Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test: Tips and Guide
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What is Bennett's Mechanical Comprehension test?
The Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test (BMCT) is an online test that assesses mechanical aptitude. This 1940 test, created by Pearson Assessments, is frequently used in the US by businesses looking to gauge a candidate's aptitude for automated reasoning. To better meet the needs of employers, a new and updated version, known as the BMCT-II (the original is the BMCT-I), was created in 2014. Companies utilize this test to efficiently find people who naturally possess a talent for mechanical processes, reasoning, and exceptional spatial vision. The test may also help eliminate candidates who need more comprehension for a particular position or training program.
What are Bennett Mechanical Aptitude Test Tips & Preparation Strategies?
It's crucial to adequately prepare if you plan to take the Bennett mechanical test. If you want to finish with the highest score and move on to the following screening round, adhering to these tips is crucial. Even if you are well-versed in many mechanics-related ideas, it still helps to comprehend how the test operates. This will enable you to complete the questions more quickly, which is essential because you only have 30 seconds for each.
Read questions carefully: Take your time to read Bennett's test questions with keen detail. Since the questions are typically simpleed, spending some time reading them carefully will help you determine the best course of action.
Be familiar with illustrations: Each question is accompanied by a drawing or image that illustrates the mechanical principle being evaluated. You need to use the proper automated reasoning to determine the solution, which is in the picture.
Practice adequately: Although it may seem apparent, practicing is the most excellent approach to performing well on a mechanical reasoning test. According to Pearson, those who frequently practice can raise their score by an average of 4 points. While this may not seem like much, it could mean the difference between passing and failing.
Time yourself: You only have 25 minutes to complete 55 questions, so you can't go overtime with any of them. This means that to succeed, you must be able to respond both fast and precisely.
Apply your knowledge: The Bennett mechanical comprehension makes use of your existing knowledge as well as your proficiency in physics and mechanics. This is in contrast to some other forms of aptitude exams that ask you to use the information directly in front of you. Endeavor to apply what you already know about.
Never skip a question: There are three possible responses for each question on the Bennett test, so the correct response has to be one of them. That indicates that even if you don't know, you still have a 33% chance of guessing correctly. Your chances of being correct go up to 50% if you can rule out one of the options. However, your odds of answering a question correctly go to 0% if you don't. The only reasonable course of action, given that there is no disqualification for incorrect responses is to respond to every question.
Rest well: Endeavour to have a whole night's sleep before the test day. Good sleep will aid in your ability to focus on the day of the test. When the trial begins, make sure you've previously relieved yourself and are prepared. Also, try to eat a healthy meal to avoid becoming distracted during the Bennett aptitude test.
Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Practice Test
Here is a Bennett mechanical comprehension practice test and answer.
A bar is balanced on a triangle fulcrum. There is 90 kg on the left side of the bar. There is a point P is on the right side. The fulcrum is 0.5 m from the left and 1.5 m from the right. How much weight in kg should be positioned at point P so that the scales are balanced?
A) 30 kg
B) 60 kg
C) 45 kg
D) 50 kg
Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test Answers
The answer is 'A', which is 30 kg. This is because the longer a lever is, the more force an object can exert. The bar on the right of the fulcrum is longer than that on the left. The distance on the right is three times the distance on the left. Therefore, an object on the right end of the bar will exert three times more force than an object on the left. Thus, you must divide the weight by three to get the answer: 90/3 = 30 kg.
Which professions use the Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test and why?
Major corporations like Delta Airlines, Coca-Cola, and Nestlé regularly use this particular test as a component of their hiring procedures because it is the most efficient of its kind in the US. Unlike some other psychometric tests, you cannot expect to perform well on this test without spending a lot of time studying. It is mainly used to assess a person's mechanical reasoning and problem-solving skills as the questions are presented in a variety of formats, including diagrams, schematics, and word problems. Employers commonly use this test to screen candidates for jobs in the following professions:
Mechanical engineering
Electrical engineering
Aerospace engineering
Civil engineering
Maintenance technicians
Construction
Mining
The BMCT is used in these professions because it is a reliable and valid measure of a person's ability to understand and solve mechanical problems. This ability is essential for success in many technical roles.
The format of the Bennett Mechanical test
The test is often taken online, although there are test centers where applicants can go in person to take it. Two untimed practice questions are offered to the candidates so they can become familiar with the response procedure. They then move on to 55 multiple-choice questions that must be answered in 25 minutes after they are at ease.
Mechanical concepts: The questions in the BMCT assess various fundamental mechanical concepts. These concepts may include topics like:
Levers
Gears
Pulleys
Fluid mechanics
Simple machines
Thermodynamics
Electricity and others.
Diagrams and illustrations: Many questions on the BMCT are accompanied by diagrams, schematics, or images to help test-takers visualize and better understand the mechanical principles being assessed.
Problem-solving: The test also evaluates a person's problem-solving skills related to mechanical scenarios. Test-takers are often presented with a situation or scenario involving mechanical components, and they have to apply their knowledge to determine the correct answer or outcome.
Note that no two tests will be identical among those taking them at the same time because the 55 questions would be selected from a pool of more than 300. Also, take note that, with seven questions, the pulleys and levers sections have the most questions.
How BMCTs are scored and what it means
The amount of questions that are answered correctly determines how well a person does on the BMCT. There are four possible answers to each multiple-choice question on the test, and the scoring system typically operates as follows:
Raw score: The total number of questions is the raw score. Your raw score is tallied for every correct response.
Scaled score: Next, a scaled score is created from the raw score. The scaled score is calculated by taking into consideration both the performance of a reference group and the level of difficulty of the questions. The scaled score enables fair score comparisons across various test versions.
Percentile rank: This statistic shows the proportion of test-takers who scored lower than you. If your percentile rank, for instance, is 75, you have performed better than 75% of the reference group. The percentile rank offers a comparative rating of your performance about other test-takers.
Norms and comparison: The results of the BMCT are often contrasted with those of a norm group, which consists of test-takers. The models give you a point of reference to assess and determine your performance.
The scoring system grade is as follows:
0-19: This would not be a pass for practically all applications. Even though you might show some aptitude for mechanical reasoning, you would require further instruction and strict supervision.
20–39: If you also performed well on other sections of the application, this percentile range can qualify you as a candidate because you have shown a foundational understanding of how to solve problems through mechanical reasoning.
40-59: For many roles, this age range is probably considered for hire. It means you would pick things up quickly and show a strong knack for using mechanical principles.
60–79: This score would be excellent for highly technical positions, and hiring managers would be sure of your familiarity with mechanical principles.
80+: At this level, you exhibit a firm command of mechanical concepts and superior spatial awareness. Even the most technical professions might benefit significantly from a score in this percentile range.
How to Pass the Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Test
Here are ways to pass the BMCT test with ease:
Make use of practice tests: Complete as many practice exams and online courses as you can to hone your mechanical reasoning abilities and become more familiar with the types of questions asked on the BMCT. Several distinct topics are covered in the Bennett aptitude test study guide. You can download a practice exam to obtain a general understanding of them.
Take timed tests: Once you are accustomed to the types of questions you must respond to, begin honing your timing skills. It takes approximately 45 seconds for each question to complete a test of 55 in 25 minutes. Make sure to accustom yourself to the right Bennett mechanical comprehension test answer key that will aid your progress.
Verify the specifics of the test's administration: Endeavour to confirm the specifics of the test's administration, including where and how you will take it and if it will be remote or not.
Please don't ignore the other steps in the recruitment process: Keep in mind that although the BMCT is a crucial step in the hiring process for technical positions, it is not the only step. Additionally, it would help if you put effort into being ready for your interview. For the best preparation for the interview, carefully read the job description and investigate the work responsibilities.
Conclusion
If you have never taken a logic test before, you might feel intimidated when you first see a BMCT sample paper because of the question format and time constraints. After seeing the same type of question again, you will gain experience and become much more comfortable with your strategy for responding to it. Learn as many strategies and mechanical comprehension test-free tactics as you can, then commit them to memory so that you may use them to come up with a response when you are presented with a question.
