Here’s what a numerical reasoning test isn’t. It’s not you sitting down, having to do complicated maths with formulas and things those that hate maths never bothered to remember, trying to get the perfect score. It’s not a high school maths class which is both far away and closely remembered by recent graduates.
Instead, numerical reasoning tests are completely different. Instead of focusing on your ability to memorise and understand complicated maths, they test you on your ability to interpret numerical information.
In this article, we’ll clear up concerns surrounding numerical reasoning tests, what they are and what you can do to prepare for them. In five simple steps you can leave behind being sixteen in maths class and start your numerical reasoning test with a new found confidence.
What is a psychometric test?
Psychometric tests are designed to use a scientifically reasoned method to test candidates on cognitive ability, problem solving, personality traits, and general knowledge at an early stage of the hiring process.
By using these tests to see if candidates are a good fit for the available position and company they help the hiring manager narrow down applicants.
Psychometric tests may not be something a recent graduate has had to do before, you may even have misconceptions about what they’ll be like, but there are five easy steps you can do to prepare for your numerical reasoning test.
Step 1: Understanding the ‘formula’ of numerical reasoning tests
While all numerical reasoning tests are slightly different they share similar traits you can prepare for. You’ll generally be able to expect the questions to be multiple choice, timed, with a calculator permitted, and to require simple maths. For a numerical reasoning test you’ll want to be familiar with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages and ratios. For some numerical reasoning tests you may need to do more complicated equations but they will be built off this simple foundation.
Step 2: Deliberate practice
Understanding the formula of numerical reasoning tests will then direct how you practice. For example, if you’re confident with multiplication but don’t know ratios then naturally you’d spend more time learning ratios. When practicing there’s no need to practice everything at maximum effort, instead your revision will be effective if it’s targeted.
Because this type of psychometric test is assessing your problem solving and test-taking technique rather than your revision and memory, practice tests are very important. They can be found widely online and allow you to practice as if it were the real thing. The aim of this is to become more familiar with the kinds of questions you’ll be asked and how you delegate your time between questions. Everyone has had the experience of running out of time at the end of a test after all.
Step 3: Calculators are familiar but there’s more to consider
A welcome relief may be that numerical reasoning tests allow a calculator, after all you aren’t being tested on your ability to do long-hand maths and show your working out. Usually a calculator will be provided prior to the test but just in case it’s good practice to bring your own. This also allows you to become familiar with your calculators functions. While the familiar calculator with a mini solar panel is simple some can become quite complex, mini-computers really. Given that any psychometric test can be a stressful experience, being familiar with such an important tool can help alleviate that worry.
Step 4: What are some simple things you can do to avoid human error?
With the pressure of a timer it can be easy for human error to cause mistakes you wouldn’t normally see when practising. There are a few simple things you can do to tackle this problem however.
While it may sound obvious, something as simple as remaining calm during your test can stop you overlooking small mistakes or misreading the question. A good trick for this is every now and again, pull your attention for a moment to your breathing and posture. Take a deep breath, sit up straight, wait a beat and then continue. Consider it like a reset to clear your mind.
Once you work out the answer to a question you won’t have time to do the working out again to double check it but you can double check it based on an educated gut feeling. Reread the question, look at the answer and roughly work it out in your head. In a short amount of time you’ll be able to see if it looks right or if you made a mistake in your working out.
Speaking of rereading the question, that’s another quick way to see if you’ve made a mistake due to the pressure. It’s very easily done, but also easily fixed, after all you’ve already gone to the effort of doing the working out.
Step 5: Stay calm, be rested, and don’t worry
Like all psychometric tests, or any test you may have done in the past, it can be tempting to stay up late practising the night before. However, without proper sleep you not only will be tired the next day but the information won’t have time to settle into your memory as you sleep. Instead the best thing you can do is be rested and confident that you’ve done the work to make the test a success!