Mental Ability Test

-Cognitive and Psychometric Ability Test:

1. Logical/Abstract Reasoning
Example of logical reasoning questions
Dan is Joshua’s son and Guy’s brother. Margaret is Guy’s mother and Judy’s
daughter. Which of the statements below is definitely true?

1. Judy is Dan’s mother-in-law

2. Margaret is Dan’s mother
3. Judy is Joshua’s grandmother
4.None of the above

The correct answer is 4) ‘None of the above’.

From the question, we know that Dan and Guy are siblings. However, we do not
know whether they are full siblings or half-brothers. Margaret, who is Guy’s
mother, might not be Dan’s mother, and Joshua, who is Dan’s father, might not be
Guy’s father.

Source

Tips to score well in logical reasoning tests

 Jot down strategies: While preparing for these tests, jot down some easiest
strategies like how to start with a question and from where to start solving it which
will help in solving logical reasoning questions in a faster and smarter way.
 Look for clues in the given options: Logical reasoning questions have a
number of options from which the answers have to be selected. Look for clues in
the options to find out the correct answer(s).
2. Verbal Reasoning
Verbal reasoning questions examine students’ command on the language. They
help students enhance the ability to analyze information and solve problems
through a language-based reasoning approach. There are different types of verbal
reasoning tests.

 Rearranging sentences:

 This type of test examines students’ skills in rearranging sentences in a paragraph.

Students are asked to arrange 4 to 5 jumbled sentences in chronological order
 Reasoning: 

In this test, students are asked to find out whether there is an interrelation between
two sets of sentences. These questions are common in most competitive exams.

Example of reasoning questions

1. (A) Bangladesh imports jute from India.
2. (R) Bangladesh has most of the jute mills.                 

Options
1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A.
3. A is true but R is false.
4. A is false but R is true.
5. Both A and R are false.

Correct Answer: E. Both A and R are false.

Justification: When Bangladesh was formed after the partition of India, jute
production fields became a part of Bangladesh while jute mills were left in India.
Therefore, India imports raw jute from Bangladesh.

Source

Paragraph summary: 
 In this type of tests, candidates are given a paragraph followed by a few
statements.  They are required to choose the statement that accurately summarizes
the paragraph.
 Reading comprehension:

In these types of tests, students are asked to read a paragraph and answer a few
questions based on it. Students should go through the paragraph well before
answering the questions.
Tips to score well in verbal reasoning tests

 Keep the time frame in mind: Always remember that these tests are time-
bound. Hence, plan out the time that should be spent on each question.
 Read the questions attentively: Before answering questions, read them
attentively to understand what exactly has been asked. Sometimes, questions can
be a little tricky; so, reading them carefully helps in finding the answers fast.
 Don’t struggle with one question for long:  If you do not know the answer to
a question, leave it for the time being and move to the next. Do not spend a lot of
time trying to find the answer to that.
3. Data Interpretation
These types of tests are the easiest; yet many times, it may be difficult to find their
accurate answers. These questions generally include a lot of data, and thus, should
be solved in an organized manner. If a correct approach is not taken, these might
consume a lot of time. Generally, these are comprehensive questions with an
infographic displaying a mathematical formula or pie chart.
Such questions require students to interpret the given data and find the answer.  Let
us consider an example.
1. Study the following table and answer the questions.
Expenditures of a company (in Lakh Rupees) per annum over the given years
Item of Expenditure

Year Salary Fuel and Transport Bonus Interest on Loans

1998 288 98 3.00 23.4

1999 342 112 2.52 32.5

2000 324 101 3.84 41.6

2001 336 133 3.68 36.4

2002 420 142 3.96 49.4

What is the average amount of interest per year the company paid during this
period?
32. Rs. 32.43 lakh
33. Rs. 33.72 lakh
34. Rs. 34.18 lakh
35. Rs. 36.66 lakh
Answer: Option D (Toplayıb sayına bölüb)

Source

Tips to score well in data interpretation tests

 Do not spend a lot of time on a single question: In a test of 30 questions,
spend only one minute on each question to avoid leaving any question unanswered.
 Choose answers carefully: Questions are followed by tricky, multiple-choice
answers, which might confuse you. So, use your intelligence to find the answers
and don’t fall for the trick.
4. Puzzles
This is the oldest form of mental ability tests. These problems require extensive
thinking. Let us consider an example.
1. There are 8 batteries, out of which only 4 batteries work. You have to use
them in a flashlight that needs only 2 working batteries. To guarantee that the
flashlight is turned on, what is the minimum number of battery pairs you need to
test? 

Correct Answer: Best guess – Eight

Divide 8 batteries into 4 pairs and try them all. If none works, they all must have 1
bad and 1 good battery. Then, pick any two pairs and mix and match. The worst
case should take 4 more tries.
Tips to solve puzzles

Source

 Find out only one rule: The given questions may contain irrelevant data to
confuse you. Look at only one aspect of the question to solve it quickly.

Need for Mental Ability Tests

Mental ability tests help in determining the temperament of students when
something out of the box is asked to them. Such tests examine their time
management skills and encourage a fresh perspective towards life. In short, a
mental ability test enhances
 the ability to take the right decision at the right time.
 mental alertness and the ability to quickly interpret data.
 intelligence and reasoning skills.
 time management skills.
The above details about the mental ability test will help to narrate a clear picture of
it to the students.
 
Sample Questions to
Help You Prepare for an
Aptitude Test
According to the University of Kent Careers and Employability Service,
aptitude tests are a structured, systematic way of evaluating how people
perform or react to different situations. The tests have standardized
methods of administration, are timed and used to assess certain skills that
are needed for specific jobs or industries.

Types of Aptitude Tests        

There are many types of aptitude tests and this makes it easy to get lost in
translation. To provide some clarity, The Institute of Psychometric
Coaching groups these into different categories depending on the type of
cognitive ability. This is fluid and crystallised intelligence - both of which are
covered in this guide.

 
Fluid Intelligence: it refers to the ability to think and reason abstractly,
solve problems effectively and think strategically. It is most commonly
known as the ability to ‘think on your feet’. Tests in this category assess
skills such as problem-solving, learning new skills, integrating new
information, strategic thinking and decision making.

 
These include the following tests:  

 Abstract reasoning/Inductive reasoning: tests that identify how

well a candidate can see the underlying logic in patterns rather than
words or numbers.
  Diagrammatic reasoning/Inductive reasoning: assess the
understanding of concepts and ideas, visualised with the use of
diagrams and imagery instead of by linguistic or algebraic means.
 Logical reasoning: tests that assess your ability to think logically
and analytically.
Crystallized Intelligence: refers to the ability to learn from past experience
and apply this learning to work-related situations. These may include
preparing and analysing reports, using numbers as a tool to make effective
decisions and other more subject-specific activities.

 
It include the following tests:

 Mechanical reasoning: measures your ability to understand and

apply mechanical concepts and principles to solve problems.
 Numerical reasoning: assesses your ability to interpret, analyse and
draw logical conclusions based on numerical data presented in graphs
and tables.
 Verbal reasoning: examines your ability to understand verbal
information, think logically about written information, accurately draw
logical conclusions, produce written reports and convey information to
others in a clear and simple manner.
 Spatial reasoning: assesses your ability to understand complex
plans and shapes and identify the rules or patterns in them.
 Lateral thinking: tests your ability to solve problems with an indirect
and creative approach, viewing the problem in a new or unusual light.
The tests are often used by employers in hiring process alongside
interviews, application forms, references and academic results to help them
decide if the candidate is suitable for the role judging from current
knowledge and abilities. Like any other psychometric assessment tool,
aptitude tests aren’t perfect and shouldn’t be used in isolation when trying
to assess an individual’s potential. Candidates with disabilities, for
example, may be at a disadvantage when taking this type of test.

Other tests that are subject-specific, but less commonly used are:

 In-tray exercises: business-related scenarios that assess how well

you can prioritise tasks.
 Situational judgement tests: psychological tests that assess your
judgement in resolving work-based problems.
 Cognitive ability tests: measure general intelligence, covering
many categories of aptitude tests
 Watson Glaser tests: designed to assess your ability to apply
mechanical or engineering principles to problems; they are often used
for technical roles.
 Error checking tests: an unusual type of aptitude test that focuses
on your ability to spot errors in complex data sets
Preparing for Aptitude Tests

 
If you are searching for a job or finding the right career for you, practising
aptitude tests can help you improve your score and performance
enormously. Here are a few sample questions for each type of aptitude test
to help you practice:

 
 

 
 

Abstract Reasoning
EXERCISE 1: Which figure logically belongs on the spot of the question
mark?

123Test
EXERCISE 2: Which figure logically belongs on the spot of the question
mark?
 123Test
EXERCISE 3: Which figure logically belongs on the spot of the question
mark?

123Test
How to succeed: The best way to succeed in any abstract test that asks
you to recognise the rule behind the transformation of shape is to follow
your intuition. In these three examples, you need to quickly scan your
memory and choose the most suitable pattern. Practising abstract tests can
help you improve your memory as well as your ability to process
information quickly.

Diagrammatic Reasoning
EXERCISE 1: Which set does the Figure belong to?
 Assessment Day
 

1. Set A
2. Set B
3. Neither set A nor set B
The answer is 2) Set B.

 
Set A: Each box contains exactly one shaded star and two stars behind the
lines.

 
Set B: Each box contains exactly one shaded star and one star behind the
lines.

 
Figure: The Figure contains one shaded star and one star behind the lines.

EXERCISE 2: Which set does the Figure belong to?

 Assessment Day
1. Set A
2. Set B
3. Neither set A nor set B
The answer is 3) neither set A nor set B.

 
Set A: each box contains symbols with curved edges.

 
Set B: each box contains symbols with only straight edges.

Figure: the Figure contains symbols with both curved and straight edges.

 
EXERCISE 3: Which set does the Figure belong to?
 Assessment Day
1. Set A
2. Set B
3. Neither set A nor set B
The answer is 1) Set A.

 
Set A: each shape is made up of three segments.

 
 
Set B: each shape is made up of four segments.

 
Figure: The shape in the Figure consists of three segments.

 
 

 
How to succeed: just like abstract reasoning tests, diagrammatic tests
assess your logical reasoning skills. Your job here is to interpret what the
diagrams are saying and find the missing piece. The tests are commonly
used to assess candidates applying for jobs in marketing, investment,
banking or sales.

Logical Reasoning
EXERCISE 1: If there are no dancers that aren’t slim and no singers that
aren’t dancers, then which statements are always true?
 JobT
estPrep
1. There is not one slim person that isn’t a dancer.
2. All singers are slim.
3. Anybody slim is also a singer.
4. None of the above.

The answer is 2) – All singers are slim. The question is phrased negatively
and can be confusing.

 
EXERCISE 2: What replaces the question mark?

Assessment Day
Rule 1: From left to right, the arrow moves one place counterclockwise
around the box. This pattern continues onto the next row.

 
Rule 2: The shaded square location is indicated by the arrow in the corner.

 
EXERCISE 3: What replaces the question mark?

Assessment Day
Rule 1: From left to right, the arrow moves one place counterclockwise
around the pentagon each time. This pattern continues onto the next row.

 
Rule 2: From left to right, the arrow alternates between being in front of
and behind the pentagon. This pattern continues onto the next row.

 
 

 
EXERCISE 4: Dan is Joshua’s son and Guy’s brother. Margaret is Guy’s
mother and Judy’s daughter. Which of the statements below is definitely
true?

1. Judy is Dan’s mother-in-law

2. Margaret is Dan’s mother
3. Judy is Joshua’s grandmother
4. None of the above
The answer is 4) ‘None of the above’. Dan and Guy are siblings. However,
you do not know if they are full siblings or half-brothers. Margaret, who is
Guy’s mother, might not be Dan’s mother, and Joshua, who is Dan’s father,
might not be Guy’s father. Therefore the answer is ‘None of the above.’

 
How to succeed: logical reasoning tests usually come in two types of
questions. Both types present scenarios accompanied with carefully
selected statements or questions. These come in true, false or cannot be
determined statements, multiple-choice or best answer format, just like the
examples above. Preparing for logical reasoning tests and getting more
familiar with these well in advance can increase your chances of success.

Verbal Reasoning
EXERCISE 1: Identity which statements are true or false

 
Psychotherapists recognise that the law is generally in place to uphold
client-therapist confidentiality however, there are situations that may occur
where the therapist is under obligation to break that confidence. This
obligation can vary depending upon where the therapist is practising and it
may occur as a result of their employment contract or of the law. Where
such an issue does occur, the therapist is expected to firstly try and
discuss the presenting issue with their client; however in situations where
the factors under consideration are particularly urgent, it is accepted that
this cannot always be the case.

 
Legitimate breaches of confidentiality relate to circumstances where the
information the client has shared relates to acts of terrorism; information of
this nature must be reported. There are other circumstances where
breaching confidentiality may be considered legitimate, for example, in the
case of serious crime or suspected child abuse. Individual employers and
independent therapists have their own boundaries but must agree this
contractually with their client at the outset of the therapeutic relationship.

 
 
Question 1: Being obliged to break confidentiality in a therapeutic
relationship is always a direct result of the law.

1. True
2. False
3. Cannot Tell
The answer is 2) False – The law is one reason why someone would have
to break confidentiality, but their employment contract is another reason
why this could occur. ‘.. and it may occur as a result of their employment
contract or of the law.’

 
Question 2: When a client reports their involvement in a serious crime,
their therapist is legally obliged to report this.

1. True
2. False
3. Cannot Tell
The answer is 2) False – This is not true because they are legally obliged
to report acts of terrorism. The statement tells us that serious crime is a
circumstance which may be considered a legitimate reason.

 
Question 3: Therapists have some flexibility regarding what they deem
serious enough to lead them to breach confidentiality.

1. True
2. False
3. Cannot Tell
The answer is 1) True – the last sentence talks about the fact that
‘individual employers and independent therapists have their own
boundaries but must agree on this contractually with their client at the
outset of the therapeutic relationship’. This, therefore, means that they do
have some flexibility regarding what they deem to be serious enough.

 
EXERCISE 2: Identity which statements are true or false

 
Two charities have delivered a petition to the Prime Minister that has been
signed by over 35,000 people. The petition, jointly organised by the ‘Health
Food Group’ (HFG) and ‘Happy Heart and Mind’ is calling for a ban on junk
food adverts before 9 pm on any channel. The Government is also being
urged to tighten advertising regulations and protect children in this regard
more widely. The current regulations restrict junk food adverts from being
showing during children’s programming but there is nothing to stop them
being shown during popular family slots, such as Saturday evenings when
many children watch television with their families.

 
Casey Stemp coordinated the petition and is a strong advocate of the
proposed changes. ‘By removing junk food adverts from television at any
time before 9pm, we would be seeing a simple, popular and effective move
that would help parents to tackle the increasing desire of young people to
consume such foods.’

 
The loopholes that junk food companies find mean that our younger
generation is faced with a constant bombardment of junk food adverts. As
future generations are becoming more and more obese we have to look for
opportunities to alleviate the temptations they are facing on a daily, if not
hourly basis!

 
Question 1: Current advertising rules allow junk food adverts to be shown
on some children’s channels.

1. True
2. False
3. Cannot Tell
The answer is 2) False – This is not true as paragraph 1 tells us that the
current regulations restrict junk food adverts during ‘children’s
programming’ which would, of course, include children’s channels.

 
Question 2: Saturday evenings are a time when many families would be
tempted to indulge in junk food.

1. True
2. False
3. Cannot Tell
The answer is 3) Cannot Tell – Whilst we know that junk food adverts can
be shown on Saturday evenings, this doesn’t imply that families would be
more tempted to eat junk food at this time.

 
Question 3: Obesity amongst young people is steadily declining.

1. True
2. False
3. Cannot Tell
The answer is 2) False – Obesity is actually increasing as we are told ‘As
future generations are becoming more and more obese…’

 
How to succeed: The secret to succeeding in verbal reasoning tests is to
take every word literally. As such, you need to be able to read through it
quickly and understand what the passage is saying. The answers you are
looking for are given in the text and you need to ask yourself if you are 100
percent sure the statement is true or false. If you can’t tell for sure, you can
also check the possibility of Cannot Say. To succeed you need to practice
some questions for yourself and then look at the solutions to find out what
went wrong.

Mechanical Reasoning
EXERCISE 1: Read the question and select the best answer from the
options available.

 
Question 1: How much force is required to lift the load?

Wikijob
1. 20 kg
2. 10 kg
3. 5 kg
4. Impossible to say
The answer is c) 5 kg. The weight is 20 kg and there are 4 ropes
supporting the weight. Therefore the force required to lift it is 20 kg divided
by 4, which is 5kg.

 
Question 2: What is the capacitance of the equivalent capacitor
(condenser) of the circuit shown in the diagram below?
 JobT
estPrep
1. 4mF
2. 3mF
3. 12mF
4. 5mF
5. Impossible to answer
The answer is 3) 12mF. In order to solve this question it will be easier to
look at the circuit as though it is made up of two parts: I) capacitors 3 and 4
connected in parallel and II) the equivalent capacitance of I) and capacitor
5 connected in parallel.

 
Connecting capacitors in parallel is based on the fact that the voltage
potential on the capacitors is equal and is also equal to voltage potential on
the equivalent capacitor.

 
Cequivalent = C1 + C2 + ….

 
By inserting the data for capacitors 3 and 4 we will receive the following
equivalent value:

 
Cequivalent of the upper two capacitors = 3mF + 4mF = 7mF

 
Similarly, we can calculate the capacitance of the equivalent capacitor in
the circuit using the equivalent capacitance of (3+4) and 5:
 
Cnet = 7mF + 5mF = 12mF

 
 

 
Question 3: The following diagram shows two fixed cogwheels which can
only rotate around their own axis. The red cogwheel has 24 teeth and the
grey cogwheel has 12 teeth.

 
A toothed belt is inserted between the two cogwheels and is moved in the
direction shown by the arrow. In which direction and velocity will the grey
cogwheel rotate in comparison to the red cogwheel?

JobTestPrep
 

1. Double the velocity, opposite direction

2. Double the velocity, same direction
3. Double the velocity, same direction
4. The red cogwheel moves at double the velocity of the grey cogwheel,
in an opposite direction
The answer is 1) double the velocity, opposite direction. When contact is
made between the toothed belt and the cogwheels a conversion from a
linear velocity to an angular velocity occurs. Thus, the location of the point
of contact is critical.

 
We can see from the diagram that the point of contact between the red
cogwheel and the toothed belt is at the lower part of the red cogwheel, a
position in which the linear velocity induces an angular velocity in a
clockwise direction.

 
In contrast, the point of contact between the grey cogwheel and the toothed
belt is at the upper part of the grey cogwheel, a position in which the linear
velocity induces an angular velocity in a counter-clockwise direction. It
follows that the cogwheels rotate in opposite directions.

 
The angular velocity can be calculated using the thumb rule: “fewer teeth,
faster velocity”. Due to the inversely, proportional ratio between the number
of teeth and the velocity we are able to assume that since the grey
cogwheel has half the number of teeth, its velocity must be double the
velocity of the red cogwheel.

 
How to succeed:

 
these tests measure your ability to apply cognitive reasoning to
mechanical, physical and practical concepts to solve related problems.
They assess how well you can apply reasoning in a practical environment
and are often used during the selection process for jobs in the fields
of engineering, emergency services and the army.

 
You will be required to answer questions based on topics such as electrical
circuits, pulleys, levers, springs, tools, gears, weights, friction, pressure,
gravity, volumes, and maps amongst others, just like the examples above.
The best way to prepare for these is to take the time to understand in your
mind what problems are solved by these mechanical techniques, how they
work and how they are applied in the real world.

 
Well-known mechanical reasoning tests employers use include Bennett
Test of Mechanical Comprehension, Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude,
Barron’s Test of Mechanical Aptitude and Stenquist Test of Mechanical
Aptitude.

Numerical Reasoning
Question 1: On average, how much market value in Asia would a Uranium
employee create per week (52 weeks a year)?
JobTestPrep
1. $5.3
2. $5.5
3. $5.7
4. $5.9
5. Cannot Say
The answer is a) $5.3. The market value of Uranium in Asia is
$427,000,000. This sum is divided by the number of Uranium employees
(1,542,000) = 427,000,000/1,542,000 = $276, 91.

 
$276.91 is the market value in Asia for extracted Uranium per employee
per annum. The question refers to a week, therefore, we divide the
calculated sum (representing a year) by 52 = 276.91 / 52 = $5.3

 
 

 
Question 2: Approximately, what is the percentage growth in final energy
consumption for the domestic sector in million tonnes of oil equivalent? 
JobTestPrep
1. 2
2. 2.08
3. 20,88
4. 23,81
5. 18,96
The answer is e) 18.96. To answer this question you must first find the
amount of oil equivalent used by the domestic sector in each year.

 
In 2001: 213.6*0.29 = 61.94 million tons

 
In 2011: 237.7*0.31 = 73.69 million tons

 
The percentage growth rate would be (73.69/61.94) – 1 = 0,18957. Multiply
by 100 to get 18.96%.

 
In short: [(237.7*0.31) / (213.6*0.29)-1]*100=18.96

 
 

 
Question 3: If the value of the company’s cash flow from operations
decreased by 2.7% in 2012, and 63% of their total cash flow was from
operations, what would be the total balance of the company, in millions?
 JobTestPrep
1. 30.89
2. 41,37
3. 45,2
4. 47
5. 46,33
The answer is e) 46.33. To solve this question, you must first find the
value of cash flow from operations in 2011, where it was 30 million. Then
calculate a 2.7% decrease: 30*0.973 = 29.19

 
You can now find the total balance using the percentage given in the
second part of the question 29.19/0.63 = 46.33

 
How to succeed: Numerical tests are used in the finance sector and more
specifically in banking, accountancy and insurance. They can be tricky,
though becoming more familiar with these and challenging yourself with
practice tests can help you prepare effectively.

Spatial Reasoning
EXERCISE 1: Find the correct answer

 
Question 1: When folded, which box can be made from the 2D image
shown below?
Psychometric Success
The answer is E) to solve this you need to check if any answers have
rotated only one element. For example, in answer D, the triangle points
now face the circle, which shows that they have rotated relative to other
elements and are incorrect.

 
Look for any elements that physically could not be next to one another. For
example, in answer B, the two white squares are next to one another,
which is physically not possible as on the diagram they are always
separated.

 
 

 
EXERCISE 2: Find the correct answer

 
Question 2: What shape can be assembled using all of the individual
shapes shown?
 Psychometric
Success
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
The answer is a) B. 

 
 

 
EXERCISE 3: Find the correct answer

 
Question 1: Office Perez is in Tosh St with City Hall to her right. What
direction is she facing?
 Psychometric Success
1. North
2. South
3. East
4. West
Question 2: She turns and walks to the junction with West St. She then
turns right and walks to the next junction before turning left. Where is
location ‘O’ in relation to her position?

1. North
2. South
3. East
4. West
Question 3: Officer Martinez starts from location ‘M’ and proceeds as
follows: left onto Valencia Av – leading East, second left – heading North,
second right – heading East, second left – heading North. He proceeds
North for two blocks. What is his location?

1. N
2. O
3. R
4. P
How to succeed: Spatial reasoning tests are used for many public safety
positions – firefighters, police, and 911 dispatchers but also engineers,
architects and chemists, and assess if you have the specific spatial
intelligence needed for this type of job.
Lateral Thinking
Question 1: Three switches outside a windowless room are connected to
three light bulbs inside the room. How can you determine which switch is
connected to which bulb if you are only allowed to enter the room once?

 
Solution: Switch on the first switch, leave if for a minute, and then switch it
off again. Then switch on the second switch and enter the room. The
second switch will be connected to the light that is on, the first switch will be
connected to the light with the warm bulb, and the third switch will be
connected to the light with the cold bulb.

 
 

 
Question 2:  A man rode into town on Monday. He stayed for three nights
and then left on Monday. How come?

 
Solution: Monday is the name of his horse.

 
 

 
Question 3: A five letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to
it. What is the word?

 
Solution: The word is ‘short’.

 
 

 
Question 4: A man was pushed out of a small aeroplane, without a
parachute, but survived with no injuries apart from a few bruises. How was
this possible?

 
Solution: The aeroplane was on the ground.

 
 
 
Question 5: If the day after the day before yesterday was Tuesday, and
the day before the day after tomorrow is Thursday, what day is today?

 
Solution: Wednesday

 
 

 
Question 6: A farmer owns a beautiful pear tree. He supplies the fruit to a
nearby grocery shop. The shop owner has called the farmer to see how
much fruit is available for him to purchase. The farmer knows that the main
trunk has 24 branches. Each branch has exactly 12 boughs and each
bough has exactly 6 twigs. Since each twig bears one piece of fruit, how
many plums will the farmer be able to deliver?

 
Solution: None – it’s a pear tree.

 
 

 
Question 7: If a plane crashes on the Italian/Swiss border, where do you
bury the survivors?

 
Solution: You don’t bury survivors!

 
 

 
Question 8: An Australian woman was born in 1948 but only celebrated
her 16th birthday quite recently. Why?

 
Solution: She was born on February the 29th.

 
 

 
Question 9: A black man dressed all in black, wearing a black mask,
stands at a crossroads in a totally black-painted town. All of the streetlights
in town are broken. There is no moon. A black-painted car without
headlights drives straight toward him, but turns in time and doesn’t hit him.
How did the driver know to swerve?

 
Solution: It was daytime.

 
 

 
Question 10:  What is the next letter in this sequence J F M A M J ?

 
Solution: J – for July. They are the first letter of the months of the year.

 
 

 
How to succeed: Lateral thinking tests include puzzles and brain teasers
and are used by employers to assess a specific problem-solving style that
involves looking at a situation from unexpected angles and measure your
creativity. There are many types of lateral thinking tests e.g. mathematical
lateral logic tests, and the more you prepare, the more your chances of
success.

Useful Resources
As far as it concerns preparing for aptitude tests, there is really no excuse
for not trying, especially when you can find everything you need online.  If
you want to make sure you are 100 percent ready to take an aptitude test,
you need to check out these sites:

 JobTestPrep: the site has everything you need to know regarding

aptitude tests with questions, explanations and even PDF copies.
 PracticeAptitudeTests: a site dedicated to aptitude tests preparation
to help out job applicants and graduates.
 Institute of Psychometric Coaching:
 SHL (CEB): an international company that operates in over 50
countries and provides tests in over 30 languages. It offers access to
over 600 certification tests, work and personality assessment.
  Kenexa: An IBM company provides recruitment services to
organisations to attract and hire talent.
 Cubiks: international talent assessment specialists who offer
psychometric tests and run assessment centres for employers.
 Talent Q: the site offers a portfolio of assessments, training programs
for HR professionals and consultancy services.
 Saville: it provides personality questionnaires and aptitude
assessments helping employers find the right candidates and offers
great tips too.  
 123test: offers free psychological tests including IQ tests, personality
tests, work values tests and skill-specific tests to examine responsibility
in teams.
Apart from practice tests, these sites offer valuable tips and advice on what
aptitude tests are, what they do, and why preparing for them is vital to
getting a job and advancing in your career! Aptitude tests aren’t difficult as
long as you prepare properly. Persistence and patience are all that it takes
to succeed!

 
Have you ever taken an aptitude test? If yes, how did you find it? Let us
know in the comments section below…