SIFT Mechanical Comprehension practice questions

10 questions · Untimed · Explanation after each question

Familiarity with mechanical concepts and simple machines. One question at a time on levers, pulleys, gears, springs, pressure and motion, often with a diagram. Each answer sets the difficulty of the next, and you cannot go back.

Line drawing of meshing gears, a pulley with a hanging weight and a lever on a pivot

Before you start

Work quickly and do not guess. Finishing too few items may cost you, and random guessing usually costs more.
Check each answer to see the explanation before moving on. Checked answers cannot be changed.
Questions are original practice written to the subtest descriptions in the Army’s SIFT FAQ. The Army does not publish sample screens, so layouts are ours. Read the study guide.

Independent practice with original questions. Not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the U.S. Army, Army Personnel Testing or the U.S. Army Recruiting Command. These are not actual SIFT questions, and our results are not SIFT scores.