The Watson-Glaser test

The Watson-Glaser is a critical thinking test published by Pearson TalentLens. In the UK, a number of large law firms set it for vacation scheme and training contract applications. This guide explains the five sections, the timing, how scoring works and how to prepare.

What is the Watson-Glaser test?

TalentLens says the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal assesses critical thinking by measuring the ability to analyse arguments, evaluate information and make objective decisions. Its frequently asked questions document for the current version, the Watson-Glaser III, describes it as a verbal ability test.

TalentLens says employers use it to recruit and develop graduates, managers, executives and professionals. It adds that university selection teams use it. Pearson's efficacy report summary says colleges and schools use it to admit students onto challenging programmes.

Each employer chooses its own tests. Before you start preparing, check the application page of every firm you apply to so you know which test it sets.

The format

The Watson-Glaser III is item-banked. Each candidate gets a set of questions drawn from a large bank, so two candidates can see different questions. TalentLens says each set is built to the same rules for length, difficulty and topics. The sets can still differ slightly in difficulty, which is why the scoring takes account of how hard each question was.

TalentLens lists the test as timed at 30 to 40 minutes. Employers set up the test for their own candidates, so check your invitation for the time limit that applies to you.

The five sections

Each section has its own instructions and most have their own answer options, so the rules change as you move through the test. Deduction and Interpretation use the same two options but set different standards of proof.

The wording of the answer buttons can differ slightly between versions. Pearson's paper practice booklet, for example, asks for Yes or No under the headings “Assumption made” and “Conclusion follows”. The decision you make is the same.

1. Inference

You read a statement of facts and treat it as true. For each proposed inference, you decide how far it follows:

• True: it follows beyond a reasonable doubt.
• Probably true: it is more likely to be true than false.
• Insufficient data: the facts give no basis for judging it either way.
• Probably false: it is more likely to be false than true.
• False: it is definitely false because it misreads the facts or contradicts them or what must follow from them.

Pearson's practice booklet says that when you judge how likely an inference is, you may use commonly accepted knowledge that practically everyone has.

2. Recognition of Assumptions

An assumption is something taken for granted. You read a statement and decide whether the person making it takes each proposed assumption for granted, whether or not that is justified.

3. Deduction

You treat the statements as true, even if they seem unlikely. A conclusion follows only if it must be true because of the statements. Pearson's practice booklet says that here “some” means at least one and possibly all.

4. Interpretation

You treat a short passage as true and decide whether each proposed conclusion follows beyond a reasonable doubt. Pearson's practice booklet makes the point that it does not have to follow absolutely and necessarily. That is a lower bar than in Deduction.

5. Evaluation of Arguments

You read a question and a set of arguments for or against it. You treat each argument as true. Pearson's practice booklet says a strong argument must be both important and directly related to the question. An argument is weak if it is not directly related to the question (even if it is important in general) or is of minor importance. Judge the argument, not your own view on the question.

These examples are my own, written in the style of the test. They are not official questions.

How the Watson-Glaser is scored

• Your main result is a percentile, not a raw mark. TalentLens's frequently asked questions document says the number you get right is not used as your raw score. Candidates see sets of questions that differ slightly in difficulty, so the scoring takes account of how hard each question was. This gives a “theta” score, which is then turned into a percentile.
• A percentile compares you with a group. The comparison group is called a norm group. The Watson-Glaser III technical manual defines a percentile as the percentage of test takers who score lower. So at the 70th percentile, you scored higher than 70% of that group.
• There are three part scores. TalentLens reports an overall percentile plus a percentile for each of three areas: Recognise Assumptions, Evaluate Arguments and Draw Conclusions. Pearson says the structure and scoring of the test were informed by this RED model. The Watson-Glaser III technical manual says the Inference, Deduction and Interpretation sections make up Draw Conclusions.
• There is no single pass mark. Each employer decides how to use the results. Treat any pass mark you see quoted online as unofficial.

How to prepare for the Watson-Glaser

1. Try the official practice test. TalentLens has a free practice test on its website. TalentLens says the practice test is not a live test and cannot be scored accurately. It does show how the test works and what the questions in each section are like.
2. Learn the rules for each section. The answer options and the standard of proof change from section to section. A Deduction conclusion must follow. An Interpretation conclusion only has to follow beyond a reasonable doubt.
3. Judge only what you are given. Answer from the passage, not from what you believe about the topic. The one exception is Inference, where you may use common knowledge that practically everyone has. In Deduction, the statements decide everything, even when they seem wrong.
4. Treat Insufficient data as a real answer. In Inference, when the facts give no basis for judging either way, Insufficient data is correct. Do not force a Probably true or a Probably false.
5. Use the negation test for assumptions. Imagine the proposed assumption is false. If the statement then stops making sense, the assumption is made.
6. Judge arguments by importance and relevance. A strong argument can be on the side you disagree with. A true but trivial argument is still weak.
7. Practise against the clock. At about 45 seconds a question, there is little time to reread. Timed practice teaches you when to decide and move on.
8. Get your set-up right. As TalentLens recommends, use a desktop or laptop with a dependable internet connection. Sit the test somewhere quiet, where nobody will interrupt you.

Frequently asked questions

Watson-Glaser is a trademark of Pearson Education, Inc. or its affiliates. Exam Lifeboat is an independent coaching service and is not affiliated with Pearson or TalentLens.