Wonderlic Test: Top Companies & Employers in 2024

Landing your dream job often takes more than a great resume and a winning interview. Many top employers use cognitive ability tests to find the best candidates, and one of the most common is the Wonderlic Test. Are you anxious about which companies use it and what scores they expect?

This guide is here to help. We'll walk you through the companies, industries, and specific job roles that rely on the Wonderlic test. You'll learn the score benchmarks you need to aim for and how you can prepare effectively for success in 2024.

Understanding the landscape is the first step, but practice is what builds confidence. At our platform, we provide a highly realistic simulation of the test environment to help you prepare. When you're ready to see where you stand, you can start your test anytime.

What Companies Use the Wonderlic Test?

The Wonderlic Test is a popular pre-employment screening tool used by a wide range of organizations. Its purpose is to measure your ability to learn, adapt, solve problems, and think critically under pressure. For employers, these are strong indicators of potential job performance, making the test a valuable part of their hiring process.

Companies in many sectors use the Wonderlic to hire top talent. It checks for key cognitive skills. This 12-minute, 50-question test—used by startups and big corporations alike—gives hiring managers a standard aptitude measure for smarter decisions.

Key Industries Employing the Wonderlic Test

The Wonderlic isn't limited to a single field. Its versatility makes it suitable for evaluating candidates in many different industries. Here are some of the key sectors where you're most likely to encounter it:

• Healthcare: Many nursing schools and medical facilities use the Wonderlic SLE (Scholastic Level Exam) to assess applicants. The test helps find people who can think critically and make quick decisions in high-stress situations.

• Technology & IT: Tech companies look for employees who are fast learners and excellent problem-solvers. The Wonderlic helps them find candidates who can keep up with this rapidly changing industry.

• Sales and Customer Service: Roles in these fields require quick thinking and the ability to understand customer needs. The test is a good predictor of a person's ability to handle unexpected questions and scenarios.

• Administrative and Clerical: Jobs that involve organization, attention to detail, and following complex instructions often use the Wonderlic to screen for candidates who possess these essential skills.

• Law Enforcement and Security: Police departments and security firms value candidates who can assess situations quickly and react appropriately, making the Wonderlic a useful screening tool.

• Financial Services: Banks, insurance companies, and investment firms often require employees to analyze data and make sound judgments, which are skills evaluated by the test.

Notable Employers Requiring the Wonderlic Test

While many companies keep their specific hiring tools confidential, a number of well-known employers have reportedly used the Wonderlic test as part of their recruitment process. It's important to remember that hiring practices can change, but this list gives you an idea of the types of organizations that value this assessment.

Some notable companies that have been associated with using the Wonderlic include Cintas, certain positions at Amazon, and various insurance companies like Allstate. Focus less on exact company names and more on the pattern: employers who prioritize quick learning and strong problem-solving skills are more likely to use this test.

Wonderlic Test Jobs: Roles & Score Expectations

A common misconception is that you need a perfect score on the Wonderlic to get a job. The target score is directly related to the complexity of the job you're applying for. An employer doesn't expect a receptionist to score the same as a systems engineer. Here’s a breakdown of common roles and the typical score ranges employers look for.

Administrative & Support Roles

For positions like office manager, executive assistant, or data entry clerk, employers want candidates who are organized, detail-oriented, and can follow instructions. These roles require a solid foundation of cognitive skills to manage tasks and handle daily challenges.

The average Wonderlic score for these roles typically falls between 20 and 24. This score indicates a reliable ability to learn new routines, manage multiple priorities, and solve common workplace problems efficiently.

Sales & Customer Service Positions

In sales and customer service, success depends on your ability to think on your feet, understand customer needs, and communicate solutions clearly. Employers use the Wonderlic to find candidates who can process information quickly and adapt their approach to different situations.

For these roles, a target score is often between 22 and 26. A score in this range suggests that a candidate can handle customer inquiries effectively, learn product information quickly, and solve problems creatively to ensure customer satisfaction. Ready to see if you can hit this mark? Try our free tool to find out.

Tech & Specialized Roles

Jobs in technology, engineering, and other specialized fields require a high level of analytical and logical reasoning. Professionals like programmers, systems analysts, and engineers must be able to tackle complex problems and learn new technical skills continuously.

For these demanding roles, employers often look for scores of 28 or higher. A high score indicates an advanced capacity for critical thinking and problem-solving, which is essential for innovation and success in a technical environment.

Understanding Wonderlic Score Benchmarks by Company

Now that you know the general score expectations for different roles, it's important to understand why these benchmarks exist and how they can vary. A score isn't just a number; it’s a piece of data that helps a company predict your future success within their specific environment.

Why Scores Vary Across Employers

A company sets its Wonderlic score benchmark based on the cognitive demands of a particular job. An organization hiring a research scientist will set a much higher score requirement than a company hiring for a manual labor position. There are three main reasons for this variation:

1. Job Complexity: More complex jobs require more advanced problem-solving skills.
2. Training Time: A higher score often correlates with the ability to learn faster, reducing the time and cost of training.
3. Level of Autonomy: Roles that require employees to work independently and make decisions without constant supervision usually require higher cognitive ability.

General Score Ranges for Different Roles

To put it all in perspective, here are some widely accepted average scores for various professions. Use this as a guide to see where your target role might fall.

• Cashier: 17
• Clerk: 21
• Salesperson: 24
• Manager: 27
• Engineer: 30

Remember, the average score for the general population is around 20. Knowing these benchmarks can help you set a realistic goal for your preparation. The only way to know your current score is to take a practice test.

Your Strategic Prep for Company-Specific Wonderlic Tests

Armed with this info, you can tailor your prep. Now you know which companies use the Wonderlic and what scores they want. But reading about the test isn't enough—you need to experience it to be truly ready.

Leveraging Practice Tests for Success

The single most effective way to prepare for the Wonderlic is to take realistic practice tests. The real exam is a race against the clock—50 questions in just 12 minutes. This pressure can be intense if you're not used to it. Practice tests help you in several key ways:

• Familiarity: You'll get comfortable with the question types (math, logic, vocabulary).
• Pacing: You'll learn how to manage your time and not get stuck on difficult questions.
• Confidence: The more you practice, the less anxious you will feel on test day.

Our platform offers a free Wonderlic practice test designed to be a realistic simulation of the real thing, helping you build both the skills and the confidence you need.

Utilizing AI Analysis for Personalized Improvement

Want next-level prep? Your score alone won't cut it. You need to figure out why you got it. This is where our unique AI-powered analysis comes in.

Finish a practice test on our site? You can opt for a personalized AI report. It digs deeper than just your score, giving you insights into your cognitive profile. You'll see your specific strengths and weaknesses, which shows you what types of questions you excel at and where you need to improve. This allows you to focus your study time where it matters most, making your prep far more efficient and effective. Ready to discover your cognitive profile? You can unlock your AI report after your first practice test.

Prepare Smart, Land Your Dream Role!

Navigating the job market is challenging, but preparing for pre-employment tests like the Wonderlic doesn't have to be. You now know that many top companies across various industries use this test to find the best talent. You also understand that the score you need depends entirely on the role you’re pursuing.

The bottom line? You can dramatically improve your score with smart preparation. Getting comfortable with the test format and timing is the secret to cutting anxiety and showing what you can really do.

Ready to see how you measure up and begin your journey to a higher score? Take your free Wonderlic test today and ace your next job application!

Frequently Asked Questions About Wonderlic Test Employers

What is a good score on the Wonderlic Test for a typical job?

A "good" score is relative to the job. The average score across all professions is around 20 out of 50. For entry-level administrative or service roles, a score of 20-24 is often considered good. For more complex, professional, or technical roles, employers may look for scores of 28 or higher.

How long is the Wonderlic Test, and can I use a calculator?

The most common version of the Wonderlic Test, the Wonderlic Personnel Test (WPT-R), gives you 12 minutes to answer 50 questions. Calculators are strictly not allowed. The test is designed to measure your ability to perform calculations and solve problems mentally under time pressure.

Is the Wonderlic Test hard for most job applicants?

The Wonderlic Test is challenging for most people, primarily because of the tight time limit—less than 15 seconds per question. The questions themselves range from easy to difficult, but the pace is what makes the test hard. The best way to overcome this challenge is through practice. As you get more familiar with the types of questions, you'll get faster and more confident. To see for yourself, you can try a sample test on our platform.

Does the NFL still use the Wonderlic Test for drafting players?

For decades, the Wonderlic Test was a famous part of the NFL Combine, used to assess the cognitive abilities of potential draft picks. However, starting in 2022, the NFL replaced the Wonderlic with the S2 Cognition Test. While it's no longer officially part of the Combine, the Wonderlic's historical scores for famous players remain a popular topic of discussion among fans.