Full Watson Glaser Test Practice Guide 2024

What Is the Watson Glaser Test?

The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) serves as a pre-employment assessment aimed at evaluating the reasoning and critical thinking abilities of candidates.

Comprising 40 multiple-choice questions, this test is to be completed within a 30-minute timeframe. It encompasses five distinct 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 Watson Glaser practice test for more.

The Watson Glaser test comes in two main versions – Watson Glaser III and Watson Glaser II. The WG-II, in turn, comes in two forms – D and E. Below you can read more about Watson Glaser test versions and forms.

Free Watson Glaser Sample Questions


Below is additional information about the Watson Glaser test. Otherwise, you can immediately start your free Watson Glaser test practice.


Watson Glaser Test - 5 Sample Questions Solved [Video]

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Versions of The Watson Glaser Test 

The Watson Glaser test exists in two primary versions: Watson Glaser II (WG-II) and Watson Glaser III (WG-III).

Both WG-II and WG-III are essentially similar for test-takers, with identical content, question count, and time constraints. Here's a brief overview of these versions and their forms:

Watson Glaser II (WG-II)
WG-II is the original version of the test, comprising two forms: D and E. While Form E is perceived as slightly more challenging, both share the same content and format.

Watson Glaser III (WG-III)
WG-III is an updated version of WG-II. Its distinct feature is the ability to be taken unsupervised. This flexibility comes from an "item-bank" system, where questions are randomly selected for each test, making it suitable for unsupervised environments.


What Is A Good Score on the WT Critical Thinking Test?

A good score on the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test varies based on the employer and industry. Typically, aiming to score above 80% of your norm group is advisable. For example, a score of 28/40 surpasses 79% of the general population and 69% of managers, but only 49% of law graduates. To be in the top 80% for sought-after roles such as managers and lawyers, a score of at least 33-34 is recommended. The Watson Glaser test doesn't have a fixed pass mark, as it differs across employers and sectors.


Watson Glaser Test Tips and Preparation Guidelines

Preparing for a demanding and competitive assessment like the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test necessitates tailored and precise preparation strategies specific to the nature of the test.

This applies to both the methods you need to employ during your preparation phase and the approach you adopt on the actual day of the Watson Glaser test.

To optimize your performance and enhance your score, consider these four essential tips for test preparation and three vital strategies for the test day.

 

Best Watson Glaser Test Tips

Understand the Unique Rules of the Watson Glaser Test
The Watson Glaser critical thinking test is distinct in its rules, differing significantly from other critical thinking tests. Each section has its own set of rules, making it crucial to understand these variations. For instance, an approach that works in the Deduction section may not apply in the Interpretation section. Time management is also key, as the clock doesn't stop while you're reading instructions. Familiarity with these rules beforehand can save valuable time during the test.

Challenge Your Intuition and Common Sense
In the Watson Glaser test, relying on intuition or common sense often leads to incorrect answers. It's essential to know when and how to use these faculties appropriately. Developing the ability to discern when to apply common sense and intuition is a critical part of test preparation. This leads to the importance of the third tip.

Develop Critical Thinking Algorithms
Implementing "Critical Thinking Algorithms" can systematically guide you to the correct answers in the Watson Glaser test. These algorithms, like the ITDN Table and the Negative Test, are designed to bypass the misleading paths of common sense and intuition, thereby reducing errors. These methods are taught in comprehensive preparation courses for the Watson Glaser test.

Customize Your Practice Strategy
Different individuals may find varying sections of the Watson Glaser test more challenging than others. It's important to identify your weak areas and focus your preparation accordingly. For example, if you excel in the Evaluation of Arguments section, it would be more beneficial to concentrate on the sections where your performance is weaker. This personalized approach ensures a more effective preparation.

 

The Ultimate Watson Glaser Test Preparation Course: Your Key to Success!

  • Extensive Coverage - Boasting more than 400 practice questions, a variety of practice tests, and numerous study guides, this course ensures maximum preparation.
  • Customized Solutions - Featuring unique problem-solving methods, specially crafted to align with the specific rules and format of the Watson Glaser test.
  • Renowned and Reliable - Recognized as the official preparation tool for law students at Oxford and Cambridge.
  • All-Inclusive Material - Includes materials for all variations of the test, including WG-II Form D, Form E, and WG-III."

3 Tips for Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test Day

Use Your Time Wisely

Time management is crucial, even though time isn't a major obstacle in the Watson Glaser test. Avoid dwelling too long on a single question; if you have time left at the end, you can revisit uncertain answers. Remember, the time taken to complete the test doesn’t impact your score, so aim to answer every question.

Guess If You're Unsure

There's no penalty for wrong answers in the Watson Glaser test. If you're unsure and time is running low, make an educated guess. It's better to attempt an answer than to leave it blank.

Brush Up on Test Instructions

The instructions for the Watson Glaser test are complex. Familiarize yourself with them beforehand, as this will significantly affect your score and ability to complete the test timely. On the day of the test, quickly review the instructions since the clock won’t stop for this, allowing more time for the questions themselves.

Sharpen your critical thinking skills with one of the practices on our comprehensive Free Aptitude Tests Page.


1. What Exactly Is a Critical Thinking Test?

A critical thinking test, also known as a critical reasoning test, evaluates your ability to analyze situations from different angles.

It involves acknowledging, extracting, and interpreting facts, opinions, and assumptions.

In particular, these tests are often utilized in law firm recruitments, measuring abilities like constructing solid arguments, analyzing verbal information, and drawing conclusions.

 

Why Do Employers Value Critical Thinking?

Employers value critical thinking because it enables employees to make decisions independently, solve problems, develop strategies, and overall enhances job performance.

Individuals with strong critical thinking skills require less supervision and can make sound judgments independently.

Who Typically Takes the Watson Glaser Test?

The Watson Glaser test is primarily used by:

  • Trainee Solicitors and Solicitors
  • Graduate Trainees
  • Law Firms
  • Vacation Scheme Participants
  • Public Health Registrars
  • Analysts
  • This test is a reliable tool for assessing the critical thinking skills vital for success in these professions.
How Challenging Is the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test?

The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal is known for its difficulty, primarily due to its unique rules and sole focus on critical thinking. It's considered one of the most challenging pre-employment tests available.

 

What's the Difference Between Watson Glaser II and III?

Watson Glaser III is an update of WG-II, allowing for unsupervised testing due to its item-bank feature. However, both versions are similar in terms of topics, the number of questions, and time allocation.

 

Is the Watson Glaser Test Timed?

Yes, the test is typically timed, giving candidates up to 30 minutes for 40 questions. Each section has its own time limit. However, untimed versions are available for candidates needing adjustments.

 

How Important Are Test Instructions on Test Day?

Understanding the test instructions is crucial, as they are complex and unique to the Watson Glaser test. Familiarizing yourself with them before the test day is beneficial. Remember, the clock keeps ticking even while you read the instructions during the test, so being well-prepared can save valuable time.

 

 

 

What Is the Difference Between Watson Glaser Test Forms D and E?

The Watson Glaser Test Manual explains that Forms D and E emerged from recent revisions of the test, which originally featured Forms A and B. For test-takers, Forms D and E are essentially identical in terms of difficulty, structure, and format, offering a consistent testing experience despite the changes.

 

 

 

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