Free Mechanical Reasoning Test
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What Is Mechanical Reasoning?
Mechanical reasoning tests are a type of aptitude exam or psychometric test administered during the recruitment process for technical jobs.
They evaluate your ability to understand and apply mechanical concepts to solve problems. Regardless of your job level, the assessment can be challenging to complete in the time allotted.
Practising before taking this type of test will help to improve your speed and accuracy when answering the questions you encounter.
During the testing process, you will run into several mechanical scenarios, including concepts such as acceleration, gravity, friction, pressure, kinetic and potential energy, work and power, etc.
Taking no more than 30 seconds per question will help ensure that you answer each one in a timely manner.
Sample Mechanical Aptitude Test Questions
Being able to understand and apply mechanical concepts is a prerequisite for many industries and jobs.
Below you will find sample questions for this type of test. The best way to pass a mechanical aptitude test is by giving yourself ample time to practise online beforehand.
Question 1
On which pole does the weight press harder?
- #1
- #2
- The weight presses equally on both poles
Solution
The rectangle pivots about the point of contact with the floor. The farther the pole is from the pivot point, the less force it needs to apply to achieve the same torque (the torque needed to keep the rectangle static). Thus Pole 2, the pole farther away from the point of contact with the floor, applies less force on the rectangle. This is essentially the Law of the Lever.
According to Newton's 3rd Law, the rectangle applies less force to Pole 2 as well.
Therefore, the correct answer is 1.
Question 2
What would be the current flowing through point X if another identical power source were to be added in parallel to the circuit?
- Twice as strong
- Half as strong
- There is no difference
Observe how the extra power source was set up: both the positive and negative terminals are connected. Therefore, the same electric potential is kept at each end. In other words, the voltage remains the same. Since the resistors have not been modified, the resistance remains the same as well. Finally, according to Ohm's law (V=IR), the current remains the same.
Trivia: Adding a cell or battery in parallel is usually devised as a form of electrical backup to a circuit, not as a means to change the voltage.
Therefore, the correct answer is 3.
Solution
Observe how the extra power source was set up: both the positive and negative terminals are connected. Therefore, the same electric potential is kept at each end. In other words, the voltage remains the same. Since the resistors have not been modified, the resistance remains the same as well. Finally, according to Ohm's law (V=IR), the current remains the same.
Trivia: Adding a cell or battery in parallel is usually devised as a form of electrical backup to a circuit, not as a means to change the voltage.
Therefore, the correct answer is 3.
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Mechanical reasoning assessments are often used as a prerequisite for employment in many different fields and industries.
These include any position that involves the maintenance, operation and repair of mechanical equipment. The level of difficulty of these tests varies according to the mechanical skills required.
There are many advantages for employers who use these sorts of exams in their recruitment processes. Firstly, your test scores will give insight into your mechanical/ electrical knowledge and capabilities and secondly, give insight into your future job performance.
The main skills under assessment during a mechanical aptitude test include:
Including but not limited to force and moment, gears, wheels and pulleys, hydraulics, velocity and gravity, etc. Your understanding and ability to apply certain mechanical and electrical principles correctly will boost your chances of landing the job you want.
Including but not limited to electrical circuits, symbols, currents, voltages, resistance and more.
Other psychometric skills under assessment may include:
Spatial reasoning tests are often administered alongside mechanical reasoning tests and measure your ability to manipulate, mentally fold and rotate both 2D and 3D shapes.
An assessment of your basic arithmetic and mathematics skills may be included for some roles. These tests will be administered separately from the mechanical test and may be included during the same testing session.
Abstract reasoning tests help to demonstrate your ability to identify the underlying logic or pattern from a series of images to arrive at a solution. Abstract reasoning is not part of a mechanical reasoning test, however, this sort of test may be administered in the same testing session. How you answer abstract questions will be a good indicator for your employer to understand your level of fluid intelligence and ability to learn new things.
SHL Verify Mechanical Comprehension Test: Most Common Mechanical Test out There
SHL is one of the largest pre-employment test providers worldwide. The Verify Mechanical Comprehension Test is an online, unsupervised aptitude test which SHL administers at the beginning of the assessment process along with other Verify tests.
If you are applying to mechanical or technical positions and are about to be assessed by SHL, odds are you will be required to sit this test.
On the test, you are required to interpret images depicting simple mechanical concepts such as levers, gears and pulleys. The test involves 15 questions to be answered in 10 minutes.
If you pass this test you will be invited to the assessment centre to continue the assessment. You will then be required to sit a supervised Mechanical Comprehension Test to vouch for your initial score.
It is very important to practice in order to increase your chances of getting a chance at the assessment centre. Our All-Inclusive preparation pack includes SHL style questions, answers and explanations.
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Job-seeking can be a long and frustrating process, often taking months and involving numerous pre-employment tests and interviews. To guide you through it, we offer a Premium Membership.
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Major Employers That Use Mechanical Engineering Aptitude Tests
There are hundreds of companies that use mechanical reasoning aptitude tests as part of their selection processes.
Below you will find a list of some of the major companies also using these tests in their employment processes:
| Companies Using Mechanical Reasoning Tests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 3M | Amazon | Baker Hughes | BASF |
| Chevron | Coca-Cola | Denso | ExxonMobil |
| Hilton | JLL | Johnson & Johnson | Kellogg's |
| Kraft/ Heinz | Mercedes Benz | Michelin | Nestle |
| PepsiCo | Procter & Gamble | Rio Tinto | Sasol |
| Schlumberger | Shell | Toyota | Unilever |
| Volvo | SHL (provider) | _ | _ |
Are you looking for a more specific test? Check out our preparation materials for the Bennett Mechanical Test (BMCT), Ramsay-style tests or the SHL Mechanical Comprehension Test.
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