Ace the Wonderlic Examination with Accurate Prep [2024]
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Hi, I'm Gabriel, a Wonderlic test specialist. Have a question about the test or JobTestPrep's Prep Pack? Contact me at:

 

What is the Wonderlic Examination?

The Wonderlic examination (also known as the Wonderlic Personnel Test) is a cognitive test that includes 50 abstract, verbal, numerical, and general knowledge questions that need to be answered in 12 minutes. This test measures cognitive skills, time management, and how you cope with pressure. 

Wonderlic questions appear simple and straightforward at first glance, but with only 14 seconds per question, the test is tough and requires you to be familiar with the fastest solution strategies in order to succeed.

Since it aims to examine a broad range of cognitive capabilities, the Wonderlic Personnel test includes a wide range of question types:

  • English (Verbal Reasoning) - This section comprises 40% of the Wonderlic assessment, and includes grammar, analogies, vocabulary, synonyms/antonyms, and deductive reasoning.
  • Math (Numerical Reasoning) - This section comprises 40% of the test and includes number series, word problems, number patterns, and more. 
  • Abstract Reasoning - 10% of the Wonderlic assessment covers spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, shape series, 3D shapes, and matrices. 
  • General Knowledge - The last 10% of the test includes general knowledge questions, as well as error identification questions and other clerical-type questions. 

Wonderlic Test Questions and Answers

Below you will find Wonderlic sample questions with full answers. To simulate the limited time of the real Wonderlic Personnel Test, try setting your stopwatch to 14 seconds and see if you manage to answer the questions below in time.

Try to solve the questions within the time limit by pressing the timer icon ⏲️

Wonderlic Math Question 

⏲️
1. Ruth manages a large computer company. On regular days she works ten hours. On days with board meetings, she works twelve hours, and before major deliveries, she works sixteen hours. Every week she works for five days. During the past week, she worked 62 hours.

If she didn't have board meetings during the past week, how many major deliveries did she have during the past week?
A. 1 hour
B. 2 hours
C. 3 hours
D. 4 hours
E. 5 hours
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

Work hours on regular days: 10
Work hours before board meetings: 12
Work hours before major deliveries: 16

Regular days: x


Days of board meetings: 0


Days before major deliveries: 5 - x (she works five days a week).

Total hours on the past week: 62

Equation:
10x + 16(5 - x) = 62
10x + 80 - 16x = 62
-6x = -80 + 62
-6x = -18
x = 3
Days of major deliveries: 5 - 3 = 2.

The correct answer is B.


Wonderlic Verbal Questions 

⏲️

2. In the following set of words, which word is different?
Basketball
Referee
Baseball
Running
Tennis
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is referee. 

All the words apart from referee are names of sports, while referee is only a sports-related word. 


3. SPITE  RESPITE

The meaning of these words is: 

A. Similar.
 B. Contradictory.
C. Neither similar nor contradictory.
Correct Answer
Incorrect Answer

The correct answer is C.

Spite is a word used to describe a malicious feeling, while respite is a word used to describe a short interval of rest. Therefore, the words are neither similar nor contradictory.

Wonderlic Abstract Reasoning Question

⏲️

4. The numbers in the figures below have the same mathematical relationship to one another.

wonderlic abstract reasoning


What number should replace the question mark in the figure below?

wonderlic abstract reasoning q4b

A.  0

B.  4

C. -6

D. -2

Answer

The correct answer is (D).

All the circles below exhibit the same numerical relationship.

They share the following pattern:

(left-cell) - (right-cell) = 4;

Left circle: 4 (top-left) – 0 (top-right) = 4; 5 (bottom-left) – 1 (bottom-right) = 4 Middle circle: 8 (Top left) - 4 (top right) = 4; 6 (bottom left) - 2 (bottom right) = 4 Right circle: 2 (Top left) - (-2) (top right) = 2 + 2 = 4; 0 (bottom left) - (-4) (bottom right) = 0 + 4 = 4

Another pattern is that two minuses cancel each other, and turn into a plus sign:

- (- number) = + number.

The circle in question: 6 (Top left) - 2 (top right) = 4; 2 (bottom left) - ? (bottom right) = 4

2 - ? = 4. Gather all numbers on one side and the ? sign on the other side -? = 4 - 2 -? = 2.

Eliminate the minus sign from the (?) sign, (since you are asked for the value of ?), by multiplying both sides of the equation by (-1) (-1)*(-?) = (-1)*2 ? = -2.

 For more sample questions, check out our free Wonderlic practice test with answers.


Learn How to Ace the Wonderlic Test

Check out our video where we go over the Wonderlic exam's various characteristics, and share useful tips to help your Wonderlic test prep.

Play wonderlic assessment video
wonderlic assessment video

Optimize Your Wonderlic Test Prep

The Wonderlic Personnel Test is a highly selective assessment that pits you against a killer time limit and challenging questions, and it could be what stands between you and your next career move. The only tried and tested way of acing the Wonderlic Assessment is practice, pure and simple.

For the best Wonderlic test prep available, we highly recommend using our specialized PrepPack. It includes seven full Wonderlic exam simulations, study guides, additional practice, and everything you need to sharpen your skills and get the high score you deserve.  

See Product Reviews

"Really helped a lot. The more I practiced, the more accurate and faster I got . 👍"

Wendy G. On Wonderlic Test Prep

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Understanding Wonderlic Test Results

wonderlic test score report

One of the most confusing aspects of the Wonderlic Personnel Test is understanding how many questions you need to answer correctly to place yourself above the competition.

Your Wonderlic score is calculated from the number of questions you answer correctly (known as your "raw score"), with each question weighted based on its level of difficulty and taking into account the likelihood of guessing.

This method ensures a more precise estimate of your cognitive ability than a score based only on the total number of correct answers. The scores of the test takers are then standardized, which creates the Wonderlic test score chart you see in the image above.

To understand how good your score is, consider the following broad rules:

  • 50 is a nearly unattainable perfect score, placing you at the very top of all test takers
  • 31 and higher marks a strong fit, placing you in the 94th and higher Wonderlic percentiles. Converting this to traditional intelligence tests, your Wonderlic IQ score would be 121. 
  • 23-25 is considered a moderate fit, however, we don't recommend settling for this score as you could easily find yourself outscored by the competition. 
  • 22 and lower is a poor fit, which will mean the end of the road for you in the selection process. 

Wonderlic Time Management Tips

Given unlimited time, the Wonderlic Assessment wouldn't pose much of a challenge for most test takers. But with only 14 seconds to answer each question, the pressure is definitely on.

You will have to be as sharp and prepared as possible to make sure that you get the score that will help elevate you above all the other candidates.

Practicing with a countdown timer (built-in with our practice tests) will accustom you to the time constraint, as well as using the explanations and tips under each exercise that will provide valuable information on the fastest ways to solve each question.

 

General Time Management Tips That Will Make You Faster


1. Don't Waste Too Much Time on One Question: 

In the Wonderlic Assessment literally every second counts, so getting stuck on even just one question can spoil all your hard work. If you can't figure it out, guess and move on. 

2. Take the Extra Second to Make Sure Your Answer is Correct:

Although you must work fast to get a good score on the Wonderlic exam, it is always good to take a second to make sure you haven't made a clear mistake.

3. Start Fast, Then Slow Down:

Being quick with the first questions gives you an edge. Since the Wonderlic exam questions increase in difficulty, leave yourself enough time to answer the more difficult questions towards the end.

4. Manage Expectations:

Only a very small number of Wonderlic test takers answer all 50 questions in time, so don't worry if you don't. Instead, make sure the answers you do submit are accurate.  


Versions of The Wonderlic Personnel Test 

Employers often use the Wonderlic Personnel Test instead of a traditional IQ test to assess a test taker's cognitive abilities, skill sets, and capacity to solve problems as part of their hiring process, coupled with a job interview; some use the long version and others prefer the short.

In our preparation, you'll find practice tests for both versions of the Wonderlic exam.

Wonderlic Practice Test 50 Questions, 12 Minutes

The Wonderlic Personnel Test-Revised (WPT-R) - includes 50 questions with a 12-minute time limit (14 seconds per question).


Wonderlic Practice Test 30 Questions, 8 Minutes

The Wonderlic Personnel Test Quicktest (WPT-Q) - Includes 30 Questions with An 8 - Minute Time Limit (16 Seconds per Question). 


The Best Strategy to Prepare for The Wonderlic Exam


There are several strategies you can use to prepare for the Wonderlic Personnel Test:

  • Buying a premium preparation pack with like the job test prep wonderlic test prep pack with study guides, wonderlic exam practice, and more.
  • Buying a book.
  • Other online practice sites.

Below is a comparison between the JobTestPrep and other leading online preparations.

 
Wonderlic
Practice Kits
JobTestPrep
Practice
Other Prep
Sites
Money-Back
Guarantee
 Yes  No
Online Practice  Yes Yes
Step by Step
Explanations
 Yes  No
Personalized
Score Reports
 Yes  No
24/7 Customer
Support
 Yes  No

Don’t Wait. Buy Our Full Online Prep Pack and Pass the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test Like a Pro. 

See Product Reviews

"Just the timing aspect alone helped me mentally prepare for the time constraint. The other major thing that helped me was the math tips study guide."

Shana, On Wonderlic Test Prep

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (More reviews)


FAQ

What Is a Good Score on The Wonderlic?

Every company and job position requires a different minimum passing score on the Wonderlic exam.

The average Wonderlic Test score is usually 20 to 21, roughly equivalent to an IQ of 100. The maximum and minimum scores are 50 and 10 respectively.

 

Can You Use a Calculator for Wonderlic Test?

Unfortunately, you are not allowed to bring one into the test with you.

What Companies Use Wonderlic Tests?
Are There Any Other Formats of The Wonderlic Assessment?
  • Free Wonderlic Practice Test - Gives you a taste of the different question types in the Wonderlic Personnel Test, with full explanations and solving tips.  
  • Wonderlic Basic Skills Test - The Wonderlic Basic Skills Test, or WBST,  is a 20 minutes test with 50 Verbal Reasoning questions and 45 Math questions. Visit our page to take a free Wonderlic practice test and learn more about the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test, required by companies such as the Canadian National Railway, Zurich Insurance, Subway, and others.
  • Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam - The Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam is a trusted admissions test for some of the top career colleges in the States. There are two SLE tests: the long version (SLE) requires answering 50 questions in 12 minutes, and the short version (SLE-Q) requires answering 30 questions in 8 minutes.
  • Wonderlic Test NFL - On the National Football League page you will find useful information, tips and hacks, and fascinating stats about NFL players! See if you have what it takes mentally to become an NFL player.
  • Wonscore Test - The Wonderlic WonScore consists of three Wonderlic exams: a Wonderlic cognitive ability test, a Wonderlic personality test, and a motivation test. To learn how to master all three sections of this challenging test, visit our designated page which includes useful information and tips, as well as access to our full Wonderlic Wonscore test prep. 
  • Subway Wonderlic Test - The Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test is a pre-requisite for anybody aspiring to open a Subway franchise. Visit our page for all the Wonderlic test prep you will need to ace it and take another step towards realizing your goals.  

The Wonderlic assessment measures your critical thinking, problem-solving skills, deductive reasoning, and cognitive abilities. Other pre-employment assessments that measure similar abilities are the CCAT testPI Cognitive Assessment, and IBEW Aptitude Test.

 

 

About the Author:

 

author
Arbel is JobTestPrep's Wonderlic Test specialist. He has over 15 years' experience working as a psychometric test instructor and has led JobTestPrep's efforts to provide thousands of Wonderlic test-takers with the most accurate online prep possible since 2017. You can contact him at

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