Numerical Reasoning Practice Tests, Examples, Sample Questions & 2024 Prep Guide
Jan 16, 2024Mastering numerical reasoning is key in today's competitive job market.
Here, you can dive into our comprehensive guide for 2024.
We’ll be featuring practice tests, real-world examples, and sample questions.
This will help equip you with the essential skills to excel in numerical reasoning assessments.
Whether you're a job seeker or a student, this prep guide is your ticket to confidence and success in numerical reasoning challenges.
If you're looking for employment in the finance or related sector, you're likely to run into a requirement to take and pass a numerical reasoning test.
This test is often the difference between success and failure during the process.
This assessment is used by employers wanting to find the best candidates for the position they offer.
Here, we’ll offer a detailed guide to the numerical reasoning tests, including tips on how to pass them and sample questions to practice with.
What Is a Numerical Reasoning Test?
The job market is very competitive, and the number of candidates seeking employment seeking employment in all sectors is on the rise.
As a result, businesses are looking for the best and only the best candidates.
They also want to cut down the time they need to take to find these promising employees.
Fortunately, they can use numerous tools to achieve this, including the numerical reasoning test.
The numerical assessment test is used to evaluate the candidate's ability to interpret and handle numerical data.
Candidates will be required to analyze a math problem (which can be presented in many forms, including questions, images, tables and graphs) and draw conclusions from the data before them.
The tests have multiple-choice numerical reasoning questions, and to place further pressure on the candidates, the assessment is also timed.
Another crucial thing to note is that despite the similarities in the name, these tests applied as part of a job interview process will differ significantly from numerical tests often included in school tests.
The result of this is straightforward. These assessments are designed to be more applicable to the specific role the candidates are applying for.
What Is Included on a Numerical Reasoning Test?
Based on the employer's requirements, lots of different numerical reasoning tests can be used, and these can have different elements.
Some organizations use tests designed and deployed by their own hiring team. In contrast, others obtain the tests from professional testing companies.
However, in general, the applicants are presented with numerical information. They are asked to answer questions based on the data provided. This tests their ability to analyze and comprehend the information and put it into practice.
Usually, some calculations will be required to facilitate completing the numerical aptitude test within the required time limit.
Most numerical reasoning tests have a section with questions where a series of three incorrect answers and one correct answer are provided.
Examples of Questions of a Numerical Reasoning Test
To help you get started with numerical reasoning test practice and familiarize yourself with the question form, below are several numerical reasoning examples, including their answers and solutions.
1. Joy drove 55 miles in 45 minutes.
How much longer would she have had to drive if her speed had been 7 mph less?
a) 5 minutes
b) 7 minutes
c) 4 minutes
d) 6 minutes
The correct answer is: a) 5 minutes
Using the formula for defining the relationship between time, distance, and velocity (v = d + t), you can first find Joy's velocity.
For this, you'll need to convert the information about time (45 minutes) to the correct format, which is hours instead of minutes.
45 minutes = 45/60.
55 = v x 45/60 v = 55 × 60/45 = 73.3
Therefore, Joy’s velocity is 73 mph. If she is driving 7 mph slower, it would have equalled 73 – 7 = 66 mph.
55/66 × 60 = 49.9
It would have taken Joy 50 minutes to make the distance instead of 45 minutes. 50 – 45 = 5
2. You’re tasked to create offers for a deal on wine bottles sold in pairs, which will be sold at a 25% reduction on the second bottle. You know that one bottle will cost the company $2.5 and by selling 50 pairs, you have to make a $260 profit.
Determine the selling price per bottle.
a) $6.75
b) $5.65
c) $5.83
d) $6.63
The correct answer is: c) $5.83
To find the answer, use the formula S + (0.75 x S) = 1.75S
Here, S is the selling price per bottle, while 0.75 is the price reduction after the discount.
S + (0.7 x S) = 1.7S
If the cost of one bottle for the company is $2.5, then the profit from selling two bottles can be calculated with the following formula:
1.75S – (2 × 2.5) = 1.75S – 5
Furthermore, you know that you must make a $60 profit by selling 50 pairs. From this information, you can calculate the following:
(1.75S – 5) x 50 = 260
87.5S – 250 = 260
87.5S = 510
S = 5.83
This is the selling price per bottle.
3. Here are the sales from four different luxury wines. The first one costs $18 per bottle and is sold in 9,000 units, 16% of which is defective.
The second costs $16, sold in 8,000 units (20% defective), the third costs $21, sold 4,500 units (12% defective), and the fourth is sold at $11.5 per bottle in 6,800 units (22% defective).
Calculate the revenue generated from the third type?
a) $123,000
b) $83,160
c) $102,450
d) $121,800
The correct answer is: b) $83,160
You'll see that the problem can be solved with a conversion between percentage and absolute numbers.
You know that 12% of the bottles from the third wine type are defective, meaning 88% are used to generate revenue.
You can calculate that 88% of 4,500 equals 0.88 × 4,500 = 3,960.
Since the bottle of the third wine is sold at $21, the overall revenue generated from this wine was 3,960 × 21 = $83,160.
4. After a recent tax increase on electronic devices, the price of a computer has seen a 30% increase in price, jumping up to $806.
Calculate the device's price before the increase?
a) $620
b) $580
c) $680
d) $520
The correct answer is: a) $620
To resolve this question, you must observe the whole (100%) as the original price, making it x (the unknown data).
To tackle this and any other percentage problem, write down the given information in a two-column table. One has the percentages, the other the real values, leaving space for the unknown data.
Now, use the triangle method to calculate your X:
First, multiply the numbers along a diagonal you draw in the table, then divide this number by the remaining one in the table. In this case, you'll have 100% and 130% (the price with the 30% increase) in one column and x and 806 in the second column.
From this, you can calculate the following: x = 806 × 100/130 = 620
Another way to solve this problem is to consider the relation between a given percentage and its proportion.
You can calculate this by using the following formula: (value/total) x 100 = %, where the total equals the value of the 100%.
Isolating the part you are interested in, you can get:
Total = (806 × 100) / 130 = $620
5. This data refers to the readership of five different newspapers across three years.
| Year 1 Readership (millions) | Year 2 Readership (millions) | Year 3 Male Readership (%) | Year 3 Female Readership (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newspaper 1 | 4.6 | 2.8 | 7 | 6 |
| Newspaper 2 | 10.7 | 9.5 | 21 | 19 |
| Newspaper 3 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 4 | 5 |
| Newspaper 4 | 8.6 | 13.0 | 20 | 18 |
| Newspaper 5 | 5.8 | 4.8 | 12 | 3 |
5a. What was the combined readership of the first, third, and fifth papers in the second year?
a) 8.5
b) 10.5
c) 9.3
d) 9.7
e) 9.5
The correct answer is: e) 9.5
To find the answer, you must look at the data relating to the readership for the second year for each newspaper. Here, you can see that the first paper had 2.8 views, the third 1.9 and the fourth 4.8.
2.8 + 1.9 + 4.8 = 9.5
5b. Which newspaper had a higher percentage of female readers than male readers in the third year?
a) Newspaper 1
b) Newspaper 2
c) Newspaper 3
d) Newspaper 4
e) Newspaper 5
The correct answer is: c) Newspaper 3
This paper had 5% of female readers versus 4% of male readers, the only time its readership was higher among females.
Why Are Numerical Reasoning Tests Used?
Numerical reasoning tests are used by companies who want to hire those who can showcase their relevant math skills and use them in work situations, even when working under pressure.
Therefore, these tests help organizations identify the candidates with the best-applied math skills. This is determined by how well candidates perform on this highly demanding test.
The better their performance, the more likely they'll excel in their workplace.
What Are the Best Ways to Prepare for a Numerical Reasoning Test?
There are lots of great ways that candidates can prepare for numerical reasoning tests. This preparation can include the following elements.
Researching the Test Type
Companies use many different types of numerical reasoning tests.
Find out what numerical reasoning tests are being used before you start practicing. This way, you'll know exactly what to expect the test to look like and how to prepare for it.
Practicing with Online Samples
You can get numerical test practice papers from numerous websites that offer help with preparation for evaluation tests used for adults and children.
Numerical reasoning test practice papers can be an excellent investment (the most comprehensive ones are paid) because you can use them in the revision.
Revising Basic Math Principles
As numerical reasoning tests evaluate candidates' aptitude by making them solve different mathematical problems, revising basic math principles is crucial for success on the assessment.
Practicing with online numeracy tests will help you with this, as you'll likely encounter examples where you'll need to apply the same math principles you'll use on the real-time test.
Improving Your Well-Being
It's a universally known fact that boosting well-being improves performance.
To ensure your cognitive abilities are at their peak on the test day, have plenty of water to hydrate, eat a nutritious meal about two hours before testing and have a good night's rest.
Ensuring Your Equipment is Working
It’s a heart-breaking situation when you are well prepared but are not able to complete the test because a piece of your equipment fails in the middle of testing.
To avoid this, ensure every piece of your technology is in perfect working order several hours before testing.
Preparing Your Supplies
Besides technological preparedness, you must also ensure that all supplies for the test are present, including spare pens/pencils.
You don't want to waste time looking for these as this could cost you precious points and eventually the ability to land your dream job.
Reading Questions Carefully
Make sure to read all questions carefully and answer the questions correctly.
Don't rush, as this could lead to misunderstanding and incorrect answers.
Read all questions over several times before you start answering them.
Be Mindful of Red-Herring Answers
Another useful tip is to check that you don't give red-herring answers.
Stick to answering the questions as precisely as possible and avoid including irrelevant information. These are just a waste of time, and you won't gain any points for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a numerical reasoning test?
A numerical reasoning test evaluates your ability to interpret and analyze numerical information through various mathematical concepts and applications.
How do I prepare for a numerical reasoning test?
With numerical reasoning test practice!
As well as test practice, you should review basic mathematical concepts such as percentages and ratios and familiarize yourself with the test format using practice materials.
You can easily find a free numerical reasoning test and some paid tests.
How hard are numerical reasoning tests?
The difficulty of numerical reasoning tests varies, but they generally require a solid understanding of fundamental mathematical concepts.
Practice and familiarity with the test format can help you feel more confident.
What math is used in the numerical reasoning test?
Numerical reasoning tests may involve various mathematical topics, including arithmetic, percentages, ratios, algebra, geometry and basic statistical analysis.
What score do you need to pass a numerical reasoning test?
There is no fixed passing score for numerical reasoning tests, as it depends on the employer's criteria and the specific test.
Check the guidelines provided by the test administrator for information on scoring.
Can I use a calculator on a numerical reasoning test?
Some numerical reasoning tests may allow the use of calculators. Still, it's important to check the specific instructions for each test, as policies can vary.
How can I improve my numerical ability?
To improve your numerical ability, practice regularly with numerical problems, work on mental math skills and use online resources and practice tests to reinforce your understanding of mathematical concepts.
Final Thoughts
In many sectors, numerical reasoning tests are a vital part of the candidate’s experience in the hiring process.
By practicing them and getting ready, you can secure their dream job. However, they aren't the easiest evaluation to pass.
Timely and adequate preparation (including the preparation of the technical equipment) and taking a meticulous approach are key to maximizing your performance on a numerical reasoning test.
