The Ultimate Guide to Passing the Watson Glaser Test

Mar 26, 2023

Written By Annika De Lathauwer

The Watson Glaser Test is a crucial part of many law firm’s application process for vacation schemes and training contracts. It is typically the second stage, after the application form, and candidates who score well continue through the process. To do well in this test, it is important to understand the different sections that will appear and the thinking process needed.

What is the Watson Glaser?

The Watson Glaser is an assessment used by law firms to test applicants for certain skills. It helps them decide who they would like to proceed further through the interviewing process, to ultimately be given a place on a vacation scheme or offered a training contract.

It is a critical thinking test, which looks for skills like whether an applicant can identify well-structured and thought-through arguments and analyse true and false statements. This test does not require any prior legal knowledge, meaning that non-law students are not placed at a disadvantage to law students taking the same test.

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What does the Watson Glaser consist of?

The test is made up of multiple-choice questions, typically 40 questions split into five sections. The average time given for the test is between 30-60 mins, however the time limit will be set by the firm that you are applying to.

It’s difficult to determine what a good score is. Getting every question correct doesn’t guarantee you’ll get through to the next stage, as the test is looked at in conjunction with your application form. Plus, most firms consider how your score compares to the other candidates. So, if you didn’t do so well, but the majority of candidates performed poorly, you’ll be more likely to ‘pass’.

Below is the structure of a 40 question Watson Glaser:

1. Inferences assessment – 5 questions

A statement is given that you must take to be true. Without using other knowledge that you may have on the subject, you must decide whether the following inferences are true or false based on the original statement.

2. Assumptions – 12 questions

An original statement is given. A number of following statements will then be made. Based on the original statement, you must decide whether assumptions have or have not been made.

3. Deduction – 5 questions

A passage is given. Proposed conclusions are then offered, and you must decide whether the conclusions do or do not follow the information given in the passage.

4. Interpretation – 6 questions

A passage is given that must be taken to be entirely true. You must decide the level of importance of the passage and apply this to determine whether a given conclusion does or does not logically follow.

5. Evaluation – 12 questions

Information is provided. You'll need to decide whether the related arguments given are strong or weak.

How to prepare for the Watson Glaser

Since the test targets your critical thinking skills, rather than learning content and material, the best way to ensure that you pass the test is to understand how each section is structured and the thought process required for each question type.

Many firms will provide a link to a practice test that can be taken before the actual test, and there are also some available online. It is highly recommended that you complete these practice tests before taking the real one. This will allow you to be better prepared and to practise under the time constraints.

Furthermore, not only can you take a look at the example questions, but you can also see what the correct answers are and a breakdown as to why this is the case. You can gain a better understanding of what sort of logic is expected to be applied to each type of question and can practise any specific areas that you find particularly difficult.

Other tips

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind when preparing for and taking the Watson Glaser test:

1. You must ensure that you do not allow outside knowledge to get in the way of giving the right answer. You must assume that the only thing you know is what the statements have explicitly told you to be true. Only based on this can you find the correct answer.

2. Read the statements and questions carefully. Tricky wording, misleading or irrelevant information and near-correct answers can be offered throughout the test, so it is important that you take your time to read everything carefully (whilst also keeping an eye on that time limit).

3. Do not get stuck on particularly difficult questions. The time limit means that you must use your time management skills throughout the test. This means that you may have to sacrifice a few tricky questions to ensure that you have time to think about and correctly answer all of the other questions and are not rushing through by the end.

4. When taking the test, ensure that you are in an environment away from distractions and that you are comfortable. This means being away from anywhere noisy, as well as being well-rested and having water or anything else you might need on hand for the next 30-60 minutes.

5. Do not be afraid to ask the law firms for any adjustments you might need through your entire application and interview process, so that you are not at an unfair disadvantage to other applicants.

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