The mechanical reasoning test examines a set of very specific skills, namely your ability to understand and apply mechanical and electrical concepts and principles. As you’d expect with any exam, the mechanical reasoning test is designed to be challenging as it’s designed to showcase each individual’s strengths and weaknesses. But making it easier is within your control – you just need to be willing to put the time and effort in…
What is a mechanical reasoning test?
The mechanical or electrical reasoning test assesses how well you can solve electrical and mechanical problems. Common subjects you’ll encounter on the test are energy, levers, pulleys, transformation and pressure. Because of the specific nature of what you’re being tested on, this is a test you’ll normally have to take if you’re going into an industry such as engineering or the army, where such information will be crucial to your day-to-day work. The best way to make sure the test doesn’t feel too difficult is to practice as many aptitude tests as you can. At Practice Aptitude Tests you’ll find hundreds of different tests, as well as blog posts, tips and advice to help you get the best out of yourself.
What is the format of a mechanical reasoning test?
Free Mechanical Reasoning Aptitude Tests are nearly always multiple choice, and you’ll have around 40 seconds to answer each question on the test – which means when you practice it’s important to try and find the right balance between speed and accuracy. Brushing up on your circuits, energy, magnets and voltage knowledge will help you work through the problems you face on the test. When your allotted time is up your test will be marked and compared with the tests of everyone else in the room, to see how well you did and which individual or individuals have the required skills to be taken forwards.
Why do employers use mechanical reasoning tests?
The mechanical reasoning test features questions on topics relevant to a very specific set of industries, including engineering and the armed forces. Employers are used to receiving hundreds of CVs, many of which will be very similar. An aptitude test such as this is therefore designed to dig a little deeper and help that employer to gather more information about the pool of candidates in front of him or her.
How can I prepare?
When it comes to aptitude tests there really is only one surefire way to get ahead – and that is to prepare. As well as practising as many aptitude tests as you can, you can also make sure you feel comfortable with the topics that are likely to be covered in the mechanical reasoning test. Practising aptitude tests is always easiest when you’re in a quiet room, and when you’ve ensured you have everything you need to work through the test. It’s crucial after every mock test to make time to go over your answers and identify where you excelled, and where you went wrong.
If you take on board all of this advice and put the time and effort in, we promise that the mechanical reasoning test, and indeed all aptitude tests, can be much more manageable (and maybe even enjoyable!) than they first appear.