Free Watson Glaser Practice Test with Full Answers & Tips

Virtual employees, or employees who work from home via a computer, are an increasing trend. In the US, the number of virtual employees has increased by 39% in the last two years and 74% in the last five years. Employing virtual workers reduces costs and makes it possible to use talented workers no matter where they are located globally. Yet, running a workplace with virtual employees might entail miscommunication and less camaraderie and can be more time-consuming than face-to-face interaction. 

The marked advantage of virtual employee hiring is the ability to benefit from the output of unsociable employees without involving them in face-to-face interactions.

1. True
2. Probably True
3. Insufficient Data
4. Probably False
5. False

Answer

The correct answer is 'False'.

The words “marked advantage” insinuate that the ability to benefit from unsociable employees is the most significant advantage. However, that advantage is not even mentioned in the text. That means that the answer is either False or Probably False.

The text specifically mentions the benefits of face-to-face meetings on social interaction: “a workplace with virtual employees might entail miscommunication and less camaraderie and can be more time-consuming than face-to-face interaction”. The conclusion, however, refers to the problems it creates, which is negated by the general message of the passage.

Today, a majority of the employees in the US are virtual employees

1. True
2. Probably True
3. Insufficient Data
4. Probably False
5. False

Answer

The correct answer is 'Probably False'.

The passage describes an increasing trend of virtual employment hiring. Yet, it is not specified how prevalent this trend has become compared to the entire workforce. There is no confirmation or contradiction of the statement; the first tendency may be to choose 'insufficient data'.

However, in this test section, you can use common sense to choose the right answer. By applying logic to the answer choices, you can surmise that many jobs cannot be done virtually and that despite the increasing popularity of this trend, it is unlikely that a majority of most US are virtual.

A new study proves that scores on cognitive ability tests, which include critical thinking tests, are strongly related to success in both civilian and military jobs and predict outcomes in all jobs. The added value of these tests, the authors conclude, is that they predict what an individual can do now and the extent to which an individual is likely to learn and develop. Nowadays, occupational psychologists use cognitive ability tests more often than in the past.

1. True
2. Probably True
3. Insufficient Data
4. Probably False
5. False

Answer

The correct answer is 'Insufficient Data'.

The passage presents information about a new possible utility for cognitive ability tests in the occupational consultancy area. Yet, we lack information about the extent of past and present use of these tests; hence, it is impossible to determine and even to assume whether the statement is correct or not. Therefore, the correct answer is 'Insufficient Data'.

"Increasing the number of employees in the department will increase its business performance."

Proposed Assumption:

It is possible to predict the impact of department size on business performance.

1. Assumption Made
2. Assumption Not Made

Answer

The correct answer is ‘Assumption Made’.

To see why the assumption is made, let’s use the Negative Test algorithm:

Step #1 – negate the assumption – “It is impossible to predict the impact of department size on business performance.”

Step #2 – check if the validity of the original statement changes. In our case, it does, since if there is no way to measure the effect of department size on business performance, any statement trying to predict such an effect is meaningless.

Step #3 – if the statement is not valid anymore, then the assumption was made.

Answer

The correct answer is ‘Assumption Not Made’.

The actual assumption is that the future holds a possibility for climate change. It is not evident that it is already happening from the text. Remember, you should not make your decision based on whether you think the assumption is true but only based on whether or not the assumption was made.

"I am flying to China next week. I want to be sure to avoid website blocking due to internet censorship policies, so I better ask our IT team to install a satellite-based modem on my laptop."

Proposed Assumption:

By getting a satellite-based modem, I decrease the chances of experiencing website blocking.

1. Assumption Made
2. Assumption Not Made

Answer

The correct answer is ‘Assumption Made’.

The second sentence presents a possible problem I might encounter in China. The third sentence presents a technical solution. Under reasonable doubt, one can conclude that the third sentence offers a solution to the possible problem. Without the above assumption, we couldn't connect the second and the third sentence.

Only technological companies are listed on the OTX stock market. No technological company remains unstable for a long period of time.

Proposed Conclusion:

If your company is listed on OTX, it will not be unstable for a long time.

1. Conclusion Follows
2. Conclusion Does Not Follow

Answer

The correct answer is ‘Conclusion Follows’.

We are going to solve these questions intuitively. However, it is strongly advised to use other, safer methods in the actual Watson Glaser test, such as Venn diagrams or Letter Coding. 

We know two facts:

• Only technological companies are listed on the OTX. This is equivalent to: All companies listed on the OTX are technological.
• No technological company remains unstable for a long period of time. This is equivalent to: All technological companies are not unstable for a long period of time.

Combining these two facts, it is easy to see that all companies on the OTX will not be unstable for a long period of time.

No millionaire who lives in a city has less than two cars. Nonetheless, some but not all the inhabitants of Ergfort city have two cars or more.

Proposed Conclusion:

A place where none of the inhabitants has two cars or more has no millionaires.

1. Conclusion Follows
2. Conclusion Does Not Follow

Answer

The correct answer is: ‘Conclusion Does Not Follow’.

Millionaire = A, lives in a city = B, has less than two cars = C, any living place = D.
According to the premises, (no A + B -> C), which equals (A + B -> ~C), and (B^Ergfort + ~C)^{*some but not all}.

The conclusion states (D + C) -> ~A.

B is a subgroup of D (a city is a kind of place). Rules that apply to B do not necessarily apply to D. This is a generalization.
At first, it may be tempting to think that if no one in D has two cars or more, then there are no

millionaires there. However, the first premise only discussed millionaires in cities. You know nothing about millionaires in general. Therefore, the conclusion does not follow.

There are 20 employees in our office; each drinks between 0 to 4 cups of coffee a day. This costs the company $100 per week (5 working days).

Proposed Conclusion:

Some employees drink 15 cups of coffee a week.

1. Conclusion Follows
2. Conclusion Does Not Follow

Answer

The correct answer is: ‘Conclusion Does Not Follow’

According to the premises, (20 employees)*.
When a range is given as data, both limits must appear at least once (both must exist). So:
0 ≤ coffee cups ≤ 4; (employee + 0 cups)*; (employee + 4 cups)*.

The conclusion states ~*(5 cups a day)

The conclusion would follow if you knew every possibility in the range exists (that is, that at least one employee drinks 0 cups a day, at least one employee drinks 1 cup a day, and at least one employee drinks 2 cups a day, etc.), in which case the employees who drink 3 cups of coffee a day would drink 15 cups a week. But you don’t know that. All you know is that the limits of the range exist.

I have a nine-month-old baby at home, and she usually agrees to be put to bed, where she falls asleep promptly. But every time her grandparents visit in the evening, she cries when I put her to bed, and she continues to cry for an hour.

Proposed Conclusion:

My baby’s difficulty is mostly physiological—her grandparents give her chocolates to eat, and the sugar makes her hyperactive.

1. Conclusion Follows
2. Conclusion Does Not Follow

Answer

The correct answer is: ‘Conclusion Does Not Follow’.

The conclusion proposes a reason that is neither given explicitly in the text nor probable beyond a reasonable doubt. It provides an explanation that stems from our own personal perceptions.

Ten years ago, not a single Australian city was in the top 50 most expensive cities in the world. Today, three are in the top 15. You can feel it just by looking at the small stuff. A single lime, for example, costs $1.50, 300% more than it cost ten years ago.

Proposed Conclusion:

A single lime in Australia cost $0.50 ten years ago.

1. Conclusion Follows
2. Conclusion Does Not Follow

Answer

The correct answer is: ‘Conclusion Does Not Follow’.

The logic behind this answer is mathematical: a 300% increase is, in fact, equal to an increase by a factor of four. If a lime costs $1.50 today, which is an increase of 300% in price compared to ten years ago, then ten years ago, it was worth $0.375.

Previous price X 4 = 1.5, so 1.5 ÷ 4 = previous price = 0.375.

When something increases by 100%, it is actually multiplied by 2, so you need to divide the current cost by 4 and not 3. When something increases by 200%, it is multiplied by 3. So, when something increases by 300%, it is multiplied by 4.

Studies conducted over the last 60 years show that adult obesity and the direct medical cost thereof have increased steadily worldwide. The last decade has had the highest rates of both these trends.

Proposed Conclusion:

Humankind, as a whole, has not advanced much in the ability to maintain optimal body weight.

1. Conclusion Follows
2. Conclusion Does Not Follow

Answer

The correct answer is: ‘Conclusion Does Not Follow’.

Even though obesity rates have increased worldwide, we cannot conclude anything regarding advancement. Advancements usually refer to fields of technology and medicine. It is possible that there have been advancements in those fields, but obesity has increased because of poor nutrition and a decrease in active lifestyles. Therefore, the conclusion does not follow.

Should a company grant employees free time to spend in any manner they choose?

Proposed Argument:

No—employees are likely to use their free time to clean their homes, run errands, and meet with friends, and thus bring no benefit to the company whatsoever.

1. Strong Argument
2. Weak Argument

Answer

The correct answer is: ‘Strong Argument’.

This argument is both relevant to the topic and important.

• It is important, as it refers to the benefit the company might (or might not) get from this policy.
• It is relevant, as it addresses the issue itself – the free time given to employees and its consequences.

Note that the trivial details provided ("...clean their homes, run errands, and meet with friends...") are a distractor intended to make the issue seem trivial – however, they do not change the relevance or importance of the given argument. 

When grading tests, should teachers consider that some of their students have native-born parents and other students have immigrant parents?

Proposed Argument:

No. Although some teachers may be sympathetic to students from immigrant families with financial difficulties, their grading should reflect the students’ work and abilities, regardless of ethnic or financial background.

1. Strong Argument
2. Weak Argument

Answer

The correct answer is: ‘Strong Argument’

Whether you agree with this argument or not, you must consider it true. As such, it is strong. It both relates to the question directly and raises an important claim that grades should reflect someone’s merits and not take into account factors such as ethnicity or socioeconomic background.

Should the government use software solutions designed to track online behaviors on social networks in order to prevent threats to national security?

Proposed Argument:

Yes—national security is of high enough importance to justify the violation of civil liberties and freedom of thought.

1. Strong Argument
2. Weak Argument

Answer

The correct answer is: ‘Strong Argument’

Here you have a reference to the ethical problems involved in data mining in which, unlike in the first question in this set, the ethical aspect is presented in relation to the main question - preventing national security threats. In other words, this argument is related to the question, and the consequence it described is important. For this reason, it is a strong argument.