Practice strategy: how many tests do you really need?
“How many practice tests should I do?” is the most common question we get. The honest answer: it depends on your starting point and test date. But the research is clear on the general shape. Start with why people fail reasoning tests, then use an error log to decide what to practise.
- Most improvement comes from the first few focused sessions, not endless mocks.
- A short diagnostic should decide what you practise next.
- Review quality matters more than the number of questions completed.
- Stop full mocks once they stop revealing new mistakes.
A timed baseline is more useful than guessing how much practice you need. Take the diagnostic
What to focus on first
| Focus area | Why it matters | Best drill |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline | You need to know whether speed, accuracy or format is the bottleneck. | One timed diagnostic, then error review. |
| Weakest skill | Random mocks hide the pattern that is costing marks. | Twenty questions from the weakest sub-skill. |
| Pacing | A good score still fails if it arrives too slowly. | Short timed sets with a skip rule. |
| Review | The same mistake repeats until it is labelled. | Write one fix for every wrong answer. |
Common traps
- Counting tests instead of fixes. Ten mocks with no review is mostly repetition.
- Changing too many variables. Keep the provider and skill fixed while you drill.
- Practising tired. Fatigue creates errors that do not reflect your real ability.
How to practise from here
Use a 40-minute loop: five-minute warm-up, twenty-minute targeted drill, ten-minute review, five-minute plan for the next session. Repeat that loop until the same error stops appearing.
What the research says
Score improvement by practice volume
Meta-analyses of practice effects on cognitive tests show that the bulk of improvement happens in the first 4–8 sessions. After 15+ sessions, gains flatten to near zero. This means: quality of practice matters more than quantity.
The optimal session structure
- Warm-up (5 min): 3–5 easy questions to activate the right mental mode.
- Targeted drill (20 min): Questions tagged to your weakest sub-skill. Not a random mix.
- Review (10 min): Go through every wrong answer. Log the mistake type.
- One new thing (5 min): Read one tip or shortcut you have not tried before.
Building your schedule
Days 1–3: One 40-min session per day drilling your weakest skill (the diagnostic tells you which). Days 4–6: One 40-min session per day on your second-weakest skill. Days 7–8: One full timed mock each day. Day 9: Light review of errors only. Day 10 (test day): Pre-test routine, no new practice.
Signs you are over-practising
- Your scores are not improving between sessions (plateau).
- You are making more careless errors than before (fatigue).
- You are memorising specific questions instead of learning the method.
- You are practising more than 90 minutes per day.
How to decide the next session
Your next session should be chosen by evidence. If the last set showed timing problems, use time-management drills. If it showed repeated reading mistakes, drill the relevant verbal or data format. If it showed no clear pattern, take one mixed mini mock and review more carefully before adding volume.
The useful question is not “how much did I practise?” It is “what changed after the session?” A strong session leaves one visible improvement: faster setup on percentages, fewer unsupported verbal answers, cleaner pattern naming, or better skip decisions. If the next session cannot name the behaviour it is trying to improve, it will probably become unfocused repetition.
Source notes
forge checks preparation recommendations against official candidate guidance from SHL and Aon. Exact practice volume still depends on your baseline and deadline.
Track your progress on forge
The analytics dashboard shows your score trend, weak areas, and optimal next session — so you practise smart, not long.
View your analyticsFrequently asked questions
How many aptitude practice tests should I do?+
Most candidates need one diagnostic, several targeted drills and two or three full timed mocks. The review quality matters more than the raw count.
When should I stop doing full mocks?+
Stop when mocks stop revealing new error patterns. At that point, targeted drills and light review are usually better than more full tests.
Is it better to practise every day or cram?+
Short daily sessions with review are better. Cramming increases fatigue and often creates careless errors that do not reflect real ability.
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