Watson Glaser Test 2023: Practice Tests & Study Guide
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Avia, Watson Glaser Test specialist atJobTestPrep.

Have a question? Contact me at: ask_the_team@jobtestprep.co.uk

 

What Is the Watson Glaser Test?

The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA), also known as the Watson Glaser Test, is a pre-employment test designed to assess candidates’ critical thinking and reasoning skills.

The test contains 40 multiple choice critical thinking questions to be solved in 30 minutes, covering 5 sections:

  • Inference – 5 questions
  • Recognition of Assumptions – 12 questions
  • Deduction – 5 questions
  • Interpretation – 6 questions
  • Evaluation of Arguments – 12 questions

In the following section, we will give an overview of each section, including a free sample question for each. You can check out our free practice test for more.

Watson Glaser is one of the biggest assessment companies. However, there are many other assessment companies including SHL, Korn Ferry, cut-e, Thomas, Cubiks, Pymetrics, Saville, aon, Matrigma, McQuiag, Arctic Shores, and many more.

The Most Professional Prep Course on the Market!

The Complete Watson Glaser Test Preparation includes focused and tailored practice drills for each of the 5 test sections.

Covering all test versions and forms: WG-II Form D and Form E, and WG-III.

Watson Glaser Test - 5 Sample Questions Solved [Video]

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Watson Glaser Assessment Sample Questions

Sample Question #1 – Inference

The Inference section will present you with a statement followed by a series of inferences (conclusions). Your task is to determine how true or false each inference is.

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 of the occasions, he admitted to the act peacefully, telling policemen that he is unwilling to conform to such a breach of people's right to privacy. James paid the three fines shortly after receiving them.

James has spent at least a couple of hundreds of pounds in his struggle to oppose violations of civil liberties this year.

 

True
Probably True
Insufficient Data
Probably False
False
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

You know that James had paid 180 pounds in the past month alone. You also know he is a human rights activist who is willing to spend money for his cause, based on his actions and testimony.


As such, even though it is not explicitly mentioned in the text, it is safe to assume that sometime in the year James had spent at least 20 more pounds on his activism, smoking-related or otherwise.

 

The “Probably True” and “Probably False” answer choices are unique to the Watson Glaser and are considered the main challenge of the inference section.

Learn more about the Inference Section.

Sample Question #2 – Recognition of Assumptions

The Assumptions section will present you 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.

Complaints were raised against the town's sole French teacher for using her monopoly to charge more than her late predecessor. In fact, 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.

 

Assumption Made
Assumption Not Made
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

This is a generalisation of what happened in the town. This statement is a logical rule—it refers to all service providers in the world.

The author might think this is true, but he doesn't have to assume it in order for the passage to make sense. Therefore, it is not assumed.

 

The Recognition of Assumptions section is considered by most candidates as the hardest section of the Watson Glaser test.

Learn more about the Recognition of Assumptions Section.

Sample Question #3 – Deduction

In the Deduction section, you will be presented with a premise followed by 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 citizens who pay taxes.

 

Conclusion Follows
Conclusion Does Not Follow
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

Let's solve this question with the safest possible method for solving deduction questions - Letter Coding.

Citizens = A, pay taxes = B, receive income support = C.
According to the premises, (A+B)some, and (A+C)many.

The conclusion states (A+C) > (A+B).

Some refer to a portion - a quantity between 1 to everything, while many others refer to multiplicity – at least 2 and up to everything.
However, you have no grounds to infer an accurate quantity of either statement; therefore, the conclusion does not necessarily follow.

In other words:

This one is tricky. Although there is a hierarchy between words that indicate a quantity, and “many” is more than “some”, that is only true when discussing the same group.

For example, if the conclusion was “there are some citizens who receive income support”, it would follow, because you can infer “some” from “many”. However, you cannot compare the quantities of two different groups this way.

 

The Deduction section does not allow the use of common sense.

Learn more about the Deduction Section.

Sample Question #4 – 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.

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.

 

Conclusion Follows
Conclusion does Not Follow
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The logic behind this answer is mathematical: the passage states that 65% of the pupils who were not entitled to a free school meal achieved five GCSE passes at a minimum of a C grade.

Since 65% is greater than 50%, we can conclude that they are the majority.

 

The “beyond a reasonable doubt” element is a common source of confusion for candidates, making this section substantially more difficult than the Deduction section.

Learn more about the Interpretation Section.

Sample Question #5 – 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.

 

Strong Argument
Weak Argument
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

This argument, although of great general importance, is not directly related to the question. The question specifically asked about preparation courses for gifted tests, and the arguments do not even mention them.

If, for example, the argument made the connection between preparation courses and success, the argument would have been strong. Since it does not, it is weak.

 

The most common type of mistake in the Evaluation of Arguments section is letting your own personal views and opinions affect your judgement.

Learn more about the Evaluation of Arguments Section.

 

For more sample questions, check out our Watson Glaser free practice test.

The Most Professional Watson Glaser Prep Course on the Market!

  • Accurate - mock tests that EXACTLY simulate the real test's rules, format, and difficulty level.
  • Personalized - additional practice tests and study guides for each section, to focus your practice on your personal weak spots.
  • Trusted - the official preparation kit for Oxford and Cambridge law students.

Covering all test versions and forms: WG-II Form D and Form E, and WG-III.

What Is A Good Score on the Watson Glaser Test?

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. 

Can you fail the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test?

Anything below the estimated 33-34 questions it takes to reach the top 80% will probably lead to you missing out on the position.

Watson Glaser Test Tips and Preparation Guidelines

A challenging, competitive test requires accurate, focused preparation designed specifically for the actual test.

That goes both for your preparation methods and for your behaviour on the actual Watson Glaser test day.

Here are 4 preparation tips and 3 test-day tips that will maximize your score:

 

4 Tips for Preparing for the Watson Glaser Test

Preparation Tip #1 – Know the Rules Inside Out

Knowing the rules is important in any test you take, but it is especially important here.

Here’s why:

  • The Watson Glaser has its own set of rules, unparalleled by any other critical thinking test.
  • Not only that, but rules vary between sections, and what was correct in the Deduction section will be wrong in the Interpretation section.
  • On the actual test, the clock keeps ticking as you read the instructions! Being familiar with them in advance will save you precious time.

 

Preparation Tip #2 – Let Go of Your Own Perceptions

In most sections of the Watson Glaser test sections, intuition and common sense will lead you to the wrong answer.

So, knowing WHEN to use common sense and intuition, and HOW to use them should be a major part of your preparation plan.

This is where tip number 3 can be extremely helpful.

 

Preparation Tip #3 – Develop “Critical Thinking Algorithms”

Critical Thinking Algorithms are technical procedures that turn any question into a series of simple Q&As that will lead you to the correct answer.

These eliminate the use of common sense and intuition, thus minimizing your chances for an error.

Two examples of these critical thinking algorithms are the ITDN Table and the Negative Test - which you can learn and practice in our Complete Preparation Course.

 

Preparation Tip #4 – Personalize Your Watson Glaser Practice

Different people will find different sections of the test particularly challenging.

Therefore, it is important to know in advance what YOUR weak spots are, and to address them in your preparation. For instance, if you reach a score of 11/12 in the Evaluation of Arguments section, focus your preparation on sections in which you are weaker.

 

The Most Professional Prep Course on the Market!

  • Comprehensive - over 400 practice questions and practice tests and dozens of pages of study guides to get you as prepped as you could possibly be!
  • Personalized - tailored solving techniques specifically designed to address the Watson Glaser test rules and format.
  • Trusted - the official preparation kit for Oxford and Cambridge law students.

Covering all test versions and forms: WG-II Form D and Form E, and WG-III.

 

3 Watson Glaser Test-Day Tips

Tip #1 – Use Your Time Wisely

Unlike other tests, time is not a substantial obstacle on the Watson Glaser.

However, there are two key points you should consider when it comes to time:

  • Don't spend too much time on a single question. If you finish the questions before the time is up, you can go back to questions you weren't sure of.
  • The time it took you to complete the test does not affect your score – for better or worse. So, make sure to use every minute and answer all the questions.

 

Tip #2 – Out of Options? Guess!

There is no penalty for wrong answers, so it is better to make an educated guess if you’re running out of time. This is one of the advantages of the multiple choice format. 

 

Tip #3 – Brush Up on the Test Instructions on the Test Day

As I mentioned earlier, the Watson Glaser test instructions are complex and unique.

Being very well familiar with the test instructions before the actual test will have a massive effect on both your score and your ability to finish the test on time.

So, on test day, just before you start your test, make sure you read and understand the instructions perfectly. This will allow you to merely brush over them on the test itself, leaving more time for solving questions.

Remember: On the actual test, the clock does not stop when you read the instructions!

What Employers Use the Watson Glaser?

Nearly all major law firms in the UK use the Watson Glaser test to screen candidates, in addition to commercial law assessment centre tasks. Here are the most important ones:

  • Clifford Chance – Clifford Chance uses the Watson Glaser test mainly for entry-level positions – training contracts, vacation schemes, trainee solicitors, and the company’s well-known SPARK scheme.
  • Hogan Lovells – Hogan Lovells also uses the test to assess candidates applying to vacation schemes, training contracts, and graduate programmes.
  • 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. 

Apart from the aforementioned law firms firms, an abundance of others also use the test, including CMS, the GLS, Freshfields, Bird & Bird, Dentons and many other law firms. 

Watson Glaser Test Versions and Forms

There are two main versions of the test, however for you as a test-taker, there is no practical difference between the two versions. Both versions have the same content, the number of questions, and time limit.

Watson Glaser II (WG-II) 

The traditional format of the test and is divided into two forms – D and E. Form E is considered slightly more difficult, but the content and formatting of both forms are identical.

Watson Glaser III (WG-III)

A revision of the WG-II test. The main difference is that the WG-III can be taken in an unsupervised setting, due to the "item-bank" from which questions are randomly selected.

Watson Glaser FAQs

 

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

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. 

 

Why Is Critical Thinking Important to Potential Employers?

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.

 

Which Professions Use Watson Glaser Tests, and Why?

  • 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.

 

Is the Watson Glaser Test Hard?

The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal is considered to be one of the hardest pre-employment tests on the market today, due to its unique and counterintuitive set of rules, as well as its focus solely on critical thinking.

 

Is the Watson Glaser Test Timed?

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.

 

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