What is the Wonderlic?
Wonderlic Basic Skills Test (WBST) measures a candidate’s basic verbal and math skills based upon job requirements.
- If you are a student entering a technical studies program, this test is used to demonstrate basic skill level achievement as required by the Department of Education.
What to Expect on the Wonderlic
- Administration Method: Online
- Number of Questions: 50 verbal/45 math
- Time Limit: timed/20 min each section
Quantitative Skills Measured
Each Quantitative Test assesses the 14 quantitative skills outlined below.
Basic Math Computation: Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division
- Whole numbers
- Whole monetary units
- Whole units of measure including English and Metric units of time, length, weight, and distance
Math Computation and Quantitative Evaluation
- Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division
- Whole numbers
- Whole monetary units
- Proper and improper fractions and mixed numbers
- Fractional monetary units
- Fractional units of measure including units of time, English and Metric units of length, weight and distance
- Computation of rates, proportions and percentages
- Evaluation and interpretation of line, bar or pie graphs
- Comparisons of fractional magnitudes
Algebra and Geometry
- Computation of rates, proportions and percentages
- Evaluation, simplification and solving of variable expressions and equations
- Computation and identification of magnitude of lengths, angles, areas and volumes of plane and solid geometric figures
Verbal Skills Measured
Each Verbal Test assesses the 12 verbal skills outlined below.
Locate, Understand and Use Information in Various Formats
- Locate specific information in various formats
- Understand and use “how to” instructions
- Use literature and other written information
Recognize Word Meanings by Definition of Context
- Complete a sentence with an appropriate word in context
- Recognize word meanings
- Recognize multiple meaning of words used in context
- Recognize meanings of unfamiliar words used in context
Recognize and Identify Proper Grammar and Sentence Construction
- Identify a complete sentence
- Identify agreement of subject and verb
- Recognize standard sentence structure
- Complete compound and complex sentence construction
- Recognize errors in a compound and complex sentence
Tips for Taking Wonderlic
- Be positive and do your best.
- Relax, it’s normal to be somewhat nervous before taking a test. Don’t worry!
- Read the directions for each test section carefully.
- Plan your time well. Each test section is timed. Do not spend too much time on any one test question. If it takes too long to answer a question, skip it and return to it later, if time permits. First respond to all questions of which you are certain of the answer.
- Before answering a question, be sure you know what is being asked. For example, a test question might say, “Which of these is not an even number?” If you read the question too quickly, you may miss the word not and answer incorrectly.
- Do not read into a question something that is not there. There are no trick questions.
- Trust your instincts. When rechecking, change an answer only when you are sure that your first answer choice was wrong.
- If you are not sure how to answer a question, rule out answer choices that you know are incorrect. Then mark your best guess.
- Remember that the score you will receive on Wonderlic is only one way to measure your skills. Wonderlic will show you the skills you have now and those you need to learn. You cannot fail Wonderlic!
Practicing for the Wonderlic:
The following sites offer practice tests and online tutorials to help you prepare for the Wonderlic test:
Additional Resources:
- Khan Academy
https://www.khanacademy.org/ - Virtual Nerd
https://www.virtualnerd.com/ - ixl.com
https://www.ixl.com/