Ability test · Legal-practice passages
Uncover critical thinkers for legal practice, with no legal knowledge required
Short, fictional pieces of legal work test inferences, assumptions, deductions, interpretation and evaluating arguments. The report shows an overall score band, results for each section, and speed and accuracy. Assessor and Candidate versions are available.
See what candidates see
30 legal-practice questions in 30 minutes across five sections: inferences, assumptions, deductions, interpretation and evaluating arguments.
Every candidate gets clear instructions and examples before the test starts. To try the full test yourself, ask us for a free trial.
What the Legal Critical Thinking Test measures
The Legal Critical Thinking Test measures critical thinking with written information in a legal-practice setting. Every passage is a short, fictional piece of legal work, such as a client matter, a firm policy or a contract clause. No legal knowledge is needed: every answer follows from the text alone.
Drawing inferences
Judging how far a statement is supported by the facts given.
Recognising assumptions
Seeing what a speaker must be taking for granted.
Making deductions
Deciding whether a conclusion must follow from the statements given.
Interpreting evidence
Telling a fair conclusion from an overreach, such as cause from a link or a general rule from a small sample.
Evaluating arguments
Deciding whether an argument is strong and relevant, or weak.
Why organisations choose Viewpoint ability tests
Fair and objective
Every candidate takes the same test, scored the same way, so decisions rest on evidence rather than impressions.
Candidates know what to expect
Clear instructions and example questions come before the test starts, so nobody is caught out by the format.
Reports you can act on
Clear results and score bands from Very Low to Very High, ready for shortlisting or a feedback conversation.
Fits your process
Use it to screen applicants early, to shortlist, or to add objective evidence at the final stage.
Reports that do the work for you
The report shows the candidate's overall score and score band (Very Low to Very High), results for each of the five sections, and speed and accuracy. It comes in two versions: an Assessor Report with interview questions, and a Candidate Report with no scores and practical development advice.
View sample
Assessor Report
For recruiters and hiring managers
- Score band from Very Low to Very High
- Speed and accuracy
- Interview questions to explore the result
View sample
Candidate Report
For the person who took it
- Constructive feedback in plain English
- No scores shown
- Practical suggestions for development
Who it’s for
The test is part of our legal suite, with the Legal Comprehension Test, the Legal Copy Typing Test and our legal situational judgement tests. Typical roles.
Trainee solicitors
Compare applicants on the critical thinking legal practice depends on.
Paralegals and junior lawyers
Assess how candidates judge statements against client matters, policies and clauses.
Legal apprentices
Every answer follows from the text, so applicants need no prior legal knowledge.
How it works
- 1
Invite
Send candidates their link from the Viewpoint platform. They can take the test wherever suits them.
- 2
Practise, then take the test
Candidates read the instructions and try example questions before the test starts.
- 3
Get the results
Results are ready as soon as the candidate finishes. Download the report and use it straight away.
At a glance
- 30 questions, completed in 30 minutes
- Five sections of six questions: Inferences, Assumptions, Deductions, Interpretation, Evaluation of arguments
- Each question is a short legal passage with one statement to judge
- Eight parallel versions
- 5 untimed practice questions with feedback, one per section
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Legal Copy Typing TestTwo solicitor's letters, 5 minutes each: a clean copy and a marked-up draft. Measures typing speed and accuracy.How candidates can do their best
Use only the passage
Don't bring in what you know about the law; the answer always comes from the text.
Read each section's instructions
Each section uses its own answer options, defined before its first question.
Weigh the evidence
"Probably" is right only when the passage gives a clear reason, such as a stated rate or usual practice.
Pace yourself
You have about a minute per question; don't let one passage hold you up.
See the Legal Critical Thinking Test for yourself
Try it and see the reports your team would receive. Contact us for a free trial or a demonstration of the platform.
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