Wonderlic Practice Test

The Wonderlic Select Test, formerly the Wonderlic Personnel Test, is a challenging pre-employment assessment designed to gauge your cognitive abilities, personality, and motivation. The cognitive ability portion is particularly notorious, consisting of 50 rapid-fire questions that must be completed within just 12 minutes. This section tests your problem-solving and logical reasoning skills under intense time pressure, making preparation key to success. Knowing what to expect can give you the edge needed to navigate this tricky test with confidence.

The average score on the Wonderlic cognitive ability is 20, although a good score depends on the role you are applying for. Chemists, for example, average a 31 on the test while cashiers’ average score is 21. The test provides employers with the data they are looking for when making a final hiring decision, but with the right training, you can perform well on the test.

Wonderlic Question Types

The Wonderlic cognitive ability test questions are multiple choice in the following categories:

1. Verbal Ability – this section tests your language and vocabulary skills
2. Numerical Ability – you will need to demonstrate different math skills
3. Perceptual Ability – you will be tested on your ability to recognize patterns and lists
4. General Knowledge – this section tests your basic understanding of the world we live in

The table below presents a more detailed look at the different question categories:

Verbal Ability	Numerical Ability	Perceptual Ability	General Knowledge
Word Meaning Comparison	Number Series	Comparing Lists	Months of the Year
Synonyms and Antonyms	Value Ordering	Pattern Formation	Date Sorting
Word Analogies	Math Word Problems (including decimals, percentages, average, ratios, algebra)	Figural Series Completion	Common Knowledge
Sentence Ordering		Cube Folding	Familiarity with Proverbs
Deductive Reasoning		Graph Recognition

1. Verbal Ability

Word Meaning Comparison

In these questions, you will be given a pair of words and asked to compare their definitions. Some pairs may be similar, others opposite, while others will not be related at all. 

Winning tip for Word Meaning Comparison questions 

Refresh your knowledge on the meaning of common prefixes. In many cases, the same root word will appear with different prefixes. Additionally, familiarize yourself with false antonyms (such as  flammable and inflammable) and  false synonyms.

Vocabulary – Synonyms and Antonyms

These types of questions present you with words in different formats and ask you questions about them. For example, you might get a sentence with a word that has multiple definitions and be asked for the definition in this context or asked for a word that is opposite of the highlighted word. You may be given a list of words and asked which word doesn’t have the same meaning as the other words on the list. You may even be given a word list and asked to place a checkmark next to the three words on the list that are synonyms. 

Winning tip for Vocabulary questions 

Homophones are words that are pronounced the same despite having different spelling. When you read a word and in the context of the question the spelling seems a bit odd to you, check whether you are dealing with a homophone. This is a common trick in Wonderlic vocabulary-based questions.

Word Analogies

Analogy questions ask you to fill in the missing word that best matches the comparison being made in the sentence. 

Winning tip for Word Analogy questions 

While solving analogies, maintain the order of the analogy. If the analogy between word A and word B is “A works at B,” then an answer that presents a perfect analogy but in the reverse order (“B works at A”) will be incorrect.

Sentence Ordering

You’ll be presented with several words that are mixed up, but when rearranged form a sentence. Some sentences may form a question, and you’ll be challenged to answer that question. In other sentences, the question will ask you to identify the order of words in the sentence, by asking for something like the first letter in the last word or asking for the word which appears before or after a different word. 

Winning tip for Sentence Ordering questions 

The key to solving these quickly is to pair words together. For example, auxiliary verbs (am, have, are, etc.) are always close to personal pronouns ( I, you, it, they, etc.); adverbs almost always precede verbs. Once you have created two or three pairs of words, it is much easier to construct the sentence.

Deductive Reasoning

In these questions, you may be presented with several statements and asked a question based on those statements. Alternatively, you may be given statements as fact and a conclusion, and you’ll be asked whether their conclusion is true or not. 

Winning tip for Deductive Reasoning questions 

Many times, the statements describe some sort of interaction between two people. Consider the difference between the following statements:

1. Jon shook hands with Jane.
2. Jon greeted Jane.

Statement 1 presents a reciprocal interaction, since Jane necessarily shook hands with Jon. Statement 2, however, does not necessitate reciprocity. Jon definitely greeted Jane but Jane did not necessarily greet Job. By identifying the interaction in the story, you can determine whether the third statement offers a  definite conclusion (follow/does not follow) or an indefinite one (uncertain conclusion). 

2. Numerical Ability

Number Series

You will be presented with a series of numbers and asked for the missing number. Some questions will place the missing number in the middle of the series, while other questions ask for the next number. 

Winning tip for Number Series questions 

These questions almost always rely on repeating basic operations (+-*/) between the elements. The operations either represent the differences between the elements or the differences between the series of differences. Work quickly to identify the pattern between the elements, and apply it to the missing number.

Value Ordering 

You will be presented with a list of numbers, and be asked which of the numbers is the largest or smallest

Winning tip for Value Ordering questions 

The most important attribute you should look for is the position of the decimal digit. More numbers left of the decimal digit mean greater value. The number of decimal digits is almost always a misleading factor. For the decimal digits, start looking for the greatest value of the digit closest to the decimal point.

Math Word Problems

You will be given a scenario and asked to calculate the answer. Questions may require multiple steps of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and working with percentages to determine the correct answer. 

Winning tip for Math Word problems

Elimination is a key element in solving these questions. Many times, it will be faster to eliminate all the answers but one than to calculate the correct solution. If you eliminate all the answers but one, the last option must be the correct answer.

3. Perceptual Ability

Comparing Lists

These types of questions present with two similar lists, and ask you questions about them. How many items among the pairs listed are duplicates, or how many number sets are mirror images of each other. 

Winning tip for Comparing Lists questions 

Have a pen and scratch paper with you. As you read through the pairs, draw a line for each pair that matches the criteria. It’s a lot easier to count the lines on your paper than to track the number of identical pairs in your head. 

Pattern Formation

In these questions, you will see a final shape made up of different colors, and several other shapes that can combine together to form the color pattern within the original shape. You will be asked to identify the boxes that can join together to create the original shape. Some questions will ask you to build the original pattern using two pieces, while others ask you to build it using three pieces. 

Winning tip for Pattern Formation questions 

In cases that you need to choose three pieces that make the model, try to eliminate options that include colored squares in a position that contradicts the model.

In cases that you need to choose two pieces that make the model, try to find the option that includes a colored square that doesn’t appear in any of the other options. It must be one of the answers. Then find a square that completes it.

Figural Series Completion

You will be presented with a series of figures and asked to complete the series with the correct figure. 

Winning tip for Figural Series questions 

These questions are often about moving features within the element. Try to count steps of a single feature along the given series. Then you can determine the position of that feature in the correct answer. Any answer option that includes that feature in the incorrect place  can be removed.

Cube Folding

In these questions, you will be presented with a flattened cube. Many of the corners of the cube are labeled, and you will be asked to identify which sides would be next to one another once the cube was closed. 

Winning tip for Cube Folding questions 

Remember that you are not required to construct a complete cube, but only to find the letter near the marked corner. Therefore, start folding with the marked position to identify the corner it is next to.

Graph Recognition

These questions measure your skill in reading graphs. You may be given data, either as a statement or in a table, and asked to identify the graph that displays the data correctly. 

Winning tip for Graph Recognition questions 

In the vast majority of cases, your goal is to locate the graph that displays the correct trend of data. It is less likely that two answers will be identical except for the precise value of a single point. Therefore, instead  of looking for specific data points like 21, 16, 33, 27, 20, look for the pattern in the graph, like  “starting point-down-up-down-down.” You are likely to find only one correct solution.

4. General Knowledge

Months of the Year

You will have to answer questions about the calendar. 

Winning tip for Month of the Year questions 

There is hardly any sophistication here. Make sure that you know the order of the months of the year by heart, and read the question carefully so you don’t get tricked.

Date Sorting

You will be asked to identify which date from a list is either the earliest or latest date. 

Winning tip for Date Sorting questions 

Gradually eliminate the answers. Start by eliminating options based on the year they display, then by month, then by day. In some cases, you will already have your answer after two steps.

Common Knowledge

These questions come from a number of different disciplines. 

Winning tip for Common Knowledge questions 

There are some basic knowledge areas that the Wonderlic expects you to know. The most significant ones are the months of the year, days of the week, conversion between a 12-hour and 24-hour clock, and the organization of the solar system.

Familiarity with Proverbs

You will be asked to complete well-known sayings, as well as identify proverbs that have a similar meaning. 

Winning tip for Proverb questions 

If this is not your strong suit, take an hour and dive into some websites that review common proverbs in the language in which you are about to take the test. This is a refresher you won’t regret.

Wonderlic Personality Test

The Wonderlic personality test is designed to evaluate key traits such as adaptability, teamwork, and leadership potential, all of which are critical for career success. It consists of 80 to 90 self-assessment questions where you’re asked to indicate how much you agree or disagree with certain statements. Unlike the cognitive section, which is timed, the personality portion gives you more flexibility. However, your responses are still crucial, as they create a detailed personality profile based on your choices.

This profile is then compared with the traits required for specific jobs to predict your potential for success in that role. So, how you answer each question is essential, as it influences whether your personality aligns with the position’s requirements. Contrary to popular belief, preparing for personality tests isn’t pointless. With the right approach, you can strategically highlight your strengths and improve your chances without compromising your honesty or being selected for jobs that don’t suit your true characteristics.

Wonderlic Motivation Assessment

The Wonderlic motivation assessment, part of the broader Wonderlic Select Test, is designed to evaluate what drives you in the workplace. It consists of 58 forced-choice questions, where you’re presented with three different work tasks and must select the one that appeals to you the most. This test is untimed, typically taking about 20 minutes to complete, allowing you to thoughtfully consider each option.

The motivation section helps create a profile based on six key work-related characteristics (such as Investigative, Artistic, or Enterprising), which is then matched to the demands of the job you’re applying for. This alignment between your motivators and job requirements is crucial for long-term job satisfaction and performance, making how you answer essential to your success. Preparing for this section by understanding the types of tasks each characteristic represents can significantly improve your chances without misrepresenting yourself.

Wonderlic Preparation Strategies

1. Beat the clock

Wonderlic questions are not very difficult. However, you have less than 15 seconds to read the instructions and the question, understand what is being asked of you, and provide the right answer. Here are some tips to help you manage the time – and stress – that you’ll be faced with on the Wonderlic.

• When practicing, time individual questions to find room for improvement within the question types
• Rather than spending time doing calculations, see if there is a way to eliminate all wrong answers
• Work on developing time-saving techniques while you practice
• Skip questions that you think are difficult, you’re not sure how to solve, or you will need to take too much time to solve them. The Wonderlic allows you to review skipped questions when you reach the end of the test. 

2. Get Easy Points

Here are the facts. The average Wonderlic score is 21. Most companies want employees who score 28 or more. If you get 32-35 points, you’ll be a top candidate for nearly any position. Score 38, and recruiters will think you have superpowers. 

Getting a high score is more important than getting everything right. You want to make sure to see all the questions, so you can pick up any points you can in areas that match your strengths, even if they are toward the end of the test. 

3. Know Your Strengths

There are three main categories of questions – verbal, math, and spatial reasoning. Practice your weakest areas to build up your speed, but on test day, if you don’t feel confident in one area, skip it so you can score well in the areas where you were born to succeed. 

4. Be Strategic in Preparation Times

Our brains are wired to improve, but if you press too hard for too long your brain will need a break. While prepping for the test, take breaks, rest your mind, and refresh yourself. You’ll find that your brain will be ready to go after it has taken a break. 

Be careful about over-preparing on test day. Try a few questions to get your brain into test mode, but don’t overdo it. You’ll want to be refreshed and ready when the clock starts. 

5. Balance Content and Speed

Try taking an untimed practice test and follow it up a few days later with a timed version of the test. Your untimed test will show if there are areas you need to study, while the timed test will show how well you perform when facing extreme time limits. 

6. Prepare for Question Types

With less than 15 seconds a question, you don’t have time to try and figure out the instructions and answer the question. Take time during your preparation to really focus on the types of questions you’ll be asked, so you can spend your time during the test figuring out the right answer. 

7. Mimic Testing Conditions

Practice full-length tests, and strictly adhere to the time limit. No breaks, no calculators, no talking. When it comes time to take the test, you’ll be used to the conditions. Find an online practice test, such as the one offered by iPrep, to test your skills. 

8. Find Your Stress Spot

Many people find that some stress helps them improve performance, while other need to be calm to succeed. Know the mental state that is best for you, and work to calibrate your emotional stress levels with your optimal performance levels. 

9. Put Yourself in Position to Succeed

The Wonderlic is an important step you will need to climb on the way toward your career goals. Give yourself the best chance possible by arriving at the test well rested and well fed.

Wonderlic Test Features

Wonderlic Test Fast Facts (tl;dr)

• The Wonderlic Select Test is comprised of three parts – cognitive ability, personality, and motivation tests.
• The Wonderlic cognitive ability test consists of 50 questions, and takes 12 minutes to complete.
• There are four categories of questions
  • Verbal Ability 
  • Numerical Ability 
  • Perceptual Ability 
  • General Knowledge
• You may not use a calculator
• Different jobs have different score requirements
  • Average score: 21
  • Typical score required for a job: 28
  • Scores that make people notice you: 32+
• Typically taken at an employer site under supervision

Common Names of the Wonderlic Test

There are several versions of the Wonderlic test, which sometimes leads to confusion. The standard Wonderlic employee assessment test goes by the name Wonderlic Select Test, but it is also known by the names:

• Wonderlic Personnel Test
• Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test
• The Wonderlic
• Wonderlic Personnel Test-Revised 
• WPT-R

Wonderlic offers a shorter version of the test. Taken online, the WPT-Q, or Wonderlic Quicktest contains 30 questions and needs to be completed within 8 minutes. 

Two Wonderlic Versions – Full-Length and QuickTest

Both the full version and short version of the Wonderlic are used to assess job candidates, as each test demonstrates your ability to follow instructions, learn, solve problems, and adapt. Each test is scored automatically, and results are available to employers immediately. 

The Wonderlic QuickTest is administered offsite and taken online. In contrast to the full version of the test, you will have 8 minutes to answer 30 questions. The Wonderlic QuickTest (WPT-Q) is unproctored and often given to all candidates, while the full version of the Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT-R) is proctored and administered only to final candidates for the position. 

While the tests appear similar, the 12-minute 50-questions version of the test is considered more difficult due to the added pressure by the proctored environment, the need to maintain concentration for a longer time, and above all – the harsher time constraints – 14.4 seconds per question in comparison to 16 seconds per question in the 8-minute 30-question shorter version.

	Wonderlic QuickTest	Wonderlic Personnel Test
Short Name	WPT-Q	WPT-R
No. of Questions	30	50
Time Limit	8 minutes	12 minutes
Time Per Question	16 seconds	14.4 seconds
Administration	Offsite, unproctored	Onsite, proctored
Hiring Stage	Prescreening	Advanced screening

Scoring Based on Correct Answers and Difficulty Level

Your raw score is based on the number of questions you answered correctly. However, Wonderlic’s scoring algorithm accounts for the level of difficulty in each question. The weighted scoring is driven by the role being tested for. For example, an engineering role would put more weight on cognitive ability questions, while a customer support role would put more weight on questions relating to people skills. 

Wonderlic Personnel Test Vs. Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE)

The Wonderlic Personnel Test and the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam are similar tests. Both have 50 questions and a 12-minute time limit. There is even an SLE-Q test, where test takers have 8 minutes to complete 30 questions, the equivalent to the Wonderlic QuickTest (WPT-Q)

However, the SLE and SLE-Q are used by educational admissions offices, while the standard Wonderlic is used by employers to screen job candidates. 

From the perspective of the test-taker, both tests are practically the same. The only difference is the layout but the tests themselves assess your cognitive ability in the exact same format. Therefore, preparation services for the Wonderlic cognitive ability test, like the one offered by iPrep, will be ideal for preparing and successfully passing both the Wonderlic Personnel Test and the Wonderlic SLE.

	Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam QuickTest	Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam
Short Name	SLE-Q	SLE
No. of Questions	30	50
Time Limit	8	12
Time Per Question	16	14.4

Wonderlic WonScore

In addition to the Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test, the company offers a motivation assessment test and a personality test. When used together, hiring companies receive a single score they call a WonScore, which combines data from each test to present employers with a full picture candidate assessment.

If you are asked to take the personality and motivation tests, approach them as if you already have the job, and answer questions from that perspective.  

Technical Facts

Companies Using the Wonderlic

The Wonderlic is one of the most popular tests. It is used by Fortune 500 companies, fast food restaurants, and public school systems as a way to identify candidates who are most likely to succeed. 

The Wonderlic and the NFL

The National Football League famously uses the Wonderlic to evaluate players before the NFL draft. Pat McInally is the only player known to have earned a perfect score, getting a 50 before being drafted in 1975.

Results Scale and Interpretations

There are different elements to a Wonderlic score. First, there is the raw score, which is the number of correct answers you had on the test. The average score is 20. 

However, your score will mean something different depending on the role you are applying for. Receptionists, firefighters, and cashiers average a 21, while librarians and copywriters average 27. System analysts average 32. 

Because different jobs require different skill sets, there is an ideal score for each job, and your score report will be based on the role for which you applied. 

In the chart below, you can see median scores based on roles. 

Profession	Score	Profession	Score
Systems analyst	32	Drafter	23
Chemist	31	Electrician	23
Electrical engineer	30	Nurse	23
Engineer	29	Bank teller	22
Programmer	29	US Average	21
Accountant	28	Cashier	21
Executive	28	Firefighter	21
Reporter	28	Clerical worker	21
Teacher	28	Machinist	21
Copywriter	27	Receptionist	21
Investment analyst	27	Train conductor	21
Librarian	27	Craftsman	18
Electronics technician	26	Security guard	17
Salesperson	25	Welder	17
Secretary	24	Warehouseman	15
Dispatcher	23	Janitor	14

Score Report

Results are provided to the company that administered the test, and it is unlikely that they will give you the report. 

The report is divided into three sections. The top contains basic information and includes your name and the role that you are trying to get. The center section contains your raw score, percentile, and IQ equivalent. There is a bell curve based on the role which shows the average scores an individual who is a good fit for the position should get. 

The last section of the report advises the hiring manager whether you are a good fit, and describes your training potential.

Wonderlic FAQs

Wonderlic Test Tips

1. Familiarize Yourself with Instructions
   While preparing, pay close attention to the instructions in the questions. You will only have about 15 seconds per answer, so you’ll only have a moment to fully understand what the question is actually asking of you. 
2. Focus on time management
   The clock is ticking the moment the test starts. If there are questions you know you can’t answer, guess quickly. If there are questions that you can answer but might take time, skip it and come back to the question at the end. 
3. Know Your Strong Suits
   If you are great at English and struggle with spatial relationships, consider guessing quickly on questions with patterns. That will give you some vital extra seconds for the challenging English questions. 
4. Don’t Get Caught Up on Wrong Answers
   Remember, you aren’t being tasked with scoring 100% correct. You are being challenged to answer as many right as possible, so don’t worry if you have to guess or skip questions. Just focus on getting everything right that you can. 
5. Dodge the Traps
   Many people perform poorly on the Wonderlic because they get caught up trying to answer one question. Other people aren’t ready for the tricky way questions are phrased. The more you practice beforehand, the better prepared you will be on test day. 
6. Take a Study Course
   Points matter on this test. There are only two points separating a receptionist from a nurse, and only four points between a cashier and train conductor and a career in sales. Study courses can help get you the points you need to land your dream job.

Administration

• Test Location: The Wonderlic QuickTest is non-proctored and taken online at home. The Wonderlic Personnel Test is administered at a company’s office and is proctored.
• Test Schedule: The Wonderlic QuickTest invite may arrive immediately after submitting the job application. The 50-question Wonderlic Personnel Test is scheduled after passing the first steps of the application, usually before the final interview. 
• Test Format: Multiple choice on computer.
• Test Materials: Test taken on computer. Calculators are prohibited, but pen and paper are permitted.
• Cost: Covered by the recruiter.
• Retake Policy: Determined by each employer.

Test Provider

The Wonderlic company was founded by E.F. Wonderlic in the 1930s, and they have created employment assessment tests for almost 90 years. The company is still owned by the Wonderlic family. 

Information Sources

• Wonderlic

Disclaimer – All the information and prep materials on iPrep are genuine and were created for tutoring purposes. iPrep is not affiliated with Wonderlic, which is the owner of the trademarks Wonderlic Personnel Test, Wonderlic QuickTest, WonScore, or any of the companies mentioned above.