Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude (WTMA) Guide

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The Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude, abbreviated WTMA, is a mechanical aptitude assessment. Current Criteria product materials describe WTMA as a 60-item, 30-minute test that reports a raw score and a percentile rank. Criteria presents WTMA as measuring the ability to learn work involving equipment and machinery. It is not a trade certification, repair license, or proof that someone can safely operate machinery.

WTMA has also been distributed through other authorized channels historically, including materials associated with APR Testing Services, PAR, and Ramsay Corporation listings. Candidates should confirm which organization administers their session. The employer controls how scores are used. This page sits under the Mechanical Aptitude Tests hub.

The 45 questions later on this page are original mechanical-reasoning exercises. They are not official Criteria, Wiesen, WTMA, employer, or JobTestPrep questions and do not reproduce a proprietary diagram, item bank, norm table, score report, or live assessment form.

Key Takeaway

Criteria currently markets WTMA as a 60-item / 30-minute mechanical aptitude test with raw and percentile reporting. Administration channel and employer decision rules can still vary. Confirm your invitation.

What WTMA Measures

Criteria states that WTMA measures mechanical aptitude, or the ability to learn to use and maintain equipment and machinery. Criteria notes an estimated sixth-grade reading level and a Spanish-language version among other language options on its product page. Recommended role examples on Criteria materials are provider recommendations, not proof that every employer in those occupations uses WTMA.

Quick Facts From Current Criteria Materials

WTMA facts from current Criteria product materials (confirm on your invitation)
Feature	Current public summary
Official name	Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude (WTMA)
Criteria listing	Cognitive aptitude product taxonomy on Criteria
Items and timing	60 items, 30 minutes
Score report elements described	Raw score and percentile ranking
Reading level note	Estimated sixth-grade reading level (Criteria)
Employer cutoff	Employer-specific; no universal public pass mark

Source: Criteria WTMA product page. Calculator, review, penalty, and retest rules are employer- or session-controlled unless your invitation states otherwise.

WTMA Versus Bennett and Ramsay

WTMA is not BMCT-II and not Ramsay MAT-5. Publisher research may report correlations between mechanical aptitude measures. Correlation does not make timing, items, or scoring identical.

Optional Third-Party Practice

After you confirm that your invitation names WTMA or Wiesen, optional third-party practice can help some candidates build familiarity with everyday-object mechanical reasoning. Compare any commercial pack with your invitation before you buy.

JobTestPrep WTMA preparation is a third-party option. JobTestPrep is not Criteria, Wiesen, the employer, or the official assessment administrator.

Educational Practice Questions

The WTMA is a proprietary Criteria assessment. The questions below use an original static four-option format to practise related mechanical reasoning. They do not reproduce an official WTMA question, diagram, platform, score report, norm group, or item bank.

Four options are this page’s original practice format, not a claim about every live WTMA item.

Complete the questions untimed first. Optional unofficial drills:

8 Force, Torque and Lever questions in 5 minutes;
7 Motion and Gravity questions in 4 minutes;
6 Fluid questions in 4 minutes;
7 Pulley, Wheel and Gear questions in 4 minutes;
5 Electricity questions in 3 minutes;
5 Heat, Optics and Sound questions in 3 minutes;
7 Common-Object questions in 4 minutes;
all 45 questions in 23 minutes.

These timings are unofficial. Twenty-three minutes roughly preserves the official overall average pace of about 30 seconds per item, but this exercise is not an official simulation.

Section 1: Force, Torque and Levers

1. Two workers push a crate on a smooth floor. Worker A pushes due east with 50 N. Worker B pushes due north with 50 N. The diagram below shows both force directions acting on the crate at the same point. Which statement best describes the direction of the net force on the crate?

        N (50 N)
        ^
        |
  W ----+----> E (50 N)
        |
        S

A. Exactly east B. Northeast, 45 degrees from east toward north C. Exactly north D. The net force is zero because the crate cannot move

Correct answer: B Perpendicular forces add as vectors. Equal 50 N east and 50 N north produce a resultant of magnitude 50*sqrt(2) N directed northeast at 45 degrees from east. The crate accelerates along that diagonal, not along a single axis alone.

2. A book rests on a horizontal table. A hand pushes the book toward the right, but the book does not slide. The diagram shows the push direction. In which direction does the static friction force on the book act?

  hand ---->
        [ BOOK ]
    =================  table

A. To the right, in the same direction as the push B. Upward, balancing the weight of the book C. To the left, opposing the attempted motion D. Downward, into the table surface

Correct answer: C Static friction opposes the tendency to slide. Because the push is to the right and the book remains at rest, friction on the book acts to the left, balancing the applied horizontal force up to the limiting value.

3. A wrench is 0.30 m long. A mechanic applies 80 N perpendicular to the wrench at the handle end. What torque does this produce about the bolt axis?

  bolt (*)
    |
    | 0.30 m
    |
    v  F = 80 N (perpendicular)

A. 24 Nm B. 50 Nm C. 80 Nm D. 240 Nm

Correct answer: A Torque is tau = F * r when force is perpendicular to the lever arm. Here tau = 80 N * 0.30 m = 24 N*m.

4. A wheel nut requires 120 N*m of torque. A mechanic attaches a 0.40 m extension and applies force at the far end at right angles to the bar. What minimum force is required?

  nut (*)
    |
    | 0.40 m
    |
    v  F = ?

A. 30 N B. 48 N C. 120 N D. 300 N

Correct answer: D Rearranging tau = F * r gives F = tau / r = 120 N*m / 0.40 m = 300 N when the force stays perpendicular to the arm.

5. A first-class lever has its fulcrum between the load and the effort. A 400 N load hangs 1.0 m to the left of the fulcrum. The effort is applied 2.0 m to the right of the fulcrum. Ignoring the weight of the lever, what effort force balances the load?

  400 N          fulcrum          F
    |<-- 1.0 m -->|<----- 2.0 m ----->|

A. 100 N B. 200 N C. 400 N D. 800 N

Correct answer: B For rotational equilibrium, clockwise and counterclockwise torques balance: 400 N * 1.0 m = F * 2.0 m. Solving gives F = 400 / 2 = 200 N.

6. A wheelbarrow is a second-class lever. The load is 600 N and sits 0.30 m from the wheel (fulcrum). The handles are 1.50 m from the wheel. What upward effort at the handles balances the load in ideal conditions?

  wheel (fulcrum)     load 600 N       handles
       |<-- 0.30 m -->|<------- 1.20 m ------>|

A. 120 N B. 300 N C. 600 N D. 3000 N

Correct answer: A Load torque about the wheel: 600 N * 0.30 m = 180 N*m. Effort torque: F * 1.50 m. Balance gives F = 180 / 1.50 = 120 N.

7. Two children balance a uniform seesaw. Child A has mass 30 kg and sits 2.0 m from the fulcrum. Child B has mass 45 kg. Where must Child B sit to balance the seesaw?

       Child A (30 kg)
            |
    |<-- 2.0 m -->|  fulcrum  |<-- d -->| Child B (45 kg)

A. 0.67 m from the fulcrum B. 1.00 m from the fulcrum C. 1.33 m from the fulcrum D. 2.00 m from the fulcrum

Correct answer: C Rotational equilibrium: m_A * g * d_A = m_B * g * d_B. Masses and g cancel, so 30 * 2.0 = 45 * d_B. Thus d_B = 60 / 45 = 1.33 m.

8. A uniform meter stick balances on a pivot placed at the 40 cm mark when a 200 g mass hangs from the 0 cm end. The stick’s own weight acts at its geometric center. What is the mass of the meter stick?

  200 g          pivot at 40 cm        CG at 50 cm
    |<---- 40 cm ---->|        |<- 10 cm ->|

A. 200 g B. 400 g C. 600 g D. 800 g

Correct answer: D Counterclockwise torque from the hanging mass: 200 g * 40 cm. Clockwise torque from the stick: m * 10 cm. Balance gives 200 * 40 = m * 10, so m = 800 g.

Section 2: Motion, Gravity and Rotation

9. A car starts from rest and reaches 20 m/s in 5 s with uniform acceleration. What is the average acceleration?

A. 2 m/s^2 B. 4 m/s^2 C. 5 m/s^2 D. 100 m/s^2

Correct answer: B Average acceleration is change in velocity divided by time: a = (20 m/s - 0) / 5 s = 4 m/s^2.

10. A cyclist travels at 12 m/s and brakes uniformly to a stop in 3 s. How far does the bicycle travel while braking?

A. 18 m B. 12 m C. 36 m D. 4 m

Correct answer: A With uniform deceleration from 12 m/s to 0 in 3 s, average speed is (12 + 0) / 2 = 6 m/s. Distance = average speed * time = 6 m/s * 3 s = 18 m.

11. Ball 1 is dropped from 5 m above the ground. Ball 2 is dropped from 20 m. Air resistance is ignored. How do their fall times compare?

A. Ball 1 takes twice as long as Ball 2 B. Ball 2 takes four times as long as Ball 1 C. Ball 2 takes twice as long as Ball 1 D. Both take the same time

Correct answer: C Free-fall time from rest is t = sqrt(2h/g). Time scales with the square root of height. Since 20 m is four times 5 m, t_2 / t_1 = sqrt(4) = 2. Ball 2 takes twice as long.

12. Two identical balls are thrown straight upward on Earth. Ball A reaches a maximum height of 5 m. Ball B reaches 20 m. How do their launch speeds compare?

A. Both needed the same launch speed B. Ball B needed twice the launch speed of Ball A C. Ball B needed four times the launch speed of Ball A D. Ball A needed twice the launch speed of Ball B

Correct answer: B At the peak, v = 0 and v_0^2 = 2gh, so v_0 is proportional to sqrt(h). Because 20 m is four times 5 m, v_B / v_A = sqrt(4) = 2. Ball B needed twice the launch speed.

13. Passengers standing in a bus lurch backward when the bus suddenly starts moving forward. What best explains this observation?

A. A backward force from the engine pushes every passenger B. Gravity briefly increases at startup C. Friction on shoes pulls passengers backward D. Inertia tends to keep passengers at rest while the bus floor moves forward beneath them

Correct answer: D Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in motion. The bus accelerates forward, but passengers’ bodies tend to remain at rest until the floor exerts a forward force through friction. Relative to the bus, they appear to move backward.

14. Two external spur gears mesh directly. Gear 1 rotates clockwise as shown. Which way does Gear 2 rotate?

  Gear 1 (CW)  )|(  Gear 2
                 mesh

A. Counterclockwise B. Clockwise C. It does not rotate D. It alternates direction each second

Correct answer: A Meshing external gears rotate in opposite directions. If Gear 1 turns clockwise, Gear 2 turns counterclockwise.

15. A driver gear has 15 teeth and spins at 90 rpm. It meshes with a driven gear of 45 teeth. How fast does the driven gear turn?

A. 270 rpm B. 90 rpm C. 30 rpm D. 15 rpm

Correct answer: C For meshing gears, n_1 * T_1 = n_2 * T_2. So n_2 = 90 rpm * (15 / 45) = 90 * (1/3) = 30 rpm.

Section 3: Fluids and Pressure

16. A water tank is filled to a depth of 2.0 m. Using water density 1000 kg/m^3 and g = 10 m/s^2, what is the gauge pressure at the bottom?

A. 2,000 Pa B. 20,000 Pa C. 200,000 Pa D. 2,000,000 Pa

Correct answer: B Hydrostatic gauge pressure is P = rho * g * h = 1000 kg/m^3 * 10 m/s^2 * 2.0 m = 20,000 Pa.

17. Two open tanks are filled to the same depth of 1.5 m. Tank W holds water (1000 kg/m^3). Tank O holds oil (800 kg/m^3). Which tank has greater absolute pressure at the bottom?

A. Tank W, because water is denser at the same depth B. Tank O, because oil is lighter C. Both have the same bottom pressure D. Neither has pressure because the tanks are open

Correct answer: A At equal depth, P = rho * g * h. The denser fluid produces greater pressure. Water at 1000 kg/m^3 exceeds oil at 800 kg/m^3, so Tank W has greater bottom pressure.

18. A U-tube manometer contains water. The left arm connects to a sealed gas tank. The right arm is open to the atmosphere. The water level in the right (open) arm is 2.0 m higher than in the left (tank) arm, as shown. Using rho = 1000 kg/m^3 and g = 10 m/s^2, what is the gauge pressure in the tank?

  sealed tank ---- left arm (lower)
                      |
                      |  delta h = 2.0 m
                      |
                 right arm (open, higher)

A. 1,000 Pa B. 5,000 Pa C. 10,000 Pa D. 20,000 Pa

Correct answer: D When the open-arm liquid level is higher, tank pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure. Gauge pressure equals the hydrostatic difference: P = rho * g * delta h = 1000 * 10 * 2.0 = 20,000 Pa.

19. A solid block has volume 0.002 m^3 and mass 3 kg. It is placed in water (density 1000 kg/m^3). What happens?

A. It floats with about half the volume submerged B. It floats with the entire block above the surface C. It sinks because its average density exceeds water D. It remains suspended at any depth with no motion

Correct answer: C Average block density = mass / volume = 3 kg / 0.002 m^3 = 1500 kg/m^3. Because 1500 > 1000 kg/m^3, the block is denser than water and sinks.

20. A hydraulic lift has a small piston of area 0.005 m^2 and a large piston of area 0.050 m^2. A force of 100 N is applied to the small piston. What ideal output force acts on the large piston?

  small piston        large piston
   A = 0.005 m^2       A = 0.050 m^2
      | 100 N  |===========|  F = ? |

A. 1,000 N B. 100 N C. 500 N D. 10 N

Correct answer: A By Pascal’s principle with ideal fluid, F_2 / F_1 = A_2 / A_1. So F_2 = 100 N * (0.050 / 0.005) = 100 * 10 = 1,000 N.

21. In another hydraulic jack, the large piston area is 0.04 m^2 and the small piston area is 0.01 m^2. What force on the small piston is needed to support 800 N on the large piston in ideal conditions?

A. 3,200 N B. 200 N C. 800 N D. 50 N

Correct answer: B F_1 = F_2 * (A_1 / A_2) = 800 N * (0.01 / 0.04) = 800 * 0.25 = 200 N.

Section 4: Pulleys, Wheels and Gears

22. An ideal block-and-tackle system has two movable pulleys arranged so that four rope segments support the load. What ideal mechanical advantage and effort are needed to hold a 400 N load at constant speed?

  ceiling
    |\   //|
    | \ // |  four segments
    |  XX   |  support load
      400 N

A. MA = 2, effort 200 N B. MA = 4, effort 400 N C. MA = 4, effort 100 N D. MA = 1, effort 400 N

Correct answer: C In this arrangement, four rope segments share the load, giving ideal MA = 4. Effort = load / MA = 400 N / 4 = 100 N.

23. A worker uses a single fixed pulley attached to a ceiling to raise a toolbox. One rope end is tied to the box and the worker pulls downward on the other end. Compared with lifting the box directly by hand, what is true in ideal conditions?

  ceiling --(O)--
              |     |
            box   pull down

A. The pulley changes the pull direction but ideal mechanical advantage remains 1 B. The pulley halves the required force C. The pulley doubles the required force D. The pulley removes the effect of gravity

Correct answer: A A single fixed pulley redirects force but does not multiply it in the ideal case. Mechanical advantage is 1, so the worker still must supply a force equal to the load to hold it at constant speed.

24. Three spur gears mesh in a line: Gear A meshes with Gear B, and Gear B meshes with Gear C. Gear A rotates clockwise. What is the rotation direction of Gear C?

  A(CW) -- B -- C

A. Counterclockwise B. Clockwise C. Gear C does not turn D. Direction depends only on tooth size

Correct answer: B A clockwise turns B counterclockwise. B counterclockwise turns C clockwise. Two opposite reversals return Gear C to the same direction as Gear A.

25. In a gear train, Gear X (10 teeth) rotates counterclockwise at 100 rpm and meshes with Gear Y (50 teeth). Gear Z (10 teeth) is on the same shaft as Y and meshes with Gear W (50 teeth). What are the direction and speed of Gear W?

  X(10T, CCW, 100) -- Y(50T) -- Z(10T) -- W(50T)

A. Clockwise at 4 rpm B. Counterclockwise at 20 rpm C. Clockwise at 20 rpm D. Counterclockwise at 4 rpm

Correct answer: D X drives Y clockwise at 100*(10/50) = 20 rpm. Z shares that shaft, so Z is 20 rpm clockwise. Z drives W counterclockwise at 20*(10/50) = 4 rpm.

26. A driver gear with 24 teeth turns at 120 rpm and meshes with a driven gear of 72 teeth. How fast does the driven gear rotate?

A. 360 rpm B. 120 rpm C. 40 rpm D. 24 rpm

Correct answer: C n_2 = n_1 * (T_1 / T_2) = 120 rpm * (24 / 72) = 120 * (1/3) = 40 rpm.

27. A wheel has diameter 60 cm and turns on an axle of diameter 10 cm. What is the ideal mechanical advantage of this wheel-and-axle system?

  outer wheel (60 cm)
    |----------------|
         axle (10 cm)

A. 6 B. 0.17 C. 3 D. 60

Correct answer: A Ideal MA equals the ratio of radii (or diameters): R_wheel / R_axle = 30 cm / 5 cm = 6.

28. A belt connects two pulleys of equal size on parallel shafts. The top strand of the belt moves toward the right. Pulley 1 is on the left. Which way does Pulley 1 rotate when viewed from the front?

  Pulley 1    top belt ---->    Pulley 2
              bottom belt <----

A. Counterclockwise B. Clockwise C. It does not rotate D. It rotates perpendicular to the belt

Correct answer: B If the top belt moves right, the rim at the top of each pulley also moves right. For the left pulley, that corresponds to clockwise rotation when viewed from the front.

Section 5: Basic Electricity

29. A simple low-voltage flashlight circuit has a battery, bulb, and switch. The switch is open. Which statement is correct?

  battery (+) --- switch (open) --- bulb --- battery (-)

A. The bulb glows dimly because the battery is always connected B. The bulb glows brighter with the switch open C. Current flows through the open switch unchanged D. The bulb is off because the circuit path is incomplete

Correct answer: D An open switch breaks the conducting loop. Without a complete path from one battery terminal to the other, steady current cannot flow and the bulb stays off.

30. A desk lamp is wired so the bulb, switch, and low-voltage power source are in series. The switch is closed and the lamp is lit. The switch is then opened. What happens?

A. The lamp turns off because the series path is broken B. The lamp stays lit using stored charge in the cord C. The lamp becomes brighter D. The power source reverses polarity automatically

Correct answer: A In a series circuit, the same current must pass through every component. Opening the switch interrupts the only path, so current stops and the lamp turns off.

31. Two identical lamps are connected in series to the same low-voltage battery. Compared with one identical lamp alone on that battery, each series lamp is:

A. Brighter because they share voltage equally B. The same brightness as the single lamp C. Dimmer because the battery voltage is shared between them D. Off unless a third lamp is added

Correct answer: C In series, the battery voltage divides across the lamps. Each lamp receives less than the full battery voltage, so each glows dimmer than a single lamp connected alone.

32. Two identical lamps are connected in parallel to a low-voltage battery. Compared with one lamp alone on the same battery, each parallel lamp:

A. Receives half the voltage and glows dimmer B. Receives the full battery voltage and glows with normal brightness C. Receives double the voltage and burns out instantly D. Cannot light because current splits incorrectly

Correct answer: B Parallel branches each connect directly across the battery terminals, so each lamp gets the full voltage. With identical lamps, each has normal brightness independent of the other branch.

33. In a simple low-voltage buzzer circuit, what is the primary function of the buzzer component?

A. To store electrical charge for later use B. To permanently open the circuit after one use C. To convert motion into chemical energy D. To produce sound when current passes through it

Correct answer: D A buzzer is a load that converts electrical energy into sound through vibration. When current flows, its moving parts oscillate and generate an audible tone.

Section 6: Heat, Optics and Sound

34. A metal jar lid is stuck on a glass jar. Warm water is poured over only the metal lid. Why can this help loosen the lid?

A. Metal contracts when heated, gripping tighter B. Metal expands more than the glass for the same temperature rise, relieving the tight fit C. Heat removes all friction permanently D. The glass melts slightly at room temperature

Correct answer: B Metals generally have larger coefficients of thermal expansion than glass. Heating the lid lets it expand slightly more than the glass opening, reducing the interference fit.

35. Two metal rods of the same length and cross-section are heated by the same temperature increase. Rod C is copper and Rod S is steel. Which rod expands more in length?

A. Rod C, because copper has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than steel B. Rod S, because steel is stronger C. Both expand the same amount for the same temperature change D. Neither expands because metals are rigid

Correct answer: A Linear expansion is proportional to the material’s expansion coefficient. Copper expands more per degree than steel, so Rod C lengthens more for the same delta T.

36. A ray of light strikes a flat mirror at 30 degrees to the mirror surface, as shown. What is the angle of reflection measured from the normal (perpendicular to the surface)?

        normal
           |
  ray --> /|
         / | 30 deg to surface
        /  |
       mirror

A. 30 degrees B. 90 degrees C. 60 degrees D. 120 degrees

Correct answer: C The angle of incidence is measured from the normal. A 30-degree angle to the surface equals 60 degrees from the normal. The law of reflection gives a 60-degree reflection angle from the normal.

37. Late in the afternoon, the Sun is low in the western sky. A person stands facing south on level ground. In which direction is the person’s shadow cast?

A. North B. South C. West D. East

Correct answer: D Shadows fall opposite the light source. With the Sun in the west, the shadow extends eastward from the person, regardless of the direction the person faces.

38. A tuning fork is struck and produces a note. A second identical fork is modified so it vibrates at a higher frequency. How does the perceived pitch change?

A. The pitch becomes lower B. The pitch becomes higher C. Pitch stays the same but loudness only changes D. Pitch disappears because frequency is unrelated to sound

Correct answer: B Pitch is the perceptual correlate of frequency. Higher vibration frequency means a higher-pitched sound, assuming all else is equal.

Section 7: Common-Object Mechanical Reasoning

39. An empty plastic bottle with the cap screwed on tightly is squeezed inward and then released. The bottle springs back toward its original shape mainly because:

A. Air trapped inside was compressed and pushes outward when the squeeze is released B. Gravity reverses briefly inside the bottle C. The cap creates a permanent vacuum that pulls the sides out D. Plastic becomes magnetic when deformed

Correct answer: A With the cap sealed, squeezing compresses the trapped air slightly. When the external squeeze is removed, the compressed air pressure inside exceeds the outside pressure and helps push the walls outward while the plastic elasticity also restores shape.

40. A ramp is 3 m long and rises 1 m vertically. A cart is pushed up the ramp at steady speed. Ignoring friction, how does the required pushing force compare with lifting the cart straight up?

A. The ramp requires three times the lifting force B. The ramp requires the same force as lifting C. The ramp requires about one-third of the lifting force D. No force is needed on a ramp

Correct answer: C Ideal inclined-plane mechanical advantage is L / h = 3 m / 1 m = 3. Required force is weight divided by 3, so the ramp needs about one-third the force of a vertical lift.

41. Two identical springs each stretch 2 cm when a 10 N weight hangs on one spring alone. The same 10 N weight is hung so it is supported equally by both springs in parallel. How much does each individual spring stretch?

A. 4 cm each B. 2 cm each C. 0 cm each D. 1 cm each

Correct answer: D In parallel, each identical spring shares half the 10 N load, so each supports 5 N. A spring that stretches 2 cm under 10 N stretches 1 cm under 5 N.

42. A four-wheeled kitchen cart carries groceries. To reduce the chance of tipping while pushing it, where should the heaviest items be placed?

A. On the highest shelf to keep them visible B. On one side only to balance the handle C. Low and near the cart’s base to lower the center of gravity D. Behind the cart, not on it

Correct answer: C Stability improves when the center of gravity is lower and near the support base. Heavy items low on the cart reduce tipping torque during starts, stops, and turns.

43. Hot coffee is poured into a sealed thermos with the lid tightly closed and into an open mug. After several hours, why does the thermos coffee stay hotter longer?

A. The sealed lid and insulated walls reduce heat loss by limiting convection, evaporation, and conduction B. Coffee inside a thermos generates its own heat continuously C. The tight lid increases air pressure enough to boil the coffee slowly D. Open mugs absorb cold from the room faster than thermos glass

Correct answer: A A thermos limits pathways for heat transfer: conduction through walls is reduced by insulation, and convection and evaporation at the opening are minimized when sealed. Less heat leaves the coffee per unit time.

44. A flower pot sits on the outer end of a horizontal shelf bracket attached to a wall. The same pot is later moved closer to the wall on the same bracket. How does the torque on the bracket fasteners change?

A. Torque increases because the pot is nearer the wall B. Torque stays the same for any position C. Torque becomes zero anywhere on the bracket D. Torque on the fasteners decreases when the pot moves closer to the wall

Correct answer: D Torque about the wall equals weight times horizontal distance (moment arm). Moving the pot closer to the wall shortens that distance, reducing the twisting load on the fasteners.

45. A sealed empty plastic bottle is pushed below the surface of a swimming pool and then released. It rises back to the surface because:

A. The bottle is denser than water and sinks unless held B. No forces act once it is released underwater C. Magnetic attraction from the pool ladder pulls it up D. The upward buoyant force from displaced water exceeds the bottle’s weight

Correct answer: D An empty sealed bottle displaces a volume of water whose weight (buoyant force) exceeds the bottle’s own weight. The net upward force makes it accelerate toward the surface.

Practice Answer Key

Educational Practice Scoring

41-45 correct: Strong mechanical-reasoning baseline
35-40 correct: Good preparation level
27-34 correct: Moderate readiness
18-26 correct: Needs focused review
17 or fewer correct: Review the fundamentals

These ranges apply only to the unofficial questions on this page. They are not a Criteria raw score, WTMA percentile, employer cutoff, pass result, interview decision, training decision, promotion decision, or employment prediction.

How to Prepare for the WTMA

Confirm the assessment name on your invitation and which organization administers it. Review everyday mechanical relationships involving force, tools, motion, fluids, pulleys, and gears at a conceptual level. Complete the original questions below untimed first, then add short timed drills. Follow live session rules. Do not search for recalled items. Do not treat this page as machinery-operation training.

Official Resources

Criteria WTMA product page
APR Testing Services WTMA overview (alternate distribution channel materials)
PAR WTMA product listing (PAR Edition materials)

When your invitation covers several skill areas, broader Assessment test preparation can support mixed review before test day.

For ranked-response or work-style sections, Bennett mechanical test preparation may also be useful when you need extra drills under time pressure.

FAQ

What is the WTMA?

The Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude. Criteria currently describes a 60-item, 30-minute mechanical aptitude assessment with raw and percentile reporting.

Who publishes or distributes WTMA?

Criteria currently markets WTMA on its assessment catalog. Other authorized channels have also listed WTMA materials. Confirm your administrator on the invitation.

What score do you need?

There is no universal public employer cutoff. Percentiles are relative to a norm group and are not a universal pass mark.

Are these official Wiesen questions?

No.