Mechanical Abilities · Study Guide
Mechanical Reasoning: Simple Machines
The Mechanical Abilities section tests your understanding of how simple machines work — gears, pulleys, levers, and more. 30 questions in 30 minutes, most with diagrams. Learn the core principles and you can reason through any variation.
1. Gears
Gears are the most common mechanical reasoning topic on UA aptitude tests. We put the gears study guide on its own page so anyone can read it, free, with no signup.
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Gears have their own guide
Gear ratios, the direction rule, the torque trade-off, an animated demo, worked examples, and the formulas you need — all free.
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