Is the Watson Glaser test timed?

Jun 10, 2022

Written By Helena Kudiabor

If you’re applying for a vacation scheme or a training contract, you may be required to complete the Watson Glaser test as part of the application process. Read on to find out more about this test and how you can prepare.

What is the Watson Glaser test?

The Watson Glaser test is an aptitude test, which is used by law firms across the country to assess whether candidates have the skills necessary for a legal career. The test assesses your ability to think critically, evaluate arguments, recognise assumptions, assess strong and weak arguments and draw conclusions.

Normally, you’ll have around 40 questions, split into five different sections: inference assessment, recognising assumptions, deduction interpretation and evaluation of arguments.

Questions will ask things like whether a statement is true or false, based on the information given. There’s no set pass or fail mark, as you’ll be assessed on a percentile basis compared to the rest of the applicants. You may receive your percentile score, but this depends on the firm to which you’re applying.

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Is the test timed?

The test is timed, but the amount of time you have depends on which law firm you’re applying to. The typical duration is 30 minutes, meaning you’ll have about 45 seconds to answer each question. However, each firm can give out their own deadlines.

If you tend to receive extra time due to a learning disability, rest assured that you should be allowed to receive extra time to complete the Watson Glaser test. However, to ensure that this is available to you, it’s important to contact the law firm and provide them with the relevant details ahead of time.

How can I prepare for the Watson Glaser test?

To prepare for the Watson Glaser test, there are quite a few free practice tests available online, giving the chance to get a feel for it. If you want to practice more, there are others available online for a fee. It’s a good idea to try out as many practice tests as possible, to ensure you can complete it within the time limit.

Aside from practice tests, there are many simple ways you can prepare for the exam. The Watson Glaser test aims to assess your critical thinking skills, so it’s a good idea to practice this.

You can do this by reading articles or watching debates, and trying to think about the strength of the arguments. However, be sure to set personal biases aside when doing this. During the test, it’s vital that you answer the questions based on the information given, forgetting about information from elsewhere.

Hopefully, you now feel more confident about the Watson Glaser test and understand how you can best prepare. Remember that it’s just one aspect of the recruitment process, so try not to worry if tests aren’t usually your strong suit.

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