Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Mechanical aptitude test

Yeah, it's more brainy stuff, but with real-world appeal.

http://www.forddoctorsdts.com/quizzes/MechanicalAptitude.php

I scored 430 points, 83%.

Wow! Let's just say you don't want me working on your car. Now I know why I took more art classes rather than auto shop.

Gah... lost the page halfway through. Not doing it again...

I scored 96% I guess I might make it as mechanic after all!

I surprised myself 490 points 98%.

Never overestimate the power of boredom at work. I passed with an 84%. 420 points. So... Peter... what did you really get?

The pulleys were not kind to me. Also, it says I was wrong on the first electrical switch question, the one with 2 switches and 3 bulbs. I don't think they're right about that.

mmmmmm k.

How do you get an odd numbered score on a test with 50 questions? I think you short-changed yourself 3 points. You should write the math department at Berkeley and ask for your money back.

Now it is your turn to pick on me. I got a 74%, so it is a good thing I am not that kind of doctor.

If I had taken this after freshman year of college (stupid physics!) it would have been a different story. You engineers!!! (shakes fist at sky)

The 2 switches and 3 bulbs is with one switch shorting one of the bulbs, right? Since it's shorting the bulb, that bulb won't illuminate because the current is being diverted by the switch because it has a lower resistance than the bulb. So only two lights will be illuminated.

That's what I put.

It's an electro-mechanical aptitude test.

Hmm. I thought that it would still illuminate, although more dimly than the others.

No. It would dimly illuminate with a resistor (of the correct value) in parallel.

You know what I wonder though? Do the electrons actually check out both paths and then decide to take the one of least resistance (the switch)? Has anyone actually checked to see if a few dumb electrons actually go through the higher resistance (the bulb)? There's a research project for someone.

If I have the time I will throw it together tonight and let you know.

No wonder I didn't do well in Physics 7B.

I got the lightswitch one (least resistance!), some pulleys got me, and I messed up the Bernoulli's Principle one (#44).

I got 96% and a score of 480. I messed up 2 gears on question #7, and I screwed up question #17. I should have known better. Maybe if it wasn't 12:15 am after a long day. Question #38 about the two fans almost got me. Then I remembered what I learned about spinning blades with me R/C plane... I won't give the answer, but it might surprise some people what it is.

I am definitely a visual guy. I could almost "see" what was happening. If the questions had no diagrams, I would have done a lot worse unless I drew some diagrams myself.

I'd hire you.

But would you hire me! I achieved 96% as well.

I am actully fairly impressed with all the scores, the planetary gears usually give people a hard time and no one has mentioned them as an issue. You are all on your way to doing Auto Transmissions.

You don't count because you're a mechanic . But sure. I'd hire you for speaker listening tests.

I was a little disappointed I didn't get 100%, I had forgotten pulley work, it really has very little do in automotives. I was surprised by how many questions there were on it.

That was the first time I had actually seen that gear combination. Again, I just visualized what it was doing, and it was pretty clear.

As for other comments about the scores of people here, I always knew that we were a smart bunch!

I think it takes a certain amount of intelligence to rise above the mundane and be able to devote mental cycles to things audio.

Good thing we have our own psychiatrist

Never studied/don't recall studying a lot of this. I am NOT mechanically inclined. I got a 340 and 68%, which is higher than I thought I was scoring. Some you could figure out just by looking at, others you needed to know how it worked.

I did a lot of hand waving while I was working on it.

I got a 74. I was doing really well until the electrical circuits questions.

Yeah, there are some things that you just can't figure out if you've never been exposed to them. I've seen electrical diagrams (basic ones), and they got me through that part. Without that, I would have missed those too.

I got hooked on the Bernoulli (#44), Fan operating against other fan (#38) (but realistically, I think I misunderstood the answers - same direction from your vantage point - not opposite direction being that one is turning cwise and one ccwise - it's like an air-powered torque converter)... and #31 - balancing non-centered fulcrums (growing up with a fat brother and a park with a see-saw, I should really have known about that earlier)

*shrugs* Pretty good, really.

Bren R.

Yeah, the fan one was poorly worded. I noted that but ended up picking the wrong one.

Were there answers at the end that I missed or you just no you picked the wrong one based on discussions here afterwards?

There's a way to see the answers--I don't remember exactly where it is; it's labeled strangely.

Boy, that was useful, huh?

I think I got more wrong than I did right.

Just helpin' with the curve, guys.

When you are done you go to the top and click on the magnifying glass to examine your test.

Now I'm going to have to take it again to see what I got wrong and why!!