The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Numerical Reasoning Tests

If you are looking to go into the banking, accountancy or consultancy industry, you might have heard of Numerical Reasoning Tests quite frequently. For those who are less familiar, they are a type of Aptitude Tests, aiming to assess candidates on their ability to work quickly and accurately with numbers when applying for jobs. Whether you have briefly heard of these tests, or are completely new to the concept, here is a complete beginner’s guide to Numerical Reasoning Tests to help you make a head start.

Numerical Reasoning Tests and Their VWhere They Are Used And Whyariations

There are a number of Aptitude Tests designed for job applicants to demonstrate their mathematical knowledge and numeracy skills. These include:

• Basic Numeracy Tests- these scope into your arithmetic skills via basic GCSE-level mathematical principles, like percentages, ratios, number sequences or as simple as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Financial Reasoning Tests- the questions in these tests revolve around the industry or role-related scenarios where solutions to numerical problems are to be found, through data interpretations, financial analysis or currency conversions.
• Numerical Reasoning Tests – they can be viewed as a hybrid of the other two, where the questions range from simple number series, averages or mode and mean, to the more complex graph interpretations and data analysis with big numbers.

Where They Are Used And Why

Basic Numeracy Tests and the easier versions of Numerical Reasoning Tests are normally seen in the application process for generalist roles like sales and marketing, HR or administration; as these only require candidates to have good natural logical reasoning ability and a foundational grasp of maths.

On the other hand, Numerical Reasoning Tests with increased difficulty and Financial Reasoning Tests are specifically used to measure analytical thinking, more advanced proficiency with numbers and data as well as the ability to stay objective and accurate under pressure; thus, they appear more often as online assessments for finance and accounting roles or business consultancy jobs.

Just as many other Aptitude Tests, Numerical Reasoning Tests are favored by employers for their unbiased nature (numbers don’t lie) and how efficient they are in helping to choose the best talents with the key skills needed in these industries or job functions.

Key Tips And Tricks

Just like other top Aptitude Tests, practice makes perfect. It is not only about processing the right level of mathematical and analytical thinking skills needed for the job, but it is also about getting used to the style, the format and the pace of the questions; as familiarity, test-taking skills and confidence are what make you a top performer. Staying competitive and ambitious is crucial, as there is no standard score passing Numerical Reasoning Tests, but they filter out those with the highest scores to the next round.

Key topics to revise consist of ratios, percentages, fractions, estimations and all of these concepts within a data analysis or graph interpretation scenario. Furthermore, spending no more than one minute per question would help you complete more of the test and potentially perform better in general; as dwelling on a question you are unsure about will only add stress and reduce the amount of time you have left.

Ready to start practicing? Here are some useful resources for beginners and sample Numerical Reasoning Tests questions and answers for your research.

Author Bio:

Nikki Pham studying for an MA in Creative Enterprise in Cardiff. In my spare time, I love writing, particularly in the space of business and enterprise.