Mechanical Reasoning Tests

Mechanical reasoning tests (sometimes known as electrical aptitude tests) are used during the hiring process to examine your ability to understand mechanical principles and electrical concepts in order to solve challenges. As is normal with an aptitude test, you’ll sit the test under exam conditions and you’ll be timed. Common themes and mechanical concepts that you’ll be tested on include transformation, pressure, and kinetic energy.

We always recommend making sure you're as prepared as possible for sitting an aptitude test by practicing mechanical reasoning tests first. The more you prepare by doing practice tests, the more familiar you’ll become with the question content, the quicker you’ll get at answering and the more successful you will be in the recruitment process.

Employers use mechanical reasoning tests during the selection process to better understand how comfortable you are with mechanical and electrical challenges. For many roles, yes including those in the financial sector, mechanical reasoning skills are essential for your day-to-day work. As the world of work gets increasingly more competitive, employers look for new ways to differentiate between a pool of similar candidates - and aptitude tests like these really help them to tease out who has the skills they need.

You’ll be asked to answer mechanical reasoning questions in different topics as diverse as pulleys, maps and electrical circuits. Mechanical aptitude questions can include gears, electrical circuits, or levers. Most of the questions will take the form of an image depicting an electrical or mechanical scenario, with a choice of answers relating to the question.

Your job is to put your knowledge into practice and showcase your skills by selecting the correct answer. Typically you’ll have about 40 seconds to answer each question - it’s not long, so preparation really is key.

As the mechanical aptitude test is not standardised and there are many different variations, there is no average score.

The main skill being tested is your ability to apply your electrical and mechanical knowledge to a series of situations you could encounter in the real world. The actual topics covered are anything and everything mechanical, from circuits and magnetism to energy, force, electrical principles, and voltage. The time pressure means you’ll have to work through the questions quickly, without compromising on accuracy.