How to Pass Wiesen Mechanical Aptitude Test (WTMA) ? – A Definitive Study Guide
So, you are about to take the Wiesen Mechanical Aptitude Test. Whether you are just beginning to pursue a career in the mechanical or technical field, or have already explored jobs like an electrician, a mechanic, or a construction worker in the past, you are in the right place.
As with any industry, there are specific requirements that you have to meet to qualify for the job. Along with your experience, you may be required to take a test when you’re applying to different companies. Many additional mechanical aptitude tests assess your ability to demonstrate your knowledge of basic physical information that you’ll need to know to do your job for technical positions.
One of the most common tests used for the technical industry is the Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude (WTMA). And right now it stands between you and your next role. But although it’s daunting, don’t worry. In this article, you’ll learn the basics about the test and how to study for it.
Table of Contents
What is the WTMA? What types of questions are on it?
The Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude test is an aptitude test used by employers to see how well potential employees can use their mechanical knowledge. In total, test-takers have 30 minutes to complete all sections of the assessment which consists of 60 questions. Questions are formatted as multiple-choice, so you will have plenty of options when selecting your answer.
Six main areas dominate the test, along with several subtopics:
- Force & Torque – levers, force equilibrium
- Fluids – buoyancy, hydraulics
- Velocity – acceleration, gravity, rotation
- Wheels & Pulleys
- Gears
- Electricity
The test covers all six topics and subtopics, but they aren’t in any particular order. They are also split up into “big topics” and “little topics”. The big topics (force and torque, velocity (acceleration and gravity), and optics/acoustics/thermodynamics) appear most frequently on the test, while smaller ones (velocity – rotation, wheels, pulleys) are less frequent.
Each question will have either a passage or a graphic that you will have to analyze. Because the information you’ll be studying is largely technical, memorizing the concepts is important compared to focusing on specific scenarios. In fact, you won’t know the exact material on the test even if you do study. The following question is an example of what you might see on the test:
For more sample questions like this, visit Job Test Prep and utilize their free resources.
How long will I have to study?
Unlike other standardized tests, many employers do not provide a large time frame for candidates to complete the test. According to many sources, some people are only given up to a 3-day notice about the date that they are required to take the test. However, checking with the employer to see if they require the Wiesen test is recommended.
Adapting the provided study techniques, as well as any materials you choose to use, to best fit your needs is one way to help combat the challenge of cramming an immense amount of information into such a short amount of time. This way, you’re able to study the best way possible and feel as prepared as you can.
What are some study tips for the WTMA?
Face your fears
First, try to conquer any fears that you have about taking standardized tests. Because the entire experience of studying for and taking the Wiesen test is short, it can provoke anxiety in a person— especially those who already get anxious about taking tests.
Study
One of the best ways to study for the WTMA is by using the PrepPacks from Job Test Prep! Their materials are loaded with practice materials that will help you ace the Wiesen test like two full-length practice tests. When you take the practice test, you will get personalized results detailing your progress.
It will let you know which areas you scored the best and worst in, letting you know exactly where to focus your study efforts. The other test, which is meant to be taken after the first one, is where you can see how well these efforts paid off. The second test is also timed exactly like how the real test will be, so you will be able to practice in a similar environment. This has proven to be effective in increasing your test scores.
When you get your results from the second test, you’ll know exactly which questions you got wrong. Use these to guide what you study the most. Don’t waste time by trying to study every single concept at length, especially if you know that you only have a few days before you take the test.
Sample questions are also included with the PrepPack. They’re sorted by section, so if you’re struggling with a topic you can go directly to the sample questions for it. They’re also broken up by how frequently they appear on the test. Some topics are more common than others, so these sample questions will help you prioritize which topics to spend more time studying.
On the real test, the questions on the test aren’t sorted by section, the information will be sorted at random. Although it’s advised to prepare as far in advance as possible for the WTMA, these sample questions are especially helpful if you don’t have that much time to study.
Trust your gut
When studying for other standardized tests, you may have been encouraged to rely on the specific knowledge that you’ve learned in school to answer questions. However, on the WTMA, using your common sense and “trusting your gut” are more important.
Because the questions are based on concepts that should be familiar to you and are application-based, it may seem logical to draw on your experience from school or previous jobs.
However, this may lead you to get too many incorrect answers. Knowing the basic ideas behind each topic and subtopic is important, as using context clues within the graphic or passage in the question is always a smart thing to do; but, don’t rely too heavily on this skill.
Think critically
To help avoid the guessing game or trusting your intuition too much, try and stick to the basics of what you think the question is trying to ask. This is a large part of the daily mental gymnastics required for jobs in technical fields; you must be able to figure out why things work the way they do.
For example, if you’re given a question asking which of two cars that have different weights can go faster, what knowledge would you use to answer the question? You’d think about the exact weight of each if that information is provided. This is one example of many different types of mechanical situations that could be on the test.
Again, don’t rely on things that are familiar to you to guess the answer. Thinking critically is a skill that is extremely useful on this test and one that you will also use in your job. Practicing this as you are applying to jobs in this field is important, regardless of whether the Wiesen test is required for you to be hired.
Does it matter how I score?
The Wiesen test is scored based on how many questions you get correct rather than counting the ones you answered incorrectly. This score will reflect your actual performance on the test. Scores are shared with employers, similar to how generalized standardized test scores are shared with colleges and universities during the application process.
As always, the higher the score you get the better it will look to a potential employer. Something unique to the Wiesen test is that there are loose minimum requirements for certain professions. For example, to be considered for a manufacturing and production position, you need to score a 43 out of 60.
For an electrician, you have to score a 47 out of 60. This score is on the lower end compared to others, but each profession or job category is different. If you want to make a career as an electrician, you can also appear for the CAST Test, conducted by the Edison Electric Institute.
Be sure to check with the organization that you’re applying for to see what their minimum score is for applicants before you start studying. This way, you have something to strive for. At the end of the day, you should strive to score as best as you possibly can.
Written by Bailee Boggess McCoy
Bailee, MSW, is a freelance writer and editor. She specializes in career, social work, tech, B2B, marketing, and medical, health, and wellness content. She has experience as a job coach, DEI consultant for companies, community-project manager, and clinical researcher.
She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Georgetown College in 2018, and studied neurolinguistics and developmental psychology at the University of Oxford. She earned her Master’s in Social Work at the University of Kentucky in 2021. Her scientific research has been presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference and published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and Associated Disorders.
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Sarah is an accomplished educator, researcher and author in the field of testing and assessment. She has worked with various educational institutions and organisations to develop innovative evaluation methods and enhance student learning. Sarah has published numerous articles and books on assessment and learning. Her passion for promoting equity and fairness in the education system fuels her commitment to sharing insights and best practices with educators and policymakers around the world.
