The Watson Glaser Test: How to Succeed on the Critical Thinking Assessment

Jun 11, 2023

Written By Zara Arif

So, you have chosen the firms you would like to apply to and carried out all the research you need to put in the best possible written application. Now, only four words stand between you and advancing to the next stage of the process: the Watson Glaser test. Many people view this critical thinking assessment with fear and dread, but once you understand what the tests require and get some practice under your belt, it will become a lot easier.

What is the Watson Glaser Test?

The Watson Glaser Test is a critical thinking assessment that is used by many law firms as part of their screening process, often before inviting successful applicants to interview. It allows graduate recruitment to see if you have the necessary fundamental skills required to be a successful lawyer, such as absorbing and analysing unfamiliar information.

The test is split into five distinct sections. These are: Inferences, Deductions, Assumptions, Arguments and Interpretations. Each section assesses a different skill and requires a different technique and approach.

Depending on the firm, the test can be timed or untimed. This information will be communicated to you by the firm when you are sent an invitation to take the test or after you submit your written application. In general, you will have 30 minutes to complete around 40 questions.

Which firms require you to take the Watson Glaser test?

The Watson Glaser test is not used by all firms. Some use other types of tests such as situational judgement or verbal reasoning. You can find out what type of test a firm uses by looking at the careers page on their website or getting in touch with the graduate recruitment team.

Some firms which use the Watson Glaser test include: Clifford Chance, Freshfields, CMS, and DLA Piper.

How do you practise for the Watson Glaser test?

It can be quite difficult to know how to revise for the Watson Glaser Test as there is not really any content to revise. It is more about mastering a technique and approach and being able to apply this to each section.

In the Inferences section you are given a small paragraph of information to read over followed by a statement and the following options: True, Probably True, Insufficient Data, Probably False and False. You then have to use the statement and commonly shared knowledge to ascertain which option to choose.

True means that the statement is true beyond reasonable doubt, whereas insufficient data means that there is absolutely no way to tell according to what is in the text. False means that there is no basis for the statement according to the text, or that it misinterprets or misquotes something that is in the text.

In the Assumptions section you will again be given some text and a statement. You have to ask yourself if the statement that is being made on the basis of the text has assumed any information or made an unreasonable jump in knowledge of any kind. You will be given the options of either Assumption Made or Assumption Not Made in order to reach your answer.

In the Deductions section you have to draw a conclusion from a premise. You have to consider whether the conclusion that has been drawn is necessarily true. The premises that are given are often wordy and have multiple parts to them. So, it can help to draw out diagrams or use symbols to represent the different elements in order to get a clearer idea in your head.

In the Interpretations section, you have to assess whether a conclusion can follow from the information beyond reasonable doubt, focussing on the data in the passage alone.

Finally, in the Arguments section you must evaluate if an argument is Strong or Weak. For the purposes of the test, a Strong argument is one which is important and related to the question. For this section, the most important thing to remember is to not let your personal opinions or own knowledge affect your judgement.

There are lots of resources available online to help you prepare for the Watson Glaser test.

A good place to start might be the website of the firm you are applying for as they often provide a free practice test with an answer key and feedback. If they don’t, many websites provide practice tests for free or for a small fee. AllAboutLaw have our own free Watson Glaser practice test; it can be found here.

How much time do you need to practise for the Watson Glaser test?

The time necessary may differ for everyone, but the Watson Glaser is definitely something that requires long term practice rather than last minute cramming.

Although there is no set time frame, it is a good idea to develop the skills needed to succeed and an understanding of the differences between each section in advance of the date you are expected to submit your test. If you can take at least two practice tests beforehand, this will help you get familiar with the time constraints and understand your strengths and weaknesses.

What is a good score on the Watson Glaser test?

Each firm will have a different benchmark. Some may look for a raw mark whilst others might grade the test on a curve, taking into account the difficulty of the questions and the scores of the other candidates.

You may be able to find different figures for what constitutes a good score online, but you should aim to sit comfortably around 75% in practice tests in order to give yourself the best chance at succeeding.

What to do on the day of the test to ensure success?

Beforehand, get a good night’s rest and have a good breakfast. Make sure that you take the test in a quiet and calm environment where you can think clearly and focus. It might also be helpful to have a pen and paper on hand to be able to draw or jot anything down.

The most important thing to remember is to stay calm and relax your nerves so you can give the test your best shot. Even if you don’t think you did well on the test, the test may be curved, and you can learn from your mistakes for next time.

Selection & Assessment