Ace the Watson Glaser Test: Tips and Tricks for Success

Jun 18, 2023

Written By Nandini Jadeja

Many firms use the Watson Glaser test during their application processes for vacation schemes and training contracts. But how can you prepare for one, and do well? Read on to find out.

What is the Watson Glaser?

The Watson Glaser is a test used by law firms to assess your critical thinking ability. In particular, it tests your ability to: draw conclusions from texts, analyse information and identify and evaluate key pieces, such as strong and weak arguments. These are crucial skills lawyers need, so law firms use the Watson Glaser to test these abilities.

Structure of the Watson Glaser

Usually, Watson Glaser tests are 40 questions but they may also have 80 questions. The format will be the same, but tests with 40 questions usually last for 30 minutes, while 80 question tests will last for an hour. No matter how long the test is, it will be split into the following five categories:

Inferences

You will be provided with a single statement that you must assume to be true. It is important not to try to use any of your own knowledge or experience here, just take the statement to be true. There are usually five inferences that follow, and you must judge whether each is true or false.

Assumptions

You will be provided with a statement and eight or so conclusions based on the statement. You must assess in each of the cases whether, to come to each conclusion, an assumption has been made or not.

Deductions

Following a passage, five statements are given. You must judge in each case whether the conclusion given logically follows from the passage or not.

Interpretation

In this exercise you must assume the passage given to you is true. You will be presented with several conclusions about the passage and you must decide whether the conclusions logically follow or not. This is very similar to the ‘deductions’ section, but the passage provided may be slightly longer for this part of the test.

Evaluation

You will be presented with arguments being made in response to a passage of text. In each case, you must assess whether the arguments being made are strong or weak.

How to prepare

The best preparation is to familiarise yourself with the format of the text and practice as much as possible. You will need to get to grips with how each section of the Watson Glaser works, and there are many practice tests available online to do this. The firm should offer you a practice test, and AllAboutLaw have our own here.

You also need to be aware of the time limit on the Watson Glaser, and practising will help you identify your weak areas, so you can spend more time on them in the real test.

How you can do well

The two most important things to ensure success are a close reading of the passages and statements, and adhering to the time limit.

Flag any questions that you are unsure of and want to double check, and try to leave time to come back to these at the end. Don’t fixate on a question or section you are unsure of for too long as one of the biggest challenges of the Watson Glaser is finishing within the time set. You tend not to be penalised if your answers are wrong, so don’t be afraid to make logical guesses if you’re running out of time.

How is the Watson Glaser assessed?

In most cases, you will not receive the mark for your Watson Glaser test. Sometimes, the law firm will set a benchline mark, and anyone who meets or exceeds the benchline will be invited to the next stage of the application process. Other firms will consider who gets through to the next stage based on how other applicants performed.

Law firms do not usually provide feedback to candidates at the Watson Glaser stage, but it is important to remember that the assessment process will differ between different firms, and not being successful at one firm does not necessarily mean that you will be unsuccessful at another.

In short, to do well in the Watson Glaser you should familiarise yourself with the format and complete practice tests before the real assessment. On the day, read all the information carefully and keep an eye on the time. Good luck!

Selection & Assessment