Hire Top Communicators With the Word Association Reasoning Test

Identify candidates who think creatively, connect ideas quickly, and work effectively with language.

Word Association Reasoning

The Word Association Reasoning Test assesses how well a candidate recognises relationships between words and concepts. It reflects their ability to generate useful ideas, draw logical connections, and apply abstract thinking in language-based tasks.

This test is part of the FinxS Cognitive Ability suite and provides insights into how someone processes verbal information; a valuable tool for roles requiring communication, persuasion, and conceptual thinking.

What Does This Test Measure?

  • Ability to identify links between concepts and ideas
  • Verbal reasoning and associative thinking
  • Creative problem-solving through language
  • Adaptability in applying familiar concepts to new situations


High scorers typically demonstrate strong communication skills, creativity, and the ability to frame messages or ideas in compelling ways.

When to Use This Test

This test is well-suited to roles that require verbal agility, abstract thinking, and the ability to make meaningful associations, including:

  • Marketing and communications
  • Journalism and content creation
  • Sales and negotiation
  • Strategic or political roles

It’s particularly valuable in early-stage screening when assessing potential over experience.

Gain a clearer insight into a candidate’s potential

How the Test Works

Candidates complete up to 16 timed, multiple-choice questions in approximately 10 minutes. Each question shows a pair of words followed by four other word pairs. The task is to choose the pair that has the most similar relationship to the original.

A practice item is included to familiarise candidates with the format. As the test progresses, the level of difficulty increases — helping you distinguish high-level verbal reasoning skills under pressure.

As a hiring manager or consultant, you’ll receive a detailed report showing:

  • The candidate’s total score and number of correct answers
  • Time spent per question
  • Speed vs accuracy indicators
  • Comparison to selected benchmark populations

Test Format

  • Time to complete: 10 minutes
  • Number of questions: Up to 16
  • Format: Multiple choice (word pairs)
  • Delivery: Online via secure platform
  • Languages available: 30+
  • Reporting: Results sent directly to your inbox

Equip your recruitment toolkit with the right tools. ​

Talk to us about integrating abstract reasoning into your assessments.

Benefits

Provides insight
into candidates’ verbal reasoning and idea linking

Quick and easy delivery via an online platform with automated reporting

Consistent structure that supports fair and objective comparisons

Custom benchmarks available to align results with internal expectations

Discover our Range of Aptitude Assessments

Abstract Logical Reasoning
Measure a candidate's planning, organising and delegating skills.
Word Association
Measure the ability to make links between concepts and draw logical conclusions.
Spatial Reasoning
Measure an individual's ability to perceive and understand the spatial relationships between objects or shapes.
Visual Memory
Assess a candidate's ability to remember and process relevant information.
Numerical Reasoning
Test your candidates to see if they can solve number problems by solving patterns and trends.
Verbal Reasoning
Evaluate a candidate's capacity to analyse complex information and accurately comprehend written content.
Mathematic Logical Reasoning
Measure a candidate's capacity to solve numerical problems.
Understanding Logical Processes
Evaluate how systematic a person's thinking process is.
Understanding Social Context
Measure a candidate's ability to read social situations.

Start assessing your candidates today