Mechanical reasoning test: free practice

A mechanical reasoning (or mechanical comprehension) test shows simple machines, such as gears, levers, pulleys and belts, and asks how they’ll behave: which way something turns, how fast, or how much force it needs. Engineering and technical apprenticeships use them most.

Practice test

Mechanical reasoning

10 questions · about 8 min · no time limit

Quick test

A fresh set of questions every time.

Use the diagram and its numbers. Each question needs only one or two simple rules. Have some rough paper ready.

Sign in to start

Accounts are free. Sign in with your email or Google, then the test starts here.

Numbered tests

The same questions each time, so a retake shows your progress. They get harder as they go.

  1. 1Easy
  2. 2Easy
  3. 3Easy
  4. 4Easy
  5. 5Easy
  6. 6Easy
  7. 7Standard
  8. 8Standard
  9. 9Standard
  10. 10Standard
  11. 11Standard
  12. 12Standard
  13. 13Standard
  14. 14Standard
  15. 15Hard
  16. 16Hard
  17. 17Hard
  18. 18Hard
  19. 19Hard
  20. 20Hard

Tips for the real one

  • Gears that mesh turn opposite ways; a crossed belt reverses direction, an open one doesn’t.
  • A lever balances when weight × distance from the pivot is the same on both sides.
  • With pulleys, count the ropes holding the moving block: the effort is the load divided by that number.

Who uses them

Rolls-Royce says on its own pages that its application process includes one. Real ones are usually longer, and many are timed. The firm’s invite tells you which test it uses, and how long you get.

These questions are Apprenza’s own, written in the same style. They aren’t any employer’s or test provider’s real questions.

More practice tests

Found one to apply for yet?

See every apprenticeship open now at UK employers, in one list.

See what’s open