How to Pass the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) in 2024
Updated November 27, 2023
- What Is the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) For?
- What Are the Different Wonderlic SLE Tests?
- What Is the Wonderlic SLE Test Content?
- Wonderlic SLE Test Sample Questions and Explanations (2024)
- How to Pass the Wonderlic SLE Test in 2024
- Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam - On the Day Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
The Wonderlic SLE is a cognitive abilities test that requires significant time management skills, as it is one of the most fast-paced tests around.
Your score on the SLE is said to correlate to your future career success, but what exactly is it, and how should you prepare?
For information on Wonderlic scores, see our dedicated article.
What Is the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) For?
The Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE) is a test taken by prospective candidates who are applying to certain educational programs. It is the leading admissions test for Career Colleges and is routinely administered by nursing and police force schools.
The exam is used by both corporate organizations and academic institutions to assist with admissions and placements. It is used as a screening test and is a form of cognitive ability test.
Unlike other tests, such as standard IQ tests, a cognitive abilities test will assess not only what a student already understands and knows, but also their ability to learn from experience.
Designed to assess problem-solving abilities, logic and reasoning, the Wonderlic SLE contains both verbal and math questions.
There is a maximum of 12 minutes allowed for the test, so it also requires the ability to think quickly and answer accurately under pressure.
It is thought that a student’s score on a cognitive ability test can be a signifier of future academic and career success.
Institutions use the Wonderlic SLE and other cognitive ability assessments to evaluate a candidate’s suitability for a program, placement or job, reduce the number of loan defaults or drop-outs and maximize the number of successful graduates per program.
The Wonderlic company has been an industry leader for several decades, using a combination of data from psychologists, AI and machine learning to craft and improve their brand of pre-employment screening tests.
The Wonderlic SLE tests a candidate’s general cognitive ability to solve quantitative and qualitative problems, use logic, think critically and evaluate data.
What Are the Different Wonderlic SLE Tests?
There are two variations of the test that you may be asked to take:
- The Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE)
- The Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam Quicktest (SLE-Q)
The Wonderlic SLE is the standard version of the test. It is taken either online using a computer or using paper and a pencil and always under test conditions and under the supervision of an administrator.
This test is made up of 50 questions.
A shorter version of the standard test, the Wonderlic SLE Quicktest (Wonderlic SLE-Q), is also available. This is an eight-minute test comprised of 30 questions and is taken remotely online.
Prepare for Wonderlic Scholastic SLE Test Prep Online
What Is the Wonderlic SLE Test Content?
The Wonderlic SLE examination tests basic comprehension skills, reading and math, as well as the ability to think quickly and process information under pressure.
As there is a maximum of 12 minutes allowed for the test, it is important that candidates can handle information and give accurate answers within a short time frame.
The test may include a combination of the following:
- Simple math problems or equations
- Words comparisons
- Word and sentence comprehension
- Dates and times
- Averages
- Spotting duplicate pairs
- Ordering and sequencing
Wonderlic SLE Test Sample Questions and Explanations (2024)
Here are some examples of the types of questions similar to those you might experience on the Wonderlic SLE test:
1. Dan is friends with Harry. Harry is friends with Jack. Dan and Jack are not friends.
If the first two statements are true, is the final statement:
a) True
b) False
c) Not certain
2. The book sells for $1.12. How much do three of these books sell for?
a) $3.36
b) $4.36
c) $3.46
d) $2.99
3. I am 24 years old. My boss is twice as old as me. How old will my boss be on their next birthday?
a) 39
b) 35
c) 49
d) 43
4. All crawlers are insects. Insects have six legs. Crawlers are six-legged creatures.
Assume the first two statements are correct. Is the third statement:
a) True
b) False
c) Not certain
5. 3 feet of satin ribbon sells for $1. How many whole feet of ribbon can you buy for $3.50?
a) 12 feet
b) 9 feet
c) 14 feet
d) 10 feet
Although the Wonderlic SLE test questions usually come in a multiple-choice format, it is important to try to get your brain thinking quickly and critically so you know the answers before looking at the possible selection.
This could save you a lot of time, because you only have to select the answer that you already know is right, rather than reading through them all and having to reconsider or doubt your judgment.
How to Pass the Wonderlic SLE Test in 2024
Step 1. Take Practice Questions
Search for sample questions and practice tests online. Because the Wonderlic SLE is so fast-paced, it is really important that you familiarize yourself with the test material.
A Wonderlic SLE practice test and Wonderlic test prep will help improve your test score.
Getting acquainted with the question types and layout of the test will help to sharpen your skills and stop you from wasting time on the day.
Step 2. Learn What Works for You
Only you will know best what learning style works foryou and your ability to perform under pressure.
A study guide is a great way for test takes to learn what works for them.
It is possible to skip questions on the Wonderlic SLE test to return to later. If you know you are likely to run out of time, you might find it works better to answer the questions you are confident with first and return to the others if time permits.
Step 3. Practice Under Exam Conditions
There will be no time during the actual test to search for answers online or consult a thesaurus, even if you are not being supervised by an administrator.
Once you have practiced and gained some confidence with the examination questions, try working under test conditions as you would on the day.
Step 4. Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses
It may help you to spend extra time practicing the problems that you find most difficult. However, remember that on the day you have the option to skip questions and come back to them.
The test has many choice questions requires quick thinking and accuracy to achieve the best score possible. As well as doing practice papers, it might also help you to keep your brain sharp by:
- Reading widely
- Doing math puzzles such as sudoku
- Using mental arithmetic rather than reaching for your calculator
- Completing crosswords and word problems
Practice Wonderlic Scholastic SLE Test Prep Online
Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam - On the Day Tips
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Stay calm – Panicking and rushing will lead to you making unnecessary errors. Although you might find taking a timed test stressful, try to stay as relaxed and calm as possible.
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Manage your time – During the practice test you did in preparation for the Wonderlic exam, you will have most likely improved your time management skills.
These tests are fast-paced and if you find the time disappearing, remember there are no points deducted for wrong answers, so it may be worth guessing the last few, just so you complete the test, or skipping the ones you find hard to return to at the end.
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Read the questions thoroughly – Under pressure, it might be tempting to scan through the questions to get through them faster. This might lead to missing important information or misunderstanding what the question is asking, so make sure that you read the questions thoroughly before you answer.
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Self-care – Try to get a good night’s sleep prior to the day of your test, and make sure you have had a healthy snack. You will have no chance of performing at your best if you are distracted by being tired or hungry.
In addition, make sure that you arrive on time and have any materials that you require and a reliable internet connection (if taking the test online).
Frequently Asked Questions
Academic institutions and corporate organizations may require potential candidates to sit the Wonderlic exam.
The exam is also favored by the police force and nursing schools, so those applying for a position within nursing or the police force should expect to have to prepare for the Wonderlic SLE test.
Calculators are not allowed to be used in the Wonderlic SLE, mainly because part of the examination is designed to test your mental arithmetic skills.
You can start to prepare yourself for the math problems that you will find on the test by practicing questions on sample tests and staying focused.
Generally, the questions on the Wonderlic SLE test increase in difficulty as you progress through the test.
However, as each candidate will possess their own strengths and weaknesses, it is possible to find questions at the end of the test easier than those at the beginning.
Many candidates find that the most difficult element of the test is the short amount of time allowed.
The standard test has a maximum time limit of 12 minutes. During these 12 minutes, you will have 50 questions to complete.
The shorter version of the test, the Wonderlic SLE-Q, is an eight-minute test that you can take online. The Wonderlic Quicktest has 30 questions.
The best preparation for the test is to practice some questions prior to taking the test under timed conditions.
To give yourself the best chance of getting a good score on the Wonderlic SLE test, you need good time management skills and the ability to focus under pressure.
It is also important to practice good self-care, get enough sleep and remain calm and collected.
Burning yourself out or worrying too much about failing the test will make taking the exam even harder.
Final Thoughts
The Wonderlic SLE test is a reasonably straightforward screening test that is required by various institutions.
It is designed to ensure that the correct candidates are admitted to the programs, and your score may be an indicator of your suitability to, plus future success in, your chosen career.
The most challenging element of the test is the short amount of time that you are allocated to answer the questions.
You can empower yourself to perform at your best through a combination of practice, focus and preparation.
Statistically, candidates are unlikely to complete the assessment in full; however, preparing thoroughly will help you to maximize your possible score and increase your chances of being admitted to your chosen program or course.
