ACER Mechanical Reasoning Test (MRT)

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Publisher: ACER, 1997

Purpose: To assess mechanical reasoning ability

Employment Categories: Apprentices, trainees, technical and trade personnel, and others involved in work of a mechanical nature

Candidates:15+ years of age

Administration: 20 minutes – Individual and group

Scoring: By hand, ACER Test Scoring Service or online

Features:

• Australian norms
• Key measure of mechanical reasoning

Content

The MRT assesses mechanical reasoning ability, which entails understanding very basic principles of physics and mechanics, visualising the movement of objects through space, and understanding cause-effect relationships between mechanical components.

The MRT is designed to assess aptitude for solving problems requiring the understanding of mechanical ideas. It does not require mechanical knowledge or reading ability.

All 42 items are pen-and-ink diagrams and cover a wide range of content including wheels, gears, clamps, levers, sliding rods, shafts, pulleys, weights, conveyor belts, fixed and non-fixed pivots, and springs. Two parallel forms are available.

Norms and other reference group data are provided as percentile ranks and stanines, with accompanying verbal descriptions.

The MRT can be used for selection and for counselling individuals, such as school-leavers or mature-age job changers, who aspire to occupations requiring mechanical reasoning ability.

Download additional norm data for electrical trades positions

View a Sample Report