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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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A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
| 1 |
3, 11, 19, 27, ? |
33 |
35 |
37 |
39 |
41 |
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A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
| 2 |
3, 6, 11, 18, ? |
24 |
25 |
26 |
27 |
28 |
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A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
| 3 |
516, 497, 478, 459,
? |
436 |
440 |
438 |
452 |
442 |
| Identify
the missing number within the series. |
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A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
| 4 |
33, ?, 19, 12, 5 |
31 |
26 |
29 |
27 |
24 |
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A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
| 5 |
11, 19, ?, 41, 55 |
31 |
29 |
26 |
39 |
34 |
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A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
| 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 |
| 5 |
6 |
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25 |
? |
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A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
| 41 |
36 |
35 |
18 |
37 |
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| 8 |
Identify the missing
number. |
| 4 |
14 |
|
11 |
34 |
| 35 |
26 |
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73 |
? |
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
| 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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| A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
| $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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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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| A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
| 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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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
Everything you need to pass
psychometric tests
Answers to Numerical Reasoning
Questions
| 1) B |
2) D |
3) D |
| 4) B |
5) B |
6) C |
| 7) B |
8) D |
9) B |
| 10) E |
11) E |
12) C |
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