Numerical ability tests are used by employers to measure
your ability to perform tasks involving numbers. The questions
range from simple arithmetic operations like addition and
subtraction to more complex questions where you need to interpret
numerical information presented as tables, diagrams, and graphs.
Numerical ability tests are popular with employers because many
jobs require you to work with numbers at least some of the time.
Obviously, if you are applying for a job which involves working
with figures on a day-to-day basis, then the employer will regard
your numerical ability as a valuable predictor of your performance
on the job.
Numerical ability tests from different suppliers vary in both the
number and difficulty of the questions that they contain and there
are several hundred of these tests on the market. The duration of
any numerical ability test you are asked to take will depend on
several factors including how many other tests you are taking on
the day. However, most tests last about 30-40 minutes and have
about 30-40 questions.
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 Computation
These questions involve the basic principles of 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 Estimation
Numerical estimation is key in many technical jobs where you need
to quickly and accurately make estimates of material quantities
etc. These questions require you to make quick estimates of the
answers to straightforward numerical questions. You do not have
time to actually calculate these answers because this will take up
too much time and prevent you from answering enough questions to
get a good score.
Numerical Reasoning
These questions test your reasoning ability rather than your
ability to do calculations. In other words, you need to work out
how to get the answer rather than simply being told what
calculations to apply. They invariably include some number series
questions where you need to work out which number or numbers are
missing from the series. They also include text based questions
where a mathematical problem is posed in words and your task is to
apply the necessary logic to find the answer.
Data Interpretation
Most management and supervisory jobs require you to interpret data
presented in charts, tables and graphs in order to make day-to-day
decisions. These tests commonly use: pie charts, line graphs,
scatter-plots and tables of data which you need to interpret to
answer the questions. The more complex questions may show the data
in one format, for example a table, and a subset of this data in
another format, for example a pie chart. To answer the questions
you need to be able to cross reference these two elements in a
logical way.
Download Numerical Ability Tests - Computation
Download Numerical Ability Tests - Estimation
Download Numerical Ability Tests - Reasoning
Download Numerical Ability Tests - Data Interpretation
Numerical ability tests can be divided into tests of simple
numeracy, where it is obvious which arithmetic operations you need
to apply, and numerical reasoning tests where you are presented
with data and questions but the method required to answer the
questions is not obvious. In all cases you need to prepare by
practicing your mental arithmetic until you are both quick and
confident. Your score in the simple speed tests will be very much
influenced by your ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide
quickly and accurately.
Even though you will need to do fewer arithmetic operations in the
reasoning tests, there is no point in working out how to arrive at
the answer if you make a simple mistake when calculating it.
Although you are allowed to use a calculator for some questions,
you should make a habit of mentally estimating your answers as a
way of checking them.
Go to psychometric tests
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