Clifford Chance Watson Glaser: The Smart Candidate’s 2026 Guide
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Why Clifford Chance Uses the Watson Glaser (and Why It Matters)
Clifford Chance handles fast-moving, high-stakes mandates. Trainees should have the capability to break down legal arguments to fundamental facts while controlling the scope of the argument and drawing sound conclusions in a timely manner. The Watson Glaser (WG) stands as the most reliable early indicator of a candidate's capability. The Watson Glaser does not assess legal trivia; instead it evaluates your thinking stability together with its auditability and calmness which makes partners feel comfortable using you for client work.
What most candidates don’t realise
Recruiters focus on examining pattern stability by looking at several excellent timed results instead of a single fortunate score.
WG performance shows how well you manage heavy documentation combined with urgent deadlines that occur frequently in deal and dispute work.
Your application must match your Watson Glaser approach and interview responses in terms of reasoning style (evidence → analysis → cautious conclusion).
What Is the Clifford Chance Watson Glaser Test?
A timed critical-thinking assessment covering five skills:
Inference – does a conclusion genuinely follow from the text?
Recognition of Assumptions – what must be true but isn’t stated?
Deduction – if premises are true, must the conclusion be true?
Interpretation – is the conclusion warranted given the data?
Evaluation of Arguments – relevance, balance, and evidence quality.
Every passage should be treated as if it were a client note according to a unique approach for internalization. Your goal should be to be defensible instead of achieving correct answers. Choose a careful conclusion that you can back up rather than making an aggressive guess that you cannot support.
Free Clifford Chance Watson Glaser Practice Test
Below you’ll find our free Watson Glaser practice in a Clifford Chance-style format, organised by section: Inference (2 questions), Recognition of Assumptions (2 questions), Deduction (2 questions), Interpretation (2 questions), and Evaluation of Arguments (2 questions).
Before each section, we include a short, useful briefing and a Pro Tip geared towards the pace and precision typically expected in Clifford Chance’s assessment stages—so you can practise making the “best-supported” choice without adding extra assumptions. Once you complete the free test, you’ll see your score, along with full answers and detailed explanations to help you pinpoint exactly what to improve for next time.
Practice Free Clifford Chance Watson Glaser Test Questions:
15 pages • 10 minutes
This quiz is designed for candidates preparing for the Clifford Chance Watson Glaser assessment. The questions reflect the exact skills the test looks for: staying disciplined with the information provided, spotting what’s assumed (but not stated), and separating strong reasoning from persuasive-sounding noise.
You’ll work through the five core areas - Inference, Recognition of Assumptions, Deduction, Interpretation, and Evaluation of Arguments. Approach each item like the real thing: use only what’s on the page, be strict with wording, and keep an eye on time. Once you finish, the explanations will show the logic behind each answer so you can tighten your method and improve quickly.
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Read each question carefully before selecting your answer.
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Navigate between questions using the Previous/Next buttons.
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Submit your quiz to receive detailed results and explanations.
Practice Free Clifford Chance Watson Glaser Test Questions:
Page 1 of 15
Free Inferences Sample Questions
In this section, you’ll read a short passage that sets out a handful of facts. For the purposes of the test, accept everything in the passage as true - even if it clashes with what you know outside the text.
After that, you’ll be given several statements. Your job is to judge each one on its own and decide how strongly it’s supported by the passage - whether it clearly follows, seems likely, can’t be confirmed, or is contradicted.
Questions: 2
Time Limit: 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tip:
Be disciplined: stay inside the passage. No “real-world” knowledge, no filling in gaps.
If a detail isn’t stated or clearly implied, treat it as Insufficient Data. In the Clifford Chance-style Watson Glaser, many traps are built around statements that sound sensible but aren’t actually backed by the text. Train yourself to separate what’s written from what you’re tempted to assume.
Inferences Question 1 of 2
A creative studio rolled out a ‘focus-first’ workflow: a flexible start window, asynchronous daily updates posted on the team board, and twice-weekly manager office hours. Leaders say the aim is to protect deep-work time and reduce after-hours email.
Proposed Inference:
One purpose of the new workflow is to cut down on emails sent outside the workday.
Inferences Question 2 of 2
In June 2025, a neighborhood grocery introduced a weekly staples bundle priced at $28, advertised as cheaper than buying the same items separately for $34. During the promotion, loyalty members received a $2 checkout rebate per bundle. The store also kept all individual item prices unchanged for the month.
Proposed Inference:
Loyalty members effectively paid $26 per bundle during the promotion.
Free Recognition of Assumptions Sample Questions
Next up is Recognition of Assumptions. Here, you’re not judging whether a statement is true or sensible - you’re deciding whether the writer is quietly relying on an unstated belief to make their point.
For each item, you’ll be shown a short statement and a proposed assumption. Your task is to choose whether that assumption is genuinely “taken for granted” in the argument, or whether the argument can stand without it.
Questions: 2
Time Limit: 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tip:
Don’t mix up assumptions and conclusions.
An assumption is the hidden support the argument needs before the claim can work. A conclusion is what the argument is trying to prove afterwards. A reliable check is to ask: “Does this have to be true for the statement to make sense?” If the argument collapses without it, the assumption is made. If the argument still holds, it isn’t.
Recognition of Assumptions Question 1 of 2
Receiving spontaneous positive feedback from clients is a strong indication that your service exceeded expectations.
Proposed Assumption:
If the service did not exceed expectations, clients would not give spontaneous positive feedback.
Recognition of Assumptions Question 2 of 2
Using project management software may help teams reduce delays.
Proposed Assumption:
Teams that don’t use project management software always experience delays.
Free Deduction Sample Questions
In Deduction, your job is to decide whether a conclusion must follow from the information given. This is the most “black and white” part of the Watson Glaser: you’re working with strict logic, not likelihood, not what usually happens, and not what feels reasonable.
You’ll be shown a short set of statements (treat them as true), followed by a proposed conclusion. Your task is to judge whether that conclusion is logically guaranteed by the facts - or whether there’s any gap that makes it unsafe.
Questions: 2
Time Limit: 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tip:
In Deduction, “probably” doesn’t count - only certainty does.
A conclusion follows only when it’s 100% forced by the text. If there’s even one realistic way the premises could be true and the conclusion still false, the right choice is Conclusion Does Not Follow. Stay strict, and don’t reward conclusions just because they sound sensible.
Deduction Question 1 of 2
Under the revised academic funding policy, a university department may either receive government research grants or accept corporate sponsorship, but not both. All departments in the School of Pure Sciences receive government research grants. No department that accepts corporate sponsorship is allowed to participate in national ethics committees.
Proposed Conclusion:
Departments that participate in national ethics committees may be receiving government research grants.
Deduction Question 2 of 2
All mobile app startups are either ad-supported or rely on in-app purchases, but not both. No meditation apps rely on ad-support. All productivity apps rely on in-app purchases.
Proposed Conclusion:
Productivity apps are either not ad-supported or are not meditation apps.
Free Interpretation Sample Questions
In Interpretation, you’re judging whether a conclusion is supported by the passage beyond a reasonable doubt. This isn’t strict “must be true” logic like Deduction - but it’s also not a loose “sounds plausible” judgement either. You’re looking for conclusions that are strongly backed by what’s given.
You’ll read a short passage and then assess whether each proposed conclusion is a fair, well-supported reading of the information, based solely on the text.
Questions: 2
Time Limit: 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tip:
Aim for “beyond reasonable doubt” - not “could be”.
A conclusion can follow even if it isn’t mathematically certain, but it must be clearly the best fit for the evidence. If you can see a reasonable alternative explanation that still matches the passage, the safe answer is Conclusion Does Not Follow. A good check is: “Would a careful reader have to agree with this, based on the text?” If not, be cautious.
Inferences Question 1 of 2
In June 2025, a neighborhood grocery introduced a weekly staples bundle priced at $28, advertised as cheaper than buying the same items separately for $34. During the promotion, loyalty members received a $2 checkout rebate per bundle. The store also kept all individual item prices unchanged for the month.
Proposed Inference:
Loyalty members effectively paid $26 per bundle during the promotion.
Inferences Question 2 of 2
In September 2025, a neighborhood café introduced a weekday breakfast combo at $6.50 (coffee + pastry), advertised as $2.00 cheaper than buying the items separately. Loyalty members earn 3 bonus points per combo (every 10 points = $1 credit). Individual item prices remained unchanged, and the café added a 10-combo punch card that gives the 11th combo free.
Proposed Inference:
The popularity of the breakfast combo will be determined solely by the 3 bonus points perk.
Free Evaluation of Arguments Sample Questions
In Evaluation of Arguments, you’ll decide whether each argument is strong or weak in relation to a specific question or statement. The skill here isn’t spotting what’s true or false - it’s judging whether the point being made is actually useful to the decision at hand.
For the purpose of this section, treat every argument as factually true. Your task is to assess its relevance and importance: does it genuinely support or challenge the issue, or is it a side point that doesn’t really move the decision forward?
Questions: 2
Time Limit: 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tip:
Assume it’s true - then ask if it matters.
Don’t rate an argument on how persuasive it sounds. Instead, test it with: “If this is true, does it directly affect the decision?” A strong argument is both relevant and significant. If it relies on feelings, general opinions, or information that’s only loosely connected, it’s weak, even if it sounds convincing.
Evaluation of Arguments Question 1 of 2
Should companies allocate 12 days of annual paid volunteer leave to employees to enhance corporate social responsibility and team engagement?
Proposed Argument:
Yes. Dedicated volunteer leave signals genuine investment in community causes, boosting morale and aligning corporate values with employee purpose.
Evaluation of Arguments Question 2 of 2
Is it worthwhile for the university to extend library hours to improve student academic performance?
Proposed Argument:
Yes. Librarians welcome the extra hours because it gives them uninterrupted time to finish their own research.
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Question 1
A creative studio rolled out a ‘focus-first’ workflow: a flexible start window, asynchronous daily updates posted on the team board, and twice-weekly manager office hours. Leaders say the aim is to protect deep-work time and reduce after-hours email.
Proposed Inference:
One purpose of the new workflow is to cut down on emails sent outside the workday.
YOUR ANSWER
Not answered(INCORRECT)
CORRECT ANSWER
True
EXPLANATION
The statement explicitly says the aim includes reducing after-hours email. The inference is a paraphrase (emails sent outside the workday”), so despite the wording twist, it is directly supported.
Question 2
In June 2025, a neighborhood grocery introduced a weekly staples bundle priced at $28, advertised as cheaper than buying the same items separately for $34. During the promotion, loyalty members received a $2 checkout rebate per bundle. The store also kept all individual item prices unchanged for the month.
Proposed Inference:
Loyalty members effectively paid $26 per bundle during the promotion.
YOUR ANSWER
Not answered(INCORRECT)
CORRECT ANSWER
True
EXPLANATION
The bundle price is $28 and loyalty members get a $2 rebate per bundle, so $28 − $2 = $26. This is directly supported by the figures; it’s tricky” only because it requires a quick calculation.
Question 3
Receiving spontaneous positive feedback from clients is a strong indication that your service exceeded expectations.
Proposed Assumption:
If the service did not exceed expectations, clients would not give spontaneous positive feedback.
YOUR ANSWER
Not answered(INCORRECT)
CORRECT ANSWER
Assumption Made
EXPLANATION
The statement links unsolicited client praise with exceptional service, implying that clients only provide such feedback when impressed. This logic assumes the absence of outstanding service would mean no such praise. Since that condition is necessary for the argument to hold, the assumption is made. Let me know if you’d like one with trickier language or a different tone (e.g., legal or financial)!
Question 4
Using project management software may help teams reduce delays.
Proposed Assumption:
Teams that don’t use project management software always experience delays.
YOUR ANSWER
Not answered(INCORRECT)
CORRECT ANSWER
Assumption Not Made
EXPLANATION
The statement discusses a potential benefit for teams using the tool. It does not make any universal claim about those who don’t use it.
Question 5
Under the revised academic funding policy, a university department may either receive government research grants or accept corporate sponsorship, but not both. All departments in the School of Pure Sciences receive government research grants. No department that accepts corporate sponsorship is allowed to participate in national ethics committees.
Proposed Conclusion:
Departments that participate in national ethics committees may be receiving government research grants.
YOUR ANSWER
Not answered(INCORRECT)
CORRECT ANSWER
Conclusion Follows
EXPLANATION
Departments that accept corporate sponsorship are not allowed to participate in national ethics committees. So, departments on the committees must be from the group that does not accept sponsorship. Since departments can either get grants or sponsorship, these committee members may indeed be those who receive government research grants. ➡️ The conclusion is consistent with the premises and therefore follows.
Question 6
All mobile app startups are either ad-supported or rely on in-app purchases, but not both. No meditation apps rely on ad-support. All productivity apps rely on in-app purchases.
Proposed Conclusion:
Productivity apps are either not ad-supported or are not meditation apps.
YOUR ANSWER
Not answered(INCORRECT)
CORRECT ANSWER
Conclusion Follows
EXPLANATION
From the statement:
All mobile app startups are either ad-supported or in-app purchase-based, not both.
No meditation apps are ad-supported.
All productivity apps rely on in-app purchases.
Therefore, productivity apps, being in-app purchase-based, cannot also be ad-supported. And meditation apps are not ad-supported either, so they cannot be productivity apps. Thus, each productivity app is either not ad-supported or not a meditation app. This conclusion logically follows.
Question 7
In June 2025, a neighborhood grocery introduced a weekly staples bundle priced at $28, advertised as cheaper than buying the same items separately for $34. During the promotion, loyalty members received a $2 checkout rebate per bundle. The store also kept all individual item prices unchanged for the month.
Proposed Inference:
Loyalty members effectively paid $26 per bundle during the promotion.
YOUR ANSWER
Not answered(INCORRECT)
CORRECT ANSWER
True
EXPLANATION
The bundle price is $28 and loyalty members get a $2 rebate per bundle, so $28 − $2 = $26. This is directly supported by the figures; it’s tricky” only because it requires a quick calculation.
Question 8
In September 2025, a neighborhood café introduced a weekday breakfast combo at $6.50 (coffee + pastry), advertised as $2.00 cheaper than buying the items separately. Loyalty members earn 3 bonus points per combo (every 10 points = $1 credit). Individual item prices remained unchanged, and the café added a 10-combo punch card that gives the 11th combo free.
Proposed Inference:
The popularity of the breakfast combo will be determined solely by the 3 bonus points perk.
YOUR ANSWER
Not answered(INCORRECT)
CORRECT ANSWER
Probably False
EXPLANATION
Multiple incentives are in play: an immediate $2 price advantage, a punch card freebie, and bonus points. It’s unlikely that popularity would hinge only on the points when the price discount and punch card also attract buyers. The text doesn’t say it’s impossible, so Probably False” (not False”) is the best fit.
Question 9
Should companies allocate 12 days of annual paid volunteer leave to employees to enhance corporate social responsibility and team engagement?
Proposed Argument:
Yes. Dedicated volunteer leave signals genuine investment in community causes, boosting morale and aligning corporate values with employee purpose.
YOUR ANSWER
Not answered(INCORRECT)
CORRECT ANSWER
Strong Argument
EXPLANATION
Tying leave directly to social impact addresses both CSR objectives and engagement—core to the proposal. Its relevance to stated goals and likely effect on culture make it strong.
Question 10
Is it worthwhile for the university to extend library hours to improve student academic performance?
Proposed Argument:
Yes. Librarians welcome the extra hours because it gives them uninterrupted time to finish their own research.
YOUR ANSWER
Not answered(INCORRECT)
CORRECT ANSWER
Weak Argument
EXPLANATION
Staff preference for uninterrupted work is valid but unrelated to whether students will study more effectively or achieve better grades. Because it addresses a librarian benefit rather than student outcomes, the argument is weak.
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Clifford Chance Watson Glaser vs the Standard Test: What’s Different and Why
You should expect the same blueprint with sharper edges because it contains dense wording and fast-paced questions at higher competition levels.
Comparison Table
Aspect
Standard WG
Clifford Chance WG
Prep Shift That Actually Helps
Context density
Neutral / everyday
Commercial nuance, layered qualifiers
Practise on short business articles; highlight quantifiers & claims
Difficulty feel
Moderate–challenging
Less tolerance for indecision
Two daily 8–10 min sprints to harden decision speed
Predictive weight
Balanced
Inference & Evaluation often most telling
Over-index drills on these two (≈60% of practice)
Common failure
Upgrading certainty
Assumption blind spots; scope creep
Run the Negation Pivot: if the assumed point were false, would the argument collapse?
Process impact
One factor
Primary gate
You should integrate WG preparation into your job application because it serves as an essential component rather than a secondary activity.
Test Day Format and Timing and Pressure Management Expectations
The test consists of five skill areas which candidates need to complete within 40 to 60 minutes.
The testing environment requires a quiet area with a stable connection while all notifications must be disabled through Do Not Disturb settings.
The 70/25/5 pacing protocol (battle-tested) requires students to do a first pass on high-confidence items then review flagged ones and maintain a final buffer.
The 60-second “calm stack” consists of four nasal inhales followed by four shoulder drops and four softens of the gaze before finishing with four micro-smiles. This strategy decreases your body's threat response which allows your working memory to function more effectively.
Reset script: after any guess, think: “New item, new evidence.”—prevents emotional carry-over.
For first passes students should mark quantifiers such as some/most/only if/unless then enclose conclusion verbs with implications/therefore/means. Practice sessions show that this method helps you reduce misreads by 30–40%.
The Skills Clifford Chance Is Really Testing (Beyond “Intelligence”)
Signal selection: prioritising material facts over persuasive fluff.
The ability to control scope includes avoiding transitions from some to most to all.
Bias resistance: checking first instincts against the text.
Time discipline: making good-enough, defensible decisions quickly.
SACC filter (use while reading): Scope, Ambiguity, Causality, Confounders. If any are shaky, downgrade certainty.
Scoring & Pass Marks: What Counts as Competitive at Clifford Chance
The firm does not release information about its passing scores. In practice, aim for:
Top-quartile performance across several timed mocks (stability > spikes).
No red-zone sections (especially Inference/Evaluation).
Timed accuracy stands as your key performance indicator while untimed scores hold no real value.
Track your personal benchmark through a 7-day rolling median system. You should schedule the actual test only after your median score maintains your desired level for two successive weeks.
The Clifford Chance SPARK Programme delivers essential skills to early-stage job applicants through its Inside Track Programme.
SPARK provides early commercial law experience to candidates by organizing workshops and case exercises and networking opportunities. You should:
Show your learning speed improvement through evidence between before and after results.
Acquire commercial abilities which apply directly to your WG work performance.
Gather interview-ready stories which show your ability to stay calm and use structured judgment.
Applying to SPARK—quick wins
Explain a recent market shift along with its significance for client needs.
Replace adjectives with factual data that includes numbers and results and procedural information.
Maintain uniformity in your reasoning patterns throughout your application document and Watson Glaser assessment and interview processes.
Your 10-Minute Daily Plan (save this)
Spend 3 minutes reading business paragraphs intensively to mark the premises together with quantifiers and conclusion.
Devote 6 minutes for timed mini-set exercises that test different skill levels with 70/25/5 proportions internally.
1 min error log update: write one reusable rule from today’s miss.
Final Word
Engineering your thinking process represents the most important thing to remember instead of only focusing on practice development. Your signals need to maintain consistency between the application and Watson Glaser test and job interviews by following evidence → analysis → cautious conclusion. You should execute a 10-minute daily routine while tracking each mistake through a reusable rule and maintain your speed with a 70/25/5 approach. Take deep breaths before the test begins while you reduce the topic scope and select the answer that holds up to scrutiny. Calm, narrow, defensible—then deliver.
FAQs: Clifford Chance Watson Glaser Test
Is the Clifford Chance Watson Glaser different from the standard version?
The test format remains the same but the testing standard is elevated while the reading content contains more business-oriented specifics. The test requires quick decisions with limited time available.
Which sections matter most for Clifford Chance?
The five sections of the test are important but Inference and Evaluation of Arguments prove most relevant to passing the exam. Devote additional practice to these sections but maintain your overall training balance.
What’s the fastest way to improve in 7–10 days?
Devote two daily periods of 8–10 minutes each to mini sprints and track your mistakes according to trap type (quantifier, scope leap, assumption) before retesting them at 24/48/96 hour intervals (spaced repetition).
How does the Watson Glaser result affect my application for Clifford Chance job position?
It’s a major filter. A good score maintains your position in the selection process but a poor score typically leads to elimination. The application process includes preparation work as an integral component instead of an optional step.
How does the SPARK Programme link to the Watson Glaser?
The test becomes part of the selection process for candidates who join the SPARK Programme. The SPARK programme enables candidates to build commercial awareness while showing their ability to learn at a fast pace which strengthens their future performance.
What Is Included in Clifford Chance’s Hiring Process?
he application process at Clifford Chance includes an online submission of CVs with short answers followed by the Watson Glaser critical thinking assessment and then interviews and competency assessments and commercial awareness tests and case elements before reaching the final assessment centre for offer and onboarding of Vacation Scheme or Training Contract candidates. Your answers should mirror mini memos by following premise → analysis → outcome and maintain evidence-based reasoning with calmness and conciseness throughout each stage of the assessment.
Which Professions Use Watson Glaser Tests, and Why?
The test applies to City law professionals as well as consulting/strategy and finance & risk professionals and public sector/regulators and corporate graduate scheme candidates. The test serves employers as a way to select candidates who demonstrate disciplined defensible thinking abilities under time-constrained situations. The assessment evaluates your ability to separate facts from assumptions together with your argument evaluation skills and your ability to draw warranted conclusions.
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