Don't know if plans prefer to take off into the wind or not. One increases speed of the plane, where flying into wind makes a greater differential
What are mechanical reasoning tests?
Occasionally known as electrical aptitude tests, mechanical reasoning tests examine your mechanical and electrical knowledge.
The topics covered include everything from circuits and voltage, to energy and pressure, and you’ll have about 40 seconds to answer each question from a list of possible answers.
The skills you’re being tested on are very specific, and whether you’re reasonably well-versed in mechanical knowledge or not, we always recommend practising mechanical reasoning tests before the big day.
Why do employers use mechanical reasoning tests?
In general, aptitude tests are used by employers who need to find out more about their different applicants’ skill sets.
The mechanical reasoning test is often set for jobs in the technology industry, as all the topics and skills covered are relevant.
The test also gives the employer a good idea of how well you cope under time pressure, as you'll only have about 40 seconds to read and answer each question on the test.
What is the mechanical reasoning test format?
You’ll answer questions on electrical and mechanical subjects - anything and everything from pulleys and levers, to pressure, energy and voltage.
The answers are multiple choice but that doesn't mean the test is easy - in fact, it’s designed to be challenging as it needs to help an employer to choose the best person or people from a pool of applicants with potentially very similar skills and levels of understanding.
Practising as many tests as you can beforehand really is the best way to get faster and better.
What skills does mechanical reasoning test?
Your mechanical and electrical knowledge will be under scrutiny, as well as your ability to keep calm and answer the questions accurately in a limited amount of time.
The most common topics on the test are mechanical and electrical subjects such as energy, levers, pulleys, force and circuits.
Reading up on the test and practising some mock papers before the big day is a great way to get ahead of the competition and build confidence in your skills.
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Sample Mechanical Reasoning Tests question Test your knowledge!
Score: /5
What is likely to happen if you switch the polarity of a DC motor's power supply?
- The motor will stop working.
- The motor will reverse its direction of rotation.
- The motor's speed will double.
- The motor will heat up but not rotate.
If you apply a force to compress a spring and then release it, what will happen to the spring?
- The spring remains compressed.
- The spring returns to its original length and stops.
- The spring expands beyond its original length.
- The spring breaks.
What is the primary function of a lever?
- To redirect fluid flow.
- To store electrical energy.
- To increase force at the expense of distance.
- To generate heat through friction.
In a gear system, if the driving gear has fewer teeth than the driven gear, how will the speeds of the gears compare?
- The driving gear is slower than the driven gear.
- The driving gear is faster than the driven gear.
- Both gears operate at the same speed.
- The speed of the gears depends on their material, not their teeth.
Which of the following principles explains why a heavier person will sink more deeply into a trampoline than a lighter person?
- Magnetism
- Electrical Resistance
- Gravity and Elasticity
- Pressure Differentiation
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Mechanical Reasoning Tests Tips
- Understand the Basics
Before you dive into practice tests, ensure you have a solid grasp of mechanical principles. Resources are abundant online for brushing up on the core concepts of mechanics and electricity that you'll be tested on. Start with the fundamentals and work your way up to more complex topics.
- Time Management is Key
Since you usually have just 40 seconds per question, speed and accuracy are vital. Work on pacing yourself. Maybe start by allowing yourself a minute per question and reduce the time gradually as you get more confident. It's about finding the sweet spot between haste and accuracy.
- Familiarize with Question Formats
Understanding the format of the questions can be as important as the content. With Techtest, you'll see a range of question types that mimic what you'll encounter in the real tests, so you're not caught off-guard. Get used to the patterns and types of questions you'll face.
- Practical Application
Always think about how a mechanical principle applies in real-world scenarios. When you understand how theory translates to practical application, you're more likely to deduce the right answers quickly.
- Hone Your Problem-Solving Skills
These tests are designed to assess your problem-solving ability as much as your technical know-how. Keep challenging yourself with increasingly difficult problems. Techtest offers a variety of difficulty levels, allowing you to systematically raise your problem-solving game.
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Mechanical Reasoning Tests FAQs
- How are mechanical reasoning tests scored?
Once you’ve completed the test, your score will be compared with the scores of a normative group - this helps the employer who has set the test to determine how you’ve done in comparison to your peers and is a more useful indicator of your skills than looking at the result in isolation.
- What are mechanical reasoning tests used for?
If you’re applying for a job in the technology industry, it’s highly likely that you’ll require strong electrical and mechanical skills. By setting such a test, an employer gets the chance to see how a large pool of people, potentially with very similar skills and experience on paper, perform under pressure.
- What do mechanical reasoning tests involve?
The test is focused on different mechanical and electrical problems. You’ll normally have around 40 seconds to answer each question, so making sure you’ve practised and you feel prepared for the big day really does matter.
- What do mechanical reasoning tests measure?
The test will put your electrical and mechanical knowledge under scrutiny. To do the best you possibly can on the day, we always recommend practising mechanical reasoning tests, and as many as you can, to get used to the different questions, the knowledge you need and the time you have to answer each question.
- Where can I practice mechanical reasoning tests?
On our website you’ll find a whole host of mechanical reasoning tests to practice. You’ll also be able to pick up helpful tips and tricks along the way.
- Which employers use mechanical reasoning tests?
The test is most commonly set by employers in the tech industry because the skills examined, mechanical and electrical, are skills you’ll need day-to-day in the role you’re applying for.
Reviews
What our customers say about our Mechanical Reasoning Tests
Taylor Simas
United States of America
April 06, 2022
Lots of Physics