APTITUDE ASSESSMENTS – (CAN DO)

Watson Glaser

The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal is one of the most trusted tools in the world of assessing analytical ability. It’s a fast, reliable way to understand how well someone can interpret information, reason through problems, and draw logical conclusions. 

Designed for adults (16+), the test has been refined over decades and measures 5 key areas of critical thinking through a mix of question styles and difficulty levels.

What does Watson Glaser Measure?

  • Recognising assumptions: Identify hidden or unstated assumptions in a statement.
  • Evaluating arguments: Assess the strength and relevance of arguments for a specific issue.
  • Drawing conclusions: Assess the likelihood of a statement being true based on the information provided.

Key Benefits

  • Accurately measures critical thinking skills essential for complex decision-making.

  • Identifies high-potential candidates for leadership, professional, and analytical roles.

  • Supports fair and objective hiring decisions through evidence-based insights.

  • Predicts on-the-job performance in roles requiring analysis, judgement, and logic.

How it Works?

  • Delivered in multiple languages: UK/US English, French, Spanish, Dutch & more​
  • Flexible and scalable for any hiring or development process

Who is this Assessment for?

  • Graduate recruitment & university admissions​
  • Professional, leadership & management roles​
  • Succession planning & internal development​
  • High-stakes decision-making and strategic positions

Validity

  • Research‑Backed – Developed by the Pearson.

  • Predictive Accuracy – Predictive of workplace performance

  • Benchmarking & Standards – Large, diverse norm group

Reporting

  • Overall critical thinking score​
  • Sub-scores for assumptions, arguments, conclusions​
  • Actionable insights for hiring, coaching, or development decisions

VALID. FAIR. RELIABLE.

The Watson Glaser™ Critical Thinking Appraisal is one of the world’s most trusted tools for assessing high-level analytical and decision-making ability.

Designed to measure how effectively individuals evaluate arguments, interpret information, and draw logical conclusions, Watson Glaser provides a valid, reliable, and objective insight into a candidate’s critical thinking capability, making it ideal for roles where judgement, logic, and strategic thinking matter most.

FAQs

What is the Watson Glaser?

The Watson Glaser™ Critical Thinking Appraisal is a widely used assessment that measures a person’s ability to think critically, analyse information, and make sound decisions.

It evaluates key skills like drawing inferences, recognising assumptions, interpreting data, and evaluating arguments—making it ideal for roles that require strong judgement, problem-solving, and analytical thinking.

Who is the assessment designed for?

The Watson Glaser assessment is designed for professionals, managers, and leaders in roles where critical thinking, sound judgement, and decision-making are essential.

It’s commonly used in industries like law, finance, consulting, government, and graduate recruitment—anywhere analytical thinking and reasoning are key to success.

What does the assessment measure?

The Watson Glaser assessment measures five core components of critical thinking:

  • Drawing inferences – evaluating the likelihood of conclusions based on given information

  • Recognising assumptions – identifying unstated or hidden assumptions in arguments

  • Deducing – determining whether conclusions logically follow from the facts

  • Interpreting – assessing whether generalisations are supported by data

  • Evaluating arguments – judging the strength and relevance of arguments

Together, these provide a comprehensive view of a candidate’s ability to think logically, make sound decisions, and solve complex problems.

How long does the Watson Glaser Assessment take?

The Watson Glaser assessment typically takes 30 to 40 minutes to complete.

Do I need computer skills to take the assessment?

No advanced computer skills are needed. The assessment is user-friendly and designed for easy navigation.

Candidates just need basic digital skills like clicking, scrolling, and reading on-screen instructions. It can be completed on a desktop, laptop, or tablet—no special setup or downloads required.

What do employers use the results for?

Employers use the results to assess a candidate’s critical thinking ability

The results help:

  • Identify top talent for roles requiring sound judgement and analytical thinking

  • Support fair and objective hiring decisions

  • Inform leadership development and succession planning

  • Reduce risk in high-stakes roles by ensuring strong decision-making skills

It’s a trusted tool for selecting, developing, and retaining high-performing professionals.

How is it different from other assessments like IQ or psychometric tests?

Unlike general IQ tests or broad psychometric assessments, the Watson Glaser is specifically designed to measure critical thinking—the ability to evaluate arguments, identify assumptions, and make logical decisions.

It doesn’t focus on personality traits or general intelligence, but instead targets the skills most relevant to decision-making and problem-solving in professional settings. This makes it especially valuable for roles that require sound judgement, analytical thinking, and strategic insight.

Can it be used in recruitment processes?

Yes, the Watson Glaser assessment is widely used in recruitment—especially for roles that require strong critical thinking, sound judgement, and complex decision-making.

Is training needed to administer the Watson Glaser Assessment?

No formal training is required to administer the Watson Glaser assessment.

The platform is designed to be intuitive and easy to use, with clear instructions and automated reporting. That said, for teams looking to deepen their understanding or use the results for development or coaching, optional training and support are available.

Enable faster and smarter hiring decisions. Take the first step to streamlining your recruitment process.

TESTGRID CAN HELP TO

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35%

Reduction time to shortlist

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29%

Increase in sales performance

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20%

Reduction in staff turnover

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80%

of Fortune 500 companies use psychometric assessments

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Coles Logo

“This recruitment tool is an effective and efficient mechanism to screen high volumes of candidates…”

– Nina Pollard | National Head of Talent Acquisition, Coles

RESULTS
48k

Applications in 24 hours

95%

Reduction in time to hire

5,000%

Increase in applications

10k

Hires in under a month

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“The calibre of candidates at the engagement centres is much higher”

– Tracy Wright | Lead, Service Proficiency, NAB

RESULTS
$7.4M

Cost savings per year

20%

Required engagement sessions

80%

Candidates successful in final engagement

700 > 50 hrs

Reduction in recruitment time