Watson Glaser Practice Test & Free Sample Questions [2025]
Updated: July 20, 2025 | Trusted by 14,400+ candidates
The Watson Glaser test, also known as the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA), assesses candidates’ critical thinking and reasoning skills. It is a widely-used pre-employment test and a crucial requirement for candidates applying for training contracts and vacation schemes, particularly in the legal profession.
If you're preparing for the Watson Glaser assessment, this page provides everything you need: free practice questions, tips, and much more! You can also explore our comprehensive prep pack for more in-depth preparation.
The Watson Glaser test is comprised of 40 multiple-choice questions to be completed within 30 minutes. Generally used by law firms and government legal services, this test evaluates your critical thinking skills, focusing on key areas such as drawing conclusions, evaluating arguments, and recognizing assumptions. Practicing with accurate tests, such as the sample questions below and our comprehensive preparation pack, will help you develop these abilities. Preparation for this assessment is highly recommended. On this page, you'll find a free Watson Glaser practice test with 15 questions and full answers.
Did You Know?
The Watson Glaser test is generally known as one of the more difficult assessment tests provided for candidates. To rank in the top 80% of the most desirable positions, like managers and lawyers, it is recommended to get a Watson Glaser exam score of at least 33-34.
Watson Glaser Test Structure
The structure of the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test is as follows, highlighting the key skills and question types assessed:
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Inference: Drawing conclusions from observed or assumed facts.
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Assumptions: Identifying whether an assumption is being made in the statement.
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Deduction: Assessing whether conclusions logically follow from given premises.
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Interpretation: Determining whether conclusions logically follow from the given information.
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Evaluation of Arguments: Assessing whether an argument is strong or weak based on its relevance and importance to the question.
Take a Watson Glaser Practice Test
Welcome to the section where you can take a Watson Glaser sample test! Here you can take an interactive simulation or scroll down to practice each test section below.
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Interactive Simulation: Try out our interactive test simulation to experience the test environment firsthand.
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Detailed Practice Questions: Each section includes a sample question, tips, and full answers to help you understand the reasoning behind each correct answer.
Watson Glaser Practice Test Simulation
To exit the simulation and return to this page, please click outside the simulation box if the 'X' option is unresponsive. A fix is currently being implemented.
Practice Watson Glaser Sample Questions
As outlined in the test structure above, the following sample questions cover the 5 sections of the Watson Glaser Test. Each section contains a sample question, tips, and practice questions with answers.
Assessment of Inferences
We will begin our Watson Glaser practice test with the first section – Assessment of Inferences. An inference is a conclusion based on evidence.
Each exercise begins with a statement of facts you are to regard as true. Afterwards, you will find several possible inferences or conclusions that can be drawn from the stated facts. Your job is to evaluate the truthfulness of the inference based on the text, using the following range:
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data
- Probably False
- False
Note: You'll need to examine each inference separately and decide its degree of truth or falsity.
What does it assess?: The ability to assess the probability that inferences are true based on the information provided.
Sample Question – Assessment of Inferences
The Inference section will present a statement and a series of inferences (conclusions).
Your task is to determine how true or false each inference is. Read the text below and select the correct answer.
James is a human rights activist who was fined £60 on three different days during the past month for smoking in public at his workplace. On each occasion, he admitted to the act peacefully, telling policemen he was unwilling to conform to such a breach of people's right to privacy. James paid the three fines shortly after receiving them.
This year, James has spent several hundred pounds in his struggle to oppose violations of civil liberties.
Tip
The “Probably True” and “Probably False” answer choices are unique to the Watson Glaser and are considered the main challenge of the inference section. Grasping the distinction between common knowledge (permitted in the Inference section of the test) and other forms of knowledge (prohibited) is key to accurately answering the questions. Learn more about this tip here.
Practice Questions
Read the following text, and then choose whether the questions below are true or false to varying degrees according to the following text:
Virtual employees, or employees who work from home via a computer, are an increasing trend. In the US, the number of virtual employees has increased by 39% in the last two years and 74% over the previous five years. Employing virtual workers reduces costs and makes it possible to use talented workers no matter where they are located globally. Yet, running a workplace with virtual employees might entail miscommunication and less camaraderie and can be more time-consuming than face-to-face interaction.
When evaluating inferences:
- Prioritize the facts given in the question
- Use common knowledge sparingly
- Base your assessment primarily on the evidence presented
This approach will help you accurately judge whether an inference is true, probably true, insufficient data, probably false, or false.
Recognition of Assumptions
The following section is Recognition of Assumptions. An assumption is something presupposed or taken for granted. In this section, you will encounter a statement followed by a proposed assumption. Your task is to determine whether the statement implies the proposed assumption, treating it as true without needing to justify it. Keep in mind that these assumptions don’t have to be logical or accurate. The key is simply determining whether the assumption is present, not whether it's reasonable.
Most candidates consider the Recognition of Assumptions section the most challenging section of the Watson-Glaser test.
What does it assess?: The ability to identify whether assumptions are needed to support a given statement.
Sample Question – Recognition of Assumptions
The Assumptions section will present a statement followed by a proposed assumption.
Your task is to decide whether a person making the given statement is making the proposed assumption. Read the text below and select the correct answer.
Complaints were raised against the town's sole French teacher for using her monopoly to charge more than her late predecessor. However, she does not earn more money on each lesson than she would have before, because she lives out of town and her fee reflects higher transportation costs than those of her predecessor, who lived in town.
Service providers who spend more on transportation are more expensive.
Tip
The Negative Test algorithm is an extremely effective method for uncovering underlying assumptions. It’s demonstrated in the explanation in Question 4 below. Practice it until you master it!
Practice Questions
For each statement:
- Select "Assumption Made" if the assumption is taken for granted in the statement
- Select "Assumption Not Made" if the assumption is not necessarily taken for granted
- Judge each assumption independently
Discover more tips about the Recognition of Assumptions Section.
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Deduction
The following section is Deduction. Assume all information provided is true. For each conclusion:
- Select "Conclusion Follows" if it logically follows beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Select "Conclusion Does Not Follow" if it does not.
Your task is to determine whether the conclusion absolutely and necessarily follows the premise.
What does it assess?: The ability to assess whether conclusions are logically derived from the provided information.
Sample Question – Deduction
In the Deduction section, you will be presented with a premise and a suggested conclusion. Your task is to determine whether the conclusion ABSOLUTELY AND NECESSARILY follows the premise.
Some citizens pay taxes. Many citizens receive income support.
More citizens receive income support than those who pay taxes.
Tip
The NOT Triangle (Negative, Transpose, Only) is one of the most useful methods in the Deduction section, allowing you to rephrase premises to suit the needs of a specific question.
Here’s the gist of it:
You may convert a premise without changing its meaning by using TWO elements of the NOT Triangle.
For instance:
All carrots are orange.
- (N+T) – All things that are not orange are not carrots.
- (O+T) – Only orange things are carrots.
- (O+N) – Only if something is not a carrot, it is not orange.
Practice Questions
When evaluating conclusions:
- Rely only on the given premises
- Set aside your general knowledge or personal beliefs
- Avoid letting prejudices influence your judgment
- Focus on whether each conclusion necessarily follows from the premises
Interpretation
In the Interpretation section, you will be presented with a premise followed by a suggested conclusion. Your task is to determine whether the conclusion follows the premise beyond a reasonable doubt. The structure of this section is pretty much the same as the Deduction section - however the rules differ between the two sections. The Deduction section mainly relies on formal logic, while the Interpretation section is less structured, making it deceptively more challenging.
What does it assess?: The ability to evaluate whether conclusions drawn from data (usually presented in a paragraph) are logically supported beyond a reasonable doubt, as opposed to data in one-to-few statements.
Sample Question – Interpretation
Determine if the conclusion logically follows the premise beyond a reasonable doubt.
In the years 2011-12, 32% of pupils entitled to free school meals (an indicator of low socioeconomic status) achieved five GCSE passes at grade C or above. This is compared to 65% of pupils who were not entitled to free school meals.
Most of the pupils who were not entitled to a free school meal achieved five GCSE passes at grade C or above.
Tip
Beware of these 4 main fallacies! These are the most common pitfalls to avoid in the Interpretation section.
- The Reason Fallacy - finding a reason for something which is not actually in the premise.
- The Indefinite Pronoun Fallacy - incorrectly using terms like "all" or "none" in the premise.
- The Correlation-Causation Fallacy - inferring causation where only correlation is given.
- The Jumping Into Conclusions Fallacy - adding details that is not included in the premise.
Practice Questions
The Interpretation section requires rigorous logic. Consider implementing the following:
- Follow the provided information closely
- Draw conclusions only from well-supported evidence
- Consider all reasonable possibilities
- For "beyond a reasonable doubt," choose only the most logical, direct inferences
- Avoid speculation and additional assumptions
Evaluation of Arguments
The last section is Evaluation of Arguments. You will be provided with a yes/no question, followed by an argument. This tests your ability to distinguish between strong and weak arguments.
For an argument to be strong, it must be:
- Important to the issue
- Directly related to the question
An argument is weak if it:
- Is not directly related to the question
- Is of minor importance
- Relates only to trivial aspects of the question
What does it assess?: The ability to assess the validity and strength of arguments in relation to a specific question or issue
Sample Question – Evaluation of Arguments
In the Arguments section, you will be presented with a yes/no question, followed by an argument. Your task is to determine whether the argument is strong or weak in answering the question.
Should parents put their children in preparation courses for gifted tests, in order for them to reach their full potential?
Yes. Parents are responsible for their children’s future and should do whatever they can to help them succeed in life.
Tip
The most common mistake in the Arguments section is letting one's own views and opinions affect one's judgment. Remember to ignore your own views! Additionally, it is important to remember that an argument is weak if it's not directly relevant to the question, if it's of little significance, or if it only addresses minor details.
Practice Questions
Decide the correct answer on whether each of the arguments is strong or weak:
Additional Tip
It is also essential to 'remove the fluff'. Only then will you be able to see an argument for what it actually states.
Let’s take the example from above:
- No – employees are likely to use the free time to clean their homes, run errands, and meet with friends, and thus bring no benefit to the company whatsoever.
Will turn to:
- No – free time for employees will not bring any benefit to the company.
It is now easier to see that this argument is both relevant to the topic and touches on the main issue – which was somewhat clouded with all the “fluff” about the ways employees can spend their free time.
The Arguments Evaluation section tests your decision-making about importance and relevance:
- Focus on information that directly influences the scenario's outcome
- Prioritize relevant data over peripheral information
- Not all information carries equal weight
- Critically evaluate each argument based on its impact on the conclusion
How Is the Watson Glaser Test Scored?
The Watson-Glaser test is typically scored based on the number of correct answers out of 40. The raw score is converted into a percentile ranking that reflects how well the test taker performed compared to others who have taken the test.
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Raw Score: The number of correct answers out of 40.
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Percentile Rank: Your raw score is converted into a percentile, showing how you compare to other test-takers. For example:
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33–34 correct answers = 80th percentile (strong score)
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36–38 correct answers = 90th percentile (excellent score)
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39–40 correct answers = 95th–99th percentile (top-tier score)
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Watson Glaser Assessment Sample Questions with Solutions (Video)
Watson Glaser Assessment
The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) challenges thousands of future solicitors/lawyers every year. Have a look at our prep materials to succeed.
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Our Complete Watson Glaser Test Preparation is the official preparation resource for Oxford and Cambridge law students, designed to cover all 5 test sections with practice questions,
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The preparation fits any of the test versions: WG-II Form D and Form E, and WG-III.
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Which Law Firms Use the Watson Glaser Test?
Here’s a list of some law firms that have been known to use the Watson Glaser Test as part of their recruitment process:
| Law Firm | Country/Region |
| United Kingdom | |
| Global | |
| Dentons | Global |
| Global | |
| Herbert Smith | Global |
| Hogan Lovells | Global |
| Global | |
| Norton Rose Fulbright | Global |
| United Kingdom |
What is the Best Way to Practice for the Watson Glaser Test?
Watson Glaser is generally considered one of the more difficult assessment tests. The first challenge is that the test focuses primarily on evaluating a single characteristic: critical thinking. This is accomplished using five different strategies and questions, and passing the test requires completing all five successfully. Another challenge of the WGCTA exam is that it employs tactics to deceive and mislead test-takers, undermining intuition and knowledge.
The recommended score to pass with a high mark and land a job with major employers is 80% - which requires 33-34 minimum correct answers per full test. Achieving high scores is challenging without knowledge of all solving techniques and tips. Your best strategy ought to involve methodical practice.
To overcome these challenges, it is essential to prepare for each section of the test, familiarise yourself with all the question types, fully understand the precise rules of each test section, and practice accordingly.
Complete Your Watson Glaser Prep with the Trusted Full Pack
Our Watson Glaser PrepPack includes comprehensive preparation materials, including:
- A Watson Glaser Diagnostic Test — Identify areas for improvement and target weak spots.
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- 5 Interactive Study Guides — Master the theory and strategies to maximize your score.
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Note: For different law firm pre-employment tests, check out our page on the Suited Assessment or visit our tailored preparation for Clifford Chance, Linklaters or other critical thinking tests.
Watson Glaser FAQs
The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test is a pre-employment critical thinking test widely used by law firms, government legal services, and other employers in their recruitment process.
This test measures your critical thinking ability through several sections, including drawing conclusions, evaluation of arguments, and assumption recognition. This critical reasoning test includes typically a multiple-choice format, challenging test takers to use a creative and logical manner to navigate tricky questions and insufficient data.
A critical thinking test, sometimes referred to as critical reasoning test, is an aptitude test that measures your ability to assess a situation through various perspectives. While taking the critical thinking test, you will be asked to acknowledge, extract, and interpret facts, opinions, and assumptions, and identify logical fallacies.
Critical thinking tests are usually used with other assessments in the legal professions’ recruitment process, where critical thinking is needed to make a strong, solid argument. The critical reasoning test measures these critical thinking skills by using paragraphs of text, some short and some very long.
Critical thinking skills are an important part of what companies aim to assess in their recruitment process since employees with strong critical thinking can make decisions with limited supervision, allowing them to make independent judgment decisions. Also, critical thinking skills help them solve problems, identify logical fallacies, build strategies, and make them better at their job in general.
- Trainee Solicitors and Solicitors
- Graduate Trainees
- Lawyers
- Vacation Scheme
- Public Health Registrars
- Analysts
Critical thinking skills are crucial in all of the above, which is why companies use the WG in their recruitment process - to assess critical thinking accurately.
Your Watson Glaser test score is calculated based on your performance in various test sections, each assessing different aspects of critical thinking.
Scores are often compared against a norm group of previous test takers to gauge your relative performance, and it is known that the larger the number of applicants, the higher the score requirements become.
A typical score on the Watson Glaser Test is around 55%. This score fluctuates based on the version of the test, difficulty, and the test takers' demographics.
Our PrepPack also explains how to interpret your results in each section and how they might impact your chances in the selection process for competitive training contracts.
The test is normally timed and allows you up to 30 minutes to complete all 40 questions. There are also untimed versions for candidates requiring adjustments. Note that every section is timed separately, 30 minutes is the total allotted time.
The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test is not an IQ test. Instead, it measures a candidate's critical thinking ability, a crucial skill directly related to making considered conclusions and counterintuitive solving methods.
Unlike general knowledge or IQ tests, the Watson Glaser critical thinking appraisal focuses on your ability to logically evaluate arguments, recognize assumptions, and make decisions based on information from given statements.
The test is an important part of challenging selection processes, especially in the legal sector, where critical thinking is essential.
Because of the challenging nature of the assessment, preparation for the Watson Glaser Test involves utilizing Watson Glaser practice tests to enhance your critical thinking skills.
Resources like our practice tests, sample questions, and critical thinking test tips will surely help you familiarise yourself with the test format and types of questions.
Check out our tailored resources that provide practice in critical reasoning tests and help you understand how to tackle tricky assumptions, solid argument formulation, and time constraints effectively.
The Watson Glaser test doesn't have a pre-determined pass mark, and each employer may very well have a different passing Watson Glaser test score.
As a rule though, you should aim for a score of above 80% of the test-takers in your norm group - keeping in mind that what's considered a good score changes depending on where you're applying. For instance, a Watson Glaser test score of 28/40 is better than 79% of the general population, 69% of managers, but only 49% of law graduates!
If so, what Watson Glaser critical thinking test score is considered good depends greatly on your potential employer. But there are certain Watson Glaser test results that will almost certainly put you among the top candidates: to rank in the top 80% of the most desirable positions like managers and lawyers, it is recommended to get a Watson Glaser test score of at least 33-34.
Anything below the estimated 33-34 questions it takes to reach the top 80% will probably lead to you missing out on the position.
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