EIAT math section wrecked me — how do I improve on mechanical reasoning before my retake?
I took the Elevator Industry Aptitude Test for the first time last week and did not pass. My reading comprehension score was fine — I think I got around 80% on that section — but the math and mechanical reasoning sections pulled me way down. I wasn't expecting the mechanical reasoning to be as technical as it was, and I'm trying to figure out the best way to prep before my retake.
The math questions covered basic algebra, fractions, and some geometry, but the mechanical reasoning stuff involved pulleys, gears, levers, and basic electrical circuits. I have zero formal training in any of that — I've worked in warehouse logistics for 5 years so I'm not afraid of physical work, but I've never had to calculate gear ratios or figure out which direction a pulley system turns.
I've been told the overall passing threshold is somewhere around 70%, and I think I landed around 62% on my first attempt. My plan is to spend 6 weeks on targeted prep this time, about an hour a day, with a heavy focus on the mechanical and math portions. Does anyone know of good resources specifically for mechanical reasoning — not generic aptitude test prep, but something that actually explains the underlying physics?
Gear ratio questions follow a consistent pattern — if gear A has 20 teeth and gear B has 10 teeth, gear B turns twice as fast in the opposite direction. Once you internalize that logic it applies to every variation on the test. Pulley systems work similarly. Practice 15–20 examples until the direction and speed relationships feel automatic.
The Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude workbook helped me more than anything else. It breaks down levers, pulleys, and gears with actual explanations rather than just sample questions. After 4 weeks with that book I went from feeling completely lost on mechanical reasoning to consistently scoring 75%+ on practice sets.
I passed EIAT on my second attempt after failing the first by about 5 points. The mechanical section really is the differentiator — most people can improve their reading and math with standard prep, but mechanical reasoning requires you to actually visualize how systems work. YouTube videos on simple machines helped me more than any textbook.
For the math section, Khan Academy's pre-algebra and algebra basics series is free and moves fast if you already have some foundation. I knocked out the relevant sections in about 2 weeks, 30 minutes a day, and it made a real difference on the calculation questions.