Although students and even some teachers think that numerical reasoning tests are really just simple tests that ask them to match numbers to specific answers, that isn’t the case at all. In fact, these tests require a lot more than mere memorization of numbers. In order to do well on many types of numerical reasoning tests, you must demonstrate a certain level of skill in using numbers to solve problems. That skill can only be developed over time through a steady diet of real-life numerical computation.
How do I know how to make quick estimates? One of the most common numerical reasoning questions is the following: “Please make a list of five things which we believe is correct based upon the information we have about each item in the list”. Obviously this will involve making a number of assumptions, and you should always ask yourself how you came up with those assumptions. For example, it might be assumed that the customers’ names are salutations and their addresses are phone numbers. Another assumption could be that the customers are male and the addresses are female.
Before attempting any types of advanced math courses, you should make sure that you can adequately do sums in a fair amount of time. There’s no reason to take an arithmetic test if you’re not prepared to do a real test. Calculating sums in your head may feel like it’s a good way to learn the subject, but it won’t help you in a real world setting.
It might feel like a good idea to take pre-interview assessments in order to improve your chances of landing the job you’re after. However, these assessments don’t give you the best opportunity to gauge your aptitude. Answering questions based on factual data will give you a good chance of figuring out what the interviewer is thinking, without having to resort to highly-vague descriptions of mathematics concepts. Assessments are designed to highlight weaknesses in your style of thinking, so it would be a shame to spend your time answering questions that will have no bearing on whether or not you’ll be hired for the position in question.
What if I can’t wait until the hiring manager has his or her complete staff down at the actual job interview? Don’t give up hope just yet. You can still get a quick and accurate assessment of your skills using a calculator. There are multiple-choice tests that can be taken online or at an actual business where you can plug in numbers and see whether you come out ahead or worse, behind. If you take the time to prepare for numerical tests, they often aren’t a big deal at all in the end.
If you can’t afford to pay someone to take a professional psychometric exam, then you can certainly learn to do it yourself. There are plenty of online class professionals who can teach you how to take a test quickly and easily. Most of them give you a test book that you print out from their website and then take the test right from your own home. This method gives you access to a multiple choice section as well as writing time, which ensure that you’ll get the best possible score on your paper.
Numerical reasoning and other types of tests can be tricky, so don’t be intimidated if you find yourself having to take higher percentages and higher decimals than normal. The main thing is to approach it with an open mind and a positive attitude. Once you understand why the tests are being given to you and what type of questions they’re intended to look for, you should have no trouble answering them quickly and accurately, no matter what sort of tests you’re taking.
