SUMMARY
CONTENTS
Are you a recruiter or hiring manager looking for candidate pre-employment assessment tests and tools, including aptitude tests? We invite you to visit our Assess Candidates website.
What are critical reasoning tests? What does a critical reasoning test measure? How do I pass a critical thinking exercise? Which employers use critical thinking assessment tests?
The text below provides a full guide to critical reasoning tests that several employers use in their recruitment, assessment and selection process.
Our website offers essential practice critical reasoning tests used in top employer recruitment processes worldwide, designed to prepare you for critical reasoning tests.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Verbal Reasoning Tests
Logical Reasoning Tests
Numerical Reasoning Tests
Abstract Reasoning Tests Practice
Diagrammatic Reasoning Tests
Not sure if you should practice for critical reasoning tests? According to research, 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude test results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.
A study found that candidates who do not practice assessments tend to fail at the first hurdle of psychometric assessments (54%-84%). This study looked at the Top 100 global employers (Bradley et al., 2019).
Continue reading to get answers to the following common critical reasoning test questions:
Let’s dive right in!
Critical reasoning tests are assessments designed to evaluate your ability to think logically, analyse information, and make the best decisions. These tests are commonly used in pre-employment assessments and other contexts where strong reasoning skills are essential.
Good to know: Critical reasoning tests have various formats, such as multiple-choice questions, true/false statements. For example, you may assess a scenario and analyse the provided information to answer questions or identify any errors in reasoning.
There are several types of critical reasoning tests that employers can use in their recruitment processes. However, the most common is the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal.
The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking test, often referred to as the Watson-Glaser test, is a widely used critical thinking assessment tool designed to evaluate your ability to think critically and make sound decisions.
Good to Know: This test is often also known as the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) by many employers.
Prepare for success with our similar Watson Glaser test practice! Get started today to hone your critical thinking skills, boost your test performance, and ace the real test.
While the Watson-Glaser test is the most common and widely used critical thinking online test, there are other popular critical thinking aptitude tests that employers may use.
Below, we highlight a few companies that use critical reasoning tests in their recruitment processes.
Critical reasoning tests are commonly used in roles and industries that demand logical analysis of data, innovative problem-solving, and the ability to create effective strategies.
Several big employers use Critical thinking questions to assess potential hires. These employers include:
Good to Know: Discover more top employers that use critical reasoning tests with our Employer Guides and uncover the best expert tips you can use to prepare and pass your employer’s critical thinking test with our step-by-step guides.
Let’s go ahead and find out why these various top employers use critical thinking questions during their recruitment process.
Critical reasoning tests are highly beneficial to employers and enable them to identify the best talent for critical roles. Some of the key reasons why employers use critical reasoning assessment tests include:
Problem-Solving Ability
Critical reasoning assessment tests evaluate a candidate’s ability to solve complex problems, a skill that is valuable in many job roles.
Reducing Bias
Objective assessments like critical thinking aptitude tests can help reduce bias in the hiring process. They provide a standardised way to evaluate candidates, reducing the impact of subjective judgments.
Team Collaboration
Critical reasoning skills are essential for effective collaboration and team problem-solving.
Professionalism and Accountability
Candidates who demonstrate strong critical reasoning skills often exhibit a high level of professionalism and accountability in their work, which are desirable traits for many employers.
Risk Minimisation
Employers aim to hire individuals who can minimise risks by making sound decisions and identifying potential problems before they become critical issues.
Strategic Thinking for Leadership
Leadership positions require individuals who can think strategically and make informed decisions. Critical thinking exercises help identify candidates who can excel in these roles.
Did you know? Many large graduate employers are also likely to include critical reasoning assessments in their assessment centres for hiring graduates.
Read on to find out what other critical reasoning test publishers employers use.
Critical reasoning tests created by test publishers are also used by employers and recruiters. These critical tests are often customised based on the recruiter’s needs, leading to variations in the test format across providers.
Aside from the Watson-Glaser test, the following are some other common critical thinking online test publishers:
SHL Critical Reasoning Tests
SHL provides critical thinking online tests to employers. These tests typically consist of 18 to 60 questions, taking 10 to 30 minutes to complete.
Cappfinity Critical Reasoning Test
Cappfinity is another recognised test publisher that offers critical thinking tests, amongst many other assessments.
Assess Candidates Critical Reasoning Tests
Assess Candidates is also a reputable test publisher that provides critical thinking online tests to assess critical thinking capabilities.
Criteria Corp CCAT
Criteria Corp is an aptitude test that measures critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to learn, digest and apply new information.
Cornell Critical Thinking Assessment
Cornell publishes two versions of this test: Levels X and Z. Level Z is often used as a pre-employment assessment.
Other common critical thinking test publishers are:
Get prepared for various types of critical reasoning skills tests with our CAPP-style critical reasoning practice tests with worked solutions, performance tracking and actionable tips to help you ace them!
It is key to understand the various types of questions you might encounter in critical thinking assessments like the Watson-Glaser test.
In the section below, we highlight the various types of critical reasoning questions.
Critical reasoning questions come in various forms to assess a person’s ability to think logically, analyse arguments, and make sound decisions. These can vary depending on the provider; however, they typically assess these same skills.
Here are the most common types of critical thinking questions:
Assumptions
These questions ask you to identify underlying assumptions in arguments. You determine what must be true for the argument to be valid.
Strengthen/Weaken Questions
Strengthening questions require you to find information that makes an argument more compelling, while weakening questions ask you to identify information that weakens the argument.
Inferences
Inference questions require you to draw logical conclusions based on the information provided in the passage or argument.
Evaluation of Arguments
You assess the quality of arguments by identifying logical fallacies, flaws, or weak points in the reasoning.
Drawing Conclusions
These questions ask you to determine the most reasonable conclusion based on the information presented in the passage or argument.
Paradoxes
Paradox questions present a seemingly contradictory situation, and you must identify a resolution or explanation.
Syllogisms
Syllogism questions involve deductive reasoning and require you to determine the logical relationship between two or more premises.
Analogies
These questions require you to draw parallels between different situations or concepts to test your ability to recognise similarities and apply them to a new context.
Pattern Recognition
Pattern recognition questions assess your ability to identify logical patterns or sequences within a series of elements.
Get ahead with your critical thinking assessment prep with our example critical thinking practice question and answer below!
In this Watson Glaser test practice question example, you are given a passage followed by two statements. You will need to determine whether the statements are true, probably true, probably false, or false.
Let’s get into the critical reasoning example below.
PASSAGE
In twentieth-century physics, there are two pillars upon which everything is based: Einstein’s theory of general relativity and quantum mechanics, yet the two have very little in common.
Quantum mechanics also goes by the name of quantum theory, and it’s used to understand all that is happening when we zoom in to the atomic and subatomic level, where atoms and particles reside. It has not only brought us insight into our universe; it’s also led to significant breakthroughs in computing. However, for most of us, quantum mechanics is a mysterious and nearly incomprehensible field of study. Quantum mechanics got its official start in 1900 when the German physicist Max Planck was studying electrical fields.
When trying to simplify a calculation, Planck decided to represent energy as being in the form of small packets with distinct values. This way, the energy in electrical fields had to assume specific values, rather than move along a continuous spectrum.
Much to his surprise, Planck’s calculations began to work with astonishing precision. As it turned out, these energy packets were indeed a very real thing. Five years later, Einstein would further confirm it by proving how light is made up of packets of energy we call photons.
The field of quantum mechanics has allowed physicists to define the structure and composition of today’s universe.
Explanation: The passage mentions that quantum mechanics is used to understand what happens at the atomic and subatomic level, where atoms and particles reside. Therefore, the statement is true.
Answer: True
Before Planck’s discovery, energy was viewed as a quantitative capacity that moved from an object with a level of force.
Explanation: The passage mentions Max Planck’s discovery in 1900, where he represented energy as small packets with distinct values. Before Planck’s discovery, energy was indeed commonly viewed as a quantitative capacity that could move from one object to another with a certain level of force.
Ready to sharpen your critical thinking skills with more Watson Glaser test practice? Get more critical thinking questions examples when you practice the Essentials with us!
Now that you know that there are various types of critical thinking test questions from different test publishers, the next hurdle would be how to pass them.
Read on for our expert tips to help you ace your upcoming critical thinking assessments.
For critical reasoning tests, consider our top tips that can guide you in your preparation and help you succeed in different types of critical reasoning skills tests.
Understand the Test Format
Find out the style of critical test used, multiple-choice, true/false, or another format. This helps you plan your test-taking strategy and know what to expect, reducing test-day anxiety.
Practice Regularly
Find sample questions and practice them. This helps you become familiar with the types of questions and the level of difficulty.
Identify Assumptions
In many critical reasoning assessment tests, you’ll need to recognise assumptions made in arguments. Practice by identifying unstated assumptions in everyday situations or arguments.
Read Carefully
Read the questions and passages carefully, as this is essential to demonstrating critical reasoning. Misreading or overlooking details can lead to incorrect answers.
Use the Process of Elimination
When in doubt, use the process of elimination. Eliminate answers that are clearly incorrect first, which increases your chances of selecting the correct one.
Manage Your Time
Pace yourself and allocate a specific amount of time to each question.
Review Your Answers
If time allows, revisit your answers, particularly for challenging questions. This helps catch errors or misinterpretations you may have made.
And with that, we’ve covered all you’ll need to know for your next critical reasoning test.
But wait!
Before you ace your next critical thinking questions, check out our FAQ section below to find more answers to frequently asked questions concerning critical thinking assessments.
Generally, scoring 75% or higher is considered a strong performance, increasing your likelihood of advancing in the recruitment process. However, various employers and recruiters determine what their threshold mark is for various roles.
Scoring methods vary but often involve assigning points for correct answers, such as with the Watson-Glaser test, whilst other tests use a percentile ranking to compare your performance to a reference group, such as the SHL tests.
In a critical thinking test, you can expect multiple-choice questions that assess your ability to evaluate arguments, recognise assumptions, make inferences, and draw logical conclusions based on provided information. Questions may vary in complexity due to employers’ preferences.
Do you want to pass your critical reasoning tests, first time? Take critical reasoning tests practice with us today, the only aptitude practice test expert providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe. Practice with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests*.
Do you want to pass your critical reasoning tests, first time? Take critical reasoning tests practice with us today, the only aptitude practice test expert providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe.
Practice with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests*.
Start Preparing Today
