Wonderlic WBST exam-day guide
Wonderlic WBST · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the original ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) whose name matches your registration exactly. Do not rely on a photocopy or a photo of the card. Acceptable ID types vary by testing site or remote-proctor vendor - confirm with the provider if you are unsure yours qualifies.
Appointment confirmation and registration number
Have your confirmation email, appointment time, and any candidate or requisition ID printed or saved offline so you can produce it at check-in without hunting through your inbox.
The provider's instruction email
Keep the exact instructions sent by the school, employer, or testing vendor on hand. Rules on calculators, scratch paper, and breaks differ by administration; the instructions you were given override general advice.
Confirmed test format and location
Know whether you are testing on paper at a site or on a computer (in person or remotely proctored). Confirm the address, parking, or login link at least a day ahead.
Reliable computer with camera and microphone (remote sessions)
If testing remotely, use a charged laptop or desktop with a working webcam, microphone, and stable internet, plus a charger. Confirm the required browser and any proctoring plug-in with the provider in advance.
Quiet, well-lit, private room (remote sessions)
Use a space where you will not be interrupted, with a clear desk and a door you can close. Proctors commonly require a room scan, so remove clutter and anything that could be read as notes.
Scratch paper and pencil - only if permitted
The quantitative section rewards working problems by hand, but scratch materials are often restricted or must be shown to the proctor and destroyed afterward. Confirm with the provider before bringing or using any.
Calculator - only if explicitly approved
Assume no calculator unless your written instructions say otherwise. Do not bring one to be safe; unapproved devices can void a session.
Glasses, hearing aid, or other approved aids
Bring what you normally use for reading and screen work. If you need accommodations, they must be arranged before test day - confirm with the provider well ahead.
Watch or timing awareness
Each section is separately timed, so know how you will track pace. Ask the proctor whether a timer is displayed; if a wristwatch is allowed, keep it simple and non-smart.
Water and a light snack for after the session
Food and drink are usually not allowed at the desk. Plan to hydrate and eat before you begin, and leave the snack for afterward.
A calm plan for phone and device handling
Expect to silence and stow your phone, smartwatch, and earbuds before the session starts. Decide now where they will go so you are not fumbling at check-in.
Plan the day
Reread the provider's instructions end to end and note every restriction (calculator, scratch paper, breaks, ID). Email the provider about anything ambiguous rather than guessing on test day.
Confirm logistics: exact start time with the correct time zone, site address and parking, or the remote login link and required browser. Reschedule now if a conflict exists, since last-minute changes may not be allowed - confirm the provider's cutoff.
Do light familiarization, not cramming. Work a few practice verbal and quantitative items under time to get used to the pacing, then review why you missed what you missed.
Protect sleep. Shift bedtime earlier over these three nights so you are not fighting fatigue during a short, fast-paced test.
Run a full tech check if testing remotely: camera, microphone, internet stability, browser, and any proctoring software. Charge devices and locate chargers.
Lay out ID, confirmation, instructions, glasses, and permitted scratch materials by the door or desk. Prepare your test space so the desk is bare except for approved items.
Do one short, easy review pass of arithmetic fundamentals and basic grammar and reading comprehension, then stop. No new material, no marathon practice sets.
Eat a normal dinner, avoid heavy alcohol, and set two alarms. Confirm your travel time or login time so you can be ready early.
Eat a normal meal and limit caffeine to your usual amount - the test is short, and jitters cost more than they help.
Arrive or log in early, typically well before the start time, to absorb check-in delays. Confirm the provider's required arrival or login window in advance.
Silence and stow your phone and smartwatch, close every other application on your computer, and have your ID out and ready.
Read each item once, answer if you know it, and move on if you don't. Both sections are timed, so a stuck item costs you easier points later.
Answer every question unless your instructions say otherwise - unanswered items cannot earn credit. Work arithmetic on permitted scratch paper and show your steps to reduce careless errors.
Watch the clock at the halfway point of each section to check your pace, but do not stop to recalculate your score or dwell on items already answered.
If a technical problem occurs during a remote session, stop and alert the proctor immediately through the approved channel rather than troubleshooting alone. Note the time it happened.
Ask the proctor or provider how and when results are reported and to whom. Do not post or discuss specific test items; content confidentiality typically applies - confirm the exact terms with the provider.
Rules to check
Bring original government-issued photo ID with a name matching your registration. If your name has changed or your ID is nonstandard, confirm acceptable alternatives with the provider before test day.
Follow the proctor's instructions exactly, including room scans, desk clearance, and any request to show or surrender scratch paper. Refusal can end the session.
Keep phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and notes out of reach for the entire session. Unapproved materials or devices are a common reason sessions are voided.
Do not use a calculator, dictionary, or other aid unless your written instructions specifically permit it. When in doubt, ask before the timer starts.
Breaks are usually not available during timed sections because each section runs continuously. Confirm the provider's break policy if you have a medical need, and arrange accommodations in advance.
The test is scored on the number of correct answers, and there is generally no separate penalty for a wrong answer - so answer every item unless told otherwise. Confirm the scoring and guessing policy with the provider.
Your scores are typically reported to the sponsoring school or employer, not only to you. Ask the provider who receives results and in what timeframe rather than assuming you will see a detailed score report.
Test content is confidential. Do not copy, photograph, record, or share questions, and do not seek out leaked items beforehand.