Practice Test Page

Inferences Sample Question

Following a reduction in the number of applicants, the college has been asking students to evaluate faculty teaching performance for the last two years. The college's management announced that the purpose of these evaluations is to provide information to faculty about teachers' strengths and weaknesses and to help higher management make decisions about pay raises and promotions to reward the better teachers. Last week, Professor Burke, a recently retired senior lecturer at the college, wrote a letter in which he objected to these evaluations, claiming they compromise academic standards.

Statement: There is more to the management's announced intentions than those mentioned by them in the passage.

A. True
B. Probably True
C. Insufficient Data
D. Probably False
E. False
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is "Probably True".

The text begins by introducing the management's announcement as a reaction to a negative trend—a reduction in the number of student applications. While the announcement explicitly addresses both the college's staff and its students, it is likely that the issue at hand is not only a wish to achieve academic excellence but in fact a means to resolve the issue of reduced applications and college reputation, which has implications on the college's future. Therefore, the correct answer is "Probably True".

Deductive Reasoning Sample Question

All brokers know stock-market investments are risky and should be handled with care. Andy knows stock-market investments are risky, but doesn't think he should invest with care.

Proposed Conclusion: Non-brokers don't know how to handle their stock-market investments with care.

A. Conclusion Follows
B. Conclusion Not Follows
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The conclusion does not follow.

The second part of the conclusion – don't know how to handle their stock-market investments with care – does not appear in the premise. It does not equal “know stock-market investments should be handled with care.” Maybe non-brokers know it is important to handle investments with care, but do not know how to do it. When performing logical inferences, one must be certain that two arguments written differently are equivalent before making a new inference that relies on their interchangeability.

Evaluation of Arguments Sample Question

Should employees who have over five years of experience in the company be bound by law to give employers advanced notice of 60 days upon resignation?

Argument: Yes. Research has shown that requiring employees to give advance notice forces them to rethink their choice, which often causes them to change their minds. This makes workplaces more stable environments, especially when it comes to valuable experienced employees.

A. Strong Argument
B. Weak Argument
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

Strong argument.

This argument is both relevant to the subject and important. Therefore, it is a strong argument.

With JobTestPrep’s Clifford Chance Assessment Preparation Pack, you will gain all the tools you need to sharpen your critical thinking skills and master the actual test.

Our comprehensive pack offers thoroughly prepared packages of inferences, assumptions, deductions, interpretations, and argument practice questions.


Clifford Chance Application Process: Tips to Stand Out

The recruitment process at Clifford Chance is a multi-step journey designed to recognise and identify talented candidates who can excel in the legal field while aligning with the firm's culture and values. Here's an overview of the key selection process stages:

1. Online Application Submission: For both Clifford Chance's SPARK and Training Contract vacancies, your journey begins with submitting an online application form. Here is your first opportunity to shine and demonstrate what you can bring to the company. Notable aspects Clifford Chance considers at this stage include:

  • Passion for Commercial Law
  • Attention to Detail
  • Showcase Compelling Work Experience
  • Provide Minimum Academic Requirements

2. Watson Glaser Test: The next step involves taking the Watson Glaser critical thinking test within the next two working days after submitting your application. This test evaluates essential characteristics required for legal thinking. You will have a five-day timeframe to complete it.

3. Application Review: Assuming you have successfully passed the Watson Glaser critical thinking test, the recruitment process enters the application review phase. Clifford Chance evaluates all applications for their vacancies. After this review, you will receive an invitation to participate in a pre-recorded video interview, where you should articulate your motivations and desire to work for Clifford Chance.

4. Assessment Days: If you progress through the earlier stages, you will move on to in-person assessments that involve:

  • A Case Study Interview
  • Teamwork Skills Evaluation
  • A Written Exercise

Clifford Chance SPARK Programme

One of the programs Clifford Chance provides for undergraduate law students is the SPARK programme. The programme allows students to gain valuable work experience and develop skills within a leading law firm before they apply for internship training contracts after graduation.

The SPARK programme includes on-the-job training, mentoring, networking, and skill-building workshops. It is a paid internship and may lead to a full-time job offer at the end of the programme. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in a professional law firm and learn from experienced lawyers and legal professionals.

💡 Update 2024: the application deadline ends on 08 February 2024. Make sure you are fully prepared with our Test Prep Pack.  

Eager to Be Accepted in the SPARK Programme?

Our comprehensive prep pack includes tutorials and more than 30 practice tests that cover all the different types of questions you will encounter during your assessment.
Additionally, our prep pack features a short diagnostic exam designed to assess your knowledge and weak spots, allowing you to study more effectively.


FAQs

What is a Critical Thinking Test and What Does it Measure?

A Clifford Chance Critical Thinking Test is an aptitude assessment developed to evaluate your ability to understand situations from multiple perspectives. During this test, you will recognize, extract, and interpret facts, opinions, and assumptions and identify logical fallacies.

Critical thinking tests are commonly used, along with additional assessments, in the recruitment process for legal professions, where critical thinking is needed to build solid arguments. The critical reasoning test measures these critical thinking skills through paragraphs of varying sizes, some short and some very long.

Why Is Critical Thinking Important to Potential Employers?

Critical thinking skills are a vital aspect of what companies aim to assess in their recruitment process.

Employees with strong critical thinking capabilities can make independent decisions, solve problems, identify logical fallacies, build strategies, and ultimately perform their jobs more effectively in general and often with limited supervision.

Which Professions Use Watson Glaser Tests, and Why?
The most common professions that use the Watson Glaser Tests are:
  • Trainee Solicitors and Solicitors
  • Graduate Trainees
  • Lawyers
  • Vacation Scheme
  • Public Health Registrars
  • Analysts

The Watson Glaser critical thinking assessment evaluates a candidate's critical thinking abilities that are considered crucial for decision-making, problem-solving and logical analysis.

What Other Employers Use the Watson Glaser, Besides Clifford Chance?

Nearly all major law firms in the UK use the Watson Glaser test to screen candidates, alongside commercial law assessment centre tasks. Notable firms known to use this critical thinking assessment include:

  • Hogan Lovells – Hogan Lovells also uses the test to assess candidates applying to vacation schemes, training contracts, and graduate programs.
  • Linklaters – Besides vacation schemes, summer internships, and graduate positions, Linklaters also uses the test to evaluate candidates for lawyer and associate positions.
  • Amazon - The Watson Glaser Amazon assessment is used to select candidates for various positions. 

In addition to these, numerous other firms, such as CMS, the GLS, Freshfields, Bird & Bird, Dentons, and many more law firms, also incorporate the Watson Glaser test into their candidate assessment procedures.

What is Included in Clifford Chance’s Hiring Process?

Clifford Chance's hiring process, including the SPARK Scheme, typically comprises the following stages: online application submission, taking a Watson Glaser test, assessment centres, and interviews.

What Training Contracts Does Clifford Chance Offer?

Clifford Chance offers training programs tailored for pre-final and final-year students, recent graduates, and more. These programs aim to provide the necessary experience to become a successful business consultant.

The IGNITE Training Contract program emphasizes technology.

The multi-award-winning SPARK program is customized each year for first and second-year law students and pre-final non-law students and can lead to a Training Contract.

ACCESS is a 2-year, award-winning development program for year 12 students, specifically created by Clifford Chance.

 

Clifford Chance LLP is not associated with or affiliated with JobTestPrep and does not endorse or sponsor any of the products or services provided by JobTestPrep.

 

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