PREPARATION | psychometricprep

Preparing for Your Numerical Reasoning Test

Article Source: https://www.assessmentday.co.uk/aptitudetests_numerical.htm

The most important way to prepare for your test is to take practice questions because this will reduce the element of surprise and will allow you to perform to your true ability. But don't stop there; adopt these test-taking techniques to really make sure you shine on the day.

Practice - practice does make perfect!

Find out more about the test - ask the employer which test you are taking and if they have any practice material.

Get an early night - when the clock is ticking you need to be 100% alert to pick up all the marks you can.

Arrive in plenty of time - this applies to tests you take at an assessment centre. You won't perform your best if you're flustered and out of breath.

Effective test-taking strategies

So, you've prepared for your numerical reasoning test, how should you approach the questions when you are taking your test for real? As well as practice, there are some strategies to think about which might help.

Listen to instructions carefully - before your test begins the test administrator will read out the instructions. It is very important you pay attention to these and that you understand them. This is your opportunity to ask questions. You will not be allowed to ask questions once the test has started.
Get the most from practice questions - before the test starts you usually have a few example questions. These are not timed but there to get familiar with the test layout. Take your time to understand these questions and feel free to ask questions at this stage.
Ignore other people - don't let yourself become distracted by how quickly or slowly other people are answering the questions. It is important to focus on what you are doing.
Beware the multiple choice options - most multiple aptitude tests have what are called distractors. These are options which are deliberately similar to the correct answer or the answer to a silly mistake. Beware of these; they are designed to test if you are reading the question properly.

Your rights as a test-taker

It is in the interests of the employer to treat all applicants fairly; after all they don't want to overlook potential talent. Every employer must receive your informed consent to be tested, which in practice means providing you with information on:

The nature of the test and what it is designed to measure.
The relevance of the test to the job you are applying for.
How the results of the test will be used in their selection decision.
Who will have access to the results and how long will results be stored.
Whether you will be provided with feedback after your test.

Should your test time be adjusted? For example candidates with disabilities are sometimes entitled to extra time to complete their test (this can include dyslexia). Some test publishers prefer to give all candidates the same time limit but then make a judgement on whether raw scores should be adjusted. Employers aim to be fair to all candidates and want to avoid being accused of positive or negative discrimination. If you do have a disability, get in touch with the test administrator and they will make sure you are treated fairly.

If you are not happy with anything you are being asked to do, make sure you say something before you sit your test; otherwise they might just think you want to make excuses for a perceived bad performance.

Numerical Test Takers' FAQs

Q: Are calculators allowed?

Yes, for the typical graduate or middle-management numerical selection tests. But there's no harm in asking the employer this question before your test to ensure that during your practice, you can either use one or practice your mental arithmetic. If you are taking your numerical reasoning test at an assessment centre everyone will be lent an identical calculator to use to standardise the testing experience. Most test administrators do not allow the use of your own calculator, however it is a good idea to take you own just in case they do allow it. By using your own calculator you will be familiar with the button layout and functions so you will save a few vital seconds during your test. If your test is online, obviously you get to use your own calculator.

Q: Will I get marked down for incorrect answers?

This is a frequently-asked question by candidates is "will negative marking be used?" Most candidates want to know if it is sensible to guess the last few questions if time runs out. The answer is that negative marking is unlikely to be used, but accuracy will be assessed so don't just frantically click answers in hope. Some online tests have software which tries to detect guessing and will flag this up to the assessor. Even if they don't know that you're guessing, you are risking a low accuracy score, which might reflect badly on your attitude to work. Few assessors will reveal whether negative marking will be used, they will just say "try to answer correctly as many as you can". The test results will tell the assessor what percentage of attempted questions you got right. Some companies will be looking to select candidates with accurate and consistent results, while others will be more interested in quantity of correct results and speed. Have a think about what sort of person they are looking to recruit.

Q: Should I get my friends to help with my online test - surely they'll never know?