Unlock the Secrets to Acing the Watson Glaser Test

May 27, 2023

Written By Annabel Gooden

Though not strictly a legal test, the Watson Glaser test is used by almost all legal recruiters, particularly the largest city-based and international solicitors’ firms. It may seem like a daunting challenge but this article is designed to help you unlock the secrets to success.

What is the Watson Glaser test?

The Watson Glaser test, otherwise known as the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) is frequently used as a screening stage in the training contract application process. The test was created 85 years ago by Goodwin Watson and Edward Glaser to test a person’s abilities to problem solve, think logically and interpret information.

Along with an initial written application form, this test is often one of the first steps you will need to tackle. Given so many firms use it (here’s a list), it is one of the best ways to improve your chances of gaining that coveted training contract.

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What format does the Watson Glaser test take?

There are two possible Watson Glaser tests you could encounter: 40 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes or 80 questions in 60 minutes.

The timings are strict so you must finish within the specified time. You may find that you have time to spare, especially if you have followed the preparation tips we’ve set out here. However, we recommend making full use of the time to think through and check your answers.

There are five types of multiple-choice questions, each testing a different aspect of your thinking abilities. There are specific rules to answering the five types of questions. So be wary of thinking that, by mastering one, you are guaranteed to succeed at them all.

The five different types of questions

Inferences

You are given a set of facts and several possible inferences, each of which you must grade as one of the following: true, probably true, more information required, probably false and false.

You are asked to assess each inference separately. For example, if a passage provides information about EasyJet’s routes between different European airports, one possible inference might be that EasyJet does not operate outside European airspace. If this was a ‘definitely true’ inference, you might look for phrases suggesting EasyJet’s flights only operate in, or are restricted to, Europe.

If you can’t be certain, so have reasonable doubt, but think it is more than likely to be true than not then the answer would be ‘probably true’. Similarly, ‘probably false’ means that you are not certain enough to answer ‘definitely false’. ‘More information’ will be needed where it is not possible to decide without more facts.

Based on the scenario above, if the passage described EasyJet as a ‘global’ airline but only listed routes between airports in Europe, you could infer it was ‘probably false’ that it flew solely within Europe.

However, because the passage did not explicitly identify any routes outside Europe, you would not be able to say this was ‘definitely false’. If the passage did not discuss the geographical reach of the flight routes, but focused on passenger numbers instead, you would require ‘more information’.

Assumptions

You are provided with a short statement and two or more proposed assumptions. For this part of the test, you must decide whether it is justifiable to make the assumption based on the statement.

For example, take the statement ‘A fashion company was struggling with a downturn in its finances and moved the location of its office to a cheaper part of London.' Here, an assumption is made that the reason for the move was to save money. You couldn’t assume, though, that the downturn in finances had been initially caused by high rents at the previous office.

Deductions

You will need to decide whether a given statement exactly follows as a logical conclusion from the facts in a passage.

Let’s say you are given information about a law firm’s different departments, which stated that these had been purposefully set up to operate across both contentious and non-contentious areas of commercial law. It would be an exact and logical conclusion to state that the firm does both contentious and non-contentious work.

Interpretations

Similarly to deductions, this is about deciding if a conclusion follows based on the facts, but this time beyond a reasonable doubt.

Using the same example above, a conclusion that the firm recruited lawyers with experience of commercial deals as well as lawyers who ran disputes would follow. This is despite the fact that you are not directly told the impact of the strategy on recruitment policies.

Analysing Arguments

You are asked to distinguish between strong and weak arguments to spot those which make good use of evidence, back up their points and directly address the question.

For example, a question could ask: ‘should sweets be advertised next to supermarket tills?’ A weak argument might state, ‘no, supermarkets sell too much unhealthy food’. A stronger argument would include more evidence and state, ‘yes, public health studies have shown customers are more likely to buy sweets if they are located next to supermarket tills than if they are only sold in the aisles’.

How do I pass the test?

Firms generally apply a benchmark score for each year’s round of applications which will vary depending on who else has applied. 75% is a common benchmark so you’ll want to aim for a score higher than this.

It may seem a tough hurdle, but by understanding the detailed rules behind the test, and preparing well, you can unlock the secrets to success.

Our Watson Glaser test tips

Practice. Practice. Practice. Try to find and complete as many practice tests as you can as this is the best way to prepare for the real thing.

AllAboutLaw provides users with a free practice test. There are also tests available on firm websites or other careers platforms.

What else do legal recruiters look for?

All firms will use the Watson Glaser test slightly differently. However, keep in mind that recruiters will look at how you perform in other aspects of the application process too. See our articles advising on the rest of the selection and assessment process.

Selection & Assessment