The Watson Glaser Test is an aptitude test that is frequently used by law firms in order to assess your ability to engage in critical thinking. Given that law is a competitive field, it should come as no surprise that the Watson Glaser test is challenging.
It’s advised to meet the average Watson Glaser score at a minimum. According to the career in law, the average score is around 55%. Worried about meeting or exceeding that? No need to panic. Elevate your legal studies with The Profs’ distinguished Law Tutors, uniquely poised to enhance your understanding and secure a brighter future.
Here at The Profs, we can help you maximise your performance. Our team today to pursue success. We can give you all the necessary strategies and guidance to prepare for the Watson Glaser test. Our expert tutors know exactly how to support you so that you receive the best possible outcome. Elevate your university aspirations by collaborating with The Profs’ Admissions Test Tutors, known for their unparalleled expertise and ability to enhance application success rates across top UK institutions.
Keep reading for expert advice on the Watson Glaser Test, including tips for each specific section.
Content:
- What is the Watson Glaser test?
- Why is the Watson Glaser test used?
- Outline of the 5 sections:
- Assessment of inferences
- Recognition of assumptions
- Deduction
- Interpretation
- Evaluation
- 3 tips for preparing for the Watson Glaser
- Start early!
- Know the ins and outs of each section
- Practise questions as many times as you can!
- Benefit from our expert guidance
- FAQs
What is the Watson Glaser test?
The Watson Glaser is a psychometric assessment tool used to evaluate your critical thinking ability. It typically lasts around 30-60 minutes and you are required to complete the test online. The total marks will depend on the type of Watson Glaser test you take, however, they will be around 40-80 marks.
The test consists of multiple-choice questions that require you to evaluate statements, arguments, and scenarios based on provided information. It focuses 5 key critical thinking skills:
- Assessment on inference: In this section, the questions are based on a certain statement and you must assume that all the given information in this statement is true. The statement will then be accompanied by various inferences and you must label which ones are true or false.
- Recognition of Assumptions: You will be presented with a shorter statement and you must indicate whether a certain assumption has been made or not given the statement.
- Deductive Reasoning: You will be presented with a passage followed by a number of conclusions. You will then decide whether the conclusion follows or does not follow the information in the passage.
- Interpretation: You will receive a short passage, followed by many suggested conclusions. You must assume that everything in this passage is true. Your aim is to judge whether each of the conclusions logically follows beyond a reasonable doubt from the information you were provided in the passage.
- Evaluation of Arguments: Here, you will be presented with a yes or no style question. Following this you will be presented with an argument and you will have to decide whether the argument is strong or weak in accordance to answering the question.
Our expert guidance from admissions test tutors helps you score as high as you can to maximise your opportunity. opportunity. Leave your success in our hands. Position yourself at the forefront of career growth by partnering with The Profs and harnessing the potential of Online Tutors to achieve your professional aspirations.
Why is the Watson Glaser test used?
The Watson Glaser test is commonly used by law firms as part of their recruitment process. This is because critical thinking skills are highly important in legal professions, where lawyers and legal professionals need to analyse complex situations, evaluate arguments, and make reasoned judgments.
The test helps law firms assess candidates’ abilities to interpret information, identify assumptions, draw conclusions, and apply logical reasoning—all essential skills for success in legal practice. By using the Watson Glaser test, law firms can identify candidates who demonstrate analytical and problem-solving abilities necessary for legal roles, helping their selection of individuals who are well-equipped to excel.
Outline of the 5 sections:
Assessment of inference
Each question in this section will give you a text that you must believe to be as true, without using any outside knowledge. The statement will then be followed by a conclusion that someone might draw from this. Your aim is to decide how true or false the inference is based on the statement. Harness your potential with The Profs and let our expert tutors guide your journey to academic and career success.
The following scale is used to decide:
- True: the conclusion is explicitly stated in the text.
- Probably True: based on the text and common knowledge, the conclusion is likely more true than false.
- Insufficient Data: the statement does not contain sufficient information to decide the truthfulness of the conclusion.
- Probably False: based on the statement and common knowledge, the conclusion is likely more false than true.
- False: the statement is explicitly contradicted in the text.
Understanding what each part of the scale means, is absolutely crucial to scoring high in this section. Need guidance? Our law tutors are ready to help you.
Watson Glaser Test assessment of inference sample question
Below is an example from The Lawyer Portal.
“Two hundred students in their early teens voluntarily attended a weekend student conference in a city in England. At this conference, the topics of race equality and means of achieving lasting world peace were discussed, since these were the problems the students selected as being most vital in today’s world.”
| Inference: As a group, the students who attended this conference showed a keener interest in broad social problems than most other students in their early teens. | PROBABLY TRUE | Explanation: We know that the students ‘voluntarily’ attended which implies they are interested in the broad social problems. We are also told that the problems discussed were selected by the students themselves. These points do not definitively prove that the statement is true. But they suggest it is likely the case given common knowledge. |
| Inference: The majority of the students had not previously discussed the conference topics in their schools. | PROBABLY FALSE | Explanation: if this had been the case, it would have been hard for the students to agree upon them as ‘the most vital in today’s world’. But there is nothing to prove that it is definitely false. |
| Inference: The students came from all parts of the country. The students came from all parts of the country. | INSUFFICIENT DATA | This part is not mentioned in the statement at all so we do not have the necessary information to make this judgement. |
| Inference: The students discussed mainly industrial relations problems. | FALSE | Industrial relations problems are not mentioned in the above statement. |
| Inference: Some teenage students felt it worthwhile to discuss problems of race equality and ways of achieving world peace. | TRUE | It is explicitly stated in the text and we are told that ‘the students selected these issues as being most vital in today’s world. |
Tip: It is important for this section that you strictly stick to using common knowledge. This is any piece of information that is publicly known by almost everyone. Make sure you do not use your professional or personal judgement (or any academic knowledge). Make sure you clearly memorise what each of the answer options means in order to ensure you do not trip up on any answers.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t stress, here at The Profs we are here to help you every step of the way.
Recognition of assumptions
An assumption is something that we accept to be true, without any proof. In this section, a short statement will be presented followed by an assumption. Your aim is to decide whether an assumption has been made or not from the statement given. There are only two options to choose from:
- ASSUMPTION MADE: if the information can be explicitly understood from the passage, then it is correct.
- ASSUMPTION NOT MADE: there is no evidence in the statement to support the assumption. If the statement does not follow the information provided in the scenario, the assumption has not been made.
Watson Glaser Test recognition of assumptions sample question
Example statement: “We need to save time in getting there so we’d better go by plane.”
| Going by plane will take less time than going by some other means of transportation. | ASSUMPTION MADE | The initial statement relies on this being true but doesn’t state it. |
| There is a plane service available to us for at least part of the distance to the destination. | ASSUMPTION MADE | In order to save time by taking a plane, one would need to be available. |
| Travel by plane is more convenient than travel by train. | ASSUMPTION NOT MADE | Convenience is not mentioned; only time is. |
Deduction
In this section, you will be given a statement followed by some conclusions. Your aim is to decide whether the conclusion ‘does follow’ or ‘does not follow’ the statement. Essentially, if you cannot draw a logical conclusion from the scenario given, then the conclusion does not follow.
Example statement: “Some holidays are rainy. All rainy days are boring.”
Conclusions:
- No clear days are boring: The conclusion does not follow. You cannot tell from the statements whether or not clear days are boring.
- Some holidays are boring: The conclusion does follow from the statements as, according to them, the rainy days must be boring, and some holidays are rainy.
- Some holidays are not boring: The conclusion does not follow, even though you may know that some holidays are very pleasant you cannot draw this conclusion from the statement above.
Tip: Make sure in this section you take every aspect of the statement to be true without any exceptions. For example, ‘all rainy days are boring’ means every rainy day is boring. Do not allow your personal judgement to get in the way, causing you to make exceptions.
Interpretation
According to The Lawyer Portal this section is often one of the most challenging for students. You will be presented with a longer statement followed by a conclusion. You will have to determine whether the conclusion follows the statement beyond a reasonable doubt. Reasonable doubt is when evidence is so convincing that there is no other reasonable explanation for the cause. This is quite similar to the deduction section but in this section you are required to understand significant parts of the information that can be used to support the conclusion presented.
Example statement: “I have a nine-month-old baby at home, and she usually agrees to be put to bed, where she falls asleep promptly. But every time her grandparents visit in the evening, she cries when I put her to bed, and she continues to cry for an hour.”
- Conclusion follows
- Conclusion does not follow
Answer: Conclusion does not follow. The conclusion states a reason that is not given explicitly in the text. It is also not possible beyond a reasonable doubt.
Tip: People often get confused between the deductions and interpretations section. For the deductions section, the conclusion must follow directly from the statement. For the interpretations section, the conclusion simply needs to follow beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore there is almost a higher stake for the conclusion to follow in the deductions section.
Evaluation
In this section, you will be given a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ style question which will then be followed by an argument. Your task is to determine whether the argument presented is strong or weak in answering the question presented to you.
Example question: “Should all young people in the United Kingdom go on to higher education?”
- Yes; college provides an opportunity for them to wear nice clothes – WEAK argument as this would not be a sufficient reason to attend higher education.
- No; a large percentage of young people do not have enough ability or interest to derive any benefit from higher education – STRONG argument, as if it is true (we are required to assume) then it is an argument that directly answers the statement, with evidence against why young people should not attend.
- No; excessive studying permanently warps an individual’s personality – WEAK argument as this is not directly related to the question, because higher education does not necessarily require excessive studying. Therefore, this argument does not provide a solid foundation for the argument.
Tip: Even though it can be easy to use your own views on the question to make your judgement, do not let it cloud your answer. This section includes real-life social issues and these are topics where individuals will often let their personal views distort their answers. Do not fall for this!
One of the best ways to decide whether the argument is weak or strong is to think about whether it holds an important argument that is DIRECTLY related to the question. If it is not directly related to the question, such that a trivial response is provided, then it is often a weak argument.
3 tips for preparing for the Watson Glaser
1. Start early!
Starting your preparation for the Watson Glaser test early is crucial for success. This test assesses critical thinking and reasoning skills rather than general knowledge, so familiarising yourself with the test format and question types early on is essential.
Early preparation also allows you to identify your strengths and weaknesses. This insight enables you to tailor your study plan to focus on areas where improvement is needed, whether it’s in deductive reasoning, evaluating arguments, or drawing logical conclusions. By addressing these weaknesses early, you’ll be better equipped to excel on test day.
Moreover, starting early helps reduce test anxiety. As you become more familiar with the test structure and practise regularly, your confidence will increase, leading to a more relaxed and focused mindset during the actual exam. Establishing a consistent study routine over a longer period also aids in better retention of concepts and skills.
To maximise your chances of employment, connect with us today!
2. Know the ins and outs of each section
Whilst it may seem very obvious, it is crucial that you are aware of what each section will require you to do. Treat each section as a new recipe, requiring different approaches. It may be useful to do a quick mind map with branches for each section and a small overview of how you will approach it. This way when it comes to the actual test, you will not be overwhelmed by any of the sections!
We can help you create revision tools!
3. Practise questions as many times as you can!
One of the most effective strategies for preparing for the Watson Glaser test is to practise a variety of questions, similar to those you will encounter during the assessment. This approach offers many benefits:
- Familiarity with question types: The Watson Glaser test assesses critical thinking skills through various question formats like deductions, interpretations, evaluations, and inferences. By practising different types of questions, you will become more comfortable recognising and responding to them.
- Skill development: Practise regularly to help sharpen your critical thinking abilities. As you work through practice questions, you’ll improve your analytical reasoning, ability to draw conclusions, and capacity to evaluate arguments which are skills crucial for success in the Watson Glaser test.
- Time management: The test is timed, so doing questions under timed conditions is essential. This will help you get accustomed to the pace required to complete the test within the allocated time frame. With more and more practice you will be able to complete the tests effectively in a shorter amount of time.
Click here to do a practice test that Clifford Chance has provided on their website!
For bespoke help during practice tests, we are here to help you.
Benefit from our expert guidance For Watson Glaser Tests
If you are looking to score highly in the Watson Glaser tests, our expert team for dedicated and bespoke support is here for you. Remember, Watson Glaser tests are a critical aspect of the recruitment processes, especially for law firms. A low score could put you at a disadvantage in the selection process. To make sure that does not happen to you, our expert tutors know exactly what you need!
The Profs have maintained their title as the highest-rated tuition company on Trustpilot for 7 years! Connect with us today to make your dream results a reality.
FAQs
What is the average mark I should aim for?
It is important to note that each firm will have a different benchmark for the Watson Glaser test. Typically candidates are required to score 80% or above to stand out amongst the competition. Here at The Profs, we are committed to excellence, our team today to ensure you stand out amongst other candidates.
In which type of applications would I be required to complete a Watson Glaser test?
Typically when you are applying to a vacation scheme or training contract you will be required to complete a Watson Glaser test as part of the application. Some firms adopt the Watson Glaser test whilst others use other aptitude tests. However, this will be made clear on the application page.
Which law firms use the Watson Glaser Test?
A lot of law firms will use Watson Glaser tests, and here are some:
- Hill Dickinson
- Hogan Lovells
- Ince & Co
- Irwin Mitchell
- Linklaters
- Norton Rose Fulbright
- Osborne Clarke
- Simmons & Simmons
- TLT Solicitors
- Weil Gotshal & Manges
- Allen & Overy
- Baker & McKenzie
- Bates Wells
- Burges Salmon
- Clifford Chance
- Dentons
- DLA Piper
- Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
- RPC
- HFW
- Bird & Bird
When will I have to complete the Watson Glaser test?
Watson Glaser tests are typically completed after you apply to the vacation scheme or training contract. You will have around 5 days to complete it ( but this can vary depending on the firm), but make sure you do not forget the deadline as your application will automatically be invalid if you do not complete the test. If you require extra time, make sure you email the correct department within the firm as they will be able to ensure you receive the extra time for the Watson Glaser test.
Where do I complete the Watson Glaser test?
The law firm will send you a link, usually by email where you will be able to access the test online. You will not have to visit a test centre to complete the test. It will be an at-home online test.
How many questions are there in the Watson Glaser test?
The typical test format will either be 40 questions in 30 minutes or 80 questions in 60 minutes. This will vary depending on the firm. For a 40-question Watson Glaser test the following layout will be applied:
- Assessment of inferences – 5 questions
- Recognition of assumptions – 12 questions
- Deduction – 5 questions
- Interpretation – 6 questions
- Evaluation – 12 questions
Will I have to complete a Watson Glaser for each application I do?
You will have to complete a new Watson Glaser for each firm you apply to. However some firms will keep your mark on their database, so if you reapply the following year, you will not have to complete the test again. Be sure to check out the firm’s website for more specific information as it can vary each year.
We’ve got expert tutors who can provide you with bespoke support. We are here to maximise your success, and our success stories are proof that we get results!
