Most of the time, you’ll be invited to take the Watson Glaser after you’ve applied to a firm or scheme. You’ll get a link to complete the test online, often as the first major step in the recruitment process.

Free Watson Glaser Test 

Practising with Watson Glaser-style questions is one of the best ways to get ready for the test.

With our free, Watson Glaser-style practice test, you can practise sample questions to get familiar with the format, review your results, and build confidence for employer applications.

What is the Watson Glaser test?

If you’re thinking about a legal career, you might have heard of the Watson Glaser test. It’s actually used across many industries to measure critical thinking skills – though law is where it’s most famous. 

Major law firms use it as part of their selection process because it helps reveal who truly has the skills needed for legal work: logical thinking, objectivity, and the knack for seeing the big picture as well as the details.

What is the Watson Glaser test (in detail)?

The Watson Glaser has quite a history. It was first created back in the early 20th century by psychologists Goodwin Watson and Edwin Glaser, who wanted a way to measure how people think rather than what they know. Since then, it’s been tweaked and updated, but the essential aim remains the same: to objectively measure critical thinking.

In the world of law, the test has become the gold standard. Law firms use Watson Glaser scores as a way of comparing candidates. However, there’s no official pass or fail mark; each firm sets its own benchmark, which can change depending on how everyone else performs that year.

Information on the Watson Glaser assessment

In the past, tests were done on paper. Today, everything’s online and the questions have been updated to reflect more modern, relevant scenarios. 

So, what can you expect on test day? The Watson Glaser lasts from 30 to 40 minutes and consists of around 40 questions. You’ll be presented with short scenarios and questions that challenge your reasoning ability. 

Unlike knowledge-based tests, it’s not about what you know, but how you think. The questions are multiple choice, and the topics are designed to stretch your logical thinking.

Prepare yourself for the Watson Glaser test

Preparing for the Watson Glaser helps you pass the test, but it’s also great practice for the skills needed in law, and it gives you insights into how you think and make decisions. If you're exploring a career in law, understanding this test is an important step in your journey.

What does the Watson Glaser test involve?

The Watson Glaser test is all about seeing how you think, not what you know. With around 40 multiple-choice questions, it asks you to use logic, assess evidence, and spot hidden assumptions. You’ll get roughly one minute per question, so you’ll need to work quickly and carefully.

What sections are on the Watson Glaser exam?

The Watson Glaser exam is split into five main sections, and each one looks at a different part of your critical reasoning skills.

Here’s what you’ll be tackling:

- Inference: Decide if a conclusion logically follows from the information given.

- Recognition of assumptions: Spot unstated assumptions behind statements or arguments.

- Deduction: Judge whether a conclusion is justified based on the facts.

- Interpretation: Assess if a decision or conclusion can reasonably be drawn from the data.

- Evaluation of arguments: Decide if arguments are strong or weak in relation to a particular question.

Getting to know these sections using Watson Glaser-style practice questions is the best way to give you a boost on the day. 

Watson Glaser critical thinking test

The Watson Glaser Test is called a critical thinking test because it goes beyond checking what you know – it’s about how you think. 

Employers want to know you can analyse arguments, spot hidden assumptions, interpret information accurately, and make solid decisions when faced with tricky scenarios. Honing these skills matters for training contracts and your career as a whole. 

What is the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Aptitude test? 

The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Aptitude Test is simply another name for the Watson Glaser test – they’re the same thing. 

It’s called an “aptitude” test because it measures your potential in critical thinking, not just your current knowledge. Critical thinking is key for lawyers as it shows how well you can analyse arguments and make sound, logical decisions.

Watson Glaser vs other critical reasoning tests

While the Watson Glaser is widely used for legal and professional jobs, there are other critical reasoning tests out there. Some law firms create their own custom tests, while general tests like the SHL Critical Reasoning Test are also common in recruitment. 

Styles can vary: some tests might throw in more numbers, or use formats that feel a bit different from what you’re used to. Still, if you’re practising Watson Glaser questions, you’re on the right track. The core skills you pick up there, like analysing information and weighing up arguments, will set you up well, even if the test you’re asked to take looks a bit different. 

How does Watson Glaser differ from SHL?

SHL is a big name in workplace assessments and offers a range of tests for employers, including their own critical reasoning test. 

While the Watson Glaser is specifically focused on legal-style reasoning and argument analysis, SHL’s tests often mix verbal, numerical, and logical reasoning. Some SHL tests may feel more general or less focused on legal-style material, but both assess your ability to think clearly and make decisions based on evidence. Like other psychometric tests, practising Watson Glaser-style questions will help you tackle SHL critical reasoning tests too. 

Strengths and weaknesses of Watson Glaser

The Watson Glaser is a useful assessment because it zeroes in on analysing arguments and drawing conclusions, the kind of thinking lawyers use daily. Everyone takes the same type of questions, so it gives employers a useful and fair way to compare candidates.

But it does have its downsides. The scenarios can be quite artificial and don’t always reflect how you’d use critical thinking in real life. The test mostly shows how well you handle its specific format, not necessarily how you’d perform on the job. 

Plus, tricky timings and unfamiliar question styles can trip people up, even if they’re actually strong thinkers. So, while the Watson Glaser is helpful for benchmarking, firms will also use interviews and other tools to get to know candidates. 

"If you’re neurodivergent, it’s important to remember that timed reasoning tests can be impacted by how well you cope with the testing format rather than the quality of your thinking. Profiles like autism, ADHD, and dyslexia can make the timed nature of these assessments more challenging, which isn’t a reflection of your capability. If the test doesn’t go well, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not a critical thinker.  Make requests you're entitled to. Reasonable adjustments can include having longer to complete the test." Dr Laura Dean, President-Elect, British Psychological Society

How to prepare for the Watson Glaser test

Getting ready for the Watson Glaser doesn’t have to be stressful. The best way to feel confident is to get familiar with the format and types of questions. With a bit of practice, anyone can boost their critical thinking skills.

How to pass the Watson Glaser test

There’s no universal pass mark for the Watson Glaser test, and it really depends on what the firm or organisation is looking for. Passing usually means you rank well compared to other test-takers. 

The best way to do well is to practise under timed conditions and learn the question styles so you can make confident, quick decisions on the day.

How can I prepare for the Watson Glaser test?

Practise, practise, practise! That’s the golden rule. Use resources like the AllAboutLaw practice test to get used to the timing and types of questions you’ll see. Simulating test conditions will help you manage your nerves, spot patterns under pressure, and answer questions faster.

How to improve critical reasoning skills

Critical reasoning is the ability to think clearly and logically about an issue, argument, or idea. It means looking at information with a questioning mind.

To get better at critical reasoning, start by reading articles in newspapers or magazines and questioning everything. Look for assumptions, spot faulty arguments, and ask yourself what proof is actually offered. (The Opinion sections are a great place to start!)

Try puzzles, debates, or logic games too. The more you challenge your brain in different ways, the sharper your reasoning will be.

Common psychometric assessments for job applications

As well as Watson Glaser, you might come across situational judgement tests, verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, and personality questionnaires when applying for law jobs. 

Prepping for the Watson Glaser can help with these tests too, because you get used to thinking analytically and under time pressure.

Types of critical thinking tests

There are several types of critical thinking tests, each with their own focus. For example, the Watson Glaser test looks at how well you draw conclusions and spot assumptions, while the LSAT (often used in the US) challenges you with logic puzzles and argument analysis. 

Tests like the SHL Critical Reasoning and the GMAT also check if you can evaluate arguments and make sound judgments based on short passages. Practising across these different formats can really help build your overall reasoning skills.

Watson Glaser cheat sheet

Here’s what you need to know about the Watson Glaser and how to tackle it with confidence.

Key facts:

- The Watson Glaser is one of the most common critical thinking tests in legal recruitment.

- It checks how you handle arguments, spot assumptions, draw conclusions, and interpret evidence (not your legal or general knowledge).

- You’ll face five main question types: Inference, Recognition of Assumptions, Deduction, Interpretation, and Evaluation of Arguments.

- Usually, you’ll get 40 questions to answer in around 30 minutes.

How the test works:

- You’ll read short passages, statements, or scenarios.

- Each question asks you to think logically about what’s given (and nothing more).

- Most answers are multiple-choice, so use elimination if you’re unsure.

How to do well: 

- Practise, practise, practise. Work through real Watson Glaser questions so the format feels familiar.

- Read carefully – one word can change everything.

- Don’t rush. Accuracy matters more than blitzing through.

- Don’t bring in outside knowledge. Use only the information on the test.

- If you find a question hard, move on and come back if there’s time.

Watson Glaser test tips

Our number one tip: stay calm! If you don’t know an answer, make an educated guess and move on. Flag tough questions to come back to if you have time. 

And most importantly, trust your instincts – the more you practise, the better these will get. 

Familiarise yourself with the Watson Glaser format

To get a good score on the Watson Glaser Test, it helps to know exactly what to expect. Each section targets a different thinking skill – and understanding the format ahead of time can make the test feel a lot more manageable. Here’s a quick guide to the structure and question types you’ll face.

Format of the Watson Glaser III

Most law firms use the Watson Glaser III, the newest version of the test. You’ll usually have around 30 minutes to answer 40 multiple-choice questions, though some firms tweak the timing or format to fit their assessment day. 

The older version of the test, known as the WG-I edition, involved 80 questions in 60 minutes. However, this longer version is rarely used these days.

As we know, the test covers five key areas of critical thinking: inference, recognition of assumptions, deduction, interpretation, and evaluation of arguments. Let’s break down each section so you know exactly what to expect.

Assessment of inferences

In this section, you’ll read a short passage and decide if a given statement is definitely true or false based on the information provided.

The key skill is judging whether an inference logically follows from the passage, without making assumptions.

Decide if the statement does or doesn’t follow from what you’ve just read, without guessing or adding extra information.

Recognition of assumptions

Here, you’ll read a statement and then decide if it relies on something that hasn’t actually been said. For each question, you’re asked whether an argument depends on an assumption that isn’t in the text.

Spotting these hidden assumptions is key, because law firms want to know you can separate fact from opinion and recognise when an argument isn’t fully supported.

Deduction

In the deduction section, you’ll see a set of facts followed by several statements. Your task is to figure out if a statement 100% follows from the facts, without adding outside knowledge or making guesses. 

This means you need to focus on exactly what’s written and decide if the statement is a direct result of the information provided. It’s all about thinking clearly and spotting when a conclusion is truly supported.

Interpretation

In the interpretation section, you’ll read a short passage and then see a series of conclusions. For each one, you need to decide if it’s properly supported by the information in the passage, or if it goes beyond what’s actually there. 

The goal is to separate what the text really says from opinions or guesses. Law firms look at this skill because it shows you can interpret information accurately and spot when a conclusion makes sense.

Evaluation of arguments

This part asks you to judge whether arguments are strong or weak, based on how relevant and logical they are in relation to a question or scenario. 

Law firms use this to see if you can spot good thinking, challenge faulty logic, and recognise which arguments would actually help solve a problem.