Bennett Mechanical Comprehension Practice Test 2026 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

A 3rd class lever is designed to optimize movement and control, making it particularly effective for handling loads with accuracy. In this type of lever, the effort is applied between the load and the fulcrum, which allows for a greater range of motion at the load compared to the effort applied. This is why it is commonly used in activities that require precision, such as using tweezers, fishing rods, or even human arms when throwing a ball, where the goal is to control the movement more accurately rather than simply lifting heavy objects.

In contrast, the other choices focus on attributes that a 3rd class lever does not emphasize. Heavy lifting is better suited to a 2nd class lever, which offers a greater mechanical advantage by having the load closer to the fulcrum. Changing the direction of force is a primary characteristic of a 1st class lever. Lastly, increasing mechanical advantage is also a feature of 2nd class levers, which allow for smaller effort to lift heavier loads, rather than a 3rd class lever where more effort is needed for the same load, sacrificing mechanical advantage for accuracy and speed of movement.