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The term ‘numerical reasoning test’ is
often used interchangeably with ‘numerical ability test’ and ‘numerical
aptitude test’. There is no widely accepted definition of the difference
between numerical
ability and numerical aptitude and as far as psychometric
tests are concerned the two terms are interchangeable. However the same
does not apply to the term ‘numerical reasoning’ which does have a specific
meaning. The term ‘numerical reasoning test’ should really only be used
to describe a specific type of numerical test.
This is best explained as follows: there are basically
two types of numerical questions that appear in psychometric tests. Speed
questions are so easy that with unlimited time most people taking the
test could answer them all successfully. However, the time allowed to
complete the test is so short that even the most able person is not
expected to finish. This means that the result depends on the number
of correct answers made in the relatively short time allowed.
In contrast, a power
test contains questions that vary in difficulty
and no one is expected to get all of the answers correct even with unlimited
time. In practice, a definite but ample time is set for power tests.
Even though there are literally hundreds of numerical ability tests
available to employers, the questions used in these tests can be classified
into four basic types: Numerical
computation, numerical
estimation, numerical
reasoning and data
interpretation.
Numerical Speed Tests – Computation and Estimation
Numerical computation and numerical estimation are ‘speed’ questions.
These questions involve basic arithmetic including: addition, subtraction,
multiplication, division, percentages, ratios, fractions and decimals.
To score well on these questions you will need to be able to make quick
and accurate calculations without using a calculator.
Numerical Power Tests – Numerical
Reasoning and Data Interpretation
A numerical reasoning test is a power test rather than a speed test because
the questions require you to interpret the information provided and
then apply the appropriate logic to answer them. In other words, you
need to work out how to get the answer, rather than just doing
the necessary calculations.
Preparing for a Numerical Reasoning Test
If you are told that you need to sit a numerical reasoning test as part
of the job selection process and you want to prepare for it properly,
then you should ask which type of questions it contains. Specifically,
is it just numerical
reasoning or does it also contain data
interpretation,
computation or estimation questions. Once you have the answer to this
question you can run through the free
downloadable practice papers on this website to give yourself the best chance of success in the
real test.
Sample Numerical Reasoning Test
Identify the missing number
at the end of the series. |
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1) 3, 11, 19, 27, ? |
33 |
35 |
37 |
39 |
41 |
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A |
B |
C |
D |
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2) 3, 6, 11, 18, ? |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
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3 |
B |
C |
D |
E |
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3) 516, 497, 478, 459, ? |
436 |
440 |
438 |
452 |
442 |
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Identify the missing number
within the series. |
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4) 33, ?, 19, 12, 5 |
31 |
26 |
29 |
27 |
24 |
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5) 11, 19, ?, 41, 55 |
31 |
29 |
26 |
39 |
34 |
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6) 98, 94, ?, 70, 38 |
89 |
85 |
86 |
87 |
88 |
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7) |
Identify the missing number. |
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7 |
4 |
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49 |
16 |
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5 |
6 |
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25 |
? |
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41 |
36 |
35 |
18 |
37 |
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8) |
Identify the missing number. |
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4 |
14 |
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11 |
31 |
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35 |
26 |
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73 |
? |
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51 |
56 |
45 |
55 |
52 |
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9) |
It costs a manufacturer X dollars
per component to make the first 1,000 components. All subsequent
components cost X÷3 each. When X = $1.50 How much will it cost
to manufacture 4,000 components? |
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$3,500 |
$3,000 |
$4,000 |
$3,250 |
$4,500 |
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10) |
A train
traveling at 60 mph enters a tunnel that is 5 miles long. The train
is one mile long. How many minutes does it take for the whole train
to pass through the tunnel? |
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7 |
4 |
10 |
5 |
6 |
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11) |
In the Shelbyville election,
the Republican candidate received one and a half times as many
votes as the Democrat candidate. The Democrat candidate received
one third more votes than the Independent candidate. 900 votes
were cast for the Independent candidate. How many votes were cast
for the Republican candidate? |
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900 |
1,400 |
1,600 |
1,000 |
1,800 |
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12) |
Anna and John both drive
to their new home 400 miles away. Anna drives the family car at
an average speed of 60 mph. John drives the removal truck at an
average speed of 50 mph. During the journey, Anna stops for a total
of 1 hour and 20 minutes, John stops for half as long. What is
the difference in minutes between their arrival times? |
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60 |
55 |
40 |
90 |
80 |
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Preparing for a Numerical Reasoning Test
Numerical reasoning tests are an increasingly popular way of assessing
candidates during the job selection process. Many people who have been
out of the education system for a while or who don’t use maths on a
day-to-day basis feel intimidated by these types of test. The important
thing to remember is that you don’t need to have studied mathematics
to a high level to succeed. These are primarily tests of reasoning
ability and the math needed is invariably straightforward. Although
you may need to get back up to speed with percentages, ratios, proportions,
fractions and decimals.
You will usually be allowed to use a calculator for these types of question
and investing in one which can handle fractions and percentages is a
good idea. You should also try to work through a few numerical computation
practice papers to get back into swing of these types of calculation.
These sample question papers each contain 22 questions
and have a suggested time limit of 20 minutes. The questions are
presented in Letter/A4 format for easy printing and self-marking.
Download Numerical
Reasoning Test - Practice Test 1
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