🧠Watson Glazer Advice

What it is, how it works, and how to get through it without losing your head.

If you’ve spent ages crafting an application only to be told you’ve got a Watson Glaser test to pass before anyone even reads it properly, we get it. It’s frustrating. But don’t worry. With the right approach, it’s something you can absolutely tackle.

👉 [Book a complimentary coaching call]

❓ What exactly is the Watson Glaser?

It’s a critical thinking test used by lots of law firms to see how well you analyse arguments, weigh up evidence and think logically under pressure. It’s not a test of legal knowledge or whether you’ve read the FT. It’s about how you think.

You’ll usually face this test early on in the application process, and it’s often timed, online, and used to decide whether your application makes it to the next stage.

🧱 What does the test actually involve?

The Watson Glaser is a multiple-choice test and normally split into five key parts. Each section focuses on a slightly different skill:

1. Inference

You’ll read a short paragraph followed by a set of conclusions. Your job is to decide whether each one is true, false, or somewhere in between, based only on the information in front of you.

Our tip: Don’t bring in outside knowledge. Stick to what’s written. If it’s not in the text, you can’t rely on it.

2. Recognising Assumptions

Here, you’re deciding whether the argument depends on something that hasn’t been said outright. You need to spot what’s been taken for granted.

Our tip: Ask yourself, “Would this point still stand if the assumption wasn’t true?” If not, then there’s an assumption hidden in there.

3. Deduction

You’ll be given a statement followed by a conclusion. Your job is to work out whether the conclusion definitely follows based on the given information.

Our tip: This section is about logic, not common sense. Some conclusions might sound odd, but still follow logically.

4. Interpretation

This is similar to deduction, but slightly more open. You’re asked to judge whether a conclusion reasonably follows from a given set of facts.

Our tip: Watch out for words like “some,” “all,” or “never;” they change everything.

5. Evaluation of Arguments

You’ll be asked whether an argument is strong or weak, based on how relevant and convincing it is in relation to a given question.

Our tip: Don’t be swayed by emotion. A good argument is relevant, specific, and supported by logic, not just persuasive language.

🧠 How should I prepare?

Start with accuracy, not speed

It’s tempting to focus on beating the clock, but most mistakes come from rushing. Build up your accuracy first. Once you’re getting the answers right, the speed will come naturally.

Practise with real-style questions

The format can feel strange if you’ve never seen it before, so try out a few practice tests before the real thing. Stick to providers that replicate the actual test (like JobTestPrep or AssessmentDay), or use any practice resources the firm provides.

Even ten minutes a day can help you build confidence.

Understand the traps

There are a few common mistakes people make:

Relying on gut instinct instead of logic
Using outside knowledge or personal opinion
Misreading key words in the question

You’ll get better at spotting these the more you practise.

🏛 Which law firms use the Watson Glaser?

Here are just a few that use it (or something very similar):

Clifford Chance
Allen & Overy
Linklaters
Hogan Lovells
CMS
Shoosmiths
Dentons
Freshfields

Some firms might call it a “critical thinking test” instead, but it’s usually based on the same core skills.

✅ Final things to keep in mind

Read everything slowly and carefully, most mistakes are made by people skimming
Don’t panic if it feels odd, everyone finds it weird at first, we certainly did
Think logically, not emotionally
Practice a little and often, consistency matters more than cramming the night before
If you don’t pass the first time, it’s not the end of the world. Like any skill, it gets easier with practice

💬 From the 1 Minute Law team

We’ve all been there. It’s tough spending hours on your form only to be met with a test that feels completely disconnected from the rest of the application. But this isn’t something you’re stuck with, it’s something you can train.

If you want someone to talk it through with or just need a bit of guidance on where to start, we’re here for that.

👉 [Book a complimentary coaching call]

We’re rooting for you.