PassEveryTest
English

Verbal Reasoning Test Practice Course 2026

This course is for job seekers who may be asked to take a verbal reasoning test as part of a hiring process. Six short lessons cover test strategy, true/false/cannot say questions, vocabulary in context, word analogies, sentence completion, and inference, each followed by an untimed topic quiz with explanations. Finish with a timed 30-question final assessment; score 80% or more to earn a Certificate of Completion.

  • Course
  • Canada
  • 96 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026
  • Fact-checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 180 minutes of lessons, 6 untimed topic quizzes (96 questions in all) and a timed final assessment of 30 questions drawn at random. Score 80% or more on the final assessment to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsVerbal Reasoning Course: Lessons: about 180 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Use skimming, scanning and key words to answer timed reading questions
  • Decide whether a statement is true, false or cannot be judged from a passage
  • Work out the meaning of words from context, word parts and commonly confused pairs
  • Solve word analogies by naming the relationship between two words
  • Complete sentences using signal words for contrast, cause and result
  • Identify the main idea, purpose, tone and sound inferences in workplace texts

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

Your study plan

Read each lesson, take its topic quiz (untimed, with explanations), then the timed final assessment. A new mix of questions is drawn every time. Your progress is saved in this browser.

  1. Read the lessons6 lessons, about 180 min
  2. Topic quiz 1: How verbal reasoning tests work15 questions
  3. Topic quiz 2: True, false or cannot say17 questions
  4. Topic quiz 3: Vocabulary in context17 questions
  5. Topic quiz 4: Word analogies16 questions
  6. Topic quiz 5: Sentence completion16 questions
  7. Topic quiz 6: Inference, main idea and tone15 questions
  8. Final exam30 questions, 30 min · Score 80% or more

Topic quiz 1: How verbal reasoning tests work

  1. Question 1 of 15

    What does a verbal reasoning test mainly check?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. How well you understand and reason about written information

    Verbal reasoning tests check careful reading: understanding what a text says and what follows from it. Special knowledge is not needed.

  2. Question 2 of 15

    When you answer questions about a passage, which information should you use?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Only the information in the passage

    Answer from the passage alone. Outside knowledge can lead you to a different answer from the one the passage supports.

  3. Question 3 of 15

    The Government of Canada's Skills for Success model describes reading as your ability to do what?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Find, understand and use information presented through words, symbols and images

    Skills for Success defines reading as finding, understanding and using information. Sharing information in writing is the separate skill of writing.

  4. Question 4 of 15

    You need to find the date of a meeting in a long memo. Which reading method is quickest?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Scanning for the date

    Scanning means looking for one specific detail, such as a date or name, without reading every word. Skimming is for the general idea.

  5. Question 5 of 15

    What does it mean to skim a passage?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Read it quickly to get the general idea

    Skimming is fast reading for the main idea, for example the title and the first sentence of each paragraph.

  6. Question 6 of 15

    Why is it often helpful to read the question before you read the passage closely?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. You know what to look for

    Reading the question first tells you which key words and details to look for in the passage.

  7. Question 7 of 15

    A test has 30 questions and a 24-minute time limit. About how much time do you have for each question?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 48 seconds

    24 minutes is 24 × 60 = 1,440 seconds, and 1,440 ÷ 30 = 48 seconds. 24 ÷ 30 = 0.8 minutes, which is 48 seconds, not 80.

  8. Question 8 of 15

    You are stuck on a hard question in a timed test. What is usually the best thing to do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Pick your best answer, mark it if you can, and move on

    Managing your time matters. Give your best answer, mark the question for review if the test allows it, and come back if time is left.

  9. Question 9 of 15

    In the online tests described by the Public Service Commission of Canada, what effect does marking a question for review have on your score?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It has no effect on your score

    The Public Service Commission says marking questions for review does not influence your score. It is only a reminder to come back.

  10. Question 10 of 15

    In the Public Service Commission of Canada's online tests, what happens when the time is up?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The test closes

    The Public Service Commission says a timer shows the time left, and the computer closes the test after the allotted time.

  11. Question 11 of 15

    You think you need an accommodation, such as reader services or an alternative format, for a test. What does the Public Service Commission of Canada advise?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Tell the person who invited you as soon as possible

    Tell the person who invited you to the test as soon as possible. Accommodation measures are tailored to your situation and the information is kept confidential.

  12. Question 12 of 15

    You are sure that two of four options are wrong. What should you do next?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Compare the two that are left with the passage

    Elimination narrows your choice. Then check the two remaining options against the exact words of the passage.

  13. Question 13 of 15

    A passage says: "Most staff work in the office on Mondays." A statement says: "All staff work in the office on Mondays." Which word makes the statement go further than the passage?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. All

    "All" is a stronger claim than "most". Watch for strong words such as all, always, never and only.

  14. Question 14 of 15

    A passage says: "Applications will not be accepted after Friday." Which statement means the same thing?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Friday is the last day to apply

    This is a paraphrase: if nothing is accepted after Friday, then Friday is the last day you can apply.

  15. Question 15 of 15

    A passage says: "The new system may reduce wait times." Does this prove that the new system will reduce wait times?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No, because "may" shows only a possibility

    "May" and "might" show something is possible, not certain. A passage that says something may happen does not prove it will.

What to know before the test

  • The Government of Canada's Skills for Success model defines reading as the ability to find, understand and use information presented through words, symbols and images.
  • Skills for Success says reading involves using methods such as scanning and skimming to find key information, and evaluating the purpose, tone and structure of a document.
  • The Government of Canada's Skills for Success tools include a free online reading self-assessment and a free vocabulary building workbook.
  • The Public Service Commission of Canada advises candidates in written tests to read the questions carefully, manage their time and leave time to review and edit their answers.
  • In the Public Service Commission's online tests, a timer shows how much time is left, and the computer closes the test when the time is up.
  • In the Public Service Commission's online tests, you can check a "Mark for Review" box to come back to a question; marking questions does not influence your score.
  • The Language Portal of Canada explains that a speaker or writer implies (suggests) a meaning, while the receiver of the message infers (deduces) it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Certificate of Completion, and what is it not?

It shows that you finished this course and scored at least 80% on the final assessment. It is not an accredited qualification, an employer's test result or a score from any test publisher.

Are these questions from real employer tests?

No. Every passage and question was written for this course to practise the same kinds of skills. Real tests differ between employers, so read your invitation and instructions carefully.

How does the final assessment work?

It has 30 questions drawn at random from the course question bank, with a 30-minute time limit. You need 80% to pass, and each attempt gives a new mix of questions.

Do I need to know about the topic of a passage?

No. Answer using only what the passage says. If you add your own knowledge, you may choose a different answer from the one the passage supports.

Is this an English language test for immigration or citizenship?

No. This course practises the reading and reasoning skills used in some hiring tests. It does not give a language level or score that any government or school accepts.

How should I practise?

Read one lesson, take its untimed topic quiz and read the explanations for anything you got wrong. When you score well on all six topics, try the timed final assessment.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

Related tests