Wonderlic

Wonderlic Cognitive Ability Test for employment screening.

History and Purpose of the WonderlicStructure and FormatSample Question Types
Scoring, Interpretation, and PercentilesTest Validity and ReliabilityLegal and Ethical Considerations
Using Wonderlic Results in Hiring DecisionsWonderlic in Career DevelopmentAdapting the Test for Different Roles
Time Management TechniquesQuestion-Solving StrategiesStaying Calm Under Pressure
History and Purpose ...Structure and FormatSample Question Type...Scoring, Interpretat...Test Validity and Re...Legal and Ethical Co...Using Wonderlic Resu...Wonderlic in Career ...Adapting the Test fo...Time Management Tech...Question-Solving Str...Staying Calm Under P...
Advanced Topics

Scoring, Interpretation, and Percentiles

How Is the Wonderlic Scored?

The Wonderlic is scored out of 50, with each correct answer worth one point. There’s no penalty for incorrect answers, so it’s best to attempt every question.

Understanding Your Score

Scores are interpreted relative to job requirements and compared to a normative group. For many roles, a score around 20 is average, while higher-level positions may require a higher score.

Percentiles

Your percentile rank shows how you performed compared to others. For example, being in the 70th percentile means you scored higher than 70% of test takers.

What Do Scores Mean in the Real World?

  • High scores can indicate strong problem-solving and learning abilities.
  • Lower scores may mean you’re better suited for jobs with less cognitive demand.

Key Formula

\[Percentile = \frac{\text{Number of people scored lower}}{\text{Total number of people}} \times 100\]

Examples

  • Scoring 28 may put you in the top 20% for a managerial role.

  • A score of 15 may be average for entry-level positions.

In a Nutshell

Wonderlic scores are compared to norms and percentiles to help employers make informed hiring decisions.

Key Terms

Percentile
A measure indicating the value below which a given percentage of observations fall.
Norm Group
A group of individuals used as a reference for interpreting scores.
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Test Validity and Reliability