Free Practice Mechanical Reasoning Test

As the name suggests, mechanical reasoning tests are designed to assess an individual's ability to understand fundamental mechanical concepts, principles and systems. 

Mechanical reasoning tests are most commonly used for technical roles within industries such as engineering and manufacturing.

Often, these tests will be administered as part of the recruitment process. Employers use mechanical reasoning tests to evaluate whether a candidate has the potential to complete tasks required of them within the role they have applied for. 

This can help to provide a fair and unbiased recruitment process, with candidates initially assessed on their abilities above other factors.

Within this article, you will find helpful tips and advice for your mechanical reasoning test. This information will help you to prepare for your assessment ahead of time so that you can feel confident in your ability to perform well. You will also find free mechanical aptitude test questions and answers. 

 

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Why You Should Practice for Mechanical Reasoning Tests

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Mechanical reasoning tests are designed to assess key technical knowledge. Employers using mechanical reasoning tests will be seeking to identify individuals with specific skills and areas of knowledge.

Often, recruiters will have a very high threshold for the candidates who will move forward through the next stage of the process.

Because of this, it’s vitally important to prepare as much as possible – for example, by taking free mechanical tests.

Typically, mechanical reasoning tests will follow a similar multiple-choice format. They will ask a range of questions based on different mechanical concepts and aim to evaluate your ability to understand and form conclusions from the information provided. 

Practicing a free mechanical aptitude test online will help to familiarize you with the concepts and formats you can expect during the real assessment.

If you choose to use free mechanical reasoning practice tests as part of your preparation strategy, make sure to select tests that also provide answers and explanations.

Free mechanical aptitude test questions and answers will offer insight into where you have gone wrong if you answer a question incorrectly and can help you avoid repeating mistakes.

 

Free Practice Mechanical Reasoning Test Questions

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1. Levers

Example 1:

A seesaw is balanced on a fulcrum. If a 30 kg child sits 2 meters from the fulcrum on one side, how far from the fulcrum should a 20 kg child sit on the other side to keep the seesaw balanced?

a) 1.5 meters
b) 2 meters
c) 3 meters
d) 4 meters

The correct answer is: c) 3 meters

Levers are balanced when the torque on both sides is equal. Torque is calculated as 

Force × Distance

For the seesaw to balance:

30 × 2 = 20 × d

Solve for d:

60 = 20 × d  ⟹  d = 3 meters

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Example 2:

If a force of 50 N is applied to a lever 2 meters away from the fulcrum, what force is needed on the other side, 4 meters away, to balance the lever?

a) 25 N
b) 50 N
c) 100 N
d) 200 N

The correct answer is: a) 25 N

To balance the lever, the torques on both sides must be equal:

50 × 2 = F × 4

Solve for F:

100 = F × 4  ⟹  F = 25 N

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2. Pulleys

Example 1:

In a pulley system with two pulleys, how much force is required to lift a 100 kg object if the system provides a mechanical advantage of 2?

a) 25 kg
b) 50 kg
c) 100 kg
d) 200 kg

The correct answer is: b) 50 kg

A pulley system with a mechanical advantage of 2 reduces the required force by half. Therefore, to lift a 100 kg object, you would need:

$\text{<br>}\frac{\mathrm{<br>}100}{2}=\mathrm{50\; kg}$

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Example 2:

In a block-and-tackle pulley system, there are 4 ropes supporting the load. How much force is required to lift a 400 N object?

a) 50 N
b) 100 N
c) 200 N
d) 400 N

The correct answer is: b) 100 N

In a block-and-tackle system, the force required is the load divided by the number of supporting ropes. If there are 4 ropes:

$\text{<br>}\frac{\mathrm{4}0}{4}=\mathrm{100\; N}$

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3. Gears

Example 1:

Gear A has 10 teeth and Gear B has 20 teeth. If Gear A rotates 5 times, how many times does Gear B rotate?

a) 2.5 times
b) 5 times
c) 10 times
d) 20 times

The correct answer is: a) 2.5 times

The number of rotations of each gear is inversely proportional to the number of teeth. Gear A has half the number of teeth as Gear B, so Gear B will rotate half as many times as Gear A:

$\frac{10}{20}<span\; style="font-weight:\; 400;">\times \; 5\; =\; 2.5</span>$

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Example 2:

If Gear C has 15 teeth and is connected to Gear D with 45 teeth, how many rotations will Gear D make if Gear C rotates 9 times?

a) 1
b) 3
c) 6
d) 9

The correct answer is: b) 3

The number of rotations is inversely proportional to the number of teeth. Since Gear C has 15 teeth and Gear D has 45 teeth, Gear D will rotate one-third as many times as Gear C:

$\frac{\mathrm{<br>}15}{45}<span>\times \; 9\; =\; 3\; times</span>$

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4. Forces

Example 1:

A box is being pushed with a force of 100 N across a surface with a frictional force of 40 N. What is the net force acting on the box?

a) 40 N
b) 60 N
c) 100 N
d) 140 N

The correct answer is: b) 60 N

The net force is the applied force minus the frictional force:

100 N − 40 N = 60 N

The box will move with a net force of 60 N.

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Example 2:

Two forces are acting on an object: one of 50 N to the right and another of 30 N to the left. What is the net force acting on the object?

a) 20 N to the left
b) 20 N to the right
c) 50 N to the right
d) 80 N to the right

The correct answer is: b) 20 N to the right

The net force is the difference between the two forces, in the direction of the larger force:

50 N − 30 N = 20 N to the right

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5. Inclined Planes

Example 1:

A box weighing 200 N is pushed up a ramp with a length of 5 meters and a height of 1 meter.

What is the mechanical advantage of the ramp?

a) 1
b) 2
c) 5
d) 10

The correct answer is: c) 5

The mechanical advantage of an inclined plane is the length of the plane divided by its height:

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Example 2:

An object requires 100 N of force to move up an inclined plane. Without the inclined plane, lifting the object requires 300 N. 

What is the mechanical advantage of the inclined plane?

a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) 4

The correct answer is: c) 3

The mechanical advantage is the force required without the inclined plane divided by the force required with the inclined plane:

$\text{<span>Mechanical Advantage</span>}=\frac{\mathrm{<span>Force\; without\; Incline</span>}\mathrm{<br>}}{\mathrm{<span>Force\; with\; Incline</span>}}\mathrm{<br>}$$=\frac{\mathrm{3}00}{100}=3$

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6. Basic Electrical Circuits

Example 1:

In a series circuit, the current is the same throughout. If the current in the circuit is 2 A, what is the current through each of the two resistors?

a) 0 A
b) 1 A
c) 2 A
d) 4 A

The correct answer is: c) 2 A

In a series circuit, the current is the same at all points, so the current through each resistor is 2 A.

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Example 2:

In a parallel circuit, the total resistance decreases as more resistors are added. If one resistor in a parallel circuit is 6 ohms and the other is 12 ohms, what is the total resistance?

a) 2 ohms
b) 4 ohms
c) 6 ohms
d) 18 ohms

The correct answer is: b) 4 ohms

In a parallel circuit, the total resistance Rt is given by:

$\text{<br>}\frac{\mathrm{1}}{\mathrm{<span\; style="font-weight:\; 400;">Rt</span>}}=\mathrm{<br>}$$\frac{\mathrm{<br>}1}{\mathrm{<span\; style="font-weight:\; 400;">R1</span>}}<span\; style="font-weight:\; 400;">+</span>$$\frac{1}{\mathrm{<span\; style="font-weight:\; 400;">R2</span>}}$

$\frac{\mathrm{<br>}1}{\mathrm{<span>Rt</span>}}=\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<br>}$$\frac{1}{6}<span>+</span>$$\text{<br>}\frac{\mathrm{<br>}1}{12}=\mathrm{<br>}$$\frac{\mathrm{<br>}\mathrm{<span\; style="font-weight:\; 400;">2\; +\; 1</span>}}{12}=\mathrm{ }$$\frac{\mathrm{3}}{12}<br>$

 So, Rt = 123 ​= 4 ohms

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Tips for Practicing Effectively

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If you have been asked to complete a mechanical reasoning test as part of the recruitment process for a role you have applied for, you will want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible. 

While preparation might seem easy, effective practice techniques – such as taking free mechanical comprehension tests – can significantly improve your ability to perform well on the day.

 

Brush Up on the Basics

It might be tempting to solely focus on the areas you know you find more difficult, but it’s also important to brush up on basic principles of mechanical reasoning.

Regular practice of these areas can help you to feel more confident and able to recall the information you need.

 

Take Free Mechanical Comprehension Tests

TestHQ and other, similar websites, offer free mechanical reasoning practice tests that can help to familiarize you with the format of the assessment. 

Taking the time to work through these free mechanical mock tests will provide you with insight into your strengths and areas of weakness. Practice tests with answers and explanations will also allow you to understand where you have gone wrong and enable you to avoid those pitfalls in the future. 

 

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Practice Under Timed Conditions

It’s never nice to take a test with time constraints; this can make you feel pressured and overwhelmed.

Try to complete free mechanical aptitude practice tests within a time limit. This will help you to improve your accuracy and ability to process information more quickly. 

 

Practice Time Management

Because of the timed nature of mechanical reasoning tests, it is important to manage your time effectively.

You will need to answer as many questions as possible within the time limit you are given, and your success will depend on being able to combine both speed and accuracy.

This is where taking lots of free basic mechanical aptitude tests will come in handy. 

 

Manage Your Emotions

Tests and assessments can trigger feelings of stress or anxiety. Managing these emotions is vital. Using mindfulness, breathing techniques or other stress-management tools can help improve your ability to focus and think clearly. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is a mechanical reasoning test used for?

Mechanical reasoning tests are most commonly used within industries such as engineering and manufacturing when recruiting new employees.

Testing allows recruiters to easily identify individuals possessing the skills required for a particular role.

 

How can I practice for mechanical reasoning tests for free?

Websites such as TestHQ provide free mechanical aptitude practice tests and sample questions that can be used to help prepare ahead of assessment.

 

What types of questions are on a mechanical reasoning test?

Mechanical reasoning tests aim to assess understanding of fundamental mechanical principles and concepts. Questions will cover an array of topics including gears, pulley systems, principles of physics and other mechanical knowledge.

 

Can practicing mechanical reasoning tests improve my test performance?

Yes. Working through free mechanical aptitude practice tests and brush up on core skills can help to improve your performance on the day. 

You will also be able to familiarize yourself with the test format and time constraints, allowing you to create strategies for answering questions quickly and accurately.

 

Where can I find free mechanical reasoning tests with answers?

The free mechanical reasoning tests on TestHQ and similar websites offer answers and explanations.

These will help you identify areas of weakness and understand the way employers are looking for candidates to answer. 

 

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Final Thoughts

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If you have applied for a role that requires a mechanical reasoning test as part of the recruitment process, it’s likely that you already have the fundamental knowledge required for the position. 

However, it’s always a good idea to brush up on knowledge and refresh any areas that might be less familiar. 

Many of these roles will be highly competitive, with employers looking for candidates in possession of a very specific skill set. This means that you will need to perform at your very best to enhance your chances of progressing through to the next stage of the process.

Taking the time to work through practice mechanical reasoning tests will offer the opportunity to identify any areas of weakness. 

Tests that come with explanations as well as answers will also allow you to understand exactly what potential employers are looking for in candidates. Practice tests don’t have to cost a fortune, and there are plenty of free mechanical reasoning practice tests to help you get started.

By working through free mechanical tests and considering your strengths and weaknesses, you will be as prepared as possible ahead of taking your mechanical reasoning test. Careful preparation ahead of your test means you’ll be more able to showcase yourself as a valuable asset to potential employers.