The Watson Glaser Test - All The Resources I Used

WHAT IS THE WATSON GLASER TEST?

Critical thinking is the ability to look at a situation and clearly understand it from multiple perspectives whilst separating facts from opinions and assumptions; helping a person to reach the right, rational decisions.

By far the most common type of critical thinking test is the WatsonGlaser Test.

The test is most commonly used by law firms as part of the application process. This is because law firms believe the abilities tested by the Watson Glaser Test are good predictors of future success in roles which require clarity of understanding from multiple perspectives. It is also seen as a successful tool to predict job success, as well as being used to select good managers and finding possible future leaders.

The test questions are looking at the individual’s ability to:

Make correct inferences
To recognise assumptions
To make deductions
To come to conclusions
To interpret and evaluate arguments

Note: The above may seem a bit alien right now, but there are several very detailed resources I recommend at the end of my article which explain what each of the above sections entail.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE WATSON GLASER TEST?

For a few firms, the Watson Glaser Test is usually the first part of the application process for training contracts.

Click on this article by The Lawyer to see which firms use the Watson Glaser Test.

Firms receive thousands and thousands of Training Contract applications. The Watson Glaser Test can be used to filter these applications in several ways:

For some firms, the Watson Glaser Test is a sole way to filter out applications. This means that if you do not pass the Watson Glaser Test, the firm would not even consider your paper application.
For others firms, the firm may be use the test results and weigh it up against other information in your application.
There could also be a norm group (who you are being benchmarked against) and there can also be a percentile cut off (can be as low as 20th percentile or as high as 75th percentile).

MY EXPERIENCE

When I was applying to Clifford Chance, the Watson Glaser Test was used as a filter. This meant that if I didn’t pass it, my paper application (which I spent three months working on) would not have been considered. The best advice I received from a friend who had received a training contract offer from Clifford Chance was that “you do not want to miss out on an opportunity just because you fail this test”. She said when she first started applying, she actually failed the test but after several days of practice, she understood the technique and was actually scoring 100%. I listened to her and practised for weeks. It eventually paid off and I managed to get the required percentile for my application to be considered at Clifford Chance.

WHAT RESOURCES DID I USE

I have said this in my other blogposts and will continue to emphasise this: you can never be over prepared for anything. Practise, practise and practise. You will get the hang of it.

These are all the resources I used:

1. The Corporate Law Academy (“TCLA”) was my first port of call for all things related to my Training Contract. They literally have anything and everything you need for your training contract.

These are free resources for the Watson Glaser:

https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/the-watson-glaser-test/

If you purchase their premium package, you also get access to two courses I would highly recommend:

"TCLA to TC" - this course covers pretty much everything you need for applications in extensive detail. One of the modules, "Mastering Psychometric Tests" includes an advanced class on maximising your Watson Glaser test score, as well as a "Cheat Sheet” - https://classes.thecorporatelawacademy.com/p/interview-course
"Beating the Watson Glaser Test," taught by Joe Mallet. There are dedicated modules for each type of question, plus a workbook and further resources - https://classes.thecorporatelawacademy.com/p/beating-the-watson-glaser-test

IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THIS ARTICLE ANYTIME BETWEEN 15 DECEMBER 2021 AND 28 FEBRUARY 2022, YOU CAN USE THE DISCOUNT CODE “AROOJ”WHICH WILL PROVIDE A 15% DISCOUNT OFF ALL OF TCLA’S PREMIUM PACKAGES.
*This is not an AD for TCLA, nor do I make anything by sharing this discount. I just really believe in them because I used them so much during my own TC application, so I wanted to make sure others could benefit from their services as well.

2. Other resources (some may come at a cost but it was worth it):

I hope these help!

All the best,

Arooj