Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude (WTMA)

Assessment

What is it?

The Wiesen Test of Mechanical Aptitude (WTMA) is a pre-employment aptitude assessment designed to measure an individual’s ability to learn how to operate, maintain, install, and repair equipment and machinery. This 60-item, 30-minute test evaluates the candidate’s mechanical aptitude, a critical factor in many industrial and technical roles. The WTMA helps predict success in occupations involving the operation and servicing of machinery, tools, and equipment, making it ideal for roles like machine operators, electricians, mechanics, and field service technicians.

Developed to address the limitations of earlier mechanical aptitude tests, the WTMA is known for its bias minimization, with content designed to reduce adverse impacts related to gender and racial/ethnic backgrounds. The test’s reading level is accessible at a sixth-grade level, making it suitable for a wide range of candidates. A Spanish-language version of the test is also available, ensuring that it can be used in diverse workforce settings.

Measurement Objectives

The WTMA is specifically designed to measure mechanical aptitude, which encompasses several key skills essential for job performance in technical and mechanical roles:

  • Ability to Learn to Operate Equipment: The capacity to understand and master the functions of tools, machines, and equipment.
  • Maintenance and Repair Skills: The ability to diagnose mechanical issues, perform routine maintenance, and make necessary repairs.
  • Installation Skills: The aptitude to correctly install mechanical systems and equipment.
  • Problem-Solving in Mechanical Contexts: The ability to troubleshoot and resolve technical problems that arise in machinery or equipment.

These skills are critical for jobs that involve hands-on mechanical work, where understanding how to operate and fix equipment is essential to productivity and safety.

Use

The WTMA is ideal for roles requiring mechanical skills, such as machine operators, electricians, construction workers, mechanics, and technicians. In these jobs, employees operate and maintain machinery, troubleshoot issues, and perform repairs. Employers use the WTMA early in hiring to assess candidates' mechanical aptitude, gaining insights into their potential for success in technical roles. The concise, relevant test provides a positive candidate experience, reflecting the employer’s commitment to skill-based hiring.

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Results

WTMA results include a raw score (out of 60) and a percentile ranking, comparing candidates to a reference group (e.g., 45th percentile means scoring better than 45% of others). These scores support data-driven hiring, allowing employers to assess a candidate’s mechanical aptitude and predict their ability to operate and maintain machinery, leading to better selection for technical roles.

Development

The WTMA was designed to improve on older mechanical aptitude tests, with research demonstrating high predictive accuracy for mechanical roles. It correlates strongly (0.70–0.80) with leading tests like the BMCT and DAT, while minimizing gender bias. Studies show the WTMA reduces adverse impact on women, with a smaller score gap compared to older tests. The test content was carefully developed to ensure fairness, making it a more equitable tool for hiring.

Reference Group

Key features

What it measures

Ability to Learn to Operate Equipment
Maintenance and Repair Skills
Installation Skills
Mechanical Problem-Solving

References

https://www.criteriacorp.com/files/Criteria-Overview-WTMA.pdf

Provider:

Criteriacorp