Free Mechanical Reasoning (Aptitude) Practice Test and Guide 2023

What is the Mechanical Reasoning (Aptitude) Test and what to Expect?

Mechanical reasoning tests are a type of aptitude or psychometric test, which are typically used during the recruitment or selection process for jobs including technical, engineering, emergency service, and army positions.

The mechanical aptitude test is used by employers to identify individuals who can effectively analyze and interpret mechanical data, and solve mechanical problems.

Mechanical reasoning tests are pressure tests that challenge candidates to solve problems quickly and efficiently. This pre-employment test is designed in such a way that only 1% to 5% of the participants can solve all problems within the given time frame.

You need to work on answering the questions accurately and quickly. By practicing for the test beforehand you will learn how to answer questions speedily and effectively.

Topics Covered in the Mechanical Reasoning Test

Generally speaking, on a mechanical reasoning test, you will have around 20 – 30 minutes to complete 20 – 30 questions.

On a mechanical reasoning test, you will typically be presented with an image showing a mechanical or electrical scenario. You will then be asked a question about this scenario. The questions will often relate or refer to a situation that you may encounter in the job position you have applied for.

The mechanical reasoning tests cover the following topics:

Levers: levers make work easier by offering a mechanical advantage when carrying loads. They consist of a fulcrum, a beam, and a load. In a mechanical reasoning test, you will be asked to do some light calculations to determine if the input torque is larger than the output. You might also be required to find out the curse of the tilt.

Pulleys: pulleys are utilized for lifting loads using a rope. You might be asked to calculate the force needed to lift a load using a pulley during the test.

Calculate the tension T in the rope on the right and the increase in the load’s height if the rope is pulled by 3.6 m and the weight W is 4.8 m.

• A. T = 1.6 N; Δh = 1.2 m
• B. T = 1.2 N; Δh = 0.9 m
• C. T = 2.4 N; Δh = 1.8 m

Gears: to test your knowledge of cylinders and cogwheels, you will be asked to identify the velocity or direction of a given cogwheel.

Which direction will the rack move in the rack and pinion system shown in the figure?

• A. Left
• B. Right
• C. The rack will not move as pinions cancel each other movement

Springs: has numerous mechanical applications, such as vehicle suspension. During a mechanical test, you might be asked to identify whether different types of springs, such as torsion springs, spiral coils, and leaf springs, have a linear approach.

A 30cm long spring is hung on a hook of an elastic spring at 1 m above the ground. The spring has an elastic constant of 2400N/m. What is the maximum weight a cube of 20cm side length hung on the spring has so that the cube does not touch the ground?

• A. 1680 N
• B. 1200 N
• C. 720 N

Other topics that might be tested include:

• Visual and spatial ability: counting, folding, and spatial view
• Gravity: still and moving objects
• Tools: types and usage
• Applied math
• Magnetism
• Kinetic and potential energy
• Shop arithmetic

When are Mechanical Reasoning Tests used?

The mechanical aptitude test is typically used for manufacturing, production, or engineering-related development or recruitment. The mechanical reasoning test is generally used to assess school leaver suitability for apprenticeship schemes.

Job roles where such tests may be helpful include:

• Electrical technicians
• Machine operators
• Process operators

A good score on a mechanical reasoning test will let your potential employer know that you have good mechanical and spatial skills.

Popular Mechanical Reasoning Tests

Here are some of the popular mechanical aptitude tests that you might be invited to take, depending on the field in which you applied for a job:

Firefighter mechanical aptitude test: this mechanical reasoning test measures one’s ability to identify firefighters’ machinery and tools and understand how they work.

Industrial Skills Test: this is a mechanical reasoning exam designed to measure a candidate’s skills and aptitude in industrial duties such as shipping and manufacturing.

Edison Electric Institute (EEI) tests: the EEI tests are used by investor-owned electric companies to help identify candidates who possess the skills, knowledge, and abilities that are required for success in industry-related jobs.

Bennett Test of mechanical comprehension: this test covers mechanical and electrical concepts. It helps measure a person’s ability to understand and apply mechanical principles in several fields, such as technical and industrial occupations.

Wiesen’s test of mechanical aptitude: these tests assess physical and mechanical concepts. It also gauges a candidate’s ability to operate, maintain, and repair machinery.

How Prepterminal’s Course can Help

Prepterminal’s comprehensive preparatory mechanical reasoning test course offers tests that mirror real mechanical aptitude tests. What’s great is that the correct answers are also explained, allowing you to see where you went wrong, so you can learn from your mistakes.

Prepterminal also offers written and video guides for various mechanical reasoning test question types. At Prepterminal, our test material is presented in an accessible and easy-to-understand manner so that you can easily stay focused on preparing for the test.