The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal is a 40-question test of whether you can spot assumptions, judge arguments and draw only the conclusions the information supports. It is used heavily by UK law firms for training contracts and vacation schemes. This page covers what the Watson Glaser test is, its format and timings, how it is scored, the rules to know before you start, how to prepare and a practice plan.
What the Watson Glaser test is
TalentLens, part of Pearson, publishes the current version, Watson-Glaser III, which draws 40 items from a large bank, so candidates see different sets. Firms named as users include DLA Piper, Clifford Chance, Hogan Lovells, Linklaters, Freshfields and others.
Format and timings
| Part | What it involves | Time and questions |
|---|---|---|
| Inference | Judge how likely a conclusion is to be true | Commonly reported: 5 questions |
| Recognition of assumptions | Decide whether an assumption is made | 12 questions in the scoring area |
| Deduction | Decide whether a conclusion follows necessarily | Part of the 16-item conclusions area |
| Interpretation | Decide whether a conclusion follows beyond reasonable doubt | Part of the 16-item conclusions area |
| Evaluation of arguments | Judge whether an argument is strong or weak | 12 questions in the scoring area |
Total: 40 questions; TalentLens lists 30 to 40 minutes timed, and 30 minutes is most commonly reported.
How it is scored
- Scores are overall and sub-area percentiles against a norm group the employer chooses.
- Law firms often use an internal benchmark but rarely publish it, and candidates usually do not see their mark.
- Negative marking is not stated by TalentLens and is commonly reported as none.
Rules to know before you start
- Judge each item only on the information given, not on outside knowledge.
- Each section has its own rule; learn them before the test day.
- Untimed versions are commonly reported for candidates who need adjustments.
- Retakes are up to the employer.
How to prepare
- Learn the rule for each section: in Deduction a conclusion must follow necessarily; in Inference you grade how likely it is.
- Pace at about 45 seconds a question if your limit is 30 minutes.
- Practice with timed sets and review every error by the section's rule.
- Do not let your opinion about a topic leak into your answer.
A practice plan
- Day 1: read the employer's invitation for which tests you will take, then do the publisher's official practice questions untimed.
- Days 2 and 3: timed practice on your weakest test type, reviewing every mistake.
- Days 4 and 5: full timed runs in the same browser and device you will use.
- Day 6: rest, check your setup, and plan a quiet time slot.
- Day 7: take the test in one sitting, early in the deadline window.
Related guides: UK assessment centres, the SHL assessment, what an online assessment is.
On the day, and the mistakes to avoid
- Open the invitation early and note the deadline, the tests included and the time each takes.
- Use a laptop or desktop with a current browser, on a stable connection, with notifications silenced.
- Have paper, a pen and, if the instructions allow it, a calculator ready before you start.
- Read every instruction and example screen; formats differ more than people expect.
- Take the tests in a quiet room in one sitting, at a time of day when you are sharp.
- If something breaks, take a screenshot, note the time and contact the employer straight away.
Mistakes that cost candidates:
- Treating untimed or 'as many as you can' tests casually: speed and accuracy are usually both recorded.
- Bringing outside knowledge into reasoning items that must be judged only on the information given.
- Answering personality questions as the 'ideal' candidate instead of honestly, which shows up as inconsistency.
- Starting on a phone when the publisher recommends a computer.
- Leaving the test until the deadline, when any technical problem becomes fatal.
What happens after the Watson Glaser test
Results usually go to the employer, who compares them with the profile for the role. Shortlisted candidates move on to a video interview, an assessment centre or a first interview, so start preparing for those while you wait. For the next stage, see our guide to online assessments.
Where CoPilot Interview fits
Online assessments are tests you take on your own: outside help is not allowed, and proctoring settings can flag other apps, tab switches or a second voice. Practice beforehand instead. CoPilot Interview is an AI interview assistant; its free AI mock interview prepares you for the interviews that follow the assessment, with questions built from your résumé and the job description and each spoken answer scored out of ten. The free plan gives 15 minutes a day of live help in sessions of up to 15 minutes, with AI mock interviews included. Read the invitation carefully and follow your employer's rules.
Disclosure: CoPilot Interview is our product, so weigh what we say about it accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Watson Glaser test?
Forty in the current Watson-Glaser III. An older 80-question form exists but is described as legacy.
How long is the Watson Glaser test?
TalentLens lists 30 to 40 minutes, and 30 minutes is the most common limit reported by candidates.
What score do law firms want?
They rarely publish it. Firms set internal benchmarks and usually do not tell candidates their mark.
Is there negative marking?
Not stated by TalentLens and commonly reported as none, so answer every question.
Can I use AI tools during the Watson Glaser test?
No, unless the instructions explicitly allow it. Assessments are meant to be taken on your own, and proctoring settings can flag other apps, tab switches or pasted code. Use AI tools to practice beforehand, and follow your employer's rules.
Practice this interview before the real one
The AI mock interview builds questions from your resume and the job description, reads them aloud and scores each spoken answer out of 10. Included on the free plan.
Start a mock interview