Wonderlic Personnel Test — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which sequence is in correct ascending order?

8, 6, 4, 2
3, 7, 5, 9
1, 3, 5, 7 (Correct answer)
2, 4, 6, 5

Correct answer: 1, 3, 5, 7

1, 3, 5, 7 increases steadily; the others break order.

Question 2: Which proverb means signs of a problem usually indicate a real cause?

Beauty is only skin deep
Where there's smoke there's fire (Correct answer)
Good things come to those who wait
Don't cry over spilled milk

Correct answer: Where there's smoke there's fire

Visible signs of trouble usually point to a genuine underlying issue.

Question 3: CHAPTER is to BOOK as ROOM is to...

DOOR
HOUSE (Correct answer)
FLOOR
CEILING

Correct answer: HOUSE

The relationship is part to a larger whole. A chapter is one section of a book. A room is one section of a house. This tests the ability to see hierarchical structures.

Question 4: A recipe for 4 servings uses 2 cups of flour. How many cups are needed for 10 servings?

6 cups
4 cups
8 cups
5 cups (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 5 cups

Each serving uses 0.5 cup, so 10 × 0.5 = 5 cups.

Question 5: The words CONCEAL and REVEAL are:

Antonyms (Correct answer)
Synonyms
Identical
Unrelated

Correct answer: Antonyms

Conceal means to hide and reveal means to show, making them antonyms.

Question 6: Read the passage: 'The manager decided to implement a new policy requiring all employees to submit weekly progress reports. The goal was to improve communication between departments and identify bottlenecks early.' What is the PRIMARY purpose of the new policy?

To increase the number of meetings held each week
To evaluate individual employee performance for raises
To improve interdepartmental communication and identify problems early (Correct answer)
To reduce employee workload

Correct answer: To improve interdepartmental communication and identify problems early

The passage directly states the goal was to improve communication between departments and identify bottlenecks early.

Question 7: Which row has a calculation error? A) 3x4=12 B) 6x7=42 C) 8x9=71

No errors
Row A
Row B
Row C (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Row C

8x9 equals 72, not 71.

Question 8: In the following series of numbers, what is the next number? 0.5 2 8 32

128 (Correct answer)
115
60
95

Correct answer: 128

This is a numerical series where each subsequent number is obtained by multiplying the previous number by 4. Starting with 0.5, multiplying by 4 gives 2, then 2 multiplied by 4 gives 8, and 8 multiplied by 4 gives 32. Therefore, to find the next number, 32 must be multiplied by 4, resulting in 128.

Question 9: All P are Q. All Q are R. Some R are S. Which must be true?

All P are R (Correct answer)
No P are R
All S are P
All P are S

Correct answer: All P are R

P are Q and Q are R, so all P are R; the S claim is unrelated.

Question 10: Chef is to Kitchen as Judge is to:

Courtroom (Correct answer)
Law
Trial
Jury

Correct answer: Courtroom

A chef works in a kitchen just as a judge works in a courtroom.

Question 11: If December 31 is a Tuesday, what day of the week is January 1 of the next year?

Wednesday (Correct answer)
Tuesday
Monday
Thursday

Correct answer: Wednesday

January 1 is the very next day after December 31, so it is a Wednesday.

Question 12: Which proverb means it is better to act late than not at all?

A fool and his money are soon parted
Better late than never (Correct answer)
Necessity is the mother of invention
The bigger they are, the harder they fall

Correct answer: Better late than never

Doing something belatedly is preferable to never doing it.

Question 13: No fish breathe air with lungs. A lungfish breathes air with lungs. Therefore a lungfish:

Cannot exist
Is a mammal
Is a fish by this rule
Is not a fish by this rule (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Is not a fish by this rule

Within the premises given, breathing with lungs contradicts being a fish.

Question 14: If a value doubles every year, and it starts at 5, what is it after 3 years?

30
40 (Correct answer)
20
15

Correct answer: 40

5 → 10 → 20 → 40 after three doublings.

Question 15: What number comes next in the series: 81, 27, 9, 3, ?

0
1 (Correct answer)
2
1/3

Correct answer: 1

This is a geometric progression where each number is divided by 3 to get the next number. 81 / 3 = 27; 27 / 3 = 9; 9 / 3 = 3. The final step is 3 / 3 = 1.

Question 16: How many words are misspelled: 'recieve, achieve, seperate, definite'?

3
1
4
2 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 2

'recieve' and 'seperate' are misspelled; 'achieve' and 'definite' are correct.

Question 17: How does experience help in decision-making?

It doesn’t affect decision-making
It causes bias
It complicates the process
It helps make faster decisions (Correct answer)

Correct answer: It helps make faster decisions

Experience significantly aids in decision-making by enabling individuals to make faster and often more accurate choices. Prior encounters with similar situations build a mental database of successful and unsuccessful strategies. This allows experienced individuals to quickly recognize patterns, anticipate outcomes, and apply proven solutions without extensive deliberation.

Question 18: A belt connects two pulleys. If the belt is not crossed and the drive pulley turns clockwise, the driven pulley turns which way?

It reverses repeatedly
Clockwise (Correct answer)
It stops
Counterclockwise

Correct answer: Clockwise

An uncrossed belt makes both pulleys turn the same direction.

Question 19: If a 90-day trial begins on January 1 of a non-leap year, on what date does it end (day 90)?

March 29
March 30
March 31 (Correct answer)
April 1

Correct answer: March 31

January (31) + February (28) + March (31) equals 90 days, so day 90 is March 31.

Question 20: What day does the 27th of May fall on if the first of May is a Friday?

Friday
Wednesday (Correct answer)
Tuesday
Thursday

Correct answer: Wednesday

To find the day of the week for May 27th, given that May 1st is a Friday, first calculate the number of days between May 1st and May 27th, which is 27 - 1 = 26 days. Since the days of the week repeat every 7 days, divide 26 by 7. The result is 3 with a remainder of 5. This means 3 full weeks pass, and then you count 5 additional days from Friday (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday), which leads to Wednesday.

Question 21: What is the meaning of the prefix 'anti-' in 'antifreeze'?

Before
Around
Against (Correct answer)
After

Correct answer: Against

The prefix 'anti-' means against or opposing.

Question 22: What is the following number in the sequence? 325 300 310 285 295 270 280 255 __?

245
285
230
265 (Correct answer)
275

Correct answer: 265

This sequence follows an alternating pattern of subtraction and addition. The pattern is to subtract 25, then add 10. Following this, 325 - 25 = 300, 300 + 10 = 310, and so on. The last operation was 280 - 25 = 255, so the next step is to add 10. Therefore, 255 + 10 = 265.

Question 23: Which number should come next in the series: 2, 4, 8, 16, ?

30
20
32 (Correct answer)
24

Correct answer: 32

Each term doubles the previous one, so 16 x 2 = 32.

Question 24: A long wrench loosens a tight bolt more easily than a short one because it provides what?

A sharper edge
Greater leverage (Correct answer)
More weight
Less leverage

Correct answer: Greater leverage

A longer handle increases torque, making the bolt easier to turn.

Question 25: "Rome wasn't built in a day" teaches that what?

History repeats itself
Cities are hard to build
Great things take time (Correct answer)
Plans always fail

Correct answer: Great things take time

Important achievements require patience and sustained effort.

Question 26: Which word is synonymous with 'detrimental'?

Helpful
Beneficial
Harmful (Correct answer)
Safe

Correct answer: Harmful

'Detrimental' means tending to cause harm, damage, or disadvantage. Therefore, 'harmful' is a direct synonym, as it conveys the exact same meaning of causing damage or injury. The other options (beneficial, safe, helpful) are antonyms or describe positive effects.

Question 27: The diagram depicts the layout of a skateboard racetrack, which has two long straight portions and two semi-circular turns. Which of the following best approximates the perimeter of the entire track, given the specifications shown?

425 yards
300 yards
180 yards
360 yards
395 yards (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 395 yards

The perimeter of the racetrack is calculated by adding the lengths of the two straight portions and the circumference of the two semi-circular ends. Assuming the diagram shows two straight sections of 100 yards each and a diameter of 62 yards for the semi-circular ends, the calculation is as follows: 2 * 100 yards (for the straight sections) + π * 62 yards (for the two semi-circles combined into a full circle). This results in 200 + (approximately 3.14159 * 62) = 200 + 194.778 = 394.778 yards, which best approximates to 395 yards.

Question 28: 'Effective communication is a two-way process. A message is only successful when the receiver understands it as the sender intended. Misunderstandings often arise not from a lack of effort, but from differences in background, experience, or vocabulary.' According to the passage, what is the most common source of miscommunication?

Overuse of technical jargon
Messages that are too brief
Differences in background, experience, or vocabulary (Correct answer)
Lack of effort by the sender

Correct answer: Differences in background, experience, or vocabulary

The passage directly states that misunderstandings arise from differences in background, experience, or vocabulary — not from lack of effort.

Question 29: Which of the following best explains the meaning of the proverb: 'Birds of a feather flock together'?

Teamwork is essential for success.
It is important to have a diverse group of friends.
People with similar interests tend to associate with each other. (Correct answer)
Ornithology is the study of birds.

Correct answer: People with similar interests tend to associate with each other.

This saying means that people who have similar interests, ideas, or characteristics tend to seek out one another's company and form groups. It describes the human tendency to associate with like-minded individuals.

Question 30: Which address differs: 47 Oak St, 47 Oak St, 47 Oka St?

Second
First
Third (Correct answer)
None

Correct answer: Third

The third reads 'Oka' instead of 'Oak'.

Question 31: Identify the duplicated word: 'Please send the the report by Friday.'

report
the (Correct answer)
Please
send

Correct answer: the

The word 'the' appears twice in a row.

Question 32: Complete the analogy: BIG is to LARGE as TINY is to:

Small (Correct answer)
Long
Huge
Wide

Correct answer: Small

Big and large are synonyms, as are tiny and small.

Question 33: Which tool uses the principle of a wheel and axle?

A nail
A doorknob (Correct answer)
A ramp
A knife

Correct answer: A doorknob

A doorknob turns an axle using a larger wheel for mechanical advantage.

Question 34: HOT is to COLD as TALL is to...

LARGE
SHORT (Correct answer)
BIG
WIDE

Correct answer: SHORT

The relationship is antonyms, or opposites. Hot is the opposite of cold. Therefore, the opposite of tall is short. Identifying antonyms is a common verbal reasoning skill.

Question 35: Assume the first two statements are true. 'All editors read manuscripts. Maria is an editor.' The conclusion 'Maria reads manuscripts' is:

False
True (Correct answer)
Uncertain
Irrelevant

Correct answer: True

Since all editors read manuscripts and Maria is an editor, she must read manuscripts.

Question 36: If the day before yesterday was Saturday, what day will it be the day after tomorrow?

Monday
Thursday
Tuesday
Wednesday (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Wednesday

If the day before yesterday was Saturday, then yesterday was Sunday, and today must be Monday. If today is Monday, then tomorrow is Tuesday, and the day after tomorrow will be Wednesday.

Question 37: Are You SAD? A (1) If you are like many people, the coming of winter gets you down. (2)Some hibernation tendencies are normal. (3) If you notice true depression a sense of hopelessness less energy, or anxiety you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD. (4) Some people experience SAD during spring and summer for most people, however, winter is the season to be SAD. B (5) Researchers are not certainly what causes SAD. (6) One suggestion is that having our regular body rhythms disrupted when less sunlight is available is the culprit. (7) Another study blames increased production of melatonin, a hormone related to sleep. (8) During the dark winter months, the body makes more melatonin. (9) At the same time, it makes less serotonin, the brain chemical that effects our moods. (10) Fewer sunlight means less serotonin. (11) Risk factors has not been identified. C (12) Most people with SAD just tough it out and waiting for spring. (14) If you have symptoms that last more than two weeks, it is time to see a doctor. (15) People with mild cases of SAD need to spend time outside, exercise regularly, and go to social events or travel. (16) The good news is that spring always comes? Sentence (1): "If you're like a lot of people, the arrival of winter brings you down." If you rewrote sentence 1 starting with the words the arrival of winter depresses you, the following words would be

many people
if you (Correct answer)
like many
are like
you are

Correct answer: if you

The original sentence is 'If you are like many people, the coming of winter gets you down.' When rewritten to start with 'The arrival of winter depresses you,' this new phrase replaces 'the coming of winter gets you down.' To maintain the original meaning and structure, the conditional clause 'if you are like many people' must follow. Therefore, the next words after the new start are 'if you'.

Question 38: Which number completes the pattern: 100, 90, 81, 73, ?

67
66 (Correct answer)
65
64

Correct answer: 66

The amount subtracted decreases by one each step (10, 9, 8, 7), so 73 - 7 = 66.

Question 39: PEN is to WRITE as KNIFE is to:

Sharp
Kitchen
Metal
Cut (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Cut

A pen is used to write as a knife is used to cut.

Question 40: A business was preparing for a customer appreciation event. If a goodie bag costs $1.50 per person and they are preparing for 75 attendees, how much will they spend on goodie bags?

$115.00
$120.00
$113.00
$112.50 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $112.50

To find the total cost for goodie bags, multiply the cost per goodie bag ($1.50) by the total number of attendees (75). This calculation yields a total expenditure of $112.50 for all the goodie bags.

Question 41: Sample question 2 for Spatial & Mechanical Reasoning?

Option B (Correct answer)
Option A
Option D
Option C

Correct answer: Option B

Spatial and mechanical reasoning questions typically assess your ability to visualize objects in 3D space, understand how mechanical components interact, or interpret diagrams. Without the specific visual or textual content of this sample question, it's impossible to explain the exact reasoning. However, 'Option B' would be the correct choice based on correctly identifying the required spatial transformation, mechanical function, or logical relationship presented in the actual problem.

Question 42: Which fraction is the largest: 1/2, 2/5, 3/8, 1/4?

3/8
1/2 (Correct answer)
1/4
2/5

Correct answer: 1/2

1/2 = 0.5 is greater than 0.4, 0.375, and 0.25.

Question 43: No cats are dogs. Some pets are cats. Which must be true?

All pets are dogs
No pets are cats
All pets are cats
Some pets are not dogs (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Some pets are not dogs

The pets that are cats cannot be dogs, so some pets are not dogs.

Question 44: In the following set of words, which is different from the others?

hip hop (Correct answer)
quickstep
foxtrot
waltz

Correct answer: hip hop

Foxtrot, waltz, and quickstep are all specific styles of ballroom dancing, characterized by partner work and particular steps. Hip hop, however, is a broader cultural movement and dance style that originated from street dance, making it distinct from the traditional ballroom dances listed. Therefore, hip hop is the outlier.

Question 45: Every passing student studied. Tom did not study. Therefore Tom:

Studied a little
Took a different course
Passed
Did not pass (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Did not pass

Passing requires studying, which Tom didn't do, so he did not pass.

Question 46: What number comes next in the series: 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, ?

19 (Correct answer)
18
17
20

Correct answer: 19

The pattern is to add a consecutively increasing number to the previous term. The sequence of additions is +1, +2, +3, +4, and so on. 4 + 1 = 5; 5 + 2 = 7; 7 + 3 = 10; 10 + 4 = 14. The next step is to add 5, so 14 + 5 = 19.

Question 47: A large gear drives a small gear. Compared to the large gear, the small gear turns how?

Not at all
Slower
At the same speed
Faster (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Faster

A smaller gear completes more rotations per turn of the larger gear.

Question 48: No mammals lay eggs (per this premise). A platypus lays eggs. Therefore a platypus:

Is not a mammal by this rule (Correct answer)
Is a reptile for sure
Is a mammal here
Is both

Correct answer: Is not a mammal by this rule

Under the stated premise, egg-laying contradicts being a mammal.

Question 49: What is the first step in problem-solving?

Finding a solution
Evaluating the outcome
Identifying the problem (Correct answer)
Making a decision

Correct answer: Identifying the problem

The fundamental first step in any effective problem-solving process is to clearly identify and define the problem. Without a precise understanding of what needs to be solved, any subsequent attempts to find a solution will be misdirected or inefficient. This initial identification sets the foundation for all further steps.

Question 50: Which number should replace the question mark: 7, 14, 28, 56, ?

98
110
84
112 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 112

Each number doubles the previous one, so 56 x 2 = 112.

Question 51: If four boxes of crackers cost $5.68, how much would three boxes cost?

$5.00
$1.42
$1.89
$4.26 (Correct answer)

Correct answer: $4.26

First, determine the unit cost of one box of crackers by dividing the total cost ($5.68) by the number of boxes (4). This gives a cost of $1.42 per box. Then, multiply this unit cost by the desired number of boxes (3) to find the total cost for three boxes, which is $4.26.

Wonderlic Personnel Test

The Wonderlic Personnel Test is a cognitive ability assessment used by employers to measure general aptitude, with 50 questions in 12 minutes covering verbal, numerical, and spatial reasoning.

Questions

12 min

Time Limit

40%

To Pass

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Unanswered questions count as wrong — answer everything
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These practice questions were written with AI tools. They are not real exam questions. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

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