As part of this specialisation, it designs and develops diagnostic and performance aptitude tests for operational, technical and maintenance-related job roles and is considered a leader in its field. Its Mechanical Aptitude Test (MAT) was first released in 2004. Specifically designed for use in the maintenance, mechanical and industrial sectors, it assesses a candidate’s problem-solving skills based on their understanding of mechanical principles and concepts. The latest version of the test is the Ramsay MAT-4.
Which Employers Might Use the MAT-4 Test?
The Ramsay Mechanical Aptitude Test is used by a wide range of employers across the maintenance, mechanical and industrial sectors. As an entry-level assessment, the Ramsay test is commonly used in the pre-screening stages for apprenticeships and training programmes for job roles including:
Mechanics Engineers Millwrights Plumbers Electricians Maintenance Technicians Machine Operators Tool Setters
The above list is far from exhaustive and many other job functions use the Ramsay MAT-4 as an assessment for entry, including public sector roles with the police or military.
What Is Being Assessed?
Rather than being a measure of current skills and knowledge, the Ramsay test assesses an individual’s potential to learn and apply mechanical concepts in a professional environment. However, the Ramsay MAT-4 does require common sense and a good grasp of basic scientific principles, namely in the area of physics. Four main areas are covered throughout the test:
Household objects Hand and power tools Production and maintenance Science and physics
Questions in the Ramsay test are built around practical problem solving and most are designed to measure your mechanical reasoning, also known as mechanical comprehension. The exact subjects contained in your test will depend on the nature of the role applied for, the current landscape of the sector it’s in, and may include any or all of the following:
Velocity – Questions may relate to gravity, rules of acceleration or Newton’s laws. Force and movement – There are multiple subtopics within this subject including equilibrium and torque. Electricity – You may be asked questions based around circuits, currents or voltages. Fluid mechanics – Questions here largely revolve around pressure, contraction and expansion. Thermodynamics – Cooling and heating principles are covered here, along with questions relating to evaporation and condensation. Optics – One of the more in-depth areas of physics including light and reflection. Acoustics – Questions around acoustics will deal with the basic principles of sound.
Remember, reasoning is key. Essentially, what is being assessed is your ability to identify which concept or principle is required to solve common practical problems. The majority of questions will take the form of an image, diagram or illustration, with basic instructions asking you to make an inference from the information given. All questions are multiple-choice and you should keep in mind that there is only ever one correct answer. Although it’s not technically a knowledge-based test, the Ramsay MAT-4 is not easy. The majority of questions are based on practical scenarios but the short time limit for the test as a whole leaves little room for deliberation. To answer all 36 questions, you’ll only have around 55 seconds for each. Many of the images included in the Ramsay test are sparse on detail and question instructions can be deliberately vague. This is intentional and designed to add an extra layer of complexity. Another point well worth noting on the Ramsay test is that it is designed to offer a level playing field to all candidates and attempts to avoid any gender, social or cultural biases. You can expect all questions to be representative of this approach.
How to Do Well on Your MAT-4 Test
Unlike verbal and numerical reasoning tests, which assess accuracy, speed, knowledge and technique, mechanical aptitude tests are all about intuition. You’ll be measured on how well you apply common sense and mechanical concepts to any given scenario. This means preparation for the Ramsay test requires a somewhat different approach. Instead of brushing up on specific knowledge, you’ll need to equip yourself with the skills required to make calculated inferences based on the information provided. Follow the step by step tips below to give yourself the best chance of a strong performance: After all, it’s designed to test your potential so all questions should revolve around concepts and principles that would be used in your line of work. Making sure you fully understand your industry, and the exact function of your role within it, will help you focus your attention in the next tip below. All mechanical reasoning questions are based on fundamental physical principles so taking the time to revise these thoroughly should allow you to answer all questions with confidence. As stated in tip one, make sure you focus your attention on principles directly related to your line of work. As previously mentioned, images can be basic and instructions intentionally vague. This makes it vital that you practice specifically for the Ramsay test and not for generic mechanical aptitude assessments. There’s an endless number of question variations and it’s highly improbable that you’ll see the same question twice, either during practice or in your official Ramsay MAT-4. However, familiarisation with the format will help you overcome the additional challenges presented. If you’re not totally clear on what problem you’re being asked to solve, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll land on the right mechanical concept needed to solve it. To be successful on the Ramsay test, you need to learn to correctly interpret what is being asked of you. Of course, the best way to do this is to follow tip three and take multiple practice tests that follow the Ramsay formula. If you find yourself stuck, move on. You may well find you have time left to return to any missed questions, at which point you can reassess, or at the very least take an educated guess. To stand the best chance of success, you should aim for a score of at least 80%. Note that sub-scores are considered, which means that if your score is too low in a section that is important for the job role, you may not pass the test. Questions are split into four categories:
Household objects Production and maintenance Hand and power tools Science and physics
You should also spend time answering example practice test questions. Working through a range of high-quality preparation papers will help you to understand what to expect from the test. When answering practice questions, it is important to work against the clock. This will help you to improve your time management skills. This challenging test is made up of complex, practical questions, which cover a variety of different topics. Candidates usually only have around five days to prepare for the MAT-4 test, which makes it even more difficult. In addition, many of the explanations given in the test are vague, which means they are open to candidate interpretation. For the MAT-4 test, you will need to be confident in topics such as acoustics, force/movement, pressure, gravity, velocity and thermodynamics. Most employers will be more interested in your percentile score than your raw scores. The percentile score indicates your performance against other people who took the same test. If you achieve a percentile score of 85%, that means you have performed better than 84% of candidates who took the same test. Compared to other aptitude tests and entrance exams, it is difficult to prepare for and its format is designed to throw you off course. Remember, though, the concepts you’ll be asked to apply are not complex scientific theories; they are fundamental principles of physics commonly used in everyday life. So long as you ensure you have a sound understanding of key concepts relevant to your field of work, most questions should be straightforward to answer.
