This document provides information and examples to help prepare for numeracy and quantitative reasoning tests. It discusses key aspects of numeracy tests like their focus on basic arithmetic. Example questions are presented in various topic areas like newspaper readership and computer imports. Strategies are suggested for approaching questions like identifying relevant information and verifying solutions. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of replicating actual test conditions when practicing.

1. Numeracy Skills
Part 2. Practice Tests
Anthony J. Evans
Associate Professor of Economics, ESCP Europe
www.anthonyjevans.com
London, February 2015
(cc) Anthony J. Evans 2015 | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

2. Introduction to numeracy tests
• Numeracy tests are designed to ascertain your level of
numerical literacy
• 50% should be the average score
• Basic arithmetic
– Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division
• Use a calculator (not your phone!)
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3. Suggested process for numeracy tests
Identify relevant
information
Apply
appropriate
technique
Verify solution
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
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4. America’s largest private companies
• What proportion of America’s 10 largest private companies
have revenues of $20bn or more?
4Source: Forbes, “The Largest Private Companies” 2006
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/21/biz_06privates_The-Largest-Private-Companies_Rank.html

5. America’s largest private companies
• What proportion of America’s 10 largest private companies
have revenues of $20bn or more?
5Source: Forbes, “The Largest Private Companies” 2006
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/21/biz_06privates_The-Largest-Private-Companies_Rank.html
60%= = 0.60
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6. SHL test trials
• We will look at the example questions from SHL
• SHL is a leader in test preparation, and are used by various
recruiters
• You can practice online under test conditions at your
leisure
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7. Newspaper readership
1. Which newspaper was read by a
higher percentage of females than
males in Year 3?
a. The Tribune
b. The Herald
c. Daily News
d. Daily Echo
e. The Daily Chronicle
2. What was the combined
readership of the Daily Chronicle,
the Daily Echo and The Tribune in
Year 1?
a. 10.6
b. 8.4
c. 9.5
d. 12.2
e. 7.8
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8. NEWSPAPER READERSHIP: A1
1. Which newspaper was read by a
higher percentage of females
than males in Year 3?
a. The Tribune
b. The Herald
c. Daily News
d. Daily Echo
e. The Daily Chronicle
2. What was the combined
readership of the Daily Chronicle,
the Daily Echo and The Tribune in
Year 1?
a. 10.6
b. 8.4
c. 9.5
d. 12.2
e. 7.8
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9. NEWSPAPER READERSHIP: A2
1. Which newspaper was read by a
higher percentage of females than
males in Year 3?
a. The Tribune
b. The Herald
c. Daily News
d. Daily Echo
e. The Daily Chronicle
2. What was the combined
readership of the Daily
Chronicle, the Daily Echo and
The Tribune in Year 1?
a. 10.6
b. 8.4
c. 9.5
d. 12.2
e. 7.8
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10. AMOUNT SPENT ON COMPUTER IMPORTS: Q3,4
3. In Year 3, how much more than Italy did
Germany spend on computer imports?
a. 650 million
b. 700 million
c. 750 million
d. 800 million
e. 850 million
4. If the amount spent on computer imports
into the UK in Year 5 was 20% lower than
in Year 4, what was spent in Year 5?
a. 1,080 million
b. 1,120 million
c. 1,160 million
d. 1,220 million
e. 1,300 million
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11. AMOUNT SPENT ON COMPUTER IMPORTS: A3
3. In Year 3, how much more than Italy
did Germany spend on computer
imports?
a. 650 million
b. 700 million
c. 750 million
d. 800 million
e. 850 million
4. If the amount spent on computer imports
into the UK in Year 5 was 20% lower than
in Year 4, what was spent in Year 5?
a. 1,080 million
b. 1,120 million
c. 1,160 million
d. 1,220 million
e. 1,300 million
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12. AMOUNT SPENT ON COMPUTER IMPORTS: A4
3. In Year 3, how much more than Italy did
Germany spend on computer imports?
a. 650 million
b. 700 million
c. 750 million
d. 800 million
e. 850 million
4. If the amount spent on computer
imports into the UK in Year 5 was 20%
lower than in Year 4, what was spent
in Year 5?
a. 1,080 million
b. 1,120 million
c. 1,160 million
d. 1,220 million
e. 1,300 million
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13. And finally…
• Replicate test conditions
• Time yourself
• Don’t have answers to hand
• Be hydrated
• Trust, but verify
I’ve got a job!
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14. • This presentation forms part of a free, online course
on analytics
• http://econ.anthonyjevans.com/courses/analytics/
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