Prof Num Prepguide Sep05

Professional
Numerical Analysis Preparation Guide

This preparation guide helps you prepare for numerical aptitude assessments. It provides guidance on
how best to approach the assessment, allowing you to give your best possible performance.
Why are Aptitude Assessments used?

Employers often use aptitude assessments as part of their assessment procedures for the selection and
development of staff. Research has shown that they are powerful predictors of performance at work.
Assessments help you to:

• demonstrate your strengths
• be assessed fairly on job relevant criteria
• find out more about your strengths and development needs
• make future career decisions based on your abilities
Assessments help employers to:

• select people best suited to the demands of the job
• identify areas where individuals might benefit from further development
• obtain objective information about people’s abilities
Instructions
On the following pages are some practice questions which are similar to those you will be asked in the
assessment. Completing these will help you understand the types of questions used and gain experience
in taking ability tests.
You will be presented with a series of tables and graphs, each followed by several questions. Your task
is to choose the best answer to each question from the options given. To answer each question, clearly
fill in with a pencil the answer option you have chosen in the answer section at the bottom of each page.
Have a calculator and some paper to hand in case you want to use them.
When you complete the actual assessment, you will not be able to use erasers to change your answer.
Please see the instructions below on how to indicate your answers:
Instructions for completing the answer sheet:

Press hard and completely fill in the inner circle.
To change an answer put a cross through the circle you wish to change
and then fill in the correct circle.
If you want to change back to your original answer cross out the incorrect
answer and completely fill the outer circle of the previous answer.
The actual test is strictly timed, so time yourself and try to complete all 8 questions within 6 minutes to
practice working against the clock.
Set a timer for 6 minutes (or note down your start time), turn to page 2 and begin.
Practice Questions 1 - 4 2
ANNUAL SALES REPORT

Volume of Sales Average Number of Percentage of
(Millions of Units Purchased Purchases by
CHANNEL Units) per Sale Repeat Customers
Retail Outlets 4,380 365 60%
On-line 2,232 155 23%
Mail Order 1,512 2,100 72%
Telephone 972 270 35%
1 What was the total volume of sales (in millions) for On-line, Mail Order and
Telephone channels combined?
A B C D
2,525 4,716 7,241 9,096
2 If On-line sales volume increases by 14% next year, what will be the approximate
volume (in million units)?
A B C D
312 2,232 2,246 2,544
3 The on-line sales channel had the highest proportion of new (first time) customers
during the year.
A B C
True False Not possible to say
4 How many Mail Order purchases were made during the year?
A B C D
7,200 72,000 720,000 7,200,000
Answer Section Page 2

A B C D A B C D A B C A B C D
1 2 3 4
Practice Questions 5 - 8 3
Steel Production and Consumption
18
Tonnage (in millions)

17
16
Domestic Demand
15
14
13 Domestic Production
12
11
10
9
8
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Steel Imports
6
Tonnage (in millions)
0
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
5 Approximately what tonnage of steel (in millions) was used by the automotive
industry in Year 4 if it represented 15% of domestic demand for that year?
A B C D
0.60 0.75 1.65 2.25
6 What was the ratio of domestic production to imports in Year 4?

A B C D
2:1 3:1 1:1 1:3
7 Approximately what percentage of domestic demand was met by imported steel

in Year 2?
A B C D
11% 15% 19% 23%
8 By what percentage did total imports increase from Year 1 to Year 5?

A B C D
100% 150% 200% 300%
Answer Section Page 3

A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D
5 6 7 8
Your Assessment 4
Try to answer any questions you did not reach in the time limit before checking your answers.
Checking your Answers

Check your answers against the correct answers at the bottom of this page. Look at any questions you
got wrong and try to understand how to arrive at the correct answer. Keep in mind that most ability
assessments are designed so that the questions gradually increase in difficulty and that people typically do
not complete all of the questions within the time limit. If you took much longer than 6 minutes to answer
the questions, try to speed up your work rate. If you finished all of the questions within the time limit but
made many mistakes, try focusing more on the accuracy of your responses.
Improving your Numerical Abilities

Working with numerical materials is the best way to improve your numerical abilities. As well as gaining
experience in the assessments themselves, there are several other things you can do to improve your
numerical abilities:
• Remind yourself of arithmetic principles. A school text may be helpful in reminding you of techniques.
• Gain practice completing calculations with and without a calculator.
• Look at tables, graphs and charts and interpret their meaning in words.
• Try ‘eyeballing’ data by looking for patterns and predicting future trends.
• Critically examine pieces of numerical information.
• Read financial reports in newspapers and journals.
Before the Session

• Follow the suggestions included in this preparation guide.
• Get a good night’s sleep before the assessment.
• Give yourself plenty of time to get to the assessment venue so that you don’t have to rush.
• If you wear glasses, contact lenses or a hearing aid, make sure you take them with you.
• If you have any special requirements, e.g. larger print versions of the test, specific lighting or seating needs,
it is important that you make these known immediately to allow appropriate accommodations to be made.
During the Assessment Session

• Try to stay calm. Using the practice tips above should help you feel more at ease.
• Listen carefully to the instructions, and ask questions if you are not sure of anything before
the assessment starts.
• Read each question carefully.
• Work as fast as you can. Do not take too much time over any one question.
• If you find a question too difficult or are unsure of an answer indicate your best choice and move
on quickly.
• After an assessment always seek feedback. It is much easier to improve your abilities if you know
how well you have done.
Good luck in your assessment session. We wish you every success in your career.
Answer Section Page 2 Correct Answers

A B C D A B C D A B C A B C D
1 2 3 4
Answer Section Page 3 Correct Answers

A B C D A B C D A B C D A B C D
5 6 7 8
PROF-AP-PG-NAS1-INTE
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Professional

Numerical Analysis Preparation Guide

Why are Aptitude Assessments used?

Assessments help you to:

Assessments help employers to:

Instructions for completing the answer sheet:

ANNUAL SALES REPORT

Retail Outlets 4,380 365 60%

On-line 2,232 155 23%

Mail Order 1,512 2,100 72%

Telephone 972 270 35%

Answer Section Page 2

Steel Production and Consumption

Tonnage (in millions)

6 What was the ratio of domestic production to imports in Year 4?

7 Approximately what percentage of domestic demand was met by imported steel

8 By what percentage did total imports increase from Year 1 to Year 5?

Answer Section Page 3

Checking your Answers

Improving your Numerical Abilities

Before the Session

During the Assessment Session

Answer Section Page 2 Correct Answers

Answer Section Page 3 Correct Answers

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