Wonderlic Test Expert Tips:
1. Don’t Be a Perfectionist
The Wonderlic isn’t supposed to be easy. If it were easy, then everyone would receive a high score, and there would be no way to evaluate individuals who are actually highly intelligent.
That said, you don’t actually need a high score to attract attention from employers. Your employers will have likely set a minimum required score, and as long as you meet that standard, they’ll look at your application. A very high score is sure to be impressive, but very few people receive scores above 35. In fact, less than 5% of applicants can even finish the exam at all let alone answer all of the questions correctly.
When you receive your score, don’t panic if it’s less than what you were expecting. Even engineers and programmers only receive about 29-32 on average. You’re better off comparing your score to the average score for your position.
While your prospective employer won’t come out and tell you right away what score he’s looking for, you should know that the Wonderlic company offers pre-set job positions. When hiring, managers typically choose the most fitting description and compare applicants to these standards.
Since many of these scores have been published online, you can see generally where you stand in relation to your competition. You can see many of these scores listed below.
When you take our Wonderlic sample test, count up the number of questions you answered correctly and then multiply that number by five to get a general idea of what you would score on the actual exam.
2. Don’t Panic
Unfortunately, these pre-programmed positions don’t always match up perfectly. In many cases, while the general overview or description is similar, the company will have additional requirements and responsibilities in mind for their specific opening.
Each company is unique, and one company’s needs don’t always resemble another’s. However, companies are not able to customize employee profiles. They’re obligated to choose from the list of positions they’re given. The exam, however, doesn’t break down your score into different sections. So, if you answer all of the math questions correctly but miss a few of the verbal questions, your employer won’t know the difference.
Employers know this, and so they sometimes give candidates a little leeway. If your score is close and you’re otherwise a very qualified candidate, the hiring manager probably won’t look too carefully at your score.
This is even more relevant for individuals asked to submit a Wonscore report. Wonscore is Wonderlic’s new psychometric package. Along with the cognitive ability test, you’ll be
asked to take two personality assessments–one focused directly on personality traits and the other on motivation. While many companies find that results from the Wonderlic Personnel Assessment are very accurate, they don’t understand the other two components.
In many cases, hiring directors find that their company values and culture aren’t in alignment with the ones emphasized on the assessment. In any case, if you score well on the cognitive ability test and then receive poor results on the other two exams, your application will probably still be taken into consideration.
You’ll want to make sure to take a few timed Wonderlic practice tests anyway before you take the actual exam. Calculate your scores on these exams and see how close you are to where you need to be. If you prepare for the test ahead of time, you’ll have a much better chance of reaching your ideal score than if you were to just wing it and try your best.
3. Look for Shortcuts
Applicants often assume that the only way to improve their score is to work faster. However, they often end up working harder and not smarter. Instead of rushing and making careless mistakes, you should look for shortcuts wherever possible.
The degree to which you use your time efficiently will largely determine how well you perform on the exam. While a few seconds won’t seem like much while you’re taking the test, you’d be surprised by how fast those seconds can add up. When you’re only given 12 minutes, each second really counts.
If you can save several seconds on every single question, you’ll have enough time to answer a few more questions, which could mean a couple more points added to your score.
Remember, on the Wonderlic, a few points can make an enormous difference. After all, the difference between an engineer’s score and a secretary’s is only 5 points. 5 points added to your score might just be the difference you need to attract the boss’s attention.
With a bit of Wonderlic test prep, you’ll learn the tips and tricks you’ll need to slash your response time and maximize your score.
