Recruitment Series Guide: Online Tests (Law)

Why do employers use online tests? .............................................................Page 2

Critical Reasoning Tests: Watson Glaser and BCAT .................................Page 2

Watson Glaser.......................................................................................................Page 2
What firms use the Watson Glaser?...............................................................Page 2
Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) ...................................................................Page 3
Top tips for preparing........................................................................................ Page 5
Practice papers.................................................................................................... Page 5
Top tips for on the day ...................................................................................... Page 6
1
Why do employers use online tests?
• They are viewed as an impersonal, standardised
and objective way of assessing candidates
• To assess how candidates, handle certain situations/tasks
• To see whether candidates poses the qualities and skills necessary to the role
• Offer candidates flexibility to complete in their own time and place

Critical Reasoning Tests: Watson Glaser and BCAT

Many aspiring solicitors and barristers with be faced with a critical reasoning test as
they begin their legal careers. Critical thinking can be defined as:

 ‘the ability to consider a range of information derived from many different

sources, to process this information in a creative and logical manner,
challenging it, analysing it and arriving at considered conclusions which can be
defended and justified’ (Moon, 2008).

Critical thinking skills include the ability to:

 structure a sound, solid argument

 analyse and synthesise available information
 make assumptions and inferences
 evaluate given information
 draw conclusions that can be supported with evidence

These are seen by many legal employers as essential skills for buddying lawyers and
are therefore used as part of their assessment processes. These tests fall into two
main types:

 Watson Glaser
 Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT)

Watson Glaser
Watson Glaser tests are used to assess budding solicitors by most major law firms.
They are usually:

 Multiple choice
 Conducted under timed conditions
 Fall into one of two types:
 Form A / Watson Glaser 1: 40 questions in 35 mins
 Form B / Watson Glaser 2.0: 80 questions in 60 minutes

2
  Online or paper

What firms use the Watson Glaser?

 Allen & Overy
 Baker & McKenzie
 Burges Salmon
 Clifford Chance
 Dentons
 Government Legal Service
 Hogan Lovells
 Hill Dickinson
 Ince & Co
 Irwin Mitchell
 Linklaters
 Simmons & Simmons

Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT)

The BCAT is an essential stage for any student wishing to become a barrister. The
BCAT is:

 Based on the methodology used in Watson-Glaser test and follows the same
question format
 55 minutes in length
 As of 2013, all students in the UK who take the Bar Professional Training
Course (BPTC) are required to first pass the BCAT.
 The BCAT needs to be taken and passed before the deadline for accepting a
place on the Bar Professional Training Course, which is on the 2nd of April.

Skills being assessed

The critical reasoning skills being assessed in both the Watson Glaser and BCAT are
as follows:

 Drawing Inferences
 Recognising Assumptions
 Deductive Reasoning
 Logical Interpretation
 Argument Evaluation

Question Types

3
Each of these skills is assessed through a different style of
question. Below you’ll find further detail on these question
types:

1. Drawing Inferences
 Each question contains a factual statement that is regarded as true, followed
by a selection of inferences drawn from the statement.
 You will be asked to select one of five options for each inference: True,
Probably True, Inadequate Data, False and Probably False.
 True means beyond doubt it is true = you can find it in the text.
 Probably true means it could be true = you cannot find it directly in the text but
it is inferred.
 Inadequate data means the statement requires more information from the text.
 Probably false means it could not be true = you cannot find it directly in the text
but it is inferred.
 False means it is not true = you can find it in the text.
 Base your answer only on the text and read each sentence very closely.

2. Recognising Assumptions
 You’ll be shown two statements and you have to make a judgment call on
whether the second statement can be justified by the assumptions of the first.
 Your answer must be either ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
 Is it logically possible for the assumption to be made from the statement?
 Does the assumption directly address the statement?

3. Deductive Reasoning
 You’ll be asked to decide whether a follow-on statement is true based on a
prior statement.
 Your own knowledge must be disregarded, general knowledge is not being
tested here, your decision must be based 100% on the first statement.
 Your answer must be either ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
 Try to create a mental flow chart for the statement which might clear up the
follow-on statement e.g. if A + B then this leads to AB.

4. Logical Interpretation
 You’ll be shown a paragraph that you must accept to be valid, and then you’ll
be shown a ‘conclusion’ that follows on from the initial paragraph.
 You must decide whether the conclusion is fair ‘beyond reasonable doubt’.
 Again, you can only answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

4
  Only answer ‘yes’ if the statement directly
addresses the paragraph’s message. If in doubt,
reread the statement.

5. Argument Evaluation
 You’ll be shown two passages of writing: a question statement and an answer
statement.
 You must decide whether the answer statement is ‘strong’ or ‘weak’.
 A ‘strong’ answer directly addresses each part of the question even if the
argument is considered ethically ‘wrong’. Be careful that you only use logical
reasoning so closely read the message of the statement.
 A ‘weak’ answer diverts from the statement, jumps to an illogical conclusion
and/or does not answer the question.
 Pay close attention to each word used in the passage.

Top tips for preparing

 Research the test format and what each style of question is looking for
 Research the meaning of any language you don’t understand, eg. ‘inferences’
or ‘assumptions’
 Practice online ahead of the recruitment period – don’t wait until you’re invited
to complete a test to start practicing!
 Practice once or twice a week over a few months until you see improvements
 Read solutions to find out the correct answers
 Find as many practice tests as you can – consider sharing a subscription to an
online test provider or ask your university careers service
 The example practice tests are slightly easier on the official websites but use
them to get used to the Watson Glaser mindset!

Practice papers
Job Test Prep

The Lawyer Portal

Practise Aptitude Test

Talent Lens

Test Partnership

5
iPrep

Assessment Day

You can also pay to subscribe to an online tests website

such as Assessmentday.co.uk, but before doing so make sure you check if your
university offers any free subscriptions to students or see if you can share an account
with a friend.

Practice tests can be found on the websites of many law firms, including:

 Allen & Overy

 Baker & McKenzie
 Burges Salmon
 Clifford Chance
 Dentons
 Government Legal Service
 Hogan Lovells
 Hill Dickinson
 Ince & Co
 Irwin Mitchell
 Linklaters
 Simmons & Simmons

Top tips for on the day

 Take the test in a quiet environment where you won’t be disturbed
 Let your flatmates or family know you’ll be taking the test and must not be
interrupted
 Ensure you have a strong and reliable wifi connection before beginning
 If you don’t have a suitable space to take the test at home or in your uni, please
contact the SMF and we’ll help you find somewhere
 If you experience technical issues, make a note of them and take screenshots
if possible so you can follow up with recruiters
 Make sure you have a pen, paper, water and are comfortable (eg. warm
enough, don’t need the loo!) so you don’t need to take a break.