About this test: This mechanical reasoning test uses the same question families found on mechanical aptitude assessments used in hiring, trade apprenticeships, and military entrance testing. Every diagram is generated fresh each session, and every answer is computed from the physics of the diagram — gear ratios, torque balance, rope tension, and belt geometry.
Question categories:
- Gears: Meshed gear trains — rotation direction (each mesh reverses direction) and rotation speed (fewer teeth means faster rotation).
- Levers: Beams on a fulcrum — decide which side tips down by comparing weight × distance on each side, or find the force needed to balance.
- Pulleys: Fixed and movable pulley systems — the effort needed depends on how many rope strands support the load (ignoring friction).
- Wheels & Belts: Belt-connected wheels — an open belt keeps direction, a crossed belt reverses it; the smaller wheel spins faster.
Time limits: Standard gives 30 seconds per question (total time pool), Relaxed gives 60 seconds per question, and Untimed removes the clock entirely. Real employment tests are timed, so Standard is the most realistic practice.
Scoring: You get your raw score, accuracy, average time per question, a performance rating, and (in Mixed mode) a per-category breakdown so you can see which mechanical concepts need the most work.
Tips:
- For gear direction, just count the gears: an odd number in the chain means the last gear matches the first; an even number means it reverses.
- For levers, multiply each weight by its distance from the fulcrum — the bigger product wins.
- For pulleys, count the rope strands holding the load; the effort is the load divided by that number.
- Don't overthink belt problems — trace the belt with your eyes and check whether it crosses.