Watson-Glaser Test: Everything You Need to Know to Pass

Want to know how to pass a Watson-Glaser test? You’ve come to the right place. Everything you need to know is in this guide.

In this free Watson-Glaser test guide we will show you:

  • 5 fast ways to improve your critical thinking
  • 4 pro tips on passing the Watson-Glaser test
  • 5 must-know test question sections

You can find some of the best Watson-Glaser practice tests here.

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What is a Watson-Glaser test?

Thanks to Goodwin Watson and Edward Glaser, we now have what is known as the Watson-Glaser critical thinking test.

Critical thinking is all about how you interpret a particular situation. Can you recognise facts from opinions, and come to conclusions based on the evidence provided?

In essence:

The test measures your ability to process information from various sources and make logical connections between them.

Specifically, the Watson-Glaser test assesses your critical thinking skills based on the RED model.

How well can you:

  • Recognise assumptions? You should be able to understand the information being presented and whether there’s evidence to support it.
  • Evaluate arguments? You should be able to objectively consider the arguments and evidence provided.
  • Draw conclusions? You should be able to use the information to come to a rational conclusion based on the evidence.

What to expect

Potential employers can ask you to take a Watson-Glaser test as part of their selection process. The test is usually taken online (though sometimes it may be in pencil and paper format).

You’ll be given 30 minutes to answer 40 multiple choice questions.

The questions are divided into five sections:

  1. Inferences

In these questions, you’ll be given a passage of information and a number of inferences that could be drawn based on that information.

For each inference, you need to evaluate whether it’s True, Probably True, Insufficient Data, Probably False, or False.

  1. Assumptions

Here you’ll be given a statement and a number of assumptions.

You need to decide whether each assumption has actually been made in the statement, by choosing between Assumption Made and Assumption Not Made.

  1. Deductions

These questions will give you a passage of information and a number of potential deductions that could be concluded from that passage.

For each deduction, your job is to decide whether the Conclusion Follows or the Conclusion Does Not Follow.

  1. Interpretations

This section asks you to interpret the meaning or significance of a passage of information, and decide whether a number of conclusions can logically follow.

You need to choose between Conclusion Follows and Conclusion Does Not Follow for each one.

  1. Evaluation of arguments

Here you’ll be asked to analyse the strength of an argument. You’ll be given a statement or question, followed by a number of arguments both for and against that statement.

Your job is to choose between Argument Strong or Argument Weak for each one.

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Start practising now with our recommended Watson-Glaser practice tests!

Watson-Glaser test examples

Try your hand at some practice questions from a past Watson-Glaser test.

Inferences

Statement: 

Proposed inference:

1. As a group, the students who attended this conference showed a keener interest in broad social problems than do most other people in their early teens.

ANSWER
Answer: Probably True

The passage tells us that the students attended voluntarily and that they selected the topics to discuss. It’s also common knowledge that the majority of people in their early teens don’t typically show a lot of interest in broad social problems. While that doesn’t prove definite truth, it suggests that it’s very likely.

Proposed inference:

2. The students discussed mainly industrial relations problems.

ANSWER
Answer: False

It’s stated in the passage that the students mainly discussed the topics of race relations and means of achieving world peace.

5 ways to improve your critical thinking

Grab a pen and paper, sit back and watch this quick video to help you improve your critical thinking.

How to pass a Watson-Glaser test: 4 pro tips

#1: Practice beforehand

The questions in a critical thinking test can seem intimidating at first, but they become much less so with practice.

Get familiar with the format and time constraints by taking Watson-Glaser practice tests — the more the better! The more you practice, the more confident you’ll be, and the less intimidating the test will be.

Click here to start practising Watson-Glaser tests.

#2: Whip your critical thinking skills into shape

Critical thinking comes more naturally to some than others, but that doesn’t mean you can’t improve and develop those skills.

Yes, we all have subconscious bias. But being consciously aware of that is the first step, and from there you can learn to set it aside to think more critically.

Make a point of listening more to other people, asking questions, and analysing information carefully.

This article has more great tips for developing your critical thinking skills in everyday life.

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#3: Don’t rush

The test is timed, but don’t let that worry you too much.

The time limit is actually very generous — it’s designed to give you plenty of time to answer each question. So make sure you read them carefully, and don’t skim.

This isn’t like an abstract reasoning, verbal reasoning, or numerical reasoning test where you need to move through at a fast, steady pace.

Give each question the time you need to understand it properly. Rushing through will often only lead to you missing important information.

#4: Don’t be influenced by what you already know

The Watson-Glaser test isn’t based on prior knowledge or experience.

In the context of the questions, it doesn’t matter what you know to be true in real life — sometimes the correct answer may even contradict something you already know.

So make sure you suspend your own judgements and bias, and only use the information contained in the questions to come to the answer.

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