Practicing Mechanical Reasoning Tests

Prepare for Your Mechanical Reasoning Test: Practice Makes Perfect

If you’re an engineer applying for a new job, chances are you’ll encounter a mechanical reasoning test during the recruitment process. These tests are designed to assess your understanding of mechanical concepts and your ability to apply them in practical scenarios. The good news? Just like any other aptitude test, you can prepare for it—and the better prepared you are, the more likely you are to succeed.

In this article, we’ll break down what a mechanical test typically involves, why employers use them, and how you can sharpen your skills with targeted practice. Whether it’s your first time facing a mechanical ability test or you’re looking to boost your confidence, you’ll find all the essential tips you need here.

What Is a Mechanical Reasoning Test?

A mechanical reasoning test (sometimes referred to as a mechanical aptitude test or mechanical understanding test) evaluates how well you understand mechanical and physical principles. Topics commonly covered include:

  • Forces and motion
  • Levers and pulleys
  • Gears and belts
  • Springs and hydraulics
  • Tools and shop arithmetic
  • Electricity and magnetism (in some tests)

These tests are typically multiple-choice and timed, often forming part of a larger selection process for technical, engineering, and mechanical roles.

Why Employers Use Mechanical Tests

Hiring an engineer isn’t just about reviewing academic degrees and work experience. Employers want to know that you can apply mechanical principles in a practical setting, solve problems quickly, and think logically under pressure.

That’s where the mechanical reasoning test comes in. It acts as a standardized, objective method for evaluating a candidate’s mechanical understanding, especially when multiple applicants have similar qualifications on paper. Your performance on this test could be a key factor in whether you land the job—or not.

Why You Should Practice Beforehand

While you may already have a strong foundation in mechanics thanks to your engineering background, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re ready for the specific format or pressure of the test. Practicing beforehand offers several clear benefits:

1. Familiarity with the Test Format

Mechanical tests often have unique question formats that you may not have seen in your academic training or previous roles. Practicing helps you get used to these formats so you can answer quickly and confidently.

2. Improved Speed and Accuracy

These tests are usually timed, with only seconds to answer each question. Practicing helps you recognize question types instantly and apply shortcuts or rules of thumb, reducing hesitation and boosting your score.

3. Reduced Test Anxiety

Even skilled engineers can feel nervous when taking a test under time pressure. Practicing puts you in the right mindset and helps you stay calm and focused when it counts.

4. Identifying Weak Areas

Practice tests reveal which concepts you may need to brush up on. Whether it’s fluid dynamics, rotational systems, or simple machines, you’ll know exactly where to spend your study time.

What to Expect on the Mechanical Aptitude Test

The exact content of a mechanical test depends on the role and the test provider, but you can generally expect 20–50 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 20–30 minutes. The difficulty varies, but the focus is usually on logical application rather than deep theoretical knowledge.

Here are some example question types:

  • Which gear will turn fastest?
  • If pulley A turns clockwise, which way does pulley B turn?
  • What happens to the output force if you double the input arm on a lever?
  • Which container will fill up first given different inlet and outlet positions?

Even if you’re confident with these topics, remember that time pressure and unfamiliar formats can lead to mistakes. Practicing will help eliminate those.

Tips to Succeed on Your Mechanical Ability Test

Ready to get started? Here are some practical tips:

1. Start with a Practice Test

Begin by taking a full-length mechanical reasoning test to see where you stand. This will help you identify your strengths and areas for improvement.

2. Review Key Mechanical Concepts

Revisit the basics: Newton’s laws, torque, pressure, friction, and energy transfer. Use diagrams and real-life examples to help these principles stick.

3. Practice with Realistic Questions

Use practice materials that mimic the actual test format. At Test The Talent, we provide targeted practice questions designed to mirror the types of problems you’ll see on real mechanical reasoning tests.

4. Focus on Time Management

Don’t get stuck on a single question. If you’re unsure, make an educated guess and move on—you can always come back if there’s time at the end.

5. Keep Practicing

The more practice tests you take, the more confident and accurate you’ll become. Regular short sessions are more effective than cramming the night before.

Where to Practice

At Test The Talent we specialize in preparing job candidates for aptitude and reasoning tests, including mechanical reasoning. Our platform offers:

  • Realistic mechanical aptitude tests
  • Detailed explanations for each question
  • Progress tracking to monitor your improvement
  • Timed practice to simulate real test conditions

Whether you’re brushing up for a technician role, engineering position, or technical apprenticeship, our tools are tailored to give you the edge.

Final Thoughts

Taking a mechanical reasoning test might feel intimidating, even for experienced engineers. But with the right preparation, you can walk into your assessment with confidence. Understanding the test format, revisiting core principles, and completing realistic practice questions will dramatically improve your chances of performing at your best.

Don’t wait until test day to find out where your weaknesses are. Start preparing today and show your future employer that you’re not only mechanically skilled—but test-ready.

 

 

Numerical Tests – Everything you need to know!

Who offers Numerical Tests?

There are various test providers who offer numerical tests either as a separate test or in combination with a verbal and logical test. Among the best known are:

SHL

  • SHL offers a numerical test, where you are given various graphs, tables or data sets. You have to answer multiple choice questions based on the data. Calculators are allowed. At Test The Talent you can try a numerical test for free. This will tell you how much more preparation you need to do to get your best SHL test score.

PICA – (PI-LI/PI)

Cubiks

  • The provider Cubiks offers both Cubiks combined and Cubiks only numerical test versions, which are available in two different difficulty levels. Nevertheless, the biggest challenge is the time factor. Calculators are allowed.

Saville

  • Saville tests are also combined tests. There are two versions. The numerical part is present in both versions. Here, too, you get various graphs and tables and have to answer multiple choice questions.

General Practice Tests

  • Test The Talent also offers the possibility for you to prepare for general tests that are numerical or include numerical sub-tasks. The preparation is suitable for tests such as:

What is a numerical test?

Numerical tasks are part of various ability tests because, apart from your understanding of numbers, they measure your analytical skills.

Depending on how well you perform, this shows how quickly you can learn new content.

In addition, your numerical test score indicates how you can cope with difficult tasks under pressure, especially if you have to do arithmetic. For tasks based on graphs and tables, your ability to analyse graphs and use information to arrive at the correct result is also indicated.

All these skills indicate how you will perform in the position you are applying for.

 

What are typical questions of a numerical test?

Lowest number

 

Number Sequences

Your task is to recognise the next logical number that fits into the given number line. The numbers could be added, divided, multiplied and subtracted.

 

Graphs and Tables

You get a graph or a table that contains various data. Based on the data, you have to calculate the corresponding question.

 

Calculations based on text

You receive an issue and have to calculate something.

 

Equations

In this type of question, you are asked either which arithmetic sign or which number completes an equation. Both sides of the equation must have the same value.

 

Did you know?

Of all the areas that test ability, it is easiest to improve in the numerical area.

Preparations

Extensive preparation possibilities with Test The Talent.

Intensive preparation through practice tests, with the opportunity to consolidate learned content through constant repetition.

In addition, you will become more familiar with the tasks through practice, which will help you to remain calm under time pressure.

Start preparing as early as possible and find out where your strengths and weaknesses lie.

If, for example, you almost always got all the number sequence questions correct in the practice tests, but have problems with the text tasks, you should focus more on the text tasks.

In the case of task types that relate to graphics and tables, intensive preparation is even more important when it comes to achieving the best possible final result.

The graphics are structured similarly in all practice tests as well as in the real tests. The content differs, but the structure is the same.

So take advantage of the opportunity and know the tasks before the actual test.

Which companies put a special focus on good results in numerical tests?

In principle, almost all companies attach importance to their candidates having basic numerical/mathematical skills. Depending on the industry, however, it varies greatly how pronounced the skills should be.

However, you should achieve a particularly good score in the numerical part if you apply to a company that fills positions where special numerical and analytical skills are required. This includes positions in the IT, accounting and management consulting industries.

Likewise, your numerical skills should be strong if you are applying for a management position. These require advanced analytical skills, as well as a strong interest in numbers and mathematical expertise.

Candidates for management positions must be clearly convincing in many areas and should therefore achieve the best results in the ability test.

If your goal is to apply for a professional position, use Test The Talent’s practice tests to make sure you get the job. It won’t be easy, but with the right preparation, you’ll be a huge step ahead of your competitors. Take your chance!

Logical Tests – Why they are important in the Application Process

Which tests contain logical(-inductive) question types?

In fact, most of all recruitment tests contain question types from the logical-inductive test area. The reason for this is the importance of these skills to a company, as well as the fact that competencies in this area are required in almost all positions. Well-known test providers that have integrated logical-inductive test questions are

SHL: SHL offers logical test types both as a single test and as a combined test with verbal and numerical test questions. The logical part consists exclusively of matrices that you have to continue logically. You can try a free SHL-Test at Test the Talent.

PICA: The PI test is a combined test. Here, as well, your logical abilities are tested by continuing matrices. You can also try a free PI Test.

Matrigma: Matrigma tests contain only logical question types. Again, in the form of matrices. You are given a figure with a series of boxes where the figures keep changing, as well as various possible answers. Your task is to recognize which box comes next from the possible answers.

Saville: The special thing about Saville tests is that there are two versions with a different logical test part. Variant one – the Saville executive – deals with logical-abstract tasks and tests your competences on the basis of matrices. Saville Analysis, the second variant, analyzes your logical-diagrammatic qualifications on the basis of various changes in shapes, which you have to recognize in a structured way.

Cubiks: Cubiks Abstract is a stand-alone test that also tests your reasoning skills using matrices that you must continue. Cubiks is also offered as a combined test.

General Practice Test: At Test The Talent, in addition to the well-known tests, you also have the possibility to prepare for logical test types in general. In the premium section you will find different types of tests with which you can prepare for logical tests of any type.

 

Different logical (-inductive) Question Types

Matrices 

These occur in almost all logical-inductive test parts. Your task is to find out which form belongs in the field with the question mark – that is, which form logically follows next.

 

 

Arrangements

Here you need to logically identify which arrangement of the parts forms the figure shown above.

 

 

Modification 

This kind of task is for example part of the Saville Analysis Test. In the upper left corner you can see which operator has which effect on the figures. Below you can see a picture of the effect. Your task is to see how the figures on the right (1.) change and then choose the correct answer option (A-D).

 

 

Why is logical knowledge so important in the application process?

Distinct abilities in the area of logical thinking, indicate that you can recognize correlations and regularities and combine information with each other. You thus prove that you can solve problems in a creative way and draw correct conclusions from complex information. These skills give you enormous plus points in any application process.

Especially in more complex positions, such as in management, it is of fundamental importance that you can, even under time pressure, relate a lot of complex information in order to offer creative solutions. Companies benefit from employees who have such skills in a pronounced form and will almost certainly always choose the candidate who can offer more in the area of logical and inductive thinking.

 

The best tips for solving logical (inductive) test questions

First of all, it is important to be aware of where your strengths and weaknesses lie. That’s where you need to focus and practice, practice, practice! It may be annoying, but make yourself aware of what you are training for: For your dream job. A hiring test is tough, and only extensive preparation will make the process of applying easier for you.

Repeat learned content as often as you can and try to understand the logic behind the types of tasks. Use the feedback you receive at the end of each completed practice test at Test The Talent for this.

In the premium area of Test The Talent you also get access to the solution guide for typical logical question types. This includes guidance and structure on how to approach and successfully solve each logical test question.

Don’t lose your motivation if you find it difficult at the beginning – it will get easier if you use the practice tests and prepare intensively.

Personality Tests

What are Personality-Tests?

Personality Tests are an important factor in the application process, especially in big corporations.

Did you know?

Many companies want you to take a personality test in addition to the aptitude test.!

While skills tests can reveal a potential candidate’s cognitive abilities, personality tests provide prospective employers with insight into what a skills test and resume don’t show. What are the candidate’s personal strengths and weaknesses? How strong is his or her motivation for the advertised position? Is there a culture fit?

Especially when it comes to filling management positions, personality tests are very popular because certain qualities are required, especially in these positions. Someone working as a manager or boss should be dominant, proactive and open to new things within healthy limits. So, to see if the candidate brings such qualities, many companies use personality tests.

In addition to management positions, personality tests can also be used for any other position to see to what extent the candidate has soft skills (such as team ability), work ethic and manners. Also how the general attitude of the candidate and his or her decision-making ability is, can be interpreted by personality tests.

It is also particularly important for the company to see how much the candidate fits into the company, i.e. whether there is a human and professional fit – in other words, whether there is a cultural fit.

Quick Explantation!

“Culture Fit”
How well your character traits fit with the company’s work culture, values and norms.

 

Who offers personality tests?

If you are invited for an assessment test in the near future, it is quite possible that you will also take a personality test.

The well-known providers of typical skills tests usually also offer an additional personality test.

So, should you be facing a skills test from the following providers, it is recommended to also look into the additional personality tests:

At Test The Talent, you can prepare extensively for the skills tests from these test providers so that you can get your best possible score on the final test.

Personality tests are a bit different. Preparation is only possible to a limited extent, because this type of test examines your personality, which is difficult to influence. In addition, there are no right and wrong answers.

In the following, you will learn why it still makes sense to deal with personality tests, which ones are available and how they are structured, whether you can still prepare yourself to a certain extent, and which personality companies look for in the application process.

 

Can you prepare for a personality test?

Yes, you can! But you cannot train for it, nor can you influence the result.

The test reveals your personality and gives the recruitment team important information about whether you fit the job position. Since you can’t really train your personality, you can’t train for the test.

What you can do, and should do, is study the structure of the test, the values of the company, and the tasks of your desired job. You should ask yourself what is required in this position, and whether and to what extent you possess these qualities. Possibly you can also consider in the previous what the company wants to hear and answer the questions accordingly. However, you should do this only to a certain extent, because in the end the test will show whether you have enough qualities where it is needed in the new position or not. So if you answer the questions the way the company wants to hear it, when you get the job, it will eventually be evident. So rather try to answer the questions as honestly as possible and prepare extensively for the associated skills test.

 

These companies offer the following personality tests:

SHL

SHL OPQ32 – Occupational Personality Questionnaire

In this test you have to answer questions related to your behavior, which in turn provide information about your character traits and show whether they match the qualities required in the position in question. You will be given four statements for each question and must indicate which statement you agree with the most and which the least. There is no time limit. As a rule, candidates need around 30-40 minutes to answer the total of 104 questions.

PICA

PIBA Behavioral Assessment

The test takes about 5-10 minutes and contains two different parts. Part 1 lists 86 adjectives. You are asked to choose the adjectives that most closely reflect you and your behavior. Part 2 includes the same list of adjectives, but this time you must indicate which adjectives others would use to describe you. Your answers from both parts will be compiled into a profile, which will be sent to the company where you are applying. This gives the company insight into how you will behave in certain situations and whether you fit the advertised position, purely in terms of your personality.

 

Cubiks

Cubiks Factors

Based on the „5 big Personality traits“

PAPI N: PAPI Normative

Known as first candidate screening to see who tends to fit. You are given statements and have to indicate how much you agree or disagree. There are no right or wrong answers. The answers of all candidates are compared with each other and patterns become apparent that show which candidates are more likely to be considered for the open position.

PAPI I: PAPI Ipsative

Used more often later in the application process. You are asked a question and you have to choose the answer that fits you the most and the one that fits you the least. The answers will determine your work direction and behavior.

 

Saville

Wave personality Questionnaire

Considered a strong indicator of how the potential candidate will do later in their career, as well as whether there is a culture fit with the company in question. The test includes statements with which the candidate either agrees or disagrees.

Situational Judgment Test

Involves various realistic scenarios to see how well the candidate fits the advertised position. The candidate is observed how he/she reacts to them. This type of test is very individual, as each test is tailored to the company.

 

Thomas International

Personal Profile Analysis (PPA)

This personality test measures your personal traits and sorts them into four different areas. These include dominance, influence, consistency, and learning ability. For each question, you will be given four answer choices, each of which will be added to one of the four character traits. At the end, each candidate is given three profile overviews that include the traits the candidate has, the ones they don’t have, and a combination of both.

 

Big Five Personality Test

ncludes 120 statements where you must indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with the statement. The Big Five Test is considered one of the most scientifically validated personality tests. It is also called the OCEAN Model and provides information about the following character traits:

O – Openness: tolerance, curiosity.

C – Conscientiousness: Attention to detail, planning, etc.

E – Extraversion: The ability to be extroverted.

A – Agreeableness: Indicates how good someone is in dealing with others.

N – Neuroticism: Says about how anxious someone is, especially under stressful situations).

 

What personal characteristics do companies look for?

Companies try to gain insights into the personality of potential candidates with a personality test. Which characteristics the company focuses on depends very much on the individual job position. In general, however, it can be said that clear strength of character in the following characteristics is an advantage:

  • Motivation. Both in relation to work, but also in relation to your life. If you want to see a lot, learn new things, make new acquaintances and have many different interests, these are all signs that you bring a lot of motivation and enthusiasm with you.
  • Work ethic and general manners. The basic qualities that are probably required in any position. It’s important for the company to see that you act in the company’s best interests, and most importantly, that you fit in with the company’s values and standards
  • Team Ability. This is about how well you can cooperate in a team. Whether you tend to prefer working alone or with others and whether you are supportive of other members or more of a lone wolf.
  • Dominance and intuitive action. These character traits are especially in demand in management positions. So if you aspire to a position in management, you should have a certain amount of leadership, as well as intuitive action in more difficult situations. This also includes making important decisions, as well as the ability to pull others along and motivate them.

 

 

 

Verbal Tests – Why it matters

Verbal Comprehension and Why It Matters

Verbal comprehension tasks measure a portion of your cognitive ability. In addition to numerical comprehension and logical/inductive reasoning, verbal comprehension and understanding complex text are an important part of being a successful candidate in the application process. At Test The Talent, you can prepare extensively for your employment test. If you are taking a verbal test, whether as a single test or a combination of numerical and logical/inductive tasks, intensive preparation will make the actual test easier.

 

Ability tests with verbal test part

At Test The Talent you can take practice tests to prepare for a wide variety of tests, some of which include a verbal section. The PICA and Saville tests are only available in a combined version. You can try out a PICA test for free at Test The Talent. The SHL or Cubiks tests are available both as a combined test and as individual tests for all three test areas. You can try a verbal SHL test for free. In addition, Test The Talent offers a general practice test that you can use to prepare for all common employment tests.

 

Structure of verbal tests

The test of SHL, in addition to the combined test, also has its own verbal test, which consists of text comprehension questions in multiple choice format. The same structure and type of verbal questions are also offered by Cubiks. Saville offers only combined tests. The verbal part of the combined test also includes questions about text comprehension. The verbal part of the combined test of PICA, is structured differently and includes three different verbal sub-tasks. There are analogies, logical reasoning tasks, and antonyms (explained in more detail below). The general practice tests of Test The Talent are similar, but this one also includes tasks where you have to identify which word does not match.

 

Text Comprehensive Questions

Based on a text you have to answer questions.

 

 

Antonyms

You are asked for the opposite of the given word.

 

Analogies

Two words that are logically related to each other.

 

Logical inference

Based on the statement, you must agree or disagree with the conclusion.

 

 

What word does not fit

One word does not logically belong to the other words

The most important tips when solving verbal tasks

Although this is true for all tasks, in the verbal part it is even more important to read through all questions as carefully and thoroughly as you can. Some verbal comprehension tasks, are easier to understand and others are more difficult. Watch out for possible comprehension traps or deliberate confusion. Basically, when it comes to verbal tasks, listen to your gut. Often the first, intuitive choice is the right one. The longer you think about the right word or meaning, the more confusing it will seem.

Very important: If you are unable to answer a question, act on the principle of elimination. Go through each answer choice and cross out the ones that you think make the least sense. Incidentally, an incorrect answer is not a detriment to your score. Therefore, you should always answer even if you don’t know the answer and have to guess. Since all questions are multiple choice, you always have a certain chance of guessing correctly.

Strong word comprehension in the application process

Solving mathematical problems in no time and understanding logical relationships are important skills that need to be present in top positions. But what about verbal skills? Is it so important to be able to express yourself well and to know many words?

What is the importance of strong verbal skills in the application process?

Strong verbal comprehension skills indicate that the candidate possesses the basics of direct communication, the ability to understand complex facts, and the ability to relate information and draw conclusions. This is very relevant for professional success, since in many fields complex verbal information must be processed daily, as well as conclusions with possible consequences must be recognized. When selecting candidates for an open job position, recruiters look for these skills to ensure that the potential candidate will do a good job in the future. Thus, it is very important that you also achieve above-average results in this area. Get one step closer to your dream job and prepare for your recruitment test with Test The Talent.

5 tips to get your best SHL test result 

1. confidence

As it will be in your future job: Success comes with time. The SHL test, which you want to pass in the best possible way in your application process, is no different. If you are now facing this big hurdle and are uncertain about the upcoming SHL test, you are in the right place. Turn your nervousness into willpower and motivation and shine in the application process for your dream job.

Test The Talent’s test simulation will enable you to take the SHL test with confidence and, if you prepare properly, get your best personal result.

To make the SHL test as real as possible, the test can be selected in different languages.

SHL tests are used by various companies to evaluate and compare potential candidates according to their skills. So here is your chance to stand out from the crowd and make an impressive and positive first impression in their dream company. Get one step closer to your dream job and prepare for your upcoming SHL test so you can approach it with confidence and poise.

2. schedule

Schedule enough time to best prepare for your SHL test. However, “enough” time is relative. Decide for yourself how much time you want to invest in preparation and practice time. Individually, some will need more hours and others less. Maybe your SHL test is the day after tomorrow? You should practice anyway! Time is an important commodity when preparing for any type of test. Be it an important exam, a piano recital, or an SHL test. It’s never too late to start studying. Especially not if the will is there to pass the test with the best possible score!

Find your own study rhythm and use your time wisely. First, take an SHL test in all three test areas: Numerical Knowledge, Logical Reasoning, and Language Comprehension. Get an overview of where your strengths and weaknesses lie. Focus first on the area that is easiest for you so that you can quickly see your first successes and thus increase your motivation. Then follow the areas where you still have great potential to improve. A schedule will help you to approach the preparation for your SHL test in a structured way. Determine fixed times when you want to train for the SHL test and integrate your learning process into your everyday life. This will help you gain confidence in your abilities and reduce potential nervousness.

3. practice

Test The Talent offers you the opportunity to test your existing knowledge and familiarize yourself with the test procedures so that you can take the test without tension and nervousness. In order to get the maximum SHL test solutions correct, it takes a little training and motivation to understand the background of the questions and how to solve them.

Practicing and reviewing the SHL tests will give you the experience you need to recognize familiar patterns and uncover possible thinking traps on real SHL test day. In addition, you will more quickly recognize the connections between test questions and answers and develop strategies that make it possible to master the SHL test even under time pressure.

Practice, practice, practice is the motto!

4. focus

At the end of each test you will receive an explanation of each solution. This includes how to arrive at the correct result, explains calculation or thinking steps and includes definitions and extensive explanations of the language comprehension tasks – take advantage of this! Where was the error in your thinking, what was missing to arrive at the result? Use the feedback to analyze where your strengths and weaknesses are and deepen them. Thus, in addition to the learning effect, you will also have the opportunity to understand the meaning and logic behind SHL test tasks. It will be easier for you, the more often you have worked on the different SHL tests.

After all, dumb repetition of the tasks is not very effective. The key is to memorize the procedure and solution paths in order to apply them in the real test and get the best possible personal SHL test score.

Place your personal focus where there is still room for improvement in order to improve in the best possible way. Pay close attention to the explanations and try to internalize each step to solve the tasks.

 

5. repetitions

In order to implement the last point mentioned correctly, to prevent mistakes and to deepen what has been learned in the long term, repetitions are required and as the word implies, this means doing everything over and over again. This may sound exhausting, but this is where you will see the benefits of practicing the SHL test.

You will see the improvements from the results and you will feel them noticeably when solving the tasks. You will get results much faster and notice successes. Memorizing ways you have already learned to solve typical test items and the routines you use to do so are the secrets to getting your personal best SHL test score.

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About Test The Talent

Test The Talent is a provider asssesment practice tests. Our goal is to prepare you for your employment test in the most effective and educational way possible. We offer numerical, logical-inductive, and verbal tests that are designed to match the real-world tests you will take to qualify for your dream job.

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