If you are applying for competitive roles in law, consulting, finance, public sector leadership, or graduate schemes, there is a good chance you will come across the Watson Glaser test during the recruitment process. Despite its widespread use, many candidates underestimate it and assume it is something you can simply “wing”. That mistake often costs otherwise strong applicants a job offer.
This post explains what the Watson Glaser test is, how it works, and why doing practice tests beforehand can significantly improve your chances of success.
What is the Watson Glaser test?
The Watson Glaser test is a critical thinking assessment designed to measure how well you can analyse information, draw logical conclusions, and evaluate arguments. Employers use it because it assesses how you think rather than what you know.
The test does not measure technical knowledge, numerical ability, or verbal fluency in the traditional sense. Instead, it focuses on reasoning skills that are essential for decision making in complex roles.
Many organisations use it at the early stages of recruitment to reduce large applicant pools, particularly where roles involve judgement, risk assessment, or policy decisions.
What does the test involve?
The Watson Glaser test is usually made up of five core question types:
Inferences
- You are given a short passage of information and asked to decide whether a series of statements are true, false, or cannot be determined based solely on the information provided.
Recognition of assumptions
- These questions test whether you can identify unstated assumptions that underpin an argument.
Deduction
- You must decide whether a conclusion logically follows from the information given, without relying on outside knowledge.
Interpretation
- This section assesses whether you can weigh evidence and decide if conclusions are warranted.
Evaluation of arguments
- You are asked to judge whether arguments are strong or weak in relation to a specific question.
- Most versions of the test are timed, which adds pressure and makes clear thinking even more important.
Why candidates struggle with the Watson Glaser
The biggest challenge is not intelligence. It is unfamiliarity.
Many people fail because they rely on instinct, real world knowledge, or personal opinions. The Watson Glaser is strict. You must only use the information provided, even when it feels unnatural to ignore what you already know.
Time pressure is another issue. Without practice, candidates often spend too long on early questions and rush the rest.
Finally, the language of the questions can be deceptively simple. Small words like “some”, “all”, or “only” often change the correct answer entirely.
Why practice tests make such a difference
Practising Watson Glaser style questions helps in several important ways.
First, you learn the rules of the test. You start to recognise what the test wants from you and what it is trying to trick you into doing.
Second, your speed improves. Practice helps you develop a consistent approach so you do not overthink each question.
Third, you become more confident. When you have seen similar questions before, the real test feels familiar rather than intimidating.
Finally, practice highlights weak areas. Some people struggle more with assumptions, others with evaluation of arguments. Practice tests show you where to focus.
How to approach practice effectively
Do not just answer questions and check your score. Take time to understand why an answer is correct or incorrect.
Practise under timed conditions once you are comfortable with the question types. This mirrors the real experience and builds mental stamina.
Avoid relying on “gut feel”. Force yourself to justify every answer using only the information on the page.
Final thoughts
The Watson Glaser test is not designed to be easy, but it is absolutely learnable. Candidates who prepare properly often outperform those with stronger CVs but no practice.
If you are facing a Watson Glaser assessment, doing practice tests is one of the highest return activities you can invest your time in. A few focused sessions can make the difference between progressing to interview and being screened out early.
If you are serious about maximising your chances, start practising now and treat it like any other skill that improves with repetition.