The Watson Glaser test
The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal measures how well you analyse information, spot what is assumed and decide what really follows from the evidence. It has been in use for decades and is a standard step for training contracts at many law firms, as well as for graduate roles in finance, consulting and the public sector.
| Publisher | Pearson TalentLens |
|---|---|
| Questions | 40 (current W-GCTA III version) |
| Time limit | 30 minutes |
| Sections | Inference, Recognition of Assumptions, Deduction, Interpretation, Evaluation of Arguments |
| Scoring | Raw score converted to a percentile against a comparison group |
| Format | Online, multiple choice, usually taken at home |
How to prepare
- Learn the rules of each section. The answer options differ, and most mistakes come from using everyday logic instead of the test's rules.
- Practise one section at a time and read every explanation, also for the questions you got right.
- Only use the information given. Bring in common knowledge only where practically everyone shares it.
- Finish with timed mock tests so 45 seconds per question feels normal.