Aptitude testing paractice

Verbal reasoning psychometric tests, along with other aptitude tests are widely used in job selection processes, as employers want to assess candidates' ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret written text - a required task in most positions.

True/False/Cannot say tests

The most common question format that currently appears in verbal reasoning tests is the true or false question type. This question format can appear both in simple verbal reasoning tests and in advanced critical reasoning tests. Positions of higher-end profiles e.g. management, finance, and banking are more likely to encounter the advanced version of these tests as they measure critical and analytical skills. 

Additional verbal reasoning test types

• Logical reasoning tests – measure your ability to read a text and establish relationships between groups.
• Critical thinking tests – read more about Watson-Glaser Test and oxford and Cambridge's TSA. 
• Analogies – measure your understanding of word meanings and their relationships.
• English proficiency tests – following instructions, vocabulary, and spelling.
• Verbal application – sentence completion. Assesses your reading comprehension and ability to fill in missing words in a sentence.
• Mixed sentences – requires the candidate to make sense of a sentence in which the words have been mixed up.
• Verbal comprehension – another popular question type that requires the reader to identify a certain piece of information in the text under a very limited time frame, thereby evaluating the ability to quickly scan and discern verbal texts to find relevant data.

Verbal reasoning tests sample questions

The following verbal reasoning questions demonstrate different kinds of verbal reasoning psychometric tests you may encounter: 

1. Mixed Sentences
2. Verbal Critical Reasoning
3. Verbal Application
4. Logical Reasoning
5. Following instructions

1. Mixed Sentences

Please identify the two words in the sentence that have been misplaced.

Employment figures plunging hopes that the economy may not be raise into recession after all

A. figures; raise B. into; economy C. plunging; raise D. hopes; after

2. Verbal Critical Reasoning or Verbal Evaluation

The following passage discusses the growing market for organic foods. Following the passage, you'll be presented with a statement. Your task is to determine if the statement is:

A. True B. False C. Cannot Say (based on the information provided rather than on your previous assumptions and general knowledge).

Read the passage below and try to determine the correct answer.

The production of organic food products supplied in food stores continues to increase considerably, with demand particularly high in Europe and North America. Health awareness and higher standards of living are both enhancing consumption, and the market is likely to triple over the next decade. The organic food industry is facing the challenge of how it will cope with the forecast future demand.

Statement: Organic food production is the fastest growing field in the food industry.

A. True B. False C. Cannot Say

3. Verbal Application

Circle the combination of words that most suitably fills in the blanks.

The job applicants that have successfully _______ the selection tests will be _______ to take part in a group exercise.

A) completed; invite

B) mastered; presented

C) completed; invited

D) ended; invited

E) completed; administered

4. Logical Reasoning

Please choose one correct answer.

There are four famous typical pictures in a museum: scenery, a kitchen, a park and oranges. The paintings were painted by Jones, Smith, Hardy and Lane. The scenery painting is hanging next to Smith's painting. The scenery painting also hangs between the park and Hardy's painting. Jones didn't paint the scenery' or the oranges. Who painted the kitchen?

A. Jones B. Smith C. Hardy D. None of the above

5. Following Instructions

What’s the last letter of the word describing where the sun sets?

A) t

B) h

C) w

D) e

E) s

Answers for Verbal Reasoning questions

1. The misplaced words are – 'plunging' and 'raise.

'Employment figures plunging hopes that the economy may not be raise into recession after all.

The sentence should be: Employment figures raise hopes that the economy may not be plunging into recession after all.

The correct answer is C.

2. According to the text, "The production of organic food products… continues to increase considerably" and "is likely to triple over the next decade". However, the passage does not explicitly state that organic food production is the fastest growing field in the food industry. Based on prior knowledge and the tendency to make assumptions, we may assume that the answer is true. However, the correct answer in this case is 'cannot say'.

3. The correct answer is C.

The job applicants that have successfully completed the selection tests will be invited to take part in a group exercise.

4. The scenery painting is hanging next to Smith's painting, and between Hardy's painting and the painting of the park. We can conclude, therefore, that Smith painted the park. Since Jones didn didn't paint the scenery painting, the oranges painting or the park painting (done by Smith), then he must have painted the kitchen. The answer is A.

5. The sun sets in the west, and the last letter in the word west is "t". The answer is A. 

Naturally, non-native speakers have a significant disadvantage in the Verbal section of the psychometric tests as well as candidates with a weaker educational background.

However, verbal ability – comprehension, vocabulary and interpretation, can be improved significantly through practice. Understanding the underpinning principles as well as the mere exposure to these tests are all key contributors to your success. 

Similar to Numerical Reasoning Tests – 'hands on' practice' will increase your self confidence and improve your results.