Simmons & Simmons Logical Reasoning Test

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Ben Hopgood Updated:

About Simmons & Simmons Logical Reasoning Test

Simmons & Simmons looks for employees with a high logical reasoning ability. Applicants have to pass a logical test before being offered a position.

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Simmons & Simmons use the following tests in their selection process:

  • Online (Situational) judgement test
  • Talent Q Verbal test
  • Talent Q Logical test
  • Assessment Centre exercises

Logical reasoning tests are a fair and objective way for Simmons & Simmons to assess a wide range of applicants, each having different experiences and different qualifications. By analysing the results of a standardised logical reasoning test, Simmons & Simmons are able to quickly see which candidates are suitable for the role and which are not. This sort of information about candidates’ skills is difficult to glean from interviews and qualifications alone, so they use professional psychometric tests.

Often, Simmons & Simmons will ask applicants to take a logical test online, which you can take from home. When the logical test is used early on in the application process like this you will have to achieve a minimum score before you progress to the next round (typically a score in the top 50% of applicants is required however this does vary role to role). Further along in the selection process you might be asked to attend an assessment centre or interview where you will be asked to sit a logical test again. This is so Simmons & Simmons can verify the person scoring highly in the test is indeed the person applying for the job.

Simmons & Simmons Application Process Stages

Here is the typical process for your application to Simmons & Simmons.

Stage 1

Online Application

You will need to complete an online application form, through cvMail, in which you will need to detail your educational history along with your academic achievements and any work experience, interests or hobbies you have. This will need to be completed before the application deadline, which varies depending on whether you are applying for a position on their winter/summer vacation schemes or their training contracts.

Stage 2

Online (Situational) Judgement Test

Shortly after submitting your application, you will automatically be invited to take a Situational Judgement test online under timed conditions. The test is quite short, and most candidates complete it under 30 minutes. Simmons & Simmons remind you that you may be re-tested here if you are invited through to the final assessment.

Stage 3

Online ability tests in Logical and Verbal reasoning

If you have met the required criteria to pass the situational judgement test and behavioural questionnaire in the previous stage, you will be asked to complete online a verbal and a logical reasoning test. You will get the opportunity to practice a few questions beforehand, and Simmons & Simmons have some useful information on their website.

Stage 4

Video interview

The video interview is described as a one-way recording. Typically, in a video interview you will be given a set of questions to respond to. You will then use the software provided to record your responses to these questions. You will be asked 8 questions and the interview should take about 20 minutes to complete. Use the freedom here to plan your responses to the questions well, even if that means redoing the recording. You will often get the opportunity to view and check the recording before submitting it. Ensure that your answers are relevant to the questions asked. We recommend that you check your device is compatible before starting the interview.

Stage 5

Assessment Centre

Once you've managed to win over Simmons & Simmons with your video interview responses, your scores in the SJT, video interview, and the verbal and logical reasoning tests, the final stage will require you to attend an assessment centre and take part in: a written exercise, an interactive exercise, a document exercise and a competency interview. During the group exercise, the assessors will be evaluating how well you form relationships with other, new people, and how you contribute to the team.

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Simmons & Simmons Logical Reasoning Test Questions

Like most logical tests, the one used by Simmons & Simmons look at your ability to interpret abstract data, such as patterns created from shapes and shades, and answer questions which require identification and extrapolation of these patterns. The logical test will be assessing your speed and accuracy. The answers are multiple choice and you should try to work quickly within the time limit, but also accurately. Negative marking is unlikely to be used but do not guess answers, as this will show up in your accuracy score. Sometimes you will find that you can make a best guess estimate by deducing that some of the answer options are incorrect. This approach to logical tests will come with practice, and you will become familiar with the type of logical tests used by companies such as Simmons & Simmons.

Logical reasoning tests and who uses them

Companies are using logical reasoning test more and more in their application process that candidates must go through. Logical reasoning tests are favoured to assess a candidate's general level of abstract intelligence or reasoning ability. A person's score in a logical reasoning test is a good indicator of their ability to work well with new concepts and to spot patterns. This can be important in any sector or position.

Simmons & Simmons use logical reasoning tests as part of their recruitment process to help them select the best candidates for a particular role.

So as a graduate or senior candidate applying for a job at Simmons & Simmons you might feel like the logical reasoning test is an unnecessary hoop to jump through. But you should bear in mind that Simmons & Simmons are asking you to complete the logical test as much for your own benefit as theirs; if you are not suitable for the role, a psychometric test will usually identify this. Research has shown that psychometric tests, such as those used by Simmons & Simmons, are a better predictor of job performance than traditional selection metrics such as level of degree achieved.

What you should know before taking your logical reasoning test

The logical operations required in standardised logical tests are of a level which most applicants can achieve. The difficult aspect comes with identifying the patterns, especially when there are multiple differences in each example of the pattern, quickly and accurately within the time limit. Here is a list of the most common operations you can expect in your logical test:

  • Changes in size of shape
  • Reflection
  • Transformation
  • Greyscale shading or other ways of making shapes more distinct
  • Rotation

Different types of logical tests

Most questions in most logical reasoning tests follow a standard format displaying a pattern of images, the question and answer options on screen. These can be arranged differently, but each test will stick to the same layout throughout. The images may contain shapes, such as squares, triangles, and circles, or more symbols, such as arrows, currency signs, and other special characters. The question text may contain extra information which adds to what's given in the sequence of images, this might also be necessary to answer the question correctly. You might have to guess which answer option is the next in the sequence, or which options represents a missing step in the sequence. Lastly, the answer options are almost always multiple choice. Multiple choice answers can vary, however. You may have 4 options to pick from, 5, maybe 10, or more. The more answer options to pick from, the slimmer the chances are that you can obtain the correct answer by guessing.

Some publishers will have less subtle variations in their test from what's described here. Sometimes, in TalentQ tests, the question may have more than one answer, and you will be told to select two, or possibly more answer options from those available. Test types by different publishers are explained here in more detail.

Answered questions

How difficult are your tests?

The same difficulty as real tests. Generally real employer selection tests don't differ that much in terms of difficulty which is why they compare your score against norm groups. Our practice tests are pitched roughly at graduate level, but this means they are actually suitable for preparing for all levels of job: entry; apprentice; graduate; senior; director.

Are they compatible with my Mac / Tablet / Phone?

Yes, and PC, and Linux and smartphone and Android and...everything. Our practice tests will run on all systems and they are responsive so they will work well on tablets and smartphones too!

How many times can I take the tests?

Unlimited. You can take our practice tests as many times as you like; there is no limit. But to be honest, after taking the same test a few times you start to remember the answers, so that’s why we have lots of tests.