Developed by psychologist L. L. Thurstone, this test measures an individual’s ability to think quickly and accurately. Unlike achievement tests (which measure what you have learned), the TMA measures innate mental agility. It is often used for job screening in clerical, administrative, and military roles. The test has three primary sections:
Because the real test emphasizes speed (you typically have 10–15 minutes per section), your free practice must focus on building automaticity.
This section tests your ability to perform quick arithmetic and recognize number patterns.
Question 5: Arithmetic Reasoning Instructions: Solve the problem.
If a box contains 12 rows of 8 items, and 10 items are removed, how many items remain? A) 86 B) 96 C) 90 D) 106
Question 6: Number Series Instructions: Look at the sequence of numbers. What number comes next? thurstone test of mental alertness practice free
3, 6, 12, 24, ___ ? A) 30 B) 36 C) 48 D) 52
Question 7: Number Series Instructions: Look at the sequence of numbers. What number comes next?
100, 81, 64, 49, ___ ? A) 36 B) 35 C) 25 D) 32
Question 8: Computational Logic Instructions: Solve the equation.
What is 25% of 80 plus 10? A) 20 B) 30 C) 40 D) 90 Developed by psychologist L
The TMA is typically a paper-and-pencil test (though digital versions now exist) consisting of 126 items. The challenge? You usually have only 20 to 30 minutes to complete it.
Because time is so tight, the test measures your "mental speed." Very few people finish all 126 questions. The goal is to answer as many correctly as possible within the time limit.
To prepare for the TMA, you need to exercise both your verbal and numerical "muscles." Below are practice questions modeled after the real exam format.
Verbal Answers:
Quantitative Answers: 5. A (86). $12 \times 8 = 96$. $96 - 10 = 86$. 6. C (48). Each number is doubled (multiplied by 2). $24 \times 2 = 48$. 7. A (36). These are descending perfect squares ($10^2, 9^2, 8^2, 7^2$). The next is $6^2 = 36$). 8. B (30). 25% of 80 is 20. $20 + 10 = 30$. Because the real test emphasizes speed (you typically
You do not need a paid tutor. You need discipline. Here is a zero-cost, high-yield daily routine using only free internet tools.
Phase 1: Perceptual Speed (10 minutes)
Phase 2: Verbal Analogies (10 minutes)
Phase 3: Number Reasoning (10 minutes)