The Wonderlic Basic Skills Test is used both as a pre-employment test for job-seekers and as an entrance exam for academic institutions. Unlike the standard Wonderlic Personnel Test, the Basic Skills Test is not meant to be an intelligence test.
Below, we’ll explain exactly what the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test is in detail, what kind of questions you can expect on the exam, how the assessment is scored, and what you should be doing to prepare. A full review of the test, this article will provide you with everything you should know before test day. We’ll even include a free basic skills test so you can get started right away.
What Is the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test?
The Wonderlic Basic Skills Test isn’t really meant to challenge you. It’s a simple aptitude assessment designed to evaluate your verbal and mathematical skills. The two sections, language and numerical reasoning, contain 50 and 45 questions respectively and last 20 minutes each. The questions you’ll encounter are no more difficult than what you should have seen in as a teenager if you graduated from high school. There are no trick questions, and you have plenty of time to work through each problem.
Businesses and academic programs have begun to use this basic skills assessment because it’s simpler and quicker than the SAT’s or ACT’s but the material is of roughly the same level. As a standardized test, the WBST allows companies and institutions to filter candidates efficiently, but since the test is all done online, the results are ready immediately.
Types of Questions on the WBST:
The questions you’ll find on the WBST will either focus on your grasp of the English language or your ability to manipulate numbers and mathematical expressions. Here’s a basic list of the type of questions you should expect.
Basic Math Skills Test:
- Analysis of Graphs
- Basic Geometry
- Calculating & Comparing Fractions
- Converting Between Metric Units
- Converting Currencies
- Rates, Percentages, and Proportions
- Solving and Simplifying Equations
- Whole Numbers
WBST Verbal Test:
- Identifying and Correcting Grammar Mistakes
- Reading Comprehension
- Sentence Construction
- Vocabulary Usage
How to Score Well on the Basic Skills Assessment Test
If you really want to score well on the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test, you’re going to need to practice. While you can definitely go into your closet to dig out your old math notes, you probably won’t want to sort through pages and pages of material. Ideally, you’ll want to focus on the topics that will actually be covered on the exam.
Instead, you should try your hand at some basic skills assessment practice tests. By completing these sample questions, you’ll become familiar with the kind of material you’ll encounter on actual exam. Better yet, you’ll be able to practice with a timer, so you’ll get a better feel for the pace you’ll need to keep to finish on time.
What Score Do I Need to Pass the WBST Test?
On most Wonderlic exams, as on most standardized tests, there is no official passing grade. That is to say that there is no universal qualifying score.
Rather, each company will set their own standard. When comparing different candidates, the company, or institution, will use your scores as a metric by which to evaluate you. Since resumes often look very similar, a basic standardized exam like the Wonderlic will provide the hiring manager with very useful information.
If you’re worried about your score, then here’s a tip: you can look to see whether your prospective employer or program has posted any grades on their website. Sometimes they’ll come right out and tell you what the average scores are among successful applicants.
How Do You Prepare for the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test?
As mentioned previously, if you want to prepare for the WBST, you really should make sure you take a few practice tests. Put aside enough time to take the entire exam at once. Set the timer for 20 minutes for each section, and refrain from using a calculator. It’s important that you practice under exam conditions so you’re not surprised on test day.
When you’re finished with the test, check your answers carefully. It’s essential that you review each question individually including the questions you answered correctly. You’ll want to make sure you fully understand each problem before moving on.
By focusing on practice tests, you’ll be able to immediately identify your weak spots. Then you can go back and review any topics that might have given you trouble.
Free Basic Skills Test for Employment
Ready to start practicing right now? We thought we’d help you out with your Wonderlic Basic Skills Test preparation with a free pre-employment practice test. Check out our free exam questions and see how well you do.
Final Thoughts:
Companies and academic institutions across the country use the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test to improve their application process. They hope that, in testing for essential quantitative and verbal skills, they’ll be able to filter out a lot of unqualified candidates.
In truth, companies don’t usually pay too much attention to your test scores. If you’ve received the minimum score necessary, you’ll pass through to the second phase of the interview process, and you’ll meet the manager or director in person. Your interview will tell your prospective employers a lot more about you than your test scores anyway.
Thankfully, the Wonderlic Basic Skills Test is not designed to trick you. If you study a bit and review fundamental concepts, you shouldn’t have too hard of a time.
