Guides ยท Updated October 2026

Psychometric test guides

Plain-English guides to how reasoning tests work, how they are scored and how to prepare.

Start Free Trial Get 14-Day Pass

Start with the general guides if you are new to assessments, then use the format and tips guides for the question types you find hardest. Every guide links to free practice tests and to ReasonEra's explanations.

Psychometric test guides

Are Psychometric Tests Hard?
Are cognitive psychometric tests hard? An honest look at why they feel difficult, how difficulty differs by question type and what actually makes them easier.
Can You Retake a Psychometric Test?
Can you retake a psychometric test? Retakes are decided by the employer, waiting periods vary, and platform help pages show how it works. Ask your recruiter.
Failed a Psychometric Test? What to Do Next
Failed or missed the mark on a psychometric test? Calm next steps: how to ask for feedback, diagnose weak areas, practise and plan for the next application.
How Long Do Psychometric Tests Take?
Typical psychometric test lengths with figures from SHL, Criteria and Talogy, what is not publicly confirmed, and why the full process takes longer than the test.
How to Pass a Psychometric Test
A practical, honest guide to preparing for timed cognitive psychometric tests: what to check, how to practise, pacing, common mistakes and test-day habits.
How to Prepare for a Psychometric Test in 24 Hours
A realistic 24-hour plan for a psychometric test: time blocks for checking the format, targeted practice, review, sleep and a calm test-day routine.
Pre-Employment Assessment Guide
A map of pre-employment assessments: cognitive ability tests, situational judgement, video interviews, assessment centres and work samples, and how to prepare.
Psychometric Test Results Explained
Plain-English guide to cognitive test results: raw score, percentile, norm group, sten and T-score, plus how employers use cut-offs and what to ask.
What Is a Good Psychometric Test Score?
There is no universal pass mark. See what shapes a good score, how norm groups and job level matter, and how to judge your own practice results.

Question formats explained

Critical Thinking Tests: The Five Skills, Each With an Example
Critical thinking tests in the Watson-Glaser style: inference, assumptions, deduction, interpretation and evaluating arguments, with an original example of each.
Deductive Reasoning Tests: Typical Formats and a Worked Example
Common deductive reasoning formats, syllogisms, rules and conclusions, ordering puzzles and logic grids, with a fully worked seating puzzle and verified answer.
Error Checking Tests: Formats, Worked Example and Method
How error checking tests work, the usual layouts, a verified worked example with two matching tables, and a method for comparing data quickly and accurately.
In-Tray and E-Tray Exercises: How They Work and How to Prioritise
What an in-tray (e-tray) exercise is, how tasks are usually structured and marked, an original worked inbox example and a simple method for prioritising.
Numerical Reasoning Test Formats: What You Will See and How to Read It
Tables, charts and graphs, multiple choice versus true/false/cannot say, and adaptive tests, with a worked data-interpretation example using an original table.
True, False or Cannot Say: How Verbal Reasoning Statements Work
Why Cannot Say is different from False in verbal reasoning tests, with a decision method, four original worked passages and cautions about guessing.

Test guides by category

Admissions and School-Entry Tests: Practice Guide (2026)
Practice guide to 7 admissions and school-entry tests: UCAT, CAT4, CogAT, ISEB Common Pre-Test, Oxford TSA, HSRT and BCAT, with worked examples and common mistakes.
Mechanical and Trade Aptitude Tests: Practice Guide (2026)
Practice guide to 8 mechanical and trade aptitude tests: BMCT-II, Ramsay MAT, SHL Mechanical, GAN, IBEW, elevator, UA pipefitter and WorkKeys, with worked examples.
Cognitive Tests by Assessment Vendors: Practice Guide (2026)
Practice guide to 12 vendor cognitive tests: RCAT, Predictive Index, PXT Select, Prevue, MMAT, AssessFirst BRAIN, Bryq, Omnia, Harver, Caliper, Metis ACE and BairesDev.

Tips by question type

CCAT Tips: Pacing, Guessing and Mixed Question Types
CCAT tips from public Criteria information: 50 questions in 15 minutes, pacing, guessing and handling mixed verbal, maths and spatial items.
Data Interpretation Tips: Charts, Graphs and Tables
Data interpretation tips for charts, graphs and tables: scales, axes, shares, percentage points and absolute change, with a worked table.
Inductive Reasoning Tips: How to Spot the Rule
Inductive reasoning tips with an original checklist for shape, colour, count, position and movement rules, plus a worked example.
Numerical Reasoning Tips: Where Marks Are Actually Lost
Practical numerical reasoning tips: estimation, percentages, reading tables and units, with original worked examples checked line by line.
Situational Judgement Test Tips: How They Are Scored and How to Reason
Situational judgement test tips: how SJTs are generally scored, best/worst versus rating formats, and how to reason about each option.
Verbal Reasoning Tips for Passage-Based Tests
Verbal reasoning tips for passage-based tests: how to read quickly, avoid outside knowledge and judge True, False or Cannot Say, with a worked example.

Test and provider guides

Aon Understanding of Basic Instructions (verbal instruct)
Aon Understanding of Basic Instructions: 8 minutes, 24 tasks, TRUE or FALSE only. Original example, why unclear means FALSE, pacing and practice.
Aon e3+ Ability to Concentrate: what is known and how to prepare
Aon e3+ Ability to Concentrate: a 2-minute test of sustained attention and quick reactions to signals. What is published, a focus drill and honest limits.
Aon gridChallenge: working memory test guide
What Aon publishes about gridChallenge, the working memory test: 9 minutes, nine tasks, plus an original practice drill, common mistakes and pacing.
Aon logical reasoning tests: AP Reasoning and the logic family
Aon logical reasoning explained: AP Reasoning (10 adaptive questions, 2:30 each) and the other Aon logic tests, with a verified original example.
Aon mechanical reasoning (scales mtu): guide and worked examples
Aon scales mtu mechanical reasoning: 15 minutes, 24 tasks, mechanical graphics. Original worked examples on levers, gears and pulleys, plus pacing.
Aon motionChallenge: planning puzzle guide
Aon lists motionChallenge as a 6-minute complex planning test. See what is published, a worked original puzzle, planning tactics and mistakes to avoid.
Aon numerical reasoning test: format, example and practice
Aon numerical reasoning: 12 minutes, 37 tasks, true/false/cannot say on data sheets. Original worked example, common errors, pacing and free practice.
Aon verbal reasoning test: what to expect and how to practise
Aon verbal reasoning facts: 12 minutes, 49 tasks, TRUE/FALSE/CANNOT SAY. Original passage example, wording traps, pacing and how to practise.
Cappfinity Assessment: Reasoning Tests
What Cappfinity publicly says about its cognitive tests, which details are not confirmed, and how to practise numerical, verbal, logic and error-checking items.
HireVue Assessment Guide
What HireVue publicly says about its recorded question format and game-based assessments: timing, question counts, practice and how to prepare calmly.
IBM Kenexa Reasoning Assessments
What IBM publicly says about Kenexa reasoning assessments and practice, what is not confirmed, and how to prepare numerical, verbal and logical skills.
Talegent PATH Cognitive Assessments
Talegent PATH cognitive tests explained: the seven listed tests, the 3-question official practice versions, timing, and free practice for numerical and verbal.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal
The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal: Pearson's published format, the five subtests with original worked examples, and free ways to practise.
Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test Guide
The Wonderlic cognitive ability test: 50 questions in 12 minutes, the question types in the official sample, scoring as published, and practice ideas.
eLitmus pH Test Guide
The eLitmus pH test: 3 sections of 20 questions, two hours, 600 marks, scores valid for 2 years, and what eLitmus says about negative marking.

Where ReasonEra fits

Use ReasonEra to build the skill, but some assessments are proctored and many forbid any assistance, so treat it as practice and not as a way around the test.

Make your next practice question count

Upload it, read the explanation, and try a similar one yourself. The free trials cover your first few.

Start Free Trial Get 14-Day Pass

Orders are completed with Paddle, with refund terms set out in the Refund & Cancellation Policy.

Notes. The guide summarises widely published practice, so confirm specifics with the recruiter. Please report errors to info@reasonera.com.