Aptitude Review And Tagging

16 min readMay 17, 2021

What Is an Aptitude Test?

An aptitude test is a systematic means of testing a job candidate’s abilities to perform specific tasks and react to a range of different situations.

The tests each have a standardized method of administration and scoring.

The results are quantified and compared with all other test takers.

No prior knowledge is needed, as the tests measure innate ability at a particular

How Are Aptitude Tests Administered?

Aptitude tests are usually administered online — most often after a candidate has made their initial job application — and are used to filter unsuitable applicants out of the selection process, without the need for time-consuming one-to-one job interviews.

Employers use aptitude tests from a variety of providers — such as SHL, Talent Q and Cubits — alongside general interview advice, application forms, assessment centers, academic results and other selection methods.

No test is perfect, but all aim to give an indication of how candidates will respond to the challenges they will face in their day-to-day role at a firm.

The tests can be taken online or at a testing center, such as a firm’s offices, where they are usually paper-based.

Often a firm may ask you to complete both types of test, to confirm you did not cheat during the initial unsupervised online test.

What Are the Different Types of Aptitude Tests?

These are the most common types of aptitude test that you will encounter:

Numerical Reasoning Tests

Numerical reasoning tests assess your ability to interpret data and do basic math, including fractions, percentages and currency translation.

Verbal Reasoning Tests

Verbal reasoning tests assess your ability to comprehend passages of text and make accurate deductions.

Diagrammatic Tests

Diagrammatic tests measure your logical reasoning ability, usually under strict time conditions. They usually require you to infer a set of rules from a flowchart or similar diagram, and then to apply those rules to a new situation.

Inductive Reasoning Tests

Inductive reasoning tests are designed to examine a candidate’s abstract reasoning ability. They identify how well a candidate can see the underlying logic in patterns, rather than words or numbers.

Cognitive Ability Tests

Cognitive ability tests measure intelligence through logic, reasoning and problem-solving exercises.

Mechanical Reasoning Tests

Mechanical reasoning tests assess your ability to apply mechanical or engineering principles to problems; they are often used for technical roles.

Watson Glaser Tests

Watson Glaser tests are often used by law firms to assess a candidate’s ability to critically consider arguments. There are five types of question, each tests a different aspect of critical thinking (inferences, assumptions, deductions, interpretations and evaluation of arguments).

Abstract Reasoning Tests

Abstract reasoning tests use diagrams, symbols or shapes instead of words or numbers. They involve identifying the underlying logic of a pattern and then determining the solution to test general intelligence and reasoning ability.

Spatial Awareness Tests

Spatial awareness tests assess your ability to form mental images and visualize movement or change between them. They are often used in applications for jobs in design, engineering and architecture.

Error Checking Tests

Error checking tests are an unusual type of aptitude test that focus on your ability to identify errors in complex data sets, such as codes or combinations of alpha-numeric characters.

Numerical Reasoning Tests Questions:

37 + 17 = 9 + ?

a.45

b.47

c.54

d.41

e.55

Answer:45

2. A team of three lumberjacks cut an average of 45,000 cubic feet of timber in a week. How many thousand cubic feet will seven lumberjacks cut in two weeks?

a.21

b.105

c.225

d.210

e.22

Answer:210

3. Estimate the answer to this question. 3,506 + 198 = ?

a.3,800

b.3,700

c.3,650

d.3,750

e.3,770

Answer:3700

4.Estimate the answer to this question. A cylindrical solid is 10 inches high, and has a diameter of 6 inches. What is its volume in cubic inches?

a.280

b.600

c.200

d.60

e.48

Answer:280

5. Identify the missing number at the end of the series. 5, 12, 19, 26, ?

a.31

b.33

c.35

d.34

e.37

Answer:33

6. Tom, Dick and Harry own shares in their company in the ratio 3:5:7. If the total value of the shares is $10,500. What value of shares would Harry need to give Tom for all three to own the shares equally?

a.$1,800

b.$700

c.$1,400

d.$1,200

e.$1,000

Answer:1400

7.The table below shows the specializations of North West Medical School graduates in 2005. Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number. One hundred and nineteen students graduated that year. Use this information to answer the following.

How many students decided to specialize in immunology?

a.9

b.11

c.14

d.7

e.15

Answer:11

8. The table below shows the total number of warranty claims for three types of sports utility vehicle. The reason for each claim is shown as a percentage along with the industry average for this type of vehicle. Use this information to answer the following questions.

How many Land Ranger warranty claims involved transmission problems?

a.135

b.140

c.153

d.145

e.122

Answer:153

Verbal reasoning test questions:

Statement 1:

Instituted in 1979 as a temporary measure to limit population growth, China’s one child policy remains in force today and is likely to continue for another decade. China’s population control policy has attracted criticism because of the manner in which it is enforced, and also because of its social repercussions.

Supporters of the Chinese government’s policy consider it a necessary measure to curb extreme overpopulation, which has resulted in a reduction of an estimated 300 million people in its first twenty years. Not only is a reduced population environmentally beneficial, it also increases China’s per capita gross domestic product.

The one-child policy has led to a disparate ratio of males to females — with abortion, abandonment and infanticide of female infants resulting from a cultural preference for sons. Furthermore, Draconian measures such as forced sterilization are strongly opposed by critics as a violation of human reproduction rights.

The one-child policy is enforced strictly in urban areas, whereas in provincial regions fines are imposed on families with more than one child. There are also exceptions to the rules — for example, ethnic minorities. A rule also allows couples without siblings to have two children — a provision which applies to millions of sibling-free adults now of child-bearing age.

1. China’s one-child policy increases the country’s wealth.

a.True

b.False

c.Cannot say

Answer:Cannot say

Explanation:

The fourth sentence states that the policy increases China’s per capita gross domestic product, however this is just one economic indicator and is based on output per person. The passage does not tell us if overall, the country as a whole has increased wealth due to the one child policy. Since the passage does not tell us either way, we must respond Cannot Say.

2. The passage suggests that two-child families will dramatically increase, as sibling-free adults reach child-bearing age.

a.True

b.False

c.Cannot say

Answer:False

Explanation:

The last sentence merely presents the fact that millions of sibling-free couples are able to have two children, and does not speculate as to the implications.

3. The main criticism of China’s one-child policy is that it violates human rights.

a.True

b.False

c.Cannot say

Answer:Cannot Say

Explanation:

The second sentence states that both the policy ’s manner of enforcement and its social repercussions are criticized — but does not state which is the main criticism. So based on the information we are given, we cannot say.

4. Families with more than one child are more common in China’s rural areas.

a.True

b.False

c.Cannot say

Answer:Cannot Say

Explanation:

While the 7th sentence states that the policy is enforced less strictly in provincial regions, comparative figures are not provided. One might deduce this statement is likely given what we are told, but we are not told explicitly if this is true or false, therefore we cannot say.

5. The general preference among Chinese parents is for male babies.

a.True

b.False

c.Cannot say

Answer:True

Explanation:

The fifth sentence tells us that “a disparate ratio of males to females” is the result of “a cultural preference for sons”. Whilst it might be impossible to make assumptions about what each parent’s preference is, the key word in the statement is “general” which means we can look at the overall trend, in this case towards sons.

Statement:2

There are 562 federally recognized American Indian tribes, with a total of 1.7 million members. Additionally, there are hundreds of groups seeking federal recognition — or sovereignty — though less than ten percent will successfully achieve this status.

Federally recognized tribes have the right to self-government, and are also eligible for federal assistance programmers. Exempt from state and local jurisdiction, tribes may enforce their own laws, request tax breaks and control regulatory activities. There are however limitations to their sovereignty including, amongst others, the ability to make war and create currency.

Historically, tribes were granted federal recognition through treaties or by executive order. Since 1978 however, this has been replaced by a lengthy and stringent regulatory process which requires tribes applying for federal recognition to fulfill seven criteria, such as anthropological and historical evidence. One of the complications regarding federal recognition is the legal definition of “Indian”.

Previously, racial criteria, tribal records and personal affidavits were used to classify American Indians. Since the 1970s, however, there has been a shift to the use of a political definition — requiring membership in a federally recognized tribe in order to qualify for benefits, such as loans and educational grants. This definition, however, excludes many individuals of Native American heritage who are not tribal members.

6. There are only two exemptions to a federally recognized tribe’s powers of self-government.

a.True

b.False

c.Cannot say

Answer:False

Explanation:

The fifth sentence states that there are “limitations” and cites two “amongst others”. So we are told there are more than two limitations.

7. Demand for federal recognition is high because it is a prerequisite for benefit programmers.

a.True

b.False

c.Cannot say

Answer:Cannot Say

Explanation:

The passage does not specify why hundreds of groups are seeking federal recognition. Even though one might postulate demand is due to receiving benefits, the passage does not tell us this is or is not the case , so we cannot say

8. Since 1978 it has become harder for a tribe to achieve federally recognized status.

a.True

b.False

c.Cannot say

Answer:Cannot say

Explanation:

The 7th sentence refers to the introduction of a “lengthy and stringent regulatory process” in 1978 however the passage does not tell us how difficult it was before the introduction of this process. In order to respond either True or False we would need to know about before and after 1978 to draw a comparison, but we do not so we must respond Cannot say.

Diagrammatic Test Questions:

Q1.

a.STBGG

b.TBGG

c.STBB

d.SSTBGG

Answer:option A

Explanation:

The transition from CDE to CD involves the rule that is marked by

. This means that the

rule drops the last letter. The transition from EFGH to EFGG happens using both the

and the

rules. Since

drops the last letter we know that EFGH → EFG. In order to get EFGG from EFG the last letter must be doubled. Therefore:

- drops the last letter

- doubles the last letter

Q2.

a.STBGG

b.STBG

c.STBB

d.STGG

Answer:option B

Explanation:

We have identified the following rules:

- drops the last letter

- doubles the last letter

Q3.

a.RT

b.TR

c.RTT

d.TRR

Answer:option B

Explanation:

The transition from PSQ to PSQQ involves rule

. This means that

doubles the last letter. The transition from RTK to RTT involves

and

in that order. This means that

drops the last letter. Since the transition from RDSK to KSD involves rule

and

we can conclude that

reverses the letter order.

In summary:

- doubles the last letter

- drops the last letter

- reverses the letter order

Q4.

a.RDDB

b.RRDBB

c.RDDBBB

d.RRDDBB

Answer:option D

Explanation:

In order to solve the question, we must first figure out what each of the rules does by exploring the main diagram. The transition from RSV to S involves rule

. This means that

drops the first and last letters. The transition from DZYR to DDZYRR involves rule

Inductive reasoning tests question:

Question 1:

Which comes next in the series?

Answer:The correct answer is C

Explanation:

First Rule: Each step, the shaded square moves 3 squares clockwise round the edge of the figure.

Second Rule: Each step, the cross-hatching moves 1 square anticlockwise round the edge of the figure, disappearing behind the shading when the two coincide.

Third Rule: The circle (which starts behind the shaded square in figure 1) moves 1 square left to right, starting again at the left of the figure when it drops down a row.

Question 2:

Which comes next in the series?

Answer:The correct answer is B

Explanation:

First Rule: The shape in the center comprises 1 fewer straight line every time.

Second Rule: The shape in the top left alternates between being a triangle and being a square.

Third Rule: There is a cross when both shapes have the same number of sides, and a tick when they have different numbers of sides

Question 3:

Which comes next in the series?

Answer:The correct answer is A

Explanation:

First Rule: The number of circles that are grouped together increases by one every time, with the final group containing all the circles that do not fit into a whole group.

Second Rule: One circle is removed every time.

Third Rule: Half of the circles are shaded and half are unshaped. When there is an odd number of circles, the ‘extra’ circle is shade

Question 4:

Which comes next in the series?

Answer:The correct answer is E

Explanation:

First Rule: The triangle with a dot in one corner alternates between mirrored in a diagonal from the top left of the figure to the bottom right and mirrored in a diagonal from the top right of the figure to the bottom left.

Second Rule: The rectangle alternates between being mirrored vertically and mirrored horizontally.

Third Rule: The rectangle also increases in width by a uniform amount every time, in a direction that is away from the closest edge of the figure.Fourth Rule: The circle alternates between being present and absent.

Question 5:

Which comes next in the series?

Answer:The correct answer is D

Explanation:

First Rule: The door moves to the right, center, left then center, always in line with the window immediately above it, and then the pattern repeats.

Second Rule: First only upper story windows are leaded, then only the lower story windows are leaded, then all windows are leaded. This pattern then repeats.

Third Rule: Starting at the bottom right window, the figure visits each window in turn in an anticlockwise direction.

Mechanical Reasoning Test Question:

1. In which direction does the orange gear rotate?

Clockwise
Counterclockwise
No rotation

Answer:Counterclockwise

2. In which direction does the orange gear rotate?

Clockwise
Counterclockwise
No rotation

Answer:Counterclockwise.

3. In which direction does the orange gear rotate?

1.Clockwise

2.Counterclockwise

3.No rotation

Answer:Clockwise.

4. The scale is balanced. What weight is the weight with the question mark?

1 lb
2 lb
8 lb
10 lb
25 lb

Answer:4. 2 lb.

5. The scale is balanced. What weight is the weight with the question mark?

25 lb
30 lb
35 lb
50 lb
60 lb

Answer:4.35 lb.

Watson Glaser Test Questions:

Should companies downsize their work forces to decrease expenses and maximize profits?

Q1: Analyzing Arguments:

Yes; downsizing will protect the company from bankruptcy in hard economic times.

A.Strong Argument

B.Weak Argument

Answer: Weak Argument

Explanation: Accepting the argument as true, avoiding bankruptcy is an essential motive for an organization, however, the statement does not discuss bankruptcy, rather it is discussing profits and expenses. Protection against bankruptcy is not the topic, and is straying from the point, and is, therefore a weak argument.

Q2 Argument Two:

Yes, companies have no obligation to employ more people than it can handle.

A.Strong Argument

B.Weak Argument

Answer: Weak Argument

Explanation: Although the point is taken to be true, it does not provide evidence for the benefits of its position, it merely states an irrelevant fact, making this a weak argument.

Q3 Argument Three:

No, downsizing leads to demoralization of the workforce and causes a drop in employee productivity.

A.Strong Argument

B.Weak Argument

Answer:Strong Argument

Explanation: The argument addresses the initial statement directly, providing a clear disadvantage of the statement, making this a strong argument.

Q4 Argument Four:

Yes, companies which have no control over the size of their workforce will be highly vulnerable to economic climates and market changes.

A.Strong Argument

B.Weak Argument

Answer: Weak Argument

Explanation: The initial question does not discuss taking away the company’s right to control its own size, only one aspect of it. Therefore, the point is arguing a separate question, rather than the initial one, presenting a weak argument.