What is the Wonderlic test?

The Wonderlic Personnel Test is a cognitive ability assessment used by employers and the NFL to measure general intelligence and problem-solving skills. The test evaluates verbal, mathematical, and analytical reasoning abilities. It was created by Eldon F. Wonderlic in 1936 and has since become one of the most widely used pre-employment aptitude tests in the United States.

How many questions are on the Wonderlic test?

The standard Wonderlic Personnel Test contains 50 multiple-choice questions that must be completed in 12 minutes. This gives test-takers an average of just 14.4 seconds per question. The questions progress in difficulty, starting with easier items and becoming more challenging as the test continues. Most people do not finish all 50 questions within the time limit.

What is a good score on the Wonderlic test?

The average Wonderlic score is approximately 20 out of 50, with each correct answer worth one point. A score of 10 indicates literacy, while scores above 30 are considered excellent. For NFL draft prospects, the average score is around 21. Different employers and positions have varying score thresholds, with management roles typically requiring scores of 26 or higher.

What topics are covered on the Wonderlic test?

The Wonderlic test covers four main categories: verbal reasoning including vocabulary, analogies, and sentence structure; mathematical skills such as basic arithmetic, word problems, and number sequences; spatial reasoning involving pattern recognition and shape manipulation; and general knowledge questions covering logic and deductive reasoning. The questions are designed to assess overall cognitive ability rather than specialized knowledge.

Who is required to take the Wonderlic test?

There are no strict eligibility requirements for the Wonderlic test. It is most commonly administered by employers during the hiring process for positions in industries such as finance, healthcare, engineering, and management. NFL draft prospects take the Wonderlic at the NFL Scouting Combine each year. Schools and government agencies also use the test for admissions and placement decisions.

How do you register for the Wonderlic test?

Registration for the Wonderlic test is typically arranged through the organization requiring it, such as an employer or the NFL. Employers purchase test licenses through Wonderlic Inc. and administer the exam on-site or through a proctored online platform. Individuals who want to practice can access unofficial practice versions online, but the official scored test must be administered by an authorized organization.

How is the Wonderlic test scored?

The Wonderlic test is scored by counting the total number of correct answers out of 50, with no penalty for wrong answers or unanswered questions. Scores are reported as raw numbers on a scale of 0 to 50. Results are available immediately after completion. The scoring system means guessing on questions you cannot solve is always strategically advantageous rather than leaving them blank.

What are the best strategies for preparing for the Wonderlic test?

Effective Wonderlic preparation focuses on time management since you have only 12 minutes for 50 questions. Practice with timed sample tests to build speed and accuracy. Skip difficult questions and return to them if time permits. Strengthen mental math skills to avoid wasting time on calculations. Familiarize yourself with common question patterns including word comparisons, number series, and logical reasoning problems.

How long is the Wonderlic Personnel Test?

The full Wonderlic Select assessment takes about 35 minutes on average, and only its 50-question cognitive section is timed, at 12 minutes. (Verified Oct 19, 2026 against Wonderlic, Inc..)

What is the passing score for the Wonderlic Personnel Test?

The Wonderlic Select test has no passing or failing grade; a proprietary algorithm scores the cognitive, motivation and personality results together against the demands of the specific job. (Verified Oct 19, 2026 against Wonderlic, Inc..)

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Wonderlic Personnel TestOct 22, 202619 min readFacts verified Oct 19, 2026 against Wonderlic, Inc.

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What is a good Wonderlic score?

Wonderlic Test has no specified grading system. This was because every industry has its own criteria. Depending on the employment selection criteria, the higher the cut-off mark, the greater the qualifying score.
An individual with a scoring of 10 is considered illiterate. Wonderlic score between 10-20 is regarded as a poor score, but that doesn't mean that an individual isn't suitable for any task. It only means the person is not qualified for the job posted. However, he can still get a less mentally demanding job like that of a guard, and so on.
A score of 20/50 is known to be the median Wonderlic test score, and this differs from one company to another. For instance, in the pharmaceutical industry, a score of 31/50 is the typical Wonderlic score.
If you score well enough in Wonderlic Test, like 45/50, it implies that you are the right person for the job with the best skills for the job advertised.

Job Title	Average Wonderlic exam scores
Systems Analyst	32
Chemist	31
Electrical Engineer	30
Engineer	29
Programmer	29
Accountant	28
Executive	28
Reporter	28
Teacher	28
Copywriter	27
Investment Analyst	27
Librarian	27
Electronics Technician	26
Salesperson	25
Secretary	24
Dispatcher	23
Drafter	23
Electrician	23
Nurse	23
Bank teller	22
Cashier	21
Firefighter	21
Clerical Worker	21
Machinist	21
Receptionist	21
Train conductor	21
Craftsman	18
Security guard	17
Welder	17
Warehouseman	15
Janitor	14

Wonderlic score to IQ

Raw Score	IQ	Percentile
1	59
2	61
3	64
4	67
5	69
6	71
7	73
8	75
9	78	5
10	80	6
11	81	8
12	83	10
13	86	13
14	88	16
15	90	19
16	93	23
17	95	27
18	97	31
19	98	36
20	100	41
21	102	46
22	104	51
23	106	57
24	108	62
25	111	67
26	113	71
27	114	76
28	116	80
29	118	83
30	120	86
31	121	89
32	123	91
33	125	93
34	126	95
35	128	96
36	130	97
37	132	98
38	134	98
39	136	98
40	138	99
41	140	99
42	142	99
43	143	99
44	146	99

The Wonderlic Select cognitive ability section has 50 questions that candidates must answer within 12 minutes. (Wonderlic, Inc.)
The Wonderlic Select motivation section is untimed, has 58 forced-choice questions and takes about 20 minutes to finish. (Wonderlic, Inc.)
The full Wonderlic Select assessment takes about 35 minutes on average, and only its 50-question cognitive section is timed, at 12 minutes. (Wonderlic, Inc.)
The Wonderlic Select test has no passing or failing grade; a proprietary algorithm scores the cognitive, motivation and personality results together against the demands of the specific job. (Wonderlic, Inc.)
The Wonderlic Select test is taken online through a link from the hiring employer; it is usually unproctored, and the link generally stays active for up to 14 days. (Wonderlic, Inc.)
The Wonderlic Select test is open only to job candidates invited by an organization that uses Wonderlic, because Wonderlic does not sell testing to individuals. (Wonderlic, Inc.)
Employers see Wonderlic Select results as soon as the assessment ends, while candidates receive only a Candidate Feedback Report link at the end, and only if the employer makes it available. (Wonderlic, Inc.)

Facts verified Oct 19, 2026 against Wonderlic, Inc.. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

Wonderlic Personnel Test Exam at a Glance

Item	Detail	Official source
Number of questions (Cognitive Ability)	50 questions in 12 minutes	Wonderlic, Inc.
Number of questions (Motivation)	58 forced-choice items, untimed (~20 min)	Wonderlic, Inc.
Number of questions (Personality)	150 statements, untimed (~15 min)	Wonderlic, Inc.
Time limit	12-minute timed section; ~35 minutes total	Wonderlic, Inc.
Passing score	No pass/fail score; proprietary job-specific scoring	Wonderlic, Inc.
Delivery	Online via employer link, usually unproctored; link active up to 14 days	Wonderlic, Inc.
Eligibility	By employer invitation only	Wonderlic, Inc.
Score release	Employer gets results immediately; candidate gets a Feedback Report only if the employer enables it	Wonderlic, Inc.

Facts verified Oct 19, 2026 against Wonderlic, Inc.. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

Free Wonderlic Study Tools

Interactive Wonderlic resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

Wonderlic Personnel Practice Test — 18 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
Wonderlic flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
Wonderlic study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers
Wonderlic cheat sheet — one-page printable summary for last-minute review

Pro Tip: Focus your Wonderlic Personnel Test study time on areas where you score lowest. Most exam questions test application of knowledge, not memorization.

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Wonderlic Personnel Practice Test Questions

Prepare for the Wonderlic Personnel Test exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.

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Wonderlic Personnel Exam Questions covering Wonderlic Calendar and Date Logic. Master Wonderlic Personnel Test concepts for certification prep.

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Free Wonderlic Personnel Practice Test featuring Wonderlic Following Multi-Step Directions. Improve your Wonderlic Personnel Exam score with mock test prep.

Wonderlic Personnel Wonderlic Number Series

Wonderlic Personnel Mock Exam on Wonderlic Number Series. Wonderlic Personnel Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.

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Wonderlic Personnel Test Prep for Wonderlic Proverbs and Adages. Practice Wonderlic Personnel Quiz questions and boost your score.

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Wonderlic Personnel Questions and Answers on Wonderlic Syllogisms and Deductive Reasoning. Free Wonderlic Personnel practice for exam readiness.

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Wonderlic Personnel Mock Test covering Wonderlic Verbal Analogies. Online Wonderlic Personnel Test practice with instant feedback.

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Wonderlic Personnel Study Material on Wonderlic Mathematical & Numerical Reasoning. Prepare effectively with real exam-style questions.

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Free Wonderlic Personnel Test covering Wonderlic Math Practice Test. Practice and track your Wonderlic Personnel exam readiness.

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Wonderlic Personnel Mock Exam on Wonderlic Problem Solving & Decision Making. Wonderlic Personnel Study Guide questions to pass on your first try.

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Wonderlic Personnel Test Prep for Wonderlic Spatial & Mechanical Reasoning. Practice Wonderlic Personnel Quiz questions and boost your score.

Wonderlic Personnel Wonderlic Verbal Reaso...

Wonderlic Personnel Questions and Answers on Wonderlic Verbal Reasoning & Word Knowledge. Free Wonderlic Personnel practice for exam readiness.

✅Pros

+Industry-recognized credential boosts your resume
+Higher earning potential (10-20% salary increase on average)
+Demonstrates commitment to professional development
+Opens doors to advanced career opportunities

❌Cons

−Exam preparation requires significant time investment (4-8 weeks)
−Certification fees can be $100-$400+
−May require continuing education to maintain
−Some employers may not require certification

Sample Wonderlic Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free Wonderlic practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

All chefs are good cooks. Maria is a good cook. What can be concluded?
- A. Maria is a chef.
- B. Maria is not a chef.
- C. Some good cooks are not chefs.
- D. Nothing can be concluded about whether Maria is a chef.

Answer: D. Nothing can be concluded about whether Maria is a chef.

The first statement says that being a chef guarantees you are a good cook, but it does not say that all good cooks are chefs. Maria is a good cook, but she may or may not be a chef. Therefore, no conclusion can be drawn about her profession.

The words allude and elude have ______ meanings.

A. same
B. Different
C. unrelated

Answer: C. unrelated

The words 'allude' and 'elude' are homophones or near-homophones, meaning they sound similar but have distinct meanings. 'Allude' means to refer to something indirectly or to hint at it, while 'elude' means to escape from or avoid something. Therefore, their meanings are unrelated.

Find the missing number in the sequence: 3, 9, 15, ___, 27.

A. 18
B. 20
C. 21
D. 25

Answer: A. 18

The sequence 3, 9, 15 initially adds 6 to each number (3+6=9, 9+6=15). If 18 is the correct missing number, the pattern changes to adding 3 (15+3=18). To reach 27 from 18, the pattern then shifts again to adding 9 (18+9=27), indicating an inconsistent and irregular numerical progression that requires identifying multiple shifts.

'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?

A. Lack of effort by the sender
B. Differences in background, experience, or vocabulary
C. Messages that are too brief
D. Overuse of technical jargon

Answer: B. 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.

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Wonderlic Practice Test Questions and Answers

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How this page was made: written with AI tools and published by Nathan Beja, founder of Practice Test Geeks, who is responsible for its content. Exam facts are checked against the official sources listed below. Not reviewed by a subject-matter expert. Editorial policy

Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

wonderlic.com — Test delivery, eligibility, exam format, passing score, score release, time limit · verified Oct 2026