Want a High Score on the Watson Glaser Test? Follow These Tips

Jun 01, 2023

Written By Claudia Chan

This article will provide tips to help you obtain a high score on the Watson Glaser. It will explain what the test is, set out the format, and outline tips that you can follow for guaranteed success.

What is the Watson Glaser?

The Watson Glaser assesses a potential law firm candidate’s critical thinking skills. It is part of the law vacation scheme or training contract recruitment for many firms, in particular Magic Circle firms. It is likely that you will have to complete the test to get to the vacation scheme or training contract assessment centre stage. Law firms use this as an aptitude test to shortlist candidates that are likely to succeed in their training contracts and vacation schemes.

The Watson Glaser test assess your ability to:

- Think critically

- Draw conclusions

- Analyse strong and weak arguments

- Recognise assumptions

- Evaluate arguments through deduction and inference

Watson Glaser structure

The standard time given to complete the Watson Glaser can be anywhere between 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the number of questions asked by the firm. You are often given a deadline to complete the test by the law firm you are applying to. It is important to meet this deadline as failure to do so will mean that your application will not proceed to the next stage.

It should be noted that the test is computer-based, so it is important that you have a functioning computer with secure wifi.

The Watson Glaser involves five sections. Each section tests a different area within critical thinking and has a different question format. It involves the following:

Inference. You will be provided with a statement that you must assume to be true. A series of inferences will be made based on the statement. Your task is to evaluate whether the inferences are true, probably true, insufficient data, false, or probably false.

Deduction. You will have a series of facts followed by a set of conclusions. You are required to assess whether the conclusion can be logically deduced from the set of facts. You will be provided with two choices: the conclusion logically follows, or the conclusion does not logically follow.

Interpretation. You are required to read a short passage with information you must assume to be correct. Following this, you will be provided with an interpretation. You will be asked to decide if the interpretation logically follows or does not follow the passage.

Recognition of assumptions. You will be given a statement and you are required to determine if an assumption was made in that statement. You will be provided with two choices: an assumption was made, or an assumption was not made. This section analyses your ability to avoid making unfounded assumptions.

Evaluation of arguments. You are provided with an argument. You will be asked to determine whether the argument is strong or weak. A strong argument is defined as an argument that is connected to the statement and significant to the content of the statement.

If you have a disability that makes you eligible for extra time, such as dyslexia, let graduate recruitment know so they can make arrangements accordingly. Often, the question of requiring extra time for recruitment tests are factored into the initial application form.

Tips for a high score

1. Practice. Practising in advance is ideal to ensure that you perform to the best of your ability. There are a number of practice tests available online, and AllAboutLaw have our own here. Practising allows you to familiarise yourself with the format and content of the test. You can also identify which section(s) you struggle with and focus on the particular skills required for that section to improve.

Furthermore, as success in the Watson Glaser requires speed and accuracy, preparing during the allocated time will allow you to reach the pace required until you feel confident in your ability to complete the test on the actual test date. As the old adage goes, practice makes perfect. Read the text and instructions carefully.

2. Reading the instructions carefully both before and during the test is critical to prevent careless mistakes. The information given is included to guide you, so make the most of it.

3. Answer using the information provided. When completing the Watson Glaser, you must take all of the information provided at face value to judge the validity of the statements provided. Do not use prior knowledge on the subject matter, you have to pretend it doesn’t exist.

4. Remove distractions. The Watson Glaser test is taken online, thus candidates can sit them anywhere, so long as there is access to wifi. Most candidates would likely opt to take the test at home or in their university accommodation. While these are likely to be environments that are comfortable and familiar, there may be distractions, especially if you live with other people.

The Watson Glaser test requires concentration and attention to detail. Taking the test in a quiet environment, free from distractions, will allow you to think clearly.

5. Be aware of texts aimed to mislead. The Watson Glaser is deliberately designed to be difficult to sift through candidates. Passages may include information that is irrelevant to the text. Therefore, candidates must be able to discard irrelevant information to make accurate deductions.

6. Have a good night’s sleep before attempting the test. As mentioned, the Watson Glaser test requires mental clarity, speed and accuracy. These qualities are a lot harder to achieve if you don’t have a good night’s sleep.

Selection & Assessment