Technical Aptitude Tests – Practice Questions & Study Guide
Sep 05, 2025
Technical aptitude tests are designed to identify suitable candidates for technical roles within the emergency services and military as well as for craft and engineering jobs.
Technical aptitude test questions can be classified as follows:
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Technical Aptitude Tests – Mechanical Reasoning
Designed to assess your knowledge of physical and mechanical principles.
For example, pulleys, levers, simple electrical circuits, etc.
Mechanical reasoning tests are used to select for a wide range of technical occupations.
Technical Aptitude Tests – Fault Diagnosis
These questions are used to select personnel for technical roles where they need to be able to find and repair faults in electronic control systems.
The questions in fault diagnosis tests appear rather abstract and require pure logic to solve.
This is because when a fault develops in an electronically controlled system, there is often no physical clue as to the cause.
In the absence of such a clue, for example an obviously burned-out component, the only way to diagnose the problem is by a process of logical elimination.
This type of test is used extensively to select technical and maintenance personnel as well as to select for artificer (technical) roles within the armed forces where the ability to approach problems logically in order to find the cause of the fault is increasingly important.
Technical Aptitude Tests – Spatial Ability
These questions often appear in technical aptitude tests where many jobs require good spatial skills.
Spatial ability can be defined as ‘The ability to interpret and make drawings, form mental images, and visualize movement or change in those images.’
Spatial ability tests measure your ability to manipulate shapes in two dimensions or to visualize three-dimensional objects presented as two-dimensional pictures.
Spatial ability tests often involve the visual assembly and the disassembly of objects that have been rotated or which are viewed from different angles or objects that have different markings on their surfaces.
Technical Aptitude Tests – Verbal Ability
Includes spelling, grammar, ability to understand analogies and follow detailed written instructions.
These questions appear in most technical aptitude tests because employers usually want to know how well you can communicate.
Technical Aptitude Tests – Numerical Aptitude
Includes basic arithmetic, number sequences and simple mathematics.
These questions appear in most technical aptitude tests because employers usually want some indication of your ability to use numbers even if this is not a major part of the job.
Technical Aptitude Tests – Abstract Reasoning
Measures your ability to identify the underlying logic of a pattern and then determine the solution.
Because abstract reasoning ability is believed to be the best indicator of fluid intelligence and your ability to learn new things quickly these questions appear in most technical aptitude tests.
If you are taking a technical aptitude test as part of the selection process for the emergency services or the military then the questions you can expect will tend to concentrate on principles rather than on making calculations.
For example, you may be shown three diagrams of a lever and asked which one is the most efficient.
This is very different from craft and technical tests where you will usually be expected to make calculations.
If you are taking a technical aptitude test as part of the selection for a craft or apprenticeship job, then you may be asked some questions about tools and how they are used.
You should also expect some shop arithmetic questions. These questions approximate the type of reasoning and maths that are needed to estimate materials costs, etc.
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Example Technical Aptitude Test Questions
Mechanical Reasoning
Question 1
A box weighing 200 N is lifted using a single fixed pulley. How much effort is required to lift the box?
a) 50 N
b) 100 N
c) 200 N
d) 400 N
The correct answer is: c) 200 N
A single fixed pulley changes direction but not force, so the effort required equals the load.
Question 2
Which lever type provides the greatest mechanical advantage?
a) Long effort arm, short load arm
b) Equal effort and load arms
c) Short effort arm, long load arm
d) A lever without a fulcrum
The correct answer is: a) Long effort arm, short load arm
Mechanical advantage increases when the effort arm is longer than the load arm.
Fault Diagnosis
Question 3
In a circuit, a lamp does not light. The battery is charged, and the bulb is working. Which component should you check next?
a) Switch
b) Resistor
c) Capacitor
d) Transformer
The correct answer is: a) Switch
If power and bulb are fine, the switch is the next logical point of failure.
Question 4
A machine stops working. You are told:
-
If Fuse A blows, the motor won’t run.
-
If Fuse B blows, the light won’t turn on.
Currently, the light works but the motor does not. What is the most likely problem?
a) Fuse A has blown
b) Fuse B has blown
c) Both fuses are fine
d) The lightbulb has failed
The correct answer is: a) Fuse A has blown
Since the light works, Fuse B is intact. The motor not running points to Fuse A.
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Spatial Ability
Question 5
Which 3D shape will result if the following net is folded?
a) Pyramid
b) Cube
c) Cylinder
d) Rectangular prism
The correct answer is: b) Cube
A cross-shaped net with six squares folds into a cube.
Question 6
A shape is rotated 90° clockwise. If it was pointing north originally, which direction will it point now?
a) East
b) South
c) West
d) North
The correct answer is: a) East
A 90° clockwise turn from north points east.
Verbal Ability
Question 7
Which word is spelled correctly?
a) Perserverance
b) Perseverance
c) Perseverence
d) Persevirance
The correct answer is: b) Perseverance
The correct spelling is perseverance (with “-ver-” in the middle).
Question 8
Which word is the opposite of “scarce”?
a) Abundant
b) Limited
c) Rare
d) Precious
The correct answer is: a) Abundant
Scarce means in short supply; the antonym is abundant.
Numerical Aptitude
Question 9
A metal rod is 1.2 metres long. How many 30 cm pieces can be cut from it?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
The correct answer is: c) 4
1.2 m = 120 cm. 120 ÷ 30 = 4 pieces.
Question 10
A shop buys screws at £2.40 per pack of 12. What is the cost per screw?
a) £0.10
b) £0.15
c) £0.20
d) £0.25
The correct answer is: b) £0.20
£2.40 ÷ 12 screws = £0.20 each.
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Abstract Reasoning
Question 11
Find the next shape in the sequence:
Square → Triangle → Pentagon → Hexagon → ?
a) Square
b) Heptagon
c) Octagon
d) Circle
The correct answer is: b) Heptagon
The sequence increases sides by one each time (4, 3, 5, 6 → 7).
Question 12
In a sequence of figures, the shading alternates (shaded → unshaded → shaded → ?). What comes next?
a) Shaded
b) Unshaded
c) Both shaded and unshaded
d) None of the above
The correct answer is: b) Unshaded
The pattern alternates consistently, so the next must be unshaded.
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FAQs about Technical Aptitude Tests
1. What are technical aptitude tests used for?
Technical aptitude tests are used by employers in fields such as engineering, emergency services, and the military to assess problem-solving, mechanical reasoning, and numerical skills. They help identify candidates who are likely to succeed in technical or craft-based roles.
2. How difficult are technical aptitude tests?
The difficulty varies depending on the role. Tests for apprenticeships may focus on basic mechanical principles and shop maths, while those for the armed forces or technical engineers may include more advanced fault diagnosis, abstract reasoning, and spatial ability.
3. How can I prepare for a technical aptitude test?
Practice is key. Work through past questions, study common mechanical and numerical principles, and time yourself under test-like conditions. Many online resources and practice papers are available to help you improve both accuracy and speed.
4. What topics are usually covered in these tests?
Typical topics include mechanical reasoning (pulleys, levers, circuits), numerical aptitude (basic arithmetic, ratios, estimation), spatial ability (visualising 2D and 3D shapes), fault diagnosis, verbal reasoning, and abstract reasoning.
5. Do I need technical knowledge to pass these tests?
For many entry-level roles, you don’t need advanced technical knowledge—just a good grasp of basic principles and logic. However, for specialist roles (e.g. engineering apprenticeships), some prior technical understanding will help.
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Final Thoughts
Technical aptitude tests can feel challenging at first glance, but they are designed to measure practical reasoning skills rather than advanced academic knowledge. Employers use them to see how well you can solve problems, apply basic principles, and think logically in situations similar to those you’ll face on the job.
The best way to improve your performance is through regular practice. Familiarise yourself with the different question types, review the underlying principles of mechanics and maths, and practise working under timed conditions. This will not only build confidence but also improve your accuracy and speed.
Remember, technical aptitude tests are not about catching you out—they’re about demonstrating your ability to think clearly and logically. With preparation and focus, you can approach these assessments with confidence and increase your chances of success.
