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What is the Critical Thinking Test?

Critical thinking practice test, take a free practice critical thinking test, practice critical thinking test.

Updated November 16, 2023

The Critical Thinking Test is a comprehensive evaluation designed to assess individuals' cognitive capacities and analytical prowess.

This formal examination, often referred to as the critical thinking assessment, is a benchmark for those aiming to demonstrate their proficiency in discernment and problem-solving.

In addition, this evaluative tool meticulously gauges a range of skills, including logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and the ability to evaluate and synthesize information.

This article will embark on an exploration of the Critical Thinking Test, elucidating its intricacies and elucidating its paramount importance. We will dissect the essential skills it measures and clarify its significance in gauging one's intellectual aptitude.

We will examine examples of critical thinking questions, illuminating the challenging scenarios that candidates encounter prompting them to navigate the complexities of thought with finesse.

Before going ahead to take the critical thinking test, let's delve into the realm of preparation. This segment serves as a crucible for honing the skills assessed in the actual examination, offering candidates a chance to refine their analytical blades before facing the real challenge. Here are some skills that will help you with the critical thinking assessment: Logical Reasoning: The practice test meticulously evaluates your ability to deduce conclusions from given information, assess the validity of arguments, and recognize patterns in logic. Analytical Thinking: Prepare to dissect complex scenarios, identify key components, and synthesize information to draw insightful conclusions—a fundamental aspect of the critical thinking assessment. Problem-Solving Proficiency: Navigate through intricate problems that mirror real-world challenges, honing your capacity to approach issues systematically and derive effective solutions. What to Expect: The Critical Thinking Practice Test is crafted to mirror the format and complexity of the actual examination. Expect a series of scenarios, each accompanied by a set of questions that demand thoughtful analysis and logical deduction. These scenarios span diverse fields, from business and science to everyday scenarios, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of your critical thinking skills. Examples of Critical Thinking Questions Scenario: In a business context, analyze the potential impacts of a proposed strategy on both short-term profitability and long-term sustainability. Question: What factors would you consider in determining the viability of the proposed strategy, and how might it affect the company's overall success? Scenario: Evaluate conflicting scientific studies on a pressing environmental issue.

Question: Identify the key methodologies and data points in each study. How would you reconcile the disparities to form an informed, unbiased conclusion?

Why Practice Matters

Engaging in the Critical Thinking Practice Test familiarizes you with the test format and cultivates a mindset geared towards agile and astute reasoning. This preparatory phase allows you to refine your cognitive toolkit, ensuring you approach the assessment with confidence and finesse.

We'll navigate through specific examples as we proceed, offering insights into effective strategies for tackling critical thinking questions. Prepare to embark on a journey of intellectual sharpening, where each practice question refines your analytical prowess for the challenges ahead.

This is a practice critical thinking test.

The test consists of three questions . 

After you have answered all the questions, you will be shown the correct answers and given full explanations.

Make sure you read and fully understand each question before answering. Work quickly, but don't rush. You cannot afford to make mistakes on a real test .

If you get a question wrong, make sure you find out why and learn how to answer this type of question in the future. 

Six friends are seated in a restaurant across a rectangular table. There are three chairs on each side. Adam and Dorky do not have anyone sitting to their right and Clyde and Benjamin do not have anyone sitting to their left. Adam and Benjamin are not sitting on the same side of the table.

If Ethan is not sitting next to Dorky, who is seated immediately to the left of Felix?

You might also be interested in these other PRT articles:

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How Good Is Your Problem Solving?

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Use a systematic approach.

Good problem solving skills are fundamentally important if you're going to be successful in your career.

But problems are something that we don't particularly like.

They're time-consuming.

They muscle their way into already packed schedules.

They force us to think about an uncertain future.

And they never seem to go away!

That's why, when faced with problems, most of us try to eliminate them as quickly as possible. But have you ever chosen the easiest or most obvious solution – and then realized that you have entirely missed a much better solution? Or have you found yourself fixing just the symptoms of a problem, only for the situation to get much worse?

To be an effective problem-solver, you need to be systematic and logical in your approach. This quiz helps you assess your current approach to problem solving. By improving this, you'll make better overall decisions. And as you increase your confidence with solving problems, you'll be less likely to rush to the first solution – which may not necessarily be the best one.

Once you've completed the quiz, we'll direct you to tools and resources that can help you make the most of your problem-solving skills.

How Good Are You at Solving Problems?

Instructions.

For each statement, click the button in the column that best describes you. Please answer questions as you actually are (rather than how you think you should be), and don't worry if some questions seem to score in the 'wrong direction'. When you are finished, please click the 'Calculate My Total' button at the bottom of the test.

Your last quiz results are shown.

You last completed this quiz on , at .

Score Interpretation

Answering these questions should have helped you recognize the key steps associated with effective problem solving.

This quiz is based on Dr Min Basadur's Simplexity Thinking    problem-solving model. This eight-step process follows the circular pattern shown below, within which current problems are solved and new problems are identified on an ongoing basis. This assessment has not been validated and is intended for illustrative purposes only. 

Figure 1 – The Simplexity Thinking Process

Reproduced with permission from Dr Min Basadur from "The Power of Innovation: How to Make Innovation a Part of Life & How to Put Creative Solutions to Work" Copyright ©1995

Below, we outline the tools and strategies you can use for each stage of the problem-solving process. Enjoy exploring these stages!

Step 1: Find the Problem

(Questions 7, 12)

Some problems are very obvious, however others are not so easily identified. As part of an effective problem-solving process, you need to look actively for problems – even when things seem to be running fine. Proactive problem solving helps you avoid emergencies and allows you to be calm and in control when issues arise.

These techniques can help you do this:

• PEST Analysis   helps you pick up changes to your environment that you should be paying attention to. Make sure too that you're watching changes in customer needs and market dynamics, and that you're monitoring trends that are relevant to your industry.
• Risk Analysis   helps you identify significant business risks.
• Failure Modes and Effects Analysis   helps you identify possible points of failure in your business process, so that you can fix these before problems arise.
• After Action Reviews   help you scan recent performance to identify things that can be done better in the future.
• Where you have several problems to solve, our articles on Prioritization   and Pareto Analysis   help you think about which ones you should focus on first.

Step 2: Find the Facts

(Questions 10, 14)

After identifying a potential problem, you need information. What factors contribute to the problem? Who is involved with it? What solutions have been tried before? What do others think about the problem?

If you move forward to find a solution too quickly, you risk relying on imperfect information that's based on assumptions and limited perspectives, so make sure that you research the problem thoroughly.

Step 3: Define the Problem

(Questions 3, 9)

Now that you understand the problem, define it clearly and completely. Writing a clear problem definition forces you to establish specific boundaries for the problem. This keeps the scope from growing too large, and it helps you stay focused on the main issues.

A great tool to use at this stage is CATWOE   . With this process, you analyze potential problems by looking at them from six perspectives, those of its Customers; Actors (people within the organization); the Transformation, or business process; the World-view, or top-down view of what's going on; the Owner; and the wider organizational Environment. By looking at a situation from these perspectives, you can open your mind and come to a much sharper and more comprehensive definition of the problem.

Cause and Effect Analysis   is another good tool to use here, as it helps you think about the many different factors that can contribute to a problem. This helps you separate the symptoms of a problem from its fundamental causes.

Step 4: Find Ideas

(Questions 4, 13)

With a clear problem definition, start generating ideas for a solution. The key here is to be flexible in the way you approach a problem. You want to be able to see it from as many perspectives as possible. Looking for patterns or common elements in different parts of the problem can sometimes help. You can also use metaphors   and analogies to help analyze the problem, discover similarities to other issues, and think of solutions based on those similarities.

Traditional brainstorming   and reverse brainstorming   are very useful here. By taking the time to generate a range of creative solutions to the problem, you'll significantly increase the likelihood that you'll find the best possible solution, not just a semi-adequate one. Where appropriate, involve people with different viewpoints to expand the volume of ideas generated.

Don't evaluate your ideas until step 5. If you do, this will limit your creativity at too early a stage.

Step 5: Select and Evaluate

(Questions 6, 15)

After finding ideas, you'll have many options that must be evaluated. It's tempting at this stage to charge in and start discarding ideas immediately. However, if you do this without first determining the criteria for a good solution, you risk rejecting an alternative that has real potential.

Decide what elements are needed for a realistic and practical solution, and think about the criteria you'll use to choose between potential solutions.

Paired Comparison Analysis   , Decision Matrix Analysis   and Risk Analysis   are useful techniques here, as are many of the specialist resources available within our Decision-Making section . Enjoy exploring these!

Step 6: Plan

(Questions 1, 16)

You might think that choosing a solution is the end of a problem-solving process. In fact, it's simply the start of the next phase in problem solving: implementation. This involves lots of planning and preparation. If you haven't already developed a full Risk Analysis   in the evaluation phase, do so now. It's important to know what to be prepared for as you begin to roll out your proposed solution.

The type of planning that you need to do depends on the size of the implementation project that you need to set up. For small projects, all you'll often need are Action Plans   that outline who will do what, when, and how. Larger projects need more sophisticated approaches – you'll find out more about these in the Mind Tools Project Management section. And for projects that affect many other people, you'll need to think about Change Management   as well.

Here, it can be useful to conduct an Impact Analysis   to help you identify potential resistance as well as alert you to problems you may not have anticipated. Force Field Analysis   will also help you uncover the various pressures for and against your proposed solution. Once you've done the detailed planning, it can also be useful at this stage to make a final Go/No-Go Decision   , making sure that it's actually worth going ahead with the selected option.

Step 7: Sell the Idea

(Questions 5, 8)

As part of the planning process, you must convince other stakeholders that your solution is the best one. You'll likely meet with resistance, so before you try to “sell” your idea, make sure you've considered all the consequences.

As you begin communicating your plan, listen to what people say, and make changes as necessary. The better the overall solution meets everyone's needs, the greater its positive impact will be! For more tips on selling your idea, read our article on Creating a Value Proposition   and use our Sell Your Idea   Bite-Sized Training session.

Step 8: Act

(Questions 2, 11)

Finally, once you've convinced your key stakeholders that your proposed solution is worth running with, you can move on to the implementation stage. This is the exciting and rewarding part of problem solving, which makes the whole process seem worthwhile.

This action stage is an end, but it's also a beginning: once you've completed your implementation, it's time to move into the next cycle of problem solving by returning to the scanning stage. By doing this, you'll continue improving your organization as you move into the future.

Problem solving is an exceptionally important workplace skill.

Being a competent and confident problem solver will create many opportunities for you. By using a well-developed model like Simplexity Thinking for solving problems, you can approach the process systematically, and be comfortable that the decisions you make are solid.

Given the unpredictable nature of problems, it's very reassuring to know that, by following a structured plan, you've done everything you can to resolve the problem to the best of your ability.

This site teaches you the skills you need for a happy and successful career; and this is just one of many tools and resources that you'll find here at Mind Tools. Subscribe to our free newsletter , or join the Mind Tools Club and really supercharge your career!

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Comments (220)

• Over a month ago Sonia_H wrote Hi PANGGA, This is great news! Thanks for sharing your experience. We hope these 8 steps outlined will help you in multiple ways. ~Sonia Mind Tools Coach
• Over a month ago PANGGA wrote Thank you for this mind tool. I got to know my skills in solving problem. It will serve as my guide on facing and solving problem that I might encounter.
• Over a month ago Sarah_H wrote Wow, thanks for your very detailed feedback HardipG. The Mind Tools team will take a look at your feedback and suggestions for improvement. Best wishes, Sarah Mind Tools Coach

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Practice Aptitude Tests

What is an aptitude test?

An aptitude test is a way to measure a job candidate’s cognitive abilities, work behaviours, or personality traits. Aptitude tests will examine your numeracy, logic and problem-solving skills, as well as how you deal with work situations. They are a proven method to assess employability skills.

Aptitude tests measure a range of skills such as numerical ability, language comprehension and logical reasoning.

What are the different types of aptitude tests?

There are a number of different types of aptitude test due to the range of cognitive capabilities and employer priorities. At Practice Aptitude Tests, we provide industry standard aptitude or psychometric tests for banking, accountancy, finance, law, engineering, business, marketing and vocational fields.

The most commonly used are numerical reasoning tests , verbal reasoning tests , diagrammatic reasoning tests , situational judgement tests , mechanical reasoning tests and personality tests .

Take a free practice aptitude test

Try a free practice aptitude test from the 16 test types below to prepare for your psychometric tests. All our assessments are written by accredited industry experts and are designed to replicate real exams used by leading employers.

Each has a strict time limit and at the end of the test you can view your score, benchmark and the full solutions to all the questions.

Numerical Reasoning

Numerical reasoning tests demonstrate your ability to deal with numbers quickly and accurately. These tests contain questions that assess your knowledge of ratios, percentages, number sequences, data interpretation, financial analysis and currency conversion

Verbal Reasoning

Verbal reasoning tests assess your understanding and comprehension skills. You will be presented with a short passage of text which you’ll be required to interpret before answering questions on. These are typically in the ‘True, False, Cannot Say’ multiple choice format, although there are a range of alternatives too.

Situational Judgement

Situational Judgement Tests assess how you approach situations encountered in the workplace. They are built around hypothetical scenarios to which you would be expected to react accordingly. Based on your answers it will be verified how aligned you are with values and behaviors of a particular company.

Diagrammatic Reasoning

Diagrammatic reasoning tests assess your logical reasoning ability. The questions measure your ability to infer a set of rules from a flowchart or sequence of diagrams and then to apply those rules to a new situation.

Abstract Reasoning

Abstract reasoning tests can also be referred to as diagrammatic and inductive reasoning tests. You will be expected to identify the relationships between shapes and figures, identify rules and similarities, and quickly apply these to establish the answer

Logical Reasoning

Logical Reasoning tests come in three forms: deductive, inductive and abstract. These types of tests do not present you with verbal or numerical information, but instead with logical patterns and shape sequences.

Basic Numeracy

Most job roles require a basic numerical skill set. This includes, but is not limited to, operational, customer service, administration, help desk and commercial. It’s so easy to forget some of the basic numeracy principles that we once learnt. With this in mind we have put together this test pack to help you refresh your skills and improve your performance.

Analytical Reasoning

Analytical reasoning tests examine an individual’s ability to apply logic to solve problems. The questions vary depending on the type of analytical reasoning test you’re taking: anything from extracting key information from complex passages of text (verbal reasoning), to looking for patterns in a series of images (non-verbal reasoning), or using given information to draw conclusions or make predictions (inductive and deductive reasoning).

Cognitive Ability

Cognitive ability tests are predictors of general intelligence. Like IQ tests, they examine your ability to solve problems and think logically, via verbal, numerical, mechanical, spatial and logical questions.

Spatial Reasoning

Spatial reasoning tests your ability to think about objects in both two and three dimensions, and draw conclusions to those objects from limited information. These tests allow you to visualise two and three-dimensional images in your mind, and mentally manipulate these images into the shape that you want.

Mechanical Reasoning

Mechanical and electrical aptitude tests are commonly administered for engineering and technical positions including the emergency services and the army. They are designed to measure your ability to understand and apply mechanical concepts and principles in order to solve problems. These tests are usually multiple choice and under timed conditions. You will typically have no more than 40 seconds to complete each question.

Basic Comprehension

These are foundation level verbal reasoning tests which assess your ability to reason using concepts wrapped in words. It verifies your level of understanding and comprehension, as well as your dexterity when it comes to filtering out key information from a bulk of text.

1000s of practice questions

Over 9 million practice tests taken, practice tests anytime, anywhere, retake tests, improve your scores, how do i prepare for aptitude tests.

The best way to prepare for aptitude tests is to practice them. The more you practice aptitude tests, the better you’ll get and the higher results you’ll achieve. You can start with these aptitude test sample questions and answers .

Practice isn’t just about taking test after test though. You need to practice smartly, define which assessments you’ll need to master, reveal which areas you need to work on and follow expert advice to help you improve.

If you’d like further practice you can try our free aptitude tests for online practice or our aptitude test pdf if you’d prefer to practice offline.

Practice smartly and measure your performance to show your results improve

We set up Practice Aptitude Tests to help people practice and we’re proud to say that we’ve now helped over 9 million people all over the world.

As well as a huge vault of online assessments, we’ve also created an aptitude test resource hub full of articles and videos to help you improve. Get started with our top aptitude test tips .

I liked the tests. They had interesting questions and having to assess situations where you need to take strategic decisions which would impact the organization in the longer run is astounding.

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Practice Aptitude Tests is a very useful and thorough resource. It’s easy to use, you can search the relevant tests used by different employers and there are many different types of tests to choose from. Definitely my go-to for practising tests.

Questions were framed very well. Good level and standard is maintained.

This is so useful: there are loads of different tests and situations and the videos really help you improve, especially with the numerical ones which can be really hard!

The tests I completed were perfect for helping me to improve my comprehension skills.

Publisher Tests

If you’re due to take an aptitude test produced by a specific test publisher, we’ve got you covered. Practice free tests based on the style of those publishers via any of the links below, and check out all our publisher tests here.

Korn Ferry is a management consulting firm headquartered in Los Angeles. It was founded in 1969.

SHL Style Practice

SHL is one of the world’s leading psychometric test providers. Its tests are widely used by employers around the world to assess candidates during the recruitment process. The range of SHL tests varies from verbal and numerical to behavioural to cognitive and logical, and more — companies will ask job applicants to take the most relevant test to the job specifications. Practice Aptitude Tests is not associated with SHL. We provide preparation services for SHL psychometric tests. Our tests are not designed to be identical to any style, employer or industry.

Cut-e (AON)

Cut-e is a psychometric assessment and talent measurement company who provide recruitment tools to help businesses find the right candidate. It is owned by Aon and is used by many companies including Dell, Red Bull, Lidl, Grant Thornton and more.

Cubiks is an international assessment and development consultancy, designing products utilized by businesses in over 50 countries around the world throughout Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East. Cubiks combines business psychology with human resources and IT expertise to offer an extensive portfolio of products and services used by companies for selection, development, talent management and competency management.

Psytech International is another psychometric test provider and commonly used by employers as part of their recruitment process. They offer a range of aptitude and personality tests, which we have outlined below.

Established in 2006 by Roger Holdsworth (co-founder of SHL), Talent Q design and deliver online psychometric assessments, training programmes and consultancy services. They operate both nationally and internationally in over 40 languages and across 50 countries. Their psychometric training courses are accredited by the British Psychological Society and the Chartered Banker Institute. Their portfolio of ability assessments are called Aspect.

Kenexa is a global business psychology consultancy and psychometric test publisher. It was formed in 1987, initially as a recruitment service, expanding steadily throughout the 1990s and 2000s, now offering a variety of different services and solutions in the talent management sector to businesses. As an international company they have offices all over the world, including Europe, Asia and the Americas. They have over 1,500 assessments and provide a tailored approach to the organisation.

Saville Assessment

Saville Assessment (formerly Saville Consulting) is an international psychometric assessment business. They operate in over 80 countries and the products are available in 35 languages. The consultancy employs experiences occupational psychologists and their portfolio includes a variety of services from selection to development to talent management, to name but a few. Their aptitude tests include numerical, verbal and diagrammatic reasoning as well as abstract, error checking and mechanical and most take on average 20 minutes to complete.

Watson Glaser

Watson Glaser tests are produced by TalentLens who publish a variety of ability tests, personality tests and a range of other products which they organise into the areas of ‘select’, ‘develop’ and ‘engage’. They also offer a BPS accredited Test User Ability and Personality training. They are an international company with offices in Europe, Australasia, Asia and the Americas.

Employer Tests

Individual employers will use their own combination of aptitude tests as part of their assessment process. Click any link below to find out more about that organisation’s psychometric tests and practice some free examples. Or check out all of our employer tests.

Amazon is the largest Internet retailer in the world measured by the revenue. The company grows at an enormous pace and to reach it targets it needs a strong support from the creative, and talented people who are keen to work in electronic commerce and cloud computing.

Procter & Gamble

P&G is a multinational consumer good corporation employing people in over 150 countries around the globe. The company hosts a number of unique student programs across their departments spread across the UK and Ireland. From the day one, graduates jump into a rewarding on-the-job experience, that will leave them with a wealth of technical, functional and leadership skills.

Ernst & Young

A leader in professional services, EY helps other organisations make better decisions about business, finance and technology. They run graduate schemes in Technology, Transactions, Consulting and Assurance, so it’s important to find out which scheme is right for you.

UBS supplies wealth, institutional and corporate clients from around the world as well as private clients in Switzerland in financial advice and solutions. Its headquarter is in Zurich but its smaller offices are based in all major financial centers worldwide.

PwC belongs to the Big Four group of major auditors, which makes it one of the most sought after in the country – it has remained number 1 on the Times Top 100 Graduate Employers for the last fourteen years.

Lloyds Bank plc is a British retail and commercial bank with branches across England and Wales. It has traditionally been considered one of the "Big Four" clearing banks.

Every year University leavers can join the organisation through a range of graduate programmes which are held at HSBC departments all over the world. At HSBC you can take your first steps into a career in Commercial Banking, Global Banking and Markets, Retail Banking and Wealth Management, and Global Private Banking.

Barclays offers a wide range of career opportunities across its four distinct graduate development Programs in Retail and Business Banking, Investment Bank, Corporate Banking, Wealth and Investment Management sectors.

Citi works tirelessly to provide consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial services and products. They strive to create the best outcomes for our clients and customers with financial ingenuity that leads to solutions that are simple, creative and responsible.

How are aptitude tests scored?

There are various scoring systems, but the two most common are raw score and comparative score. Raw score is when all your correct answers are summarized and displayed in percentage ratio. Comparative score is when your results are compared to the results of other people who took the test in your group.

What are aptitude tests used for?

Aptitude tests are used for the evaluation of a person’s cognitive skills and character profile. They are increasingly used in recruitment to help hiring managers streamline their applicants. It’s the efficiency and accuracy of aptitude testing compared with hiring methods like interviewing that has made them so popular.

What do aptitude tests involve?

Aptitude tests assess a person’s skills, abilities, professional attitude and personality traits. There are a whole range of aptitude tests and the challenges you’ll face will depend on each. They’ll involve a combination of numerical tests, verbal concepts, abstract thinking , field-specific reasoning problems (financial, mechanical etc), personality tests and others.

What do aptitude tests measure?

Aptitude tests measure a huge range of skills such as numerical aptitude, language comprehension and logical thinking . Different aptitude tests measure different aptitudes and employers specifically hand-pick aptitude tests to reveal the traits they’re looking for. Aptitude tests in the financial industry will be totally different to those in healthcare.

Why do employers use aptitude tests?

Employers use aptitude tests due to analyze a potential worker’s profile. The test results are a strong predictor of how an employee will perform and fit in with the rest of the company. For instance, there are tests that estimate how well a potential hire will work in a team, or how strong their communication and problem-solving skills are.

Which employers use aptitude tests?

Aptitude tests are very common in the modern recruitment industry. Almost every big enterprise uses such tests as an additional tool for employee selection. Smaller companies often follow the practices of bigger business and are currently adopting aptitude tests as well. It is fair to assume that the majority of employers are using aptitude tests for HR purposes.

Why are aptitude tests so hard?

Aptitude tests are hard as they’re used to filter and differentiate candidates. By making them hard, assessors get a spread of results that provides a far more revealing view of test-takers. Some tests are made deliberately difficult to reveal how a potential hire performs under stress, or when facing unfamiliar information.

Where can I practice aptitude tests?

You’ll find many resources for practicing aptitude tests online. We suggest trying a handful to see which works for you. Feel free to begin with our full catalogue of psychometric tests – they’re all written by accredited professionals. You can also use our fully worked solutions and interactive dashboards to help you improve.

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Manhattan Review prides itself in providing quality free practice questions to all prospective students, so please take a crack at the 52 free questions we have to offer as a courtesy to all GMAT learners. In the end, the only way to find out where you need your score to be is to discover where it currently is. Take advantage of this free resource that's sure to help you along your way to a high score.

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Free Analytical Reasoning Test Questions Practice – 2024

What Is Analytical Reasoning?

Analytical reasoning, also known as logical reasoning , is a problem-solving method that focuses on identifying patterns and using logic to fill in missing pieces. This form of reasoning is slightly more detached from inferences and opinions, and places great emphasis on factual evidence. Analytical reasoning can be further simplified into two categories:

• Deductive Reasoning Deductive reasoning, sometimes called top-down logic, is the formation of a specific conclusion from a general premise or, in some cases, multiple hypotheses. Deductive reasoning is best for situations with multiple variables that must be accounted for and handled.
• Inductive Reasoning Inductive reasoning , also known as bottom-up logic, is the direct opposite of deductive reasoning as it forms plausible conclusions from a specific observation. Inductive reasoning works best when using context and practical intelligence to resolve an issue.
• Numerical Reasoning Numerical reasoning is the ability to apply logic to problems that include data, charts and graphs. Someone who has strong numerical reasoning skills is proficient in basic mathematical functions, statistical interpretation, and algorithms to name a few.
• Abstract Reasoning Abstract reasoning is the ability to identify patterns, extract main ideas, and analyze information. Abstract reasoning is an important factor of problem solving and decision making. This form of reasoning is complex and includes various aspects.

What Is an Analytical Reasoning Test?

Analytic reasoning tests are utilized by companies that wish to evaluate a candidate’s critical reasoning skills and their ability to pay attention to detail. This test is commonly administered for job seekers applying for mid- or high-level jobs that require a strength in mathematics. Management and human resource positions are also asked to partake in an analytical reasoning test so employers can measure their problem-solving capabilities. Depending on the role and company, participants may see one of three versions of the analytical reasoning assessment:

• Data Most common in the financial industry, the data heavy version of the analytical reasoning test supplies applicants with graphs, charts and tables with subsequent questions. The math aspect of the data version is usually simple, so the problem-solving method can be highlighted and evaluated.
• Written The written portion is used for leadership and management roles. Provided a passage, candidates must discern patterns and main ideas using the context and answer the multiple-choice questions that follow.
• Images The analytical reasoning test that focuses on image-related questions slightly resembles the non-verbal reasoning test. The applicant is supplied puzzle-like questions containing shape sequences and objects and must find the missing piece.

How to Prepare for an Analytical Reasoning Test?

Analytical reasoning test can be difficult to study for because it examines your raw critical thinking skills. If you are looking to optimize and improve your score, the best way to prepare is running through sample questions or completing online practice tests. By doing this, you can become familiar with the idea of the content and the learn how to pace yourself under the time constraint. Due to the acumen required for each question, preparing for the time limit is essential because many candidates find themselves skipping and guessing at the questions rather than dedicating time and effort to them. It is also helpful to understand the qualities employers are looking for by administering these tests, that way you can narrow your preparation.

Analytical Skills Test Sample Questions

• The facts prove the conclusion.
• The facts disprove the conclusion.
• Cannot say based on the information provided.

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Problem Solving Games, Activities & Exercises for Adults

By: Angela Robinson | Updated: February 13, 2024

Here is our list of the best problem solving games, activities and exercises for adults.

Problem solving games are activities that require players to use critical thinking skills to solve puzzles. Example activities include escape rooms, Sudoku, and murder mysteries. The purpose of these exercises is to sharpen reasoning and decision-making skills in group settings and to do team building with employees.

These activities are a subset of remote team games , found in problem solving books , and are similar to team puzzles , team building brain teasers and team riddles .

This article contains:

• team building problem solving activities for employees
• free problem solving games for adults
• virtual problem solving activities for students
• group problem solving activities
• problem solving team builders

Here we go!

List of problem solving games & activities

From word and number puzzles to role-playing games, here is a list of inexpensive and free problem solving team builders that help groups practice the art of critical thinking and compromise.

1. Espionage! (Team Favorite)

For an exciting game of social deduction, check out Espionage! This thrilling experience will put your team’s wits and instincts to the test.

Espionage! offers the following:

• a 90-minute session led by an experienced host
• undercover teams of agents and spies
• challenging puzzles, tasks, and maneuvers
• team conversations to help uncover secret identities

The best part is we will bring all the necessary game materials to your preferred location. If you are interested in boosting communication and critical-thinking skills within your team, then consider Espionage!

Learn more about Espionage!

2. Art Heist: The Vanishing of Van Gogh (Hosted)

You can turn your team into skilled detectives with Art Heist: The Vanishing of Van Gogh! In this captivating mystery, participants will locate the stolen artwork, The Bedroom .

Key features of this experience include:

• a 90-minute adventure led by a world-class host
• detailed puzzles, clues, and mysteries to unravel
• trails of evidence and hidden secrets
• group discussions to find the art

Additionally, you can include a cocktail kit to spice up your event. Through Art Heist, you will enhance your team’s ingenuity and problem-solving skills!

Learn more about Art Heist: The Vanishing of Van Gogh .

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• icebreaker games
• bingo cards

3. War of the Wizards (Popular)

With War of the Wizards, teams roleplay as minions of powerful wizards to vanquish forces of evil. Participants will play thrilling games and go on a quest to restore harmony to the realm!

War of the Wizards offers the following:

• a 90-minute journey guided by a distinguished host
• immersive storytelling that transports players into a magical realm
• engaging activities like world-building, role-playing games, and storytelling
• opportunities for forming alliances, facing challenges, and going on quests

Through the power of imagination and teamwork, your team can overcome tasks and participate in an epic fantasy battle. To improve communication and bonds, include War of the Wizards in your agenda!

Learn more about War of the Wizards .

Sudoku is one of the most popular free problem solving games for adults. The objective of this game is to fill each box of a 9×9 grid so that every row, column, and letter contains each number from one to nine. The puzzle makes a great team challenge. To play Sudoku on Zoom, screen share the game board. Then, turn on the annotation features. Using the add text functions, participants can fill in the numbers on the grid.

We made a starter puzzle you can use in your next meeting or virtual team bonding session:

Here are more online Sudoku puzzles .

5. Crossword puzzles

Crossword puzzles are word games that ask players to fill in words based on clues. Words interconnect, and players must think critically about the surrounding words to select the right phrase for the space.

You can use an online crossword puzzle maker to create a custom puzzle. Here are a few themes you may want to consider:

• teammates’ tastes and interests
• company knowledge and history
• industry terms and trends

Or, create a miscellaneous puzzle just for fun.

We made a sample puzzle you can use for your game:

To complete puzzles during online meetings, you can use the share screen function and add text through annotations.

Or, subscribers can play the New York Times’ daily crossword puzzle virtually . Dictionary.com also offers a free daily online crossword puzzle .

Check out more vocabulary games .

6. Online Escape Rooms

Escape rooms are timed games that get groups working together to solve puzzles. Traditionally, players enter a locked room and must complete all puzzles in an hour or two to unlock the door. However, groups can also play escape rooms online.

Digital escape rooms typically come in one of two forms: in a Zoom room and led by a host, or in a choose-your-own adventure format via Google Forms or websites. To play escape rooms virtually, enter a video meeting and follow the prompts, or screen share the Google Form and work out the puzzles together.

Check out our full list of online escape rooms .

7. Murder Mysteries

Murder Mysteries are story-based games that ask players to take on the roles of suspects or detectives while trying to identify a killer. These games often involve reading lines from a script, searching for clues, and occasionally solving puzzles to get hints.

These games make participants pay attention to conversations, analyze other characters’ behavior, and search for hidden meaning in the script. Players must use their powers of observation and logic to unravel the mystery.

Check out our list of Zoom murder mystery games .

8. Treasure Hunts

Treasure hunts are scavenger hunts with intention. While virtual scavenger hunts often ask players to collect random items, treasure hunts require participants to locate clues that lead to other prompts and hints. The game typically ends with players finding a treasure or solving a mystery, sometimes both.

The treasure hunt can have a specific theme such as secret agent missions or a hunt for pirate treasure, or you can run a more general hunt. Teammates can either compete simultaneously via Zoom call, or can play the hunt on an app individually and compete to beat each other’s scores.

Check out our list of treasure hunt apps .

9. Poem or story challenge

Most team building problem solving activities for employees revolve around science, math, and logic. Poem/story challenges rely on writing skills and are sure to appeal to the language lovers on your team.

Each player receives a limited word bank to use to create a story or poem. Then, players have a few minutes to craft their pieces. Afterward, everyone reads out or screen shares their creations.

Here are a few word challenge activities you can do remotely:

• Found poems or stories : Participants make poems or stories out of words they find by visiting websites, searching emails, glancing out the window, or taking a walk or drive around the neighborhood.
• Random word generators : Teammates use a random word generator to populate a word bank, and must use each word in the poem or story.
• Poetry magnets : Group members make poems using poetry magnets. You can send poetry magnet sets to employees and assemble the verses on a cookie pan during a Zoom call. Or, teammates can play with poetry magnets online .
• Page poems: Participants receive one page of a book or magazine, and must make a poem or story by blocking out other words so only the chosen text remains visible. This activity is part storytelling, part art, since story crafters can illustrate the pages as part of the design.
• Ransom note stories or poems : Players cut out letters from magazines and must form new words to make poems and stories. Or, players can receive a mix of random letters, form words, and run the text through a ransom note generator .

These activities are suitable for teams and individual players.

10. Moral challenge

Some problems are ethical rather than factual. Moral judgment plays just as important a role in the decision-making process as technical prowess. Players can flex their moral problem-solving skills by tackling ethical dilemmas or social puzzles.

Here are some social problem solving games online:

• Moral machine
• Scruples – the game of moral dilemmas
• Morality play

To play these games, either download the apps, or pull up the website and then screen share the prompts. These games are best played when discussed as a group, because the more belief systems and opinions, the harder an issue is to resolve. These exercises provide practice for real-life conflict resolution.

You can find similar challenges on our list of online personality tests .

11. Frostbite

Frostbite is a group game that hones team leaders’ communication skills while sharpening teammates’ listening and cooperation skills. The premise behind the game is that a group of explorers gets caught in a snowstorm and must build a shelter. Frostbite has paralyzed the leaders’ hands and snow-blinded the rest of the team. The leader must give the team instructions to build a tent that can resist arctic winds.

To play Frostbite, each teammate wears a blindfold. Then, the leader gives directions. Once the structures are complete, players turn on a fan to test whether tents can withstand the wind.

Frostbite is usually an in-person game, however you can also play virtually. In the remote version of the game, teammates construct tents out of cards and tape, while the leader surveys the scene on screen.

This exercise demonstrates the challenges of leading remotely, as teams need to operate with minimal oversight or supervisor observation. Therefore, instructions need to be clear and direct to be effective.

Check out more team building games .

12. Virtual Hackathons

Hackathons are events where participants have a set amount of time to design and pitch a new product or solution. This type of event originated in the programming world and is often used to create new apps, however you can apply the game to any industry or school subject.

Virtual hackathons are online versions of the event. Teams enter the competition, then work with each other via virtual meeting software or remote work communication platforms to design the solution. At the end of the competition, teams pitch ideas to a panel of judges and a winner is decided.

To run a virtual hackathon, first announce the theme of the event and collect sign-ups. So that no teams work ahead, hint at the general idea of the issue, and only explain the precise problem when the event begins. Then, give teams anywhere from a few hours to a few days to complete the project.

Discover more virtual hackathon ideas .

13. Improv games

Improv games are excellent problem solving activities. These exercises force participants to think and respond quickly to keep scenes moving in a logical and entertaining way.

Here are some good problem solving improv games:

Banned words : Performers cannot say certain words. Scene partners will conceive of situations that encourage the actors to use those words, and the actors must find alternatives, such as using synonyms or taking the scene in a new direction.

Scenes from a chat : Audience gives a suggestion for a scene, and players act the scene out. Though it’s a fictional and often ridiculous scenario, actors must react to the situation and solve the problem in order for the scene to end.

Miracle cure : Miracle cure is a quick-moving exercise that follows a simple format. One player declares, “I have a problem.” Another player responds, “I have a….[random object.]” The first player then replies, “great! I can use the [random object] to….” and describes how they will solve the problem.

Check out more problem-solving improv games .

14. Spaghetti Tower

The spaghetti tower is a classic team building game. Participants gather uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows, and must construct the tallest freestanding tower.

During the in-person version, players must construct one tall freestanding tower. However, for the virtual version of the game, players construct individual towers. You can send groups to breakout rooms for the build, then reconvene in the main room for judging. Teams are judged on three main factors: number of towers, height, and uniformity.

This version of the game not only tests the structural integrity of the tower, but also consistency and quality control. This exercise teaches teams to align and collaborate remotely, and produce a consistent product even when far apart.

15. What Would You Do?

What Would You Do? is a simple situational game that challenges participants to react to different circumstances. To play this game, read prompts one by one, and then ask participants to respond with gameplans. You can use the polling or raise hand feature to vote for the best option.

Here are some problem solving scenarios for adults or kids to use in the game:

• Zombies attack and you have to find a place to hide.
• You are at the zoo and the animals escape. Which one do you try to corral back into the pen first?
• After waiting in line for hours, someone cuts in front of you last minute. The person appears to be visually and hearing impaired, and doesn’t notice your protests. An official announces that due to diminishing supply, this individual will be the last in line to be served.
• You are eating a meal with important clients and/or your partner’s parents, and you want to impress. The individuals make you a dish that does not fit within your dietary restrictions, but you do not speak the same language and cannot explain why you do not want to eat.
• An imposter has infiltrated the organization, who looks, speaks, and behaves exactly like you. How do you convince your peers that you are the original?

For similar dilemmas, check out this list of Would You Rather? questions.

16. Desert Island Survival

Desert Island Survival is a game that challenges players to prioritize. The premise is that players have been stranded on an island, and must decide what order to perform survival steps.

Here are the possible actions:

• Set up shelter
• Explore the island
• Try to signal for help
• Make weapons for self-defense
• Build a raft to escape the island
• Start a fire
• Choose a group leader
• Search for other survivors

All group members must agree on the order of the steps. Players should explain the reasoning for the order of each step while ranking the actions.

Another version of the game involves players receiving a list of 15 to 20 items, and selecting five or so to bring to the island. You can also vary the location of the game, substituting remote islands for destinations like outer space or the distant past.

17. Choose Your Own Adventure

Choose Your Own Adventure stories enable readers to determine the outcome of the story by making decisions. Each action has a consequence that takes the tale in a different direction. Participants can try to guess how the story may unfold by talking through the different choices. When completing the activity in a group setting, the majority of the team must agree on an action before moving forward in the story.

There are a few ways to facilitate these activities online:

• Play an online role playing video game
• Watch an interactive movie like Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
• Read from a Choose Your Own Adventure book on Zoom
• Click through a Choose Your Own Adventure platform
• Create your own story using a Google Form

Whichever way you choose to do the exercise, you can use the screen share feature in your virtual meeting software so that listeners can more easily follow along.

18. MacGyver

MacGyver is a show where the hero escapes sticky situations by improvising tools out of unlikely materials. For example, in one episode the hero makes a telescope out of a newspaper, magnifying lens, and a watch crystal.

To play MacGyver, you can either list three to five objects participants can use, or challenge players to use items that are within arms reach.

Simply state a desired end result, such as “a way to open a locked door,” or “a getaway vehicle,” and then ask teams to explain what they will build and how they will build it. To make the activity more collaborative, you can give teams five or ten minutes in breakout rooms to strategize and design a prototype.

19. Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons is a roleplaying game where players pretend to be magical figures and creatures. One player serves as the dungeon master, who guides the game, while the other players pick characters and make decisions to move the story forward. Upon choosing a course of action, players roll a twenty-sided die to determine whether or not the plan succeeds. The game is story-based, the possibilities are nearly limitless, and truly creative problem solving options arise. Also, since gameplay is mostly verbal, Dungeons & Dragons is an easy activity to do over Zoom.

Here are the basic rules for Dungeons & Dragons .

20. Pandemic

Pandemic is a game that pits players against the forces of nature in a race to contain and control disease outbreaks. At the beginning of the game, each player receives a role such as containment specialist or operations expert. Participants must carry out the duties of their roles by choosing appropriate actions. Pandemic is a great game for groups because each team member has a clear part to play, and players must collaborate and work together instead of competing against each other.

To play the game online, you can use a Pandemic game app , or talk through the exercise while one attendee moves and displays pieces on the board.

Note: The subject of this game might hit too close to home for some players, considering recent history. You can find games with similar mechanics that deal with different subject matter, such as Forbidden Island.

Check out more team building board games .

21. Model UN

Model UN is one of the best virtual problem solving activities for students. This exercise casts participants in the role of international diplomats who must negotiate to solve realistic problems. Each player assumes the role of a country ambassador and must form alliances and propose solutions to solve crises.

Here are some sample Model UN scenarios:

• Human rights violation by powerful country
• Food shortage
• Disease epidemic
• Technology privacy violations
• Civil war branching into surrounding countries
• Natural disasters

Depending on the size of the group, participants either take on the part of an entire government of a country, or play a certain role within the government. To carry out the activity on Zoom, players can take turns giving speeches, message other countries privately via the chat, meet in breakout rooms to form alliances or have more intimate discussions, and use the polling feature to vote on propositions.

If politics does not resonate with your group, then you can alter the exercise by applying the same activity structure to a different theme, such as the Justice League, movie characters, business board members, or reality TV stars.

The main purpose of the exercise is to research, talk through problems, and compromise. As long as these elements are present, then the specifics of the setup do not matter.

There are many types of problem solving activities for adults. You can do online problem solving games, which require a different skill set than in-person problem solving. For instance, communication must be much clearer and more abundant when group members are far apart and unable to demonstrate or pick up physical cues.

Though many problem solving games include props and in-person elements, there are many games you can play together online. These exercises work well as educational tools as well as team bonding accelerators. Upon completion, participants are likely to feel a sense of accomplishment and increased confidence. These games are also great practice for real life conflict resolution, creative thinking and team building.

Next check out this list of connection games , this collection of crime-solving games , and this post with conflict resolution games .

We also have a list of the best decision making books and a list of team building problems for work .

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FAQ: Problem solving activities

Here are common answers to questions about group problem solving activities.

What are problem solving games?

Problem solving games are challenges that ask players to think critically and use logic to overcome issues or answer riddles. Examples include sudoku, murder mysteries, and spaghetti towers. These games are also known as “problem solving exercises”, “problem and solution games” and “group problem solving activities.”

What are the best problem solving games for groups?

The best problem solving games for groups include online escape rooms, moral challenges, and improv games.

What are some good problem solving team building activities for students?

Some good problem solving activities for students include crossword puzzles, choose your own adventure stories, and model UN.

How do you play problem solving games online?

The best way to play problem solving games online is to join a video call meeting to talk through the issue. Using the screen sharing and digital whiteboard features helps participants visualize the problem more clearly. Breakout rooms give teams the chance to discuss the issue more intimately.

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com.

Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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Problem-solving skills training

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12 questions

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Which of the following is an example of problem-solving skills training?

Reading a novel

Expanding your vocabulary

Working in a group simulation

Fixing a car

What is the goal of problem-solving skills training?

Learn a new language

Challenge yourself

Boost self-confidence

Develop strategies for problem-solving

Which of the following is necessary for developing problem-solving skills?

A strong support network

A deep level of understanding

Experience with complex equations

Time spent alone

What type of problem-solving skills training focuses on gaining new knowledge?

Problem-focused

Analytic-focused

Knowledge-focused

Solution-focused

How can problem-solving skills training help develop emotional intelligence?

It can help identify feelings

It can help with communication

It can help improve relationships

It can help with decision-making

What is one way to practice problem-solving skills training?

Practice critical thinking

Participate in group exercises

Write out different solutions

Use trial and error

Which of the following is an effective technique for problem-solving skills training?

Vivid visualizations

Brainstorming

Daydreaming

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of problem-solving skills training?

Gaining knowledge of a new career

Increased self-awareness

Deepening your connections

Improving memory

Which type of training involves showing people how to identify, analyze, and solve problems?

Self-assessment training

Motivational training

Leadership training

What are some of the techniques used in problem-solving skills training?

Positive thinking

Team building

Role playing

What are some of the benefits of problem-solving skills training?

Ability to handle conflict

Positive outlook

Improved decision-making

Confidence building

How can problem-solving skills training help you become a better leader?

It can help you to think outside the box

It can help develop better team-building skills

It can help with negotiation skills

It can help build clarity of thought

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Top 15 problem-solving activities for your team to master

May 27, 2022 - 10 min read

Some people see problems as roadblocks, others see them as opportunities! Problem-solving activities are a great way to get to know how members of your team work, both individually and together. It’s important to teach your team strategies to help them quickly overcome obstacles in the way of achieving project goals.

In this article, you’ll explore 15 problem-solving activities designed to enhance collaboration and creativity. Additionally, if you want to discuss the insights and outcomes with your team after the activities, you can use Wrike’s actionable meeting notes template. This template allows you to record meeting discussions, assign action items, and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

The importance of problem-solving skills in today’s workplace

According to a 2019  report by McKinsey , soft skills are increasingly important in today's world — and problem-solving is the top area in which skills are lacking. A company or team’s success weighs heavily on the willingness of managers to help employees improve their problem-solving abilities. Team building activities targeting focus areas like communication and collaboration, adaptability, or strengthening decision-making techniques help.

All problem-solving processes start with identifying the problem. Next, the team must assess potential courses of action and choose the best way to tackle the problem. This requires a deep understanding of your team and its core strengths. A problem-solving exercise or game helps identify those strengths and builds problem-solving skills and strategies while having fun with your team.

Problem-solving games aren't for just any team. Participants must have an open mind and accept all ideas and solutions . They must also have an Agile mindset and embrace different structures, planning, and processes. Problems usually arise when we least expect them, so there's no better way to prepare than to encourage agility and flexibility.

Another aspect to keep in mind when engaging in problem-solving games and activities: There are no winners or losers. Sure, some games might end with a single winner, but the true goal of these exercises is to learn how to work together as a team to develop an Agile mindset. The winning team of each game should share their strategies and thought processes at the end of the exercise to help everyone learn.

Here’s a list of fun problem-solving activity examples to try with your team. From blindfolds to raw eggs, these problem-solving, team-building activities will have your team solving problems faster than Scooby and the gang.

Classic team-building, problem-solving activities

1. a shrinking vessel.

Helps with: Adaptability

Why adaptability is important for problem-solving: Adaptability is highly associated with cognitive diversity, which helps teams solve problems faster , according to the Harvard Business Review. Innovation and disruption are happening faster than ever before . People, teams, and organizations that can adapt will come out on top.

What you’ll need:

• A rope or string

Instructions:

1. Using the rope, make a shape on the floor everyone can fit into.

2. Slowly shrink the space over 10-15 minutes.

3. Work together to figure out how to keep everyone within the shrinking boundaries.

2. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower

Helps with: Collaboration

Why collaboration is important for problem-solving: “Collectively, we can be more insightful, more intelligent than we can possibly be individually,” writes Peter Senge in The Fifth Discipline . We can solve problems better as a team than we can alone, which means developing your team’s collaboration skills will lead to better problem-solving outcomes.

What you’ll need (per team):

• 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti
• 1 roll of masking tape
• 1 yard of string
• 1 marshmallow

1. The goal of this exercise is to see which team can use the materials provided to build the tallest tower within an allotted time period. The tower must be able to stand on its own.

2. To make this exercise more challenging, try adding a marshmallow to the top of the tower. This team problem-solving exercise helps people think on their toes while building camaraderie and leadership.

3. Egg Drop

Helps with: Collaboration, decision-making

Why decision-making is important for problem-solving: Making decisions isn’t easy , but indecision leads to team paralysis, stagnant thinking, and unsolved problems. Decision-making activities help your team practice making quick, effective choices. Train your team’s decision-making muscles and they will become more adept at problem-solving.

• A carton of eggs
• Basic construction materials such as newspapers, straws, tape, plastic wrap, balloons, rubber bands, popsicle sticks, etc., tarp, or drop cloth
• A parking lot, or some other place you don’t mind getting messy!

1. Each team gets an egg and must select from the construction materials.

2. Give everyone 20-30 minutes to construct a carrier for the egg and protect it from breaking.

3. Drop each egg carrier off a ledge (i.e. over a balcony) and see whose carrier protects the egg from breaking.

4. If multiple eggs survive, keep increasing the height until only one egg is left.

4. Stranded

Helps with: Communication, decision-making

Why communication is important for problem-solving: More employees work remotely than ever before. Good communication skills are vital to solving problems across  virtual teams . Working on communication skills while your team is together will help them solve problems more effectively when they’re apart.

Here's the setting: Your team has been stranded in the office. The doors are locked, and knocking down the doors or breaking the windows is not an option. Give your team 30 minutes to decide on ten items in the office they need for survival and rank them in order of importance. The goal of the game is to have everyone agree on the ten items and their rankings in 30 minutes.

Creative problem-solving activities

Helps with: Communication

What you'll need:

1. Divide everyone into small teams of two or more.

2. Select an overseer who isn't on a team to build a random structure using Lego building blocks within ten minutes.

3. The other teams must replicate the structure exactly (including size and color) within 15 minutes. However, only one member from each group may look at the original structure. They must figure out how to communicate the size, color, and shape of the original structure to their team.

4. If this is too easy, add a rule that the member who can see the original structure can't touch the new structure.

• A lockable room
• 5-10 puzzles or clues (depending on how much time you want to spend on the game)

1. The goal of this exercise is to solve the clues, find the key, and escape a locked room within the time allotted.

2. Hide the key and a list of clues around the room.

3. Gather the team into the empty room and "lock" the door.

4. Give them 30 minutes to an hour to find the key using the clues hidden around the room.

7. Frostbite

Helps with: Decision-making, adaptability

• A blindfold
• 1 packet of construction materials (such as card stock, toothpicks, rubber bands, and sticky notes) for each team
• An electric fan

Instructions:  Your employees are Arctic explorers adventuring across an icy tundra! Separate them into teams of four or five and have them select a leader to guide their exploration. Each team must build a shelter from the materials provided before the storm hits in 30 minutes. However, both the team leader’s hands have frostbite, so they can’t physically help construct the shelter, and the rest of the team has snow blindness and is unable to see. When the 30 minutes is up, turn on the fan and see which shelter can withstand the high winds of the storm.

8. Minefield

• An empty room or hallway
• A collection of common office items

1. Place the items (boxes, chairs, water bottles, bags, etc.) around the room so there's no clear path from one end of the room to the other.

2. Divide your team into pairs and blindfold one person on the team.

3. The other must verbally guide that person from one end of the room to the other, avoiding the "mines."

4. The partner who is not blindfolded can't touch the other.

5. If you want to make the activity more challenging, have all the pairs go simultaneously so teams must find ways to strategically communicate with each other.

9. Blind Formations

1. Have the group put on blindfolds and form a large circle.

2. Tie two ends of a rope together and lay it in a circle in the middle of the group, close enough so each person can reach down and touch it.

3. Instruct the group to communicate to create a shape with the rope — a square, triangle, rectangle, etc.

4. If you have a very large group, divide them into teams and provide a rope for each team. Let them compete to see who forms a particular shape quickest.

Quick and easy problem-solving activities

10. line up blind.

1. Blindfold everyone and whisper a number to each person, beginning with one.

2. Tell them to line up in numerical order without talking.

3. Instead of giving them a number, you could also have them line up numerically by height, age, birthday, etc.

11. Reverse Pyramid

Helps with: Adaptability, collaboration

1. Have everyone stand in a pyramid shape, horizontally.

2. Ask them to flip the base and the apex of the pyramid moving only three people.

3. This quick exercise works best when smaller groups compete to see who can reverse the pyramid the fastest.

12. Move It!

• Chalk, rope, tape, or paper (something to mark a space)

1. Divide your group into two teams and line them up front to back, facing each other.

2. Using the chalk, tape, rope, or paper (depending on the playing surface), mark a square space for each person to stand on. Leave one extra empty space between the two facing rows.

3. The goal is for the two facing lines of players to switch places.

4. Place these restrictions on movement:

• Only one person may move at a time.
• A person may not move around anyone facing the same direction.
• No one may not move backward.
• A person may not move around more than one person on the other team at a time.

13. Human Knot

1. Have everyone stand in a circle, and ask each person to hold hands with two people who aren’t directly next to them.

2. When everyone is tangled together, ask them to untangle the knot and form a perfect circle — without letting go of anyone's hand.

Our last two problem-solving activities work best when dealing with an actual problem:

14. Dumbest Idea First

Helps with: Instant problem-solving

1. "Dumb" ideas are sometimes the best ideas. Ask everyone to think of the absolute dumbest possible solution to the problem at hand.

2. After you have a long list, look through it and see which ones might not be as dumb as you think.

3. Brainstorm your solutions in Wrike. It's free and everyone can start collaborating instantly!

15. What Would X Do

1. Have everyone pretend they're someone famous.

2. Each person must approach the problem as if they were their chosen famous person. What options would they consider? How would they handle it?

3. This allows everyone to consider solutions they might not have thought of originally.

Looking for more team-building and virtual meeting games? Check out these virtual icebreaker games or our  Ultimate Guide to Team Building Activities that Don't Suck.

Additional resources on problem-solving activities

• Problem-Solving Model : Looking for a model to provide a problem-solving structure? This detailed guide gives you the tools to quickly solve any problem.
• The Simplex Process:  Popularized by Min Basadur's book, The Power of Innovation , the Simplex Process provides training and techniques for each problem-solving stage. It helps frame problem-solving as a continuous cycle, rather than a “one and done” process.
• Fun Problem-Solving Activities and Games : Looking for more ideas? Check out this list of interesting and creative problem-solving activities for adults and kids!
• The Secret to Better Problem-Solving:  This article provides tips, use cases, and fresh examples to help you become a whiz at solving the toughest problems.

How to organize problem-solving activities with Wrike

If you want to make problem-solving activities more effective, consider using team collaboration software such as Wrike. 

Wrike’s pre-built actionable meeting notes template helps you keep track of meeting discussions, assign action items, and keep everyone in the loop. It’s an effective tool to streamline your problem-solving sessions and turn insights into real projects.

Brianna Hansen

Brianna is a former Content Marketing Manager of Wrike. When she’s not writing about collaboration and team building games, you’ll find her in the kitchen testing out the latest recipes, sharing her favorite wine with friends, or playing with her two cats.

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Since the dawn of man, teamwork and cooperation has been the preferred method of getting things done. From the pyramids of Giza to the Golden Gate Bridge, we rely heavily on teams of engineers and architects to create such majestic masterpieces. However, where there is teamwork, there is work required to be a team. Too many voices and conflicting opinions can lead to a giant headache and bring productivity to a grinding halt. Throw in egos, politics, and laziness and you've got a recipe for disaster. Here are 7 barriers that harm the harmony of your team: 1. Anchoring Have you ever been part of a group brainstorming session where, once two or three ideas have been shared, new ideas stop flowing and the group sort of shuts down? That’s anchoring. Teams get mentally stuck on the first few ideas and stop thinking of new solutions. Avoid the anchoring trap with these 7 brainstorming tricks, including brain writing. Be sure to keep all types of workers in mind with team building exercises for remote workers, so everyone feels included in the creative conversation. 2. Groupthink This teamwork barrier occurs when a majority of the group conforms to one idea despite their own concerns and insights, perhaps due to laziness, fear of judgement, time limitations, or being subjected to peer pressure from other members of the group. Because this is another common brainstorming risk, techniques like Stepladder and Round Robin brainstorming encourage everyone in the group to share their thoughts before settling on a course of action. 3. Social Loafing "If I don't get around to it, then someone on my team will just do it for me." If you've said this to yourself, then you're guilty of social loafing. Don't pat your lazy self on the back quite yet, you might have just cost your team some valuable productivity! Social loafing is the act of putting in less effort for a team project than you would for a solo task. This forces other team members to pick up the slack and possibility grow to resent you. One way to avoid this is by breaking a project into individual tasks and holding each team member accountable for certain steps. See how Wrike can help you assign tasks and delegate big projects. 4. Unresolvable Conflict Even the most successful teams sometimes experience conflict due to differences in opinion, perspectives, and experiences. However, if there is no way to resolve the conflict, then conflict harms your project's outcome. Unresolvable conflict can be caused by unclear goals and expectations for the project at hand, so avoid it by clearly communicating goals with the team and helping everyone understand their role. 5. Confirmation Bias Confirmation bias is the tendency to only accept information or evidence that confirms your own preconceptions. This bias can quickly become a roadblock when trying to iron out team conflict or justify a decision, and it can potentially lead to the Halo/Horn Effect (see below) and compromise good decision-making. To ward off this bias, challenge your beliefs and play devil's advocate. The Six Thinking Hats technique can also help you see a different perspective on the issue. 6. Halo/Horn Effect The way you perceive an individual strongly affects how you interact with them. If they made a poor first impression, or an offhand comment rubbed you the wrong way, you may have a subconscious bias against them. When that individual voices an opinion, you might automatically be more critical than you normally would. This can work to the opposite effect too. When someone you like shares their opinion, you might have a tendency to agree. When making big team decisions, try to be aware of this bias and focus on the best outcome for the team. 7. Overconfidence Effect Your perceptions and experiences inevitably shape who you are — but they can also lead to subtle mental biases that result in flawed decision making. The Overconfidence Effect happens when you accept or reject an idea based purely off a hunch with no evidence to back you up. (In fact, studies show that entrepreneurs are more likely to fall for this mental fallacy, rejecting others' ideas because of the false belief that they know what's best.) Don't fall for this mental trap! Always research new information and seek objective evidence to combat confirmation bias (and hopefully learn something new as well). What other teamwork barriers have you experienced? We'd love to hear how you resolved your teamwork troubles in the comments!

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7 Problem-Solving Team Activities to Enhance Collaboration and Creativity

Natalie brown.

Effective problem-solving is crucial for achieving success and maintaining productivity in team settings.

It enhances collaboration among team members, making it easier for them to work together harmoniously and efficiently.

Additionally, it significantly improves communication, ensuring everyone is aligned and clearly understands the objectives.

Engaging in problem-solving activities also stimulates creativity, leading to innovative solutions that can propel the team forward.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive list of diverse problem-solving activities tailored for teams.

These activities help teams work more effectively and efficiently, fostering a productive work environment.

By incorporating these exercises into routines, teams can significantly enhance their overall performance and cohesion.

Enhance your team’s productivity  – contact us today for expert guidance to unlock your team’s full potential.

The Role of Problem-Solving in Team Success

Effective problem-solving is essential for successful teamwork, laying the groundwork for teams to tackle challenges efficiently and collaboratively.

These activities can bring numerous benefits, transforming how teams operate and achieve their goals.

Problem-solving in teams is vital for several reasons:

• Enhanced Collaboration: Working on problems together fosters a sense of unity and shared purpose. When team members collaborate, they learn to leverage each other’s strengths and compensate for weaknesses. This collective effort enhances trust and cohesion within the team, making it stronger and more resilient.
• Improved Communication: Team members learn to articulate their ideas and listen to others. Effective communication is essential for understanding different perspectives and reaching a consensus. Through regular problem-solving activities , teams develop better communication habits, leading to fewer misunderstandings and more productive discussions.
• Creativity Boost: Diverse perspectives lead to innovative solutions. When team members from various backgrounds collaborate, they bring unique ideas to the table. This diversity stimulates creative thinking and encourages the exploration of unconventional solutions, driving innovation within the team.
• Effective Decision-Making: Teams develop skills to make better, more informed decisions. Problem-solving activities require teams to analyse situations, weigh options, and choose the best action. Over time, this practice enhances their decision-making abilities, leading to more strategic and effective outcomes.
• Increased Engagement: Problem-solving activities make work more engaging and enjoyable. These activities break the monotony of routine tasks and provide a stimulating challenge for team members. Engaged teams are more motivated, productive, and committed to achieving their goals.

Understanding the importance of team problem-solving is crucial for fostering a productive and cohesive work environment.

By regularly incorporating problem-solving activities, teams can significantly enhance their collaboration, communication, creativity, decision-making, and engagement.

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Benefits of Problem-Solving Activities

Engaging in problem-solving activities offers numerous benefits that significantly enhance team performance and cohesion.

Here are the five benefits that will boost your team’s performance:

• Builds Trust : Regular problem-solving exercises build trust among team members. As individuals work together to tackle challenges, they develop a deeper understanding and reliance on each other.
• Develops Leadership Skills : These activities provide opportunities for team members to take on leadership roles. By leading problem-solving efforts, individuals can practice decision-making and team management.
• Promotes Critical Thinking : Teams learn to analyse problems critically and develop effective solutions. This sharpens their ability to think logically and approach challenges systematically.
• Encourages Innovation : Creative problem-solving leads to innovative ideas and approaches. Teams regularly engaging in these activities are more likely to embrace innovative approaches and generate unique solutions.
• Strengthens Team Dynamics : Working together on problems enhances team dynamics and cohesion. These activities foster better communication and collaboration, leading to a more unified team.

The benefits of engaging in problem-solving activities extend far beyond the immediate outcomes.

Integrating these exercises into your team’s routine can foster a more collaborative, innovative, and cohesive work environment, setting the stage for long-term success.

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Top 7 Problem-Solving Activities to Enhance Collaboration and Creativity

Engaging in varied problem-solving activities can significantly boost a team’s ability to work together and think creatively.

This section presents ten dynamic problem-solving activities to enhance collaboration, communication, and innovation among team members.

Let’s explore these exercises designed to enhance your team’s productivity and efficiency:

1. The Egg Drop Challenge

Objective : Design a contraption to protect an egg from breaking when dropped.

Instructions : Provide teams with materials like straws, tape, and balloons.

Allow time for planning and building.

Evaluate the results by dropping the contraptions from a height and seeing which eggs survive.

2. Desert Island Scenario

Objective : Decide on essential items for survival to bring to a desert island.

Instructions : Teams discuss and agree on the top five items they need.

Each team then presents and justifies their choices.

This encourages prioritisation and decision-making skills.

3. The Puzzle Challenge

Objective : Solve a series of puzzles culminating in a master puzzle.

Instructions : Distribute puzzle pieces among teams and set a time limit.

Teams work together to solve individual puzzles and combine their efforts to solve the master puzzle.

Discuss strategies used after the activity.

4. Scavenger Hunt

Objective : Find and collect specific items or solve clues within a time limit.

Instructions : Create a list of items or clues for teams to find.

Divide participants into teams and start the hunt.

The first team to collect all items or solve all clues wins.

5. Escape Room

Objective : Solve puzzles to “escape” from a locked room scenario.

Instructions : Use a pre-made kit or an online platform to set up the escape room.

Teams must work together to solve puzzles within a set time to “escape” the room.

6. Marshmallow Tower

Objective : Build the tallest tower possible using marshmallows and spaghetti.

Instructions : Provide teams with marshmallows and spaghetti.

Set a time limit for building.

Evaluate the towers based on height and stability.

7. Online Problem-Solving Games

Objective : Solve problems virtually with remote teams .

Examples : The Hunt (visual, word, reasoning puzzles) and Jewel Heist (escape room-style game).

Instructions : Use an online platform, form teams, and solve the problems together.

These activities are ideal for maintaining engagement in remote teams.

Incorporating these problem-solving activities into your team’s routine can significantly improve their ability to work together and think creatively.

These exercises will foster a more collaborative and innovative team environment.

Implementing Problem-Solving Activities

Implementing problem-solving activities in your team requires thoughtful planning and consistent effort.

By following a structured approach, you can ensure these activities are effective and engaging for your team.

• Schedule Regular Sessions : Integrate problem-solving activities into regular team meetings to make them a consistent part of your workflow. This regularity helps to reinforce the skills learned and keeps the team engaged.
• Facilitate Open Communication : Encourage all team members to participate and share their ideas openly during these activities. Creating a safe environment for communication ensures diverse perspectives are heard and valued.
• Reflect on Experiences : After each activity, take time to discuss what was learned and how these insights can be applied to work situations. This reflection helps solidify the skills gained and demonstrates their practical value.
• Adapt to Team Needs : Choose activities that match your team’s interests and goals, ensuring they are relevant and engaging. Customising activities to fit your team’s unique dynamics can lead to better participation and outcomes.
• Measure Impact : Track improvements in collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills to evaluate the effectiveness of these activities. Regular assessment helps you understand the benefits and make necessary adjustments for continuous improvement.

Implementing these problem-solving activities thoughtfully can transform your team’s dynamics and performance.

Incorporating these activities into your routine will make your team more robust and cohesive.

Conclusion – Problem-Solving Activities for Teams

Incorporating problem-solving activities into your team’s routine is essential for fostering a productive and innovative work environment.

These activities improve collaboration and communication and enhance creativity and decision-making skills.

Regularly engaging in problem-solving exercises helps build trust among team members and promotes critical thinking.

By adapting these activities to your team’s specific needs and interests, you can ensure they remain relevant and engaging.

Measuring the impact of these activities is crucial for understanding their benefits and making necessary adjustments.

Reflecting on the experiences gained from these exercises helps reinforce the skills learned and demonstrates their practical applications.

Start implementing these problem-solving activities and see your team thrive – contact us today for expert guidance and support.

Group CEO and Executive Coach

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Project-Based Learning in Fostering Creative Thinking and Mathematical Problem-Solving Skills: Evidence from Primary Education in Indonesia

The interdependence between the Project-Based Learning (PjBL) Model and the growth and enhancement of Creative Thinking and Mathematical Problem Solving Skills in Elementary Schools is unquestionable nowadays. Prior studies have yet to discover concrete evidence regarding the interdependence being discussed. This study highlighted cognitive abilities related to creative thinking and mathematics problem-solving by implementing the Project-Based Learning Model. This research was a quasi-experiment with a pretest-posttest control group design involving 43 students in the sixth grade of two elementary schools; data was collected through test and classroom observation, and then the data was analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). Conversely, students exposed to project-based learning models exhibit higher skill levels in creative thinking and problem-solving than those instructed using conventional learning models. The project-based learning model significantly impacted elementary school children’s creative thinking and mathematics problem-solving skills. These findings suggest that the Project-Based Learning Model is acceptable for instructors seeking to foster creativity in teaching mathematics at the primary school level in Indonesia or other countries with comparable settings.

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Evaluation of stress, bio-psycho-social response and coping strategies during the practical training in nursing students: a cross sectional study

• Müjgan Solak   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-6201-3139 1 ,
• Sevcan Topçu   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-6228-1720 2 ,
• Zuhal Emlek Sert   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-2809-5617 2 ,
• Satı Doğan   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9935-3265 3 &
• Fatma Savan   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4846-9129 2  

BMC Nursing volume  23 , Article number:  610 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

Metrics details

The aim of the study was to identify stress level, bio-psycho-social response and coping behavior of nursing students during the practical training.

A cross-sectional study was carried out with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th-year nursing students ( n  = 1181) between September 2018-may 2019. Data was collected using by Socio-Demographic Questionnaire, The Student Nurse Stress Index, The Bio-Psycho-Social Response Scale and Coping Behavior Inventory.

The fourth-grade nursing students’ stress level was found to be statistically significantly higher than of other graders. Nursing students have shown emotional symptoms and social-behavioral symptoms the most. To cope with stress, nursing students used the strategies transference, staying optimistic, problem-solving and avoidance, respectively.

Conclusions

These findings highlight the need to routinely evaluate nursing students for stress, bio-psycho-social response, and coping strategies during practical training. Thus, counseling units can be constituted by the nursing schools, and nursing students who have higher stress levels and inadequate coping strategies benefit from these units.

Peer Review reports

According to Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional theory of stress and coping, stress is a two-way process. Stress is defined as exposure to stimuli (as harmful, threatening, or challenging) that exceed the individual’s coping capacity [ 1 ]. There is a complex transaction between individual subjective reactions to stressors and stressors produced by the environment complex transaction. Transactional theory consists of cognitive appraisal, and coping. After a primary appraisal of the threat or challenge is made, a secondary appraisal process of identifying and selecting available coping options is made. Coping processes produce an outcome, which is reappraised as favorable, unfavorable, or unresolved [ 1 , 2 ].

Stress is accepted as a disease of the 20th century that affects many professions [ 3 ]. Health professionals, especially nurses encounter higher levels of stress and stress factors when their level of exposure to stress and the number of stress-sources are evaluated [ 4 ]. For nurses, stress starts from the beginning of training period and they experience the negative effects of stress on health for many years [ 5 , 6 , 7 ].

Nursing students experience different levels of stress both during their theoretical and practical training [ 8 , 9 ]. Sources of theoretical stress are constantly subjected to examinations, assignments about courses, length of lecture time despite the lack of free times and preparation process before practical evaluations [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. But sources of practical training stress comprise of the followings; starting to practice for the first-time, clinical evaluations, feeling inadequate in practice, scaring to give patients any harm, caring for patients, relationships with healthcare workers, friends and patients [ 13 , 14 ]. Although nursing students experience stress due to many reasons both in practical and theoretical settings, practical training periods are expressed as periods in which nursing students experience the highest levels of stress [ 15 , 16 ].

Stress can sometimes be a source of motivation, however, high stress can affect coping, self-confidence, concentration, motivation, academic performance [ 9 , 17 ]. In addition, high stress levels may cause students to experience health problems such as hypertension, heart diseases, nutritional disorders, stammering, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion and depression [ 5 , 6 ]. It is stated that nursing students experience higher levels of stress and relevant physical and psychosocial symptoms when compared with the students of other health-related disciplines [ 15 , 18 ].

This situation makes coping strategies crucial for stress management. Coping is defined as constantly changing cognitive and behavioral efforts to manage specific external and/or internal demands that are appraised as taxing or exceeding the resources of the person [ 1 ]. The impact of stress on health depends on the adequacy of coping strategies that play a vital role in managing the stress [ 6 ]. As a strategy to cope with stress, nursing students prefer problem solving the most [ 8 , 11 , 19 ] and avoiding the least [ 5 , 6 , 8 ].

It was found in previous studies that the stress levels of nursing students differed according to classes. It is reported that stress levels are higher in nursing students in the upper grades and the initial clinical practice affects their stress levels [ 20 , 21 , 22 ]. In order to reduce the stress and its negative effects in nursing students, first of all, to determine their stress levels, their responses to stress, coping strategies and the factors affecting their stress levels is very important.

Research questions

What are the stress levels, bio-psycho-social responses, and coping behavior of nursing students during the practical training?

Which variables affect the stress level of nursing students?

A cross-sectional design was used.

Procedure and samples

The study’s population consisted of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th-year students [ n  = 1181] of nursing school. A cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2018-May 2019.Since it was aimed to reach the entire population, no sample selection method was used. The inclusion criteria for the study were (1) voluntary acceptance of study participation (2) being during the period of practical training. The number of students was 300 for first grade, 309 for second grade, 285 for third grade and 287 for fourth grade. All of the students [ n  = 996] who meet inclusion criteria are included in the study. The response rate of the questionnaires is 84%. ( n  = 996/1181).

Data was collected during the practical training for each grade. The Faculty of Nursing has an integrated education system. The integrated education system is based on holistic learning. It enables the student to see the big picture instead of learning small parts and subject areas are associated according to a subject. The integrated education programme, which includes a structuring from health to disease, is organised to include basic knowledge, attitudes and skills related to the subjects related to care. In the first, second and third years of the integrated education programme, courses are conducted as modules, active education methods are used, and skills training is provided in laboratories and clinics. The fourth year is organised as an internship programme. Practical training starts to in the second term of the first year in the Faculty of Nursing. 1st-year students have practical training consist of 13 h per week for one month in Primary and Secondary Schools. 2nd and 3rd-year students have practical training in Hospitals and Primary Care. The practical training of 2st-year students in the third semester consists of 24 h per week for one month in dermatology, otolaryngology clinics, eye clinics, etc. In the fourth semester, their practical training includes 24 h per week for two months in İnternal Medicine and Surgery clinics. The practical training of 3rd-year students comprises 24 h per week for three months in pediatrics, obstetrics (fifth semester) clinics and psychiatry clinics, primary care (sixth semester). 4th-year students (internship) are in practical training (eight different nursing fields fundamentals of nursing, internal nursing, surgery nursing, pediatric nursing, obstetric and gynecological nursing, psychiatric nursing, public health nursing) during the seventh and eighth semesters. They have practical training 32 h per week each semester.

Data collection tools

Data was collected using by Socio-Demographic Questionnaire, The Student Nurse Stress Index (SNSI), The Bio-Psycho-Social Response Scale (BPSRS) and Coping Behavior Inventory (CBI) Socio-Demographic Questionnaire consists of seven questions such as age, gender, grade, employment status, smoking status, choosing nursing profession willingly and academic status.

The student nurse stress index (SNSI): SNSI that developed by Jones & Johnstone (1999), consisted of 22 items, and four subscales which include academic load, clinical concerns, personal problems, and interface worries [ 23 ]. SNSI is a five-point Likert-type scale ranging from 1 [not stressful] to 5 [extremely stressful]. The Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Sarıkoç, Demiralp, Oksuz, Pazar, [ 24 ]. Its Cronbach α coefficient was 0.86. Turkish version of the scale consists of four subscales as personal problems, clinical concerns, interface worries, and academic load. The higher scores obtained from SNSI indicate the high-stress level.

The bio-psycho-social response scale (BPSRS): The BPSRS, developed by Sheu, Lin, Hwang (2002), consist of 21 items and three subscales about symptoms relating to the students’ physical, psychological and social health [ 25 ]. BPSRS five-point Likert-type scale from 0 to 4. Its Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.90. A higher score indicated the presence of more symptoms and poorer physio-psychosocial status [ 25 ]. The Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Karaca et al. [ 26 ]. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the Turkish version was found to be 0.91 [ 26 ].

Coping behavior inventory (CBI): The original version of CBI that developed by Sheu, Lin, Hwang, (2002), consists of 19 items and four subscales as avoidance, problem solving, stay optimistic and transference [ 25 ]. The scale is a five-point Likert-type scale from 0 to 4. Its Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.76. A higher score in one factor indicated more frequent use of this type of coping behavior [ 25 ]. The Turkish validity and reliability study was conducted by Karaca et al. (2015) and its Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.69 [ 26 ].

Data analysis

The data were evaluated using the SPSS 21 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Descriptive statistics was used as mean and standard deviation. One way anova test was used to compare scale scores (SNSI, BPSRS, CBI) according to graders. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the variables (gender, employment status, smoking status, willingness of the choice of the nursing profession, academic achievement status) affecting stress level. For all effects, we used the standard significance level of α = 0.05.

Ethical considerations

This study was approved by Ege University Scientific Research and Publication Ethics Committee (Approval Number: 56/2018). The participants received information about the research objectives and procedures, and their written permission was obtained by means of informed consent form before data collection.

The mean age of nursing students is 21.32 ± 1.57 years. Of the students, 91.9% are females and 26.5% are freshmen, and 5% are working outside the school (Table  1 ).

When nursing students’ total and subscale SNSI mean scores were compared, a statistically significant difference was found between the mean scores of total SNSI and academic loads, interface worries and clinical concerns subscale (Table  2 ). The first grade nursing students’ mean score of academic load subscale was found to be statistically significantly higher than of second and third graders ( p  < 0.05). The third and fourth grade nursing students’ interface worries subscale scores were also statistically significantly higher than of the first and second graders. In the clinical concerns subscale, the second and fourth grade nursing students had significantly higher clinical anxiety than the other graders and the first-year nursing students had lower clinical concerns than other graders. When the total SNSI mean scores were compared, fourth grade nursing students’ stress level was found to be statistically significantly higher than of other graders, and the first grade nursing students’ stress level was statistically lower than of other graders.

It was established that nursing students have shown emotional symptoms and social-behavioral symptoms the most, whereas physical symptoms were shown the least (Table  3 ). When the total and subscale mean scores of BPSRS were compared according to nursing students’ grades, a statistically significant difference was detected in subscales of total BPSRS, emotional symptoms and social behavioral symptoms. In the emotional symptoms subscale, the first year nursing students had less emotional symptoms than other graders. In the social behavioral symptoms subscale, the mean scores of fourth grade nursing students were found to be significantly higher than of other graders. When total BPSRS mean scores were compared, it was observed that the fourth grade students had more bio-psycho-social behavioral symptoms than the first grade students.

It was found that to cope with stress, nursing students used the strategies transference, staying optimistic, problem-solving and avoidance, respectively (Table  4 ). When nursing students’ behaviors related to coping with stress were evaluated according to grades, no statistically significant difference was found between the subscale scores of avoidance, staying optimistic and transference, whereas only the problem-solving subscale was statistically significant. In the problem-solving subscale, the problem-solving skills have increased significantly as the class increased ( F  = 72.63; p  = 0.00).

The relationship between nursing students’ stress level and gender, willingness to choose nursing profession, smoking status, employment status and academic achievement status was evaluated using regression analysis (Table  5 ). The extent to which nursing students’ stress levels were predicted by variables such as gender ( β =-0.22, p  = 0.00), choosing nursing profession willingly ( β =-0.27, p  = 0.00), smoking status ( β  = 0.28, p  = 0.00), employment status ( β  = 0.14, p  = 0.00) and academic achievement status ( β =-0.34, p  = 0.00) was determined by applying linear multiple regression. As a result of this process was detected as R  = 0.84, R2  = 0.70, and 70% of the total variance on stress level was explained by these variables. The stress level was found significantly higher in female students, working students, smokers, those who did not want to choose the nursing profession and those with low academic achievement.

One of the most important stress factors for nursing students is practical training periods especially an initial period of practical training [ 21 ]. It is stated that nursing students experience more stress in clinical practice periods than other periods [ 16 , 21 ]. In the literature, studies investigating the effects of grade on the stress level of nursing students have shown mixed results. Eswi, Radi, Youssri reported that there was no relationship between grade and stress level [ 27 ]. In a study conducted by Shaban, Khater, Akhu-Zaheya, it was found that nursing students were more sensitive to stress due to reasons such as transition to university life, managing their own needs and gaining new social skills, especially during the first years of education. In this study, unlike other studies, the first-year nursing students’ stress level was found lower than of other graders [ 6 ]. Aedh, Elfaki & Mohamed, reported that nursing students who are in the second year of nursing education have experienced higher level of stress than other grades [ 28 ]. In this study, although the second grade was not the highest stress level group, the stress level showed a rapid increase compared to the first grade and the clinical concerns subscale scores were found higher than other grades. Third and fourth grade nursing students’ mean interface worries scores were found high the other grades. Several studies have similarly reported that, nursing students’ stress level was found higher in the last period of nursing education compared to other periods [ 15 , 22 ]. In a qualitative study conducted by Admi et al. (2018) it was found that conflict between professional beliefs and the reality of hospital practice were stressors for final year students [ 19 ]. In the study conducted by Bhat (2021) et al. it was reported that training on invasive procedures (safe catheter etc.) should be standardised in undergraduate education and this should be made part of the annual or biannual compulsory training for healthcare personnel [ 29 ]. Similarly, in this study, the stress level of fourth-grade nursing students was found higher than of other graders, and fourth-grade nursing students’ mean scores of clinical concerns and interface worries were higher than of other graders. The results of our study indicate that the first-grade nursing students had problems adapting to the intensive pace of nursing education and that they experienced stress; accordingly, second-grade nursing students who first-time took to practical training and fourth-grade nursing students who had the longest practical training period also experienced stress due to practical training.

In several studies found that nursing students experienced higher levels of stress, physical and psychological symptoms than the students in other health disciplines [ 6 , 30 ]. Chen & Hung reported that nursing students demonstrated physical symptoms toward stress mostly, and social-behavioral symptoms the least [ 8 ]. In the study carried out by Kassem & Abdou, when the bio-psycho-social responses experienced by nursing students were evaluated, it was found that emotional symptoms were the most common and social-behavioral symptoms were the least [ 11 ]. In another study conducted by Durmuş & Gerçek with nursing students, it that bio-psycho-social responses were found to be occurred mostly in fourth grade students [ 31 ]. In all classes, the most often emotional symptoms were observed in nursing students followed by social behavior symptoms and physical symptoms respectively [ 31 ]. The present study showed that nursing students demonstrated emotional symptoms and social-behavioral symptoms the most, whereas physical symptoms were demonstrated the least, and these results were consistent with results from most of previous similar studies. It was found that fourth-grade nursing students experienced more Bio-Psycho-Social Responses than freshmen and emotional symptoms were higher in second, third and fourth grade nursing students and social behavioral symptoms were higher in fourth-grade nursing students. This difference may be explained by the fact that because fourth-grade nursing students’ stress levels were higher than of other graders, they showed more Bio-Psycho-Social Responses.

Durmuş & Gerçek found that first, and the third-year nursing students have usually used strategies for coping with stress such as stay optimistic and avoidance, respectively [ 31 ]. Also, the same study showed that second and fourth-year nursing students have used problem-solving most [ 31 ]. Many studies found that nursing students have generally used problem solving as a coping strategy [ 5 , 8 , 11 , 19 , 32 ] and the avoidance at least [ 5 , 6 , 8 ]. Sheu, Lin, Hwang reported that using effective ways of coping with the problem will facilitate returning to stable status by allowing reduction of negative consequences of stress [ 25 ]. The present study showed that nursing students most often used transference and least avoidance strategies to cope with stress, and as the students’ grade levels increased, also the level of using problem-solving skills increased. This situation indicates that the problem-solving competencies involving in nursing education are being provided to the students. The fourth grade of nursing students who has highest practical-training hours possess problem-solving skills more than other grades because of the positive effects of the practical applications encountered in a large number of complicated situations on the problem-solving skills of the nursing students.

In the present study, when the interaction between nursing students’ stress level and gender, working status, smoking status, willingness to choose nursing profession and academic achievement status was evaluated, it was found that female students, employees, smokers, those that have chosen nursing profession unwillingly, and those with low academic achievement had significantly higher stress levels. It was reported in different studies that academic success [11,20,], gender [ 20 , 21 , 33 ] have affected students’ stress levels and also their working hours outside of nursing education have affected their stress level [ 11 ]. Although it is important for all students to reduce stressors and to provide support for the use of coping mechanisms; especially female students, employees, smokers, those that choose the nursing profession unwillingly, and those with poor academic achievement should be supported more.

Limitations

This study has some limitations. Unlike other nursing schools in our country, this research was carried out in a nursing school where an integrated education system was applied. The findings could be specific to this college of nursing. Therefore, the generalizability of results may be limited. Besides, the small number of male students is another limitation of the study. SNSI, BPSRS, and CBI are a self-reported questionnaire. This can lead to social desirability bias in respondents.

Reccommendations

It is recommended that long-term studies be conducted to understand the long-term effects of stress experienced during nursing education and to develop sustainable support mechanisms. Support mechanisms may decrease stress levels and their negative effects on nursing students and can promote nursing students’ well-being and academic success, especially during practical training. Exploring what is nursing students of stress levels and coping strategies during education, can inform post-graduation preventive strategies. Also, evaluating the current stress levels and coping strategies in different nursing education programs is crucial for identifying gaps and areas for improvement. Interventional and qualitative studies are crucial to providing concrete recommendations for educational institutions and policymakers to address stress among nursing students.

According to results of the present study, the stress levels of fourth-grade nursing students were higher than of other graders and causes of stress varied as regards grades. The higher level of stress in the senior nursing students that have the maximum responsibilities and stay times of practical training and the bio-psycho-social responses given by students associated depending on this stress indicate that those clinical practices are one of the main sources of stress for nursing students. Due to the nature of nursing education and nursing practices, students use their problem solving skills as a coping strategy. However, the presence of stress-related emotional and social-behavioral symptoms in nursing students indicates that they cannot cope with stress sufficiently. Internship, which is the preparation period for the transition to professional life for nursing, is the period in which nursing students experience the most stress. Students’ learning to cope with stress in this period will enable them to use these strategies in their professional lives. Nursing schools can consider this period as an opportunity period to reduce and cope with stress, which is one of the important risk factors for nurses.

To develop stress management and the stress-coping mechanism of nursing students, it was recommended that courses or counseling units should be available, nursing educators should support students in the clinical areas, receive regular feedback from the students about practical training, and cooperate with clinical nurses to increase nursing students’ clinical compliance. Also, in particular, female students, working students, smokers, those that have chosen nursing profession unwillingly, and those with low academic achievement should be encouraged to receive individualized or group support for stress management and in coping with stress.

Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are not openly available due to reasons of sensitivity and are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

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M. S Conception and design, data acquisition, data analysis and interpretation, writing, give final approvals. S. T Conception and design, data acquisition, data analysis, writing, give final approvals. Z. E. S Data acquisition, data interpretation, give final approvals. S. D Data acquisition, data analysis, give final approvals. F. S Conception, writing, give final approvals.

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Solak, M., Topçu, S., Sert, Z.E. et al. Evaluation of stress, bio-psycho-social response and coping strategies during the practical training in nursing students: a cross sectional study. BMC Nurs 23 , 610 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02265-5

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Estimation of Oil Reservoir Transmissivity and Storativity Fields Using a Radial Basis Function Network Based on Inverse Problem Solving

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• V. P. Kosyakov 1 &
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In the oil industry, there is a noticeable trend towards using proxy models to simulate various levels of complexity in order to make operational predictions. In particular, machine learning techniques are being actively developed in the context of the digitalization and automation of production processes. This paper proposes a method for combining a physically relevant fluid flow model with machine learning techniques to address the challenges of history-matching and prediction. The approach is demonstrated using synthetic oil reservoir models. The synthetic model has significant zonal inhomogeneities in the permeability and storativity fields. The simplified single-phase flow through a porous medium model was used for the proposed approach. This model was matched to the historical values of the development parameters by restoring the fields of the reservoir parameters. Properties fields were reconstructed using a radial basis functions network and a fully connected linear layer. Based on the reconstructed field, interwell connectivity coefficients were calculated, which corresponded qualitatively and quantitatively to the true interwell connectivity coefficients. The predictive characteristics of the proposed approach were evaluated by split the historical dataset into training and test time intervals.

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Kosyakov, V.P., Legostaev, D.Y. Estimation of Oil Reservoir Transmissivity and Storativity Fields Using a Radial Basis Function Network Based on Inverse Problem Solving. Lobachevskii J Math 45 , 2067–2075 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1134/S199508022460225X

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