Mastering the Watson Glaser & The Critical Thinking Skills Law Firms Expect

Cracking the Watson Glaser: Critical Thinking for Aspiring Solicitors

The Watson Glaser is one of the most widely used psychometric tests in commercial law recruitment, and it can feel like a bit of a mystery if you’ve never seen it before. This session gives you a clear, practical introduction to what it measures, why firms rely on it, and how you can prepare with confidence.

You’ll unpack why leading firms use the Watson Glaser to assess early-stage candidates and what “critical thinking” really means in a legal context. We’ll walk through how the test evaluates skills such as inference, recognising assumptions, deduction, interpretation, and evaluating arguments, and link each of these to the day-to-day work of a trainee.

Using real examples from tasks like due diligence, drafting, legal research and advising supervisors, we’ll break down each question type so you can see the logic behind it rather than just guessing under time pressure.

You’ll then explore how to build these abilities through deliberate practice: using sample tests effectively, paying close attention to precise wording, and developing strategies to manage timing without panicking.

By the end of the session, you’ll understand that the Watson Glaser isn’t a test of legal knowledge, it’s a snapshot of how you think. Improving these skills doesn’t just boost your test score; it helps you develop the habits of a strong, commercially minded trainee solicitor.