Mechanical reasoning test
The fast and easy way to test candidates' mechanical reasoning ability. Fair and accurate online assessments for every role.
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20 mins
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24 questions
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Fair and inclusive
Trusted by Monzo, EDF, and more
Predict on-the-job performance in technical and safety-critical roles
Our Insights™ Mechanical Reasoning Test measures candidates’ ability to understand physical systems, mechanical principles, and cause-and-effect relationships commonly encountered in technical and operational roles.
The assessment presents candidates with visual mechanical scenarios involving forces, motion, gears, pulleys, levers, and basic physics concepts. Candidates must analyse how components interact and apply logical reasoning to determine outcomes, rather than relying on prior job knowledge or memorised formulas.
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Proven measure of mechanical reasoning
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Fair and accessible by design
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Advanced authenticity detection
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Positive candidate experience
- Engineering, technical, and maintenance roles
- Fire service and emergency service
- Manufacturing, logistics, and operational roles
- Any role requiring practical problem-solving
- Roles involving safety-critical decision-making
How we know this assessment works
This mechanical reasoning assessment measures how candidates understand physical principles and reason through practical mechanical problems, supported by robust assessment science that ensures accuracy and fairness.
Consistent results you can trust
Produces consistent and repeatable scores, giving confidence in shortlisting and pass/fail decisions.
Reliability coefficient: α = .76, exceeding accepted psychometric standards.
Proven to measure cognitive ability
Strong relationship with established cognitive measures, confirming the test measures the intended construct.
Correlation with composite cognitive measures: r = .78.
Fair and robust by design
Tested across multiple norm groups to ensure fair and consistent outcomes across different backgrounds.
Built using established psychometric methods for high-volume hiring.
Suitable for all roles and levels
Strong performance indicates an ability to understand mechanical principles, reason through cause-and-effect relationships, and make sound judgements in practical scenarios, making it particularly predictive in safety-critical and operational roles.
Assesses how well candidates understand physical principles such as force, motion, and pressure, and how components interact within mechanical systems, without relying on prior job-specific knowledge.
Questions are weighted by difficulty, meaning performance on harder questions contributes more to the final score than performance on easier ones. The test adapts as candidates progress, so ability can be measured more precisely and efficiently.
All our assessments have robust evidence to prove they do not adversely affect protected groups. Our test development process includes trialling our questions on tens of thousands of participants from mixed backgrounds, and our research shows 'Cohens d' effect sizes better than industry best-practice.
Sample reports and questions
Review real sample reports and try example questions to see exactly how the assessment works in practice — from the candidate experience through to the hiring insights.
Downloads
PREVIEW THE TEST EXPERIENCE
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Mechanical Reasoning FAQs
A mechanical reasoning test is perfect for any roles where the employee is required to understand and use the laws of nature. These may include roles such as engineers, trades, construction, and positions involving small and large structures.
Mechanical tests assess skills including the understanding and ability to identify and apply mechanical and physical principles to systems or processes. These tests gauge a candidate's ability to think logically and apply rules and laws of nature.
Mechanical tests in the hiring process assess candidates' quantitative skills, predict job performance, and ensure objectivity, saving time and resources while enhancing the quality of hires and reducing potential risks. Mechanical reasoning is a key facet of general cognitive ability, the strongest overall predictor of job performance. As a result, mechanical reasoning tests are powerful predictors of performance at work, especially in combination with other aptitude tests.
You receive clear, detailed reports on each candidate’s performance, including scores, benchmarks, and summaries. Reports are available instantly in the platform or sent directly to your ATS once the test is completed.
No. You can invite as many candidates as you need to each test. This makes using mechanical reasoning tests in your application process easy for both small hiring campaigns and high-volume recruitment.
