Free Watson Glaser Practice Test: Tips, Questions and Answers (2024)
The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test is a test used before hiring to check how well candidates can think critically and reason. The test has 40 multiple-choice questions that need to be answered in 30 minutes. It's split into five parts, which this free Watson Glaser Test will cover.
The Watson Glaser test is known to be a tougher test for candidates. To be in the top 80% for the best jobs and pass the hiring stage, you should aim for a score of 33-34.
Watson Glaser Test - Video With 5 Sample Questions and Solutions
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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:
- 5 Inference questions
- 12 Recognition of Assumptions questions
- 5 Deduction questions
- 6 Interpretation questions
- 12 Evaluation of Arguments questions
You can visit our tailored materials that provide an overview of each section, including free sample question for each: inference, interpretation, deduction, arguments, and assumptions.
Scroll down to find a free Watson Glaser Practice Test with 15 questions that include all the main topics from the real test, complete answers, and advice from our experts.
Free Watson Glaser Practice Test
We'll start with the first part of the Watson Glaser test, called Inference. In this part, you'll see exercises that start with a set of facts you should believe are true. After each set of facts, there will be different possible conclusions or inferences that could be made based on these facts. You have to look at each conclusion one by one and decide how true or false it is.
Inference - Watson Glaser Practice Test Questions
Read the text provided and then decide if each statement below is somewhat true or false based on what the text says.
Question # 1
United Bank is concerned about the increasing media coverage of suspicions of corruption among its top management staff. The VP of finance was accused of embezzling ten million dollars, for which the maximum penalty is eight years in prison. The bank's attorneys advised management to offer him a plea bargain according to which he will admit to the crime, return the money plus compensation, and serve one year of community service. The VP of finance is reluctant to accept, pleading his innocence.
The plea bargain will enable the VP of finance to clear his name
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data
- Probably False
- False
Answer
The correct answer is "False".
One of the plea bargain's components is the admission of guilt. Admitting guilt will surely not clear the VP's name. On the contrary- it will mark him as "guilty" and damage his good name. On the side of the VP, the advantage of the bargain is only the chance to minimize his penalty and to avoid incarceration, rather than clearing his name. Therefore, the statement is false beyond reasonable doubt.
Question # 2
Retailer groups opposed to Visa and MasterCard’s $7.25 billion settlement of a lawsuit over merchant credit card fees said they had garnered support from about 1,200 businesses covered by the deal. These groups urged U.S. District Judge in Brooklyn not to grant initial approval to the settlement. However, the ruling will probably be in its favor. That could end seven years of litigation over an alleged conspiracy by the card companies and banks to fix the fees that retailers are charged when customers pay with cards.
The judge thinks that a conspiracy between the credit card companies has not occurred.
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data
- Probably False
- False
Answer
The correct answer is "Insufficient Data."
There are possible reasons for the judge to rule in favor of a settlement that has nothing to do with the judge’s opinion on the case, like wanting to avoid further costs for both sides in an already long and expensive process. The text does not provide any information regarding the judge’s beliefs. Therefore, the answer is "Insufficient Data."
Question # 3
A psychologist was approached by an alarmed mother who complained that her daughter had been bullied when a child threw a fist-full of leaves in her face. Asked if her daughter was upset, the mother answered: "No, she just brushed the leaves off and told me they were having fun". The psychologist emphasized the need to draw a distinction between behavior that is harmless, behavior that is rude, and behavior that is characteristic of bullying, and concluded this was not a case of bullying.
Had the girl been hurt by the child, even accidentally, that would constitute behavior that is characteristic of bullying.
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data
- Probably False
- False
Answer
The correct answer is 'Probably False'.
We have no definition of bullying in the passage. Thus, we cannot decide whether accidental hurt would be considered bullying or not (in terms of distinct true and false). However, in this section, you are allowed to use your common knowledge, and common knowledge about bullying is that bullying is a deliberate action; thus, accidental hurt will probably not be considered bullying.
Watson Glaser Test Tip: An inference is what you figure out based on what you see or think is true. When deciding if an inference is right or wrong, you often need to use what most people know or believe. It's okay to use this common knowledge, but don't just use it to decide if an inference is right or wrong. Your decision should be based on the facts you have.
You can find lots of practice questions for Inference – either in complete simulations or as extra practice – along with detailed guides full of tips and techniques for solving them, in our Watson Glaser Test PrepPack.
The next part of the Watson-Glaser test focuses on Assumptions. This section contains many statements, and after each one, there are a few assumptions suggested. Your task is to figure out if, when someone makes the statement, they are actually assuming these things - meaning, they believe them to be true, whether rightly or wrongly. Remember, you're not evaluating whether these assumptions make logical sense or align with reality. Your job is simply to decide if they are being assumed.
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The official prep kit features exact test simulations, personalized study guides, and covers all WG-II and WG-III forms while serving as the trusted resource for top-tier students.
Assumptions - Watson Glaser Practice Test Questions
Question # 4
Ethics committee member: "This person was the proctor at the exam during which the two students were caught allegedly cheating. Yet, she claims to recognize the student who gave the answers but not the student who was getting the answers. Therefore, the proctor's testimony should be excluded."
Proposed Assumption:
If a proctor claims to recognize both parties involved in cheating, then the proctor's testimony should be included.
- Assumption Made
- Assumption Not Made
Answer
Assumption not made.
The passage gives a reason to disqualify a proctor’s testimony, but it does not say the absence of that reason should automatically qualify the testimony. For example: If you are not an American citizen, you cannot run for president. However, if you are an American citizen, it does not necessarily mean you can run for president. There are other conditions, such as your age and the amount of time you have been an American resident.
Question # 5
About 330 marketing professionals attended this year’s Media Innovations Forum. This indicates that social media engagement is a substantial feature of brand marketing plans.
Proposed Assumption:
The extent of attendance in professional media forums is not negligible.
1. Assumption Made
2. Assumption Not Made
Answer
The assumption is made.
Premise 1: Spotting attendance in professional forums allows one to recognize a trend or behavior in a certain industry.
Premise 2: The Media Innovations Forum is important enough to indicate trends in the marketing industry.
Conclusion: Social media engagement is a substantial feature of brand marketing plans
In other words:
According to the above, attendance in professional forums must be significant, or else how can one use it to justify or recognize a noticeable trend in the marketing world?
Remember, you are not asked to judge whether the assumption is justified, only whether the speaker had made it.
Question # 6
Marketing director: "If most customers claim the free concert ticket, it will be expensive for us. On the other hand, if only a few customers are interested in the free ticket, there is no advantage in offering it."
Proposed Assumption:
It may be to the company's advantage to offer customers free concert tickets.
- Assumption Made
- Assumption Not Made
Answer
The assumption is made.
The key here is the words "may be". These words open up the possibility of results other than the ones stated explicitly in the question. A discussion about possible outcomes of offering free tickets can only be initiated after one accepts that it might be to the company's advantage. It is an assumption one makes before the discussion begins. The discussion's conclusion may be that it is not to the company's advantage after all, but in order to start the discussion in the first place, one must assume that it might be beneficial.
Watson Glaser Test Tip: An assumption is an idea that is accepted without proof. If you believe that the assumption is accepted without proof in the statement, choose "Assumption Made." If you believe that the assumption is not automatically accepted without proof in the statement, choose "Assumption Not Made." Make sure to consider each assumption on its own.
You can find lots of practice questions for making assumptions – both in complete simulations and as extra practice. We also offer detailed guides with tips and methods for solving these questions in our Watson Glaser Test PrepPack. Starting at $39, you can purchase our full PrepPack, which promises significant improvement before your test.
The next part of the Watson-Glaser test is called Deduction. In this part, you'll find exercises that start with a few statements (premises) and then offer some possible endings (conclusions). When doing this test, you should accept all the starting statements as true every time. Then, read each possible ending. If you believe the ending naturally comes from the starting statements, choose "Conclusion Follows." But if you feel the ending doesn't really connect to the starting statements or disagrees with them, pick "Conclusion Does Not Follow."
Deduction - Watson Glaser Practice Test Questions
Question # 7
Most TV shows are not boring. Most TV shows are violent
Proposed Conclusion:
There is at least one boring TV show that is not violent.
- Conclusion Follows
- Conclusion Does Not Follow
Answer
A = TV shows, B = boring, C = violent.
According to the premises, (A + ~B)*most, and (A + C)most.
The conclusion states (A + B + ~C)*at least one.
In formal logic tests, most means at least most, which is more than half, but possibly more, and even all. This means you cannot conclude that even a single (A + B + ~C) exists, because all you know is that most of A is ~B and that most A is C.
In other words:
It may be counter-intuitive, but if you are told that most TV shows are violent and not boring, that is the only thing you know. You know nothing about the items of the group not mentioned. Maybe all TV shows are violent.
For example: If there are 100 TV shows, there must be at least 51 boring TV shows, and there can be as many as 100 violent TV shows. Therefore, the conclusion does not follow.
Question # 8
All plastic bags make noise. Nevertheless, not all plastic bags are reusable.
Proposed Conclusion:
Some noisy plastic bags are reusable.
- Conclusion Follows
- Conclusion Does Not Follow
Answer
Conclusion does not follow.
Plastic bags = A, make noise = B, reusable = C.
According to the premises, A -> B, and (A + ~C)*not all.
The conclusion states that (A + B + C)*some.
According to the second premise, there has to be at least one single-use plastic bag – but there is the possibility that all of them are single-use and that none is reusable (the logical meaning of the initial not all). Note that, intuitively, one might mistakenly infer from the second premise that there must be reusable plastic bags, but this is not the case in formal logic tests.
Watson Glaser Test Tip: When making a decision, focus only on the facts presented. Even if you think some outcomes might be true based on what you know, try to put that aside. Don't let your personal biases affect your thinking. Instead, look at each statement and decide if it logically comes from the facts.
Find more practice questions for deductions, including full simulations and extra practice, along with detailed guides for tips and solving techniques, in our Watson Glaser Test PrepPack.
The next part of the Watson-Glaser test is called Interpretation. Here, you need to treat everything written in a short paragraph as true. Your task is to decide if each suggested ending makes sense based on the paragraph's information, without any doubt. If you believe the suggested ending makes sense (even if it's not 100% certain), then you should label it as "Conclusion Follows". But, if you feel the ending doesn't make sense based on the information provided, then label it as "Conclusion Does Not Follow"..
Interpretation - Watson Glaser Practice Test Questions
Question # 9
A study concerning obesity has found that 25% of the British population is obese, double the rate ten years ago. A strikingly high percentage (20%) of the obese population is morbidly obese. An inverse association was found between obesity and alcohol consumption.
In Britain, people who consume alcohol are likely more obese than people who don’t consume alcohol.
- Conclusion Follows
- Conclusion Does Not Follow
Answer
Conclusion does not follow.
The connection is reversed. The passage states that there is an inverse association between obesity and alcohol consumption. This means that an increase in one variable is correlated with a decrease in the other variable. In other words, people who drink large amounts of alcohol are likely to be less obese than people who drink small amounts of alcohol or none at all.
Question # 10
When I go to work in the morning, I usually leave my house at 7:00 am and take the bus into the city. On rare occasions, however, I stay overnight at my aunt’s house and take the underground to work.
Proposed Conclusion:
I leave the house later when I sleep at my aunt’s house.
- Conclusion Follows
- Conclusion Does Not Follow
Answer
Conclusion does not follow.
This conclusion is derived under the assumption that the narrator’s aunt actually lives in the city (and therefore, closer to his work place). This is mistaken since you do not have enough information to conclude this based solely on the knowledge that on occasions when the narrator sleeps at his aunt’s house he takes the tube instead of the bus. It is possible, for example, that the aunt’s house is located far from the city and that the underground ride takes a long time, so that the narrator must leave even earlier than usual.
Watson Glaser Test Tip: Even though it looks a lot like the Deduction section, Interpretation involves not just sticking to the given information but also using logic. This is important because it needs to make sense without any doubt. If you're looking for more practice on Interpretation, you can find plenty of questions, either in complete simulations or as extra exercises, along with detailed guides that offer helpful hints and methods for solving them, in our Watson Glaser PrepPack.
The last part of the Watson-Glaser test deals with Arguments. When deciding on important matters, it's good to tell apart strong arguments from weak ones regarding the topic at hand. A strong argument must be significant and closely linked to the topic. An argument is considered weak if it doesn't closely connect to the topic (even if it's generally very important), if it's not that significant, or if it only connects to less important parts of the topic.
Arguments - Watson Glaser Practice Test Questions
Decide whether each of the arguments is strong or weak:
Question # 11
Should the government privatize state-run institutions in favor of a market economy?
Proposed Argument:
Yes; a market economy allows a competitive market which leads to a reduction in prices.
- Strong Argument
- Weak Argument
Answer
The correct answer is: ‘Strong Argument’.
This argument states that the action (favoring market economy) has a positive effect on society (reduction in prices), and is therefore both related to the subject and is an important argument.
Question # 12
Should employers prefer not to employ a qualified candidate when the candidate’s age is over 50?
Proposed Argument:
No; candidates over 50 have plenty of experience and can contribute greatly to the workplace.
- Strong Argument
- Weak Argument
Answer
The correct answer is: ‘Strong Argument’
This argument is both relevant and important. If it is true, and you are required to assume it is, then it is a weighty argument for not preferring young candidates over candidates over 50.
Watson Glaser Test Tip: The last part of the Watson Glaser test deals with Arguments. When deciding on important matters, it's good to tell apart strong arguments from weak ones regarding the topic at hand. A strong argument must be significant and closely linked to the topic. An argument is considered weak if it doesn't closely connect to the topic (even if it's generally very important), if it's not that significant, or if it only connects to less important parts of the topic.
Interactive - Watson Glaser Practice Test Questions
Inference Sample Question # 13
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.
Deduction Sample Question # 14
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.
Evaluation of Arguments Sample Question # 15
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.
Now that you know about the various sections of the Watson Glaser test and have learned some problem-solving methods, it's time to start practicing. Reading detailed guides that explain specific strategies and cover all types of questions, followed by lots of practice for each part of the test within limited time periods, will greatly improve your skills and help you achieve a high score on the actual test.
To pass, you should aim for a score of 80%, which means getting at least 33 or 34 answers right. It's tough to get high scores without knowing different solving methods, useful tips, and practicing regularly. Starting from $39, our complete PrepPack is available for purchase and can significantly help you improve before the test.
The Most Trusted Watson Glaser Preparation
Our Watson Glaser PrepPack offers detailed prep materials, including:
- A Watson Glaser Diagnostic Test will help you get used to the test and understand your level in each section. After taking it, you'll get a thorough breakdown of the parts you found hard, helping you know what skills to work on.
- 23 Extra Practice Tests that cover everything you'll see in the Watson Glaser Exam. These tests let you focus on and practice your weaker areas identified by the Diagnostic Test.
- 2 Full-Length Watson Glaser Test Simulations to help you understand the real test's timing, layout, and questions. They also help you see if you've improved after practicing.
- 5 Interactive Study Guides that explain the theories behind each test section and the best ways to answer questions.
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.
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.
Watson Glaser FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.