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Mechanical Reasoning Test

How sharp is your mechanical reasoning?

Twenty-four timed questions in the real employer-assessment format — gears, levers, pulleys, hydraulics and the physics of everyday machines. We score you and email a section-by-section report with your percentile.

⏱ 25:00

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Gear A and gear B are meshed together. If gear A turns clockwise, which way does gear B turn?

About this test

Mechanical reasoning tests measure how well you understand simple machines and physical principles — gears, levers, pulleys, springs, fluids and forces. Employers in engineering, manufacturing, the armed forces, emergency services and skilled trades use them to predict how quickly you'll grasp how equipment behaves, so they reward genuine understanding over memorised formulas.

This free test mirrors that format: 24 timed questions across four areas, each built around a clear diagram. You don't need advanced maths — just a feel for how forces, motion and pressure work. We score every section and email you a breakdown with your percentile, so you can see exactly where you're strong and where a little practice pays off.

Frequently asked questions

What is a mechanical reasoning test?
It assesses your understanding of basic physical and mechanical principles — how gears, levers, pulleys, springs and fluids behave. Each question pairs a short scenario with a diagram, and you choose the outcome the physics predicts. It measures applied understanding, not memorised equations.
Who uses mechanical reasoning tests?
They're common in selection for engineering, manufacturing and maintenance roles, the armed forces and emergency services, aviation, and skilled trades and apprenticeships. Publishers like SHL and the Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test use this format.
Do I need physics qualifications to do well?
No. The questions rely on everyday intuition about how machines work plus a few simple rules — for example, a longer lever arm needs less force, and meshed gears turn in opposite directions. No formula sheet or calculator is required.
How is the test scored?
You get one mark per correct answer across the four sections — Gears & Pulleys, Levers & Forces, Fluids & Pressure, and Energy & Motion. We email a section-by-section breakdown and your percentile, so you can see how you compare and which area to focus on.
How can I improve my mechanical reasoning?
Practise reading diagrams and naming the principle at work in each one, and learn the core rules for levers, gears, pulleys and hydraulics. Reviewing why each answer is right — not just which option — builds the intuition the test rewards.

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Abstract Reasoning TestCan you spot the pattern?Numerical Reasoning TestHow well do you reason with numbers?