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mechanical reasoning tests

Mechanical Reasoning Tests

  • 10 tests
  • 80 questions
mechanical reasoning tests

A mechanical reasoning tests are assessments, often used for technical positions, that measure how candidates apply mechanical principles to solve problems. Mechanical aptitude questions can include gears, electrical circuits, or levers. These tests include a series of images showing mechanical problems or scenarios.

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What is a mechanical aptitude?

Mechanical aptitude, or mechanical reasoning, is the ability to understand and apply mechanical concepts. Mechanical aptitude involves different capacities like spatial ability and is important for technical jobs, including engineering positions and roles in the emergency services and armed forces.

What is a mechanical aptitude test?

A mechanical reasoning test is an assessment, often used for technical positions, that measures how you apply mechanical principles to solve problems. Mechanical aptitude questions can include gears, electrical circuits, or levers.

Typically, candidates will be presented with a series of images showing mechanical problems or scenarios, and must answer questions based on these.

The level of difficulty will vary depending on the position applied for. The tests measure your mechanical knowledge rather than underlying aptitude, so if you reach this stage of the process it is expected that you will have a thorough understanding of the key topics and basic principles.

Questions are designed to test a candidate’s ability to apply mechanical reasoning in a practical environment and will generally be industry-specific. So if you were applying for a job with the army, the questions would be based around military scenarios.

Why do employers use mechanical reasoning tests?

Employers use mechanical aptitude tests to check that applicants have the necessary mechanical knowledge and capabilities to carry out tasks that will be required of them.

The ability to apply a range of mechanical concepts is crucial in a number of industries and jobs, including those that involve maintaining, repairing and operating mechanical equipment.

Mechanical comprehension tests measure how candidates apply their knowledge in a practical setting, with questions usually based around problems or scenarios they may encounter in the specific industry to which they are applying.

So an applicant’s score on a mechanical reasoning test is a good indicator to employers of how well they are likely to perform in the role.

The different types of mechanical reasoning tests

Employers can choose from a number of different test providers, so check which test you will be taking. Below we have outlined some of the most popular mechanical reasoning tests.

SHL Verify Mechanical Comprehension Test. This is the most widely used test for mechanical or technical positions, with questions on basic mechanical concepts such as gears, levers and pulleys. It could be used for jobs involving repairing and maintaining machinery, or designing mechanical components.

Bennett Test of Mechanical Comprehension (BMCT). This test is commonly used for engineering and mechanical roles. Along with mechanical comprehension, it assesses spatial visualisation, knowledge of physical forces and mechanical laws, and basic understanding of how machinery works.

Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude. This is used for roles where you will be required to operate and service tools and machinery, eg train drivers and aircraft engineers. Topics covered may include levers and pulleys, electronics and gears.

Barron’s Test of Mechanical Aptitude. This is mostly used as part of the selection process for the military. Questions may include gravity and velocity, hydraulics and shape/volume.

Stenquist Test of Mechanical Aptitude. One of the earliest mechanical reasoning tests produced, the Stenquist assessment is picture-based, requiring candidates to choose which picture fits with a group of pictures presented. Knowledge of machinery is a definite advantage.

Ramsay Mechanical Aptitude Test (MAT). This is predominantly used for roles involving technical production and maintenance, such as tool setters, machine operators and mechanics.

Format of mechanical reasoning tests

Mechanical reasoning tests are timed assessments and you will generally have around 20 to 30 minutes to answer 20 to 30 questions (so one minute per question).

Questions are usually based around mechanical and physical concepts and electrical principles, but you may also be assessed on your spatial reasoning skills and basic mathematics. These tests may be administered separately from the mechanical reasoning but will be included in the same testing session.

For the mechanical reasoning tests, you will be given an image depicting a mechanical or electrical scenario with a question related to this. As mentioned previously, these questions may be specific to the sector, meaning they will refer to a situation you are likely to encounter in the role you have applied for.

For military and emergency services roles, the mechanical reasoning test is more likely to focus on measuring your basic understanding and ability to apply key principles. However, for a technical or craft job you may be expected to make calculations.

Some questions may also require you to select the best tool for a specific job.

There are a range of topics that could be included in mechanical reasoning tests. Below we have listed the most popular subjects.

Electricity

  • Circuits – series, parallel
  • Magnetism
  • Circuit diagrams
  • Voltage, current, resistance, capacitors and charge

Mechanics

  • Forces and motions – torque, acceleration, pressure, gravity, velocity, momentum, etc
  • Energy – potential, magnetic, kinetic, thermal; work and power
  • Springs, gears, pulleys, levers, etc

Other

  • Calculation of areas
  • Conventions and units
  • Tools, terminology
  • Basic mathematics such as fractions, ratios, percentages and averages

Prepare yourself for leading employers

  • BBC
  • Deloitte
  • HSBC
  • Amazon
  • Google
  • NHS
  • Civil Service

Free practice mechanical questions

It is really important to practise mechanical reasoning questions as much as possible before your assessment. Put simply, the more familiar you are with the format of the questions and the topics covered, the better you are likely to perform on the day.

Below we have provided a selection of three sample mechanical reasoning questions. Here you can find more free cognitive ability tests, including mechanical reasoning and spatial awareness.

Mechanical practice question 1

mechanical cogs question

How many revolutions per second is C turning?

  • A) 5
  • B) 10
  • C) 20
  • D) 40

Mechanical practice question 2

mechanical magnets question

Which magnets will repel each other?

  • A) None of them
  • B) All of them
  • C) Pairs B and C
  • D) Pairs A and D

Mechanical practice question 3

mechanical pulleys question

How much force is required to lift the weight?

  • A) 60kg
  • B) 120kg
  • C) 180kg
  • D) 240kg

Solutions

Question 1: If a cog with 5 teeth can do a full 40 revolutions in a second, a cog with four times as many teeth with take 4 times as long to do a full revolution. This means, it will do 4 times fewer revolutions. So the correct answer is 10.

Question 2: Opposite poles on magnets attract, the matching poles repel. So the correct answer is A and D.

Question 3: There are two sections of rope that are supporting the weight, meaning that we can divide the force needed to lift the weight between them 120/2 = 60kg.

See also our article on how to pass mechanical reasoning tests for more tips and advice.

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Mechanical Reasoning Tests FAQs

How are mechanical reasoning tests scored?

Your score will be formed from the number of questions you answer correctly in the test. This will most likely be compared to a ‘normative group’ to define how you performed in relation to others. It is worth noting that most tests only have a completion rate of about five per cent. The majority of candidates will not get through all the questions, so it is more important to provide accurate answers than to focus on completing the test. Only the questions you answer correctly will count towards your score.

Which employers use mechanical reasoning tests?

Mechanical reasoning tests are highly specialised assessments, which you will only encounter for positions that require mechanics or electronic knowledge and skills. These include engineering and technical positions, emergency services and roles within the military. Mercedes Benz, Shell and Amazon are some of the major employers that use mechanical reasoning tests in their application processes.

What is basic mechanical knowledge?

Basic mechanical knowledge involves the ability to understand how mechanical equipment and tools work, and to apply that knowledge in practical situations. Those with basic mechanical knowledge are able to recognise and work with a number of key principles, such as force and movement, hydraulics, velocity and simple electrical circuits, among others.

What are examples of mechanical skills?

Mechanical skills might include repairing mechanical equipment, performing tests and analysing the results, carrying out equipment and system calculations, troubleshooting equipment, analysing problems and identifying solutions, and designing devices and components.

Where can I practice mechanical reasoning tests?

The best way to excel in mechanical reasoning tests is through consistent practice; this website is a good place to start. Here you can find the most widely used mechanical reasoning tests along with guides, tips, and practice questions set under test conditions.

What are mechanical reasoning tests used for?

Mechanical reasoning tests are used to evaluate a person’s ability to use the concepts of mechanics or electronics to solve problems. They are predominantly used during the selection process for engineering or technology-related roles.

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Mechanical Reasoning Tests Tips

1Practice, practice, practice

Practicing example questions is the very best way to prepare for mechanical reasoning tests. By trying your hand at practice tests you will gain a much better understanding of the types of problems you are likely to face during the test. This will give you time to brush up on any gaps or weak spots in your understanding of the key topics and principles.

2Revise key mechanical principles and techniques

Make sure you have a thorough understanding of the main concepts covered in mechanical reasoning tests and are able to apply them to solve real problems. For each question, think carefully about which technique you need to apply.

3Recreate exam conditions

Try to practice in conditions similar to those in which you will be sitting your real mechanical reasoning test. Find a quiet environment with minimal distractions and make sure you stick to the time limit. This will keep you more focused and will make the real assessment less daunting.

4Try things out for yourself

As well as completing practice tests, you can improve your mechanical reasoning skills in a more practical way. Try taking mechanical equipment apart to gain a better understanding of how it works, look for opportunities to work with different tools and equipment, and refer to technical user manuals to increase your knowledge.

5Work quickly but accurately

Make sure you understand how many questions you will have to answer and how long you have to complete the test. These tests are designed to put you under pressure and you may have as little as 30 seconds to answer each question. But remember only a small minority will complete the test; it’s more important to focus on getting the answers right.

6Read the instructions carefully

Make sure that you have understood what you are being asked to do, and double-check your calculations. Each question will only have one correct answer.

7Do your research

Find out as much as possible about the assessment before the test, such as which provider the recruiter is using and the format of the test. Employers typically provide this information to candidates on their careers website; if it’s not available, ask the HR department or other relevant point of contact.

8Be competitive

Try to measure your achievements against other users to make sure you stand out from the crowd. An average score might help you pass to the next stage, but may not be enough to bag you that job.

Mechanical Reasoning Video Tutorials

Mechanical Reasoning Tests

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Reviews of our Mechanical Reasoning tests

What our customers say about our Mechanical Reasoning tests

  • United States of America

    March 24, 2023

    Understanding polarity and revolutions per second concept

    I liked that this test switch up the thinking method to find each answer. Each question made you think with a different logic.

  • United States of America

    March 22, 2023

    Pay attention to detail

    I like that it was simple, however it doesn’t have much detail on its questions forcing you to imagine and use as much logic as possible.

  • United States of America

    February 08, 2023

    Easy to learn

    I like how much they explain every answer to the question thoroughly to help understand the answer better

  • United States of America

    January 18, 2023

    The type of questions to expect

    I like that I was given an idea on what to expect. I am going to need to take a test if I am offered a job that I signed up for.

  • United States of America

    December 29, 2022

    thank you

    i liked the test, it challenged me a lot, hopefully i do well on my real life test with this knowledge.

  • United States of America

    December 09, 2022

    Math

    I thought it was pretty straightforward but maybe a couple questions could use a little more clarity

  • Mozambique

    November 08, 2022

    The most important thing to know about machinery

    I liked all things, the questions were easy and clear too, I'm so happy to be able to participate in these classes.

  • United States of America

    October 05, 2022

    Perfect Pre-Test

    The explanation for each question is helping to understand the scenario and prepare for my aptitude test.

  • United States of America

    September 23, 2022

    Great test

    I like that this gave different situational questions I had never been asked before. It made me think about some of them.

  • United States of America

    September 22, 2022

    I learned a few things

    I was able to really understand why I got questions wrong and it explained it to me very well for me to understand

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