Women in Engineering: the University of Melbourne

Engineering Quiz

Considering a course or career in engineering?

Take this quiz and find out more about the types of engineers and the areas that might best match your strengths.

When you were little did you like taking things apart?
Do you like to do projects with your hands, such as knitting or carving?
Do you like using computers?
Do you often think there must be a better way to build things?

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Do you hate to do jigsaw puzzles?
Are most of your drawings and sketches unrecognisable?
When you look at a plan for something, like a sewing pattern or a model, do you have trouble imaging what it will look like?
Do you have trouble reading a map?

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Do you feel that making an outline for a report is important?
Can you follow complicated directions?
Can you write out detailed instructions for a task?
When you have a question about something, do you usually look it up on the internet?

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Do you avoid playing strategy games such as checkers and chess?
Do you dislike having to do word problems in maths?
Do you like to have someone tell you the answer to a problem before you have had a chance to work it out?

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Do you like working outdoors?
Do you like working with a team of people?
Do you like to travel to places just to see something different?
Would you rather study alone than with friends?
Do you like to give talks in front of class?

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Scoring instructions

Look at each of the topics below to find out how you scored.

Technology & Mechanical Aptitude

Questions 1, 2, 3 and 4

A majority of these questions answered with a yes shows mechanical aptitude. An engineer is sure to have a need for computers. It also helps to have confidence when it comes to taking things apart or putting them together. And, of course, thinking of better ways to build things is likely to be part of your job. To develop these skills, practice working with puzzles, tools and mechanical objects.

Spatial Visualisation

Questions 5, 6, 7 and 8

If you answered a majority of these questions with a no, you have good spatial skills. Jigsaw puzzles, drawing accurate pictures, visualizing rooms or models, and reading maps are indications of good spatial abilities. Your skills can be sharpened with practice.

Organisation & Carefulness

Questions 9, 10, 11 and 12

Do you work with care, plan ahead and organise? For these questions, a majority answered with a yes shows good organisation skills. An engineer is usually the basic organiser of a project and has to direct people, see that every detail is correctly done, and stay with the job until it is done to see that things go right. To practice writing out clear instructions, try using outlines or flow charts.

Problem Solving

Questions 13, 14 and 15

Engineers need to develop strategies and techniques for problem solving and the ability to keep trying until the problem is solved in the best way possible. If you answered these questions with a no, you are a good problem solver. To develop problem solving skills, try all sorts of games, puzzles and 'thinking' activities. Concentrate on how you are solving the problem or playing the game, so you can do it better next time.

Working Environment

Questions 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20

These questions ask how you feel about your working environment. There are no right or wrong answers for an engineer, who may work along or with others, indoor or outdoors, may travel or stay in one place to appear in public or work out in the field or in an office. You might want to read about different kinds of engineers to find the one you like best.

Source: Institution of Engineers Website