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Numerical reasoning tests: speed with accuracy
How to read the tables, avoid the classic traps (units, percentage points, currency direction) and use the answer options to save time.
Die Leitfäden sind auf Englisch, der Sprache der Interviews.
The method
- 1
Read the question first
Then find only the numbers it needs. Tables often contain distractors.
- 2
Check units and scale
Thousands or millions? Percent or percentage points? Per year or per quarter?
- 3
Write the calculation
One line on paper, before you touch the calculator.
- 4
Estimate, then look at the options
If the options are far apart, a rough estimate is enough to pick one.
- 5
Keep moving
About 75 seconds a question in a 12-in-15-minutes test. Flag and come back.
The calculations that come up again and again
Percentage change = (new − old) ÷ old
Share = part ÷ total
Rechenbeispiel · Growth and share
Per Code geprüftRevenue rose from $240m to $276m. The whole market was $1,840m. What was the growth rate, and the company's market share?
Lösungsweg anzeigen
- 1.Growth = (276 − 240) ÷ 240 = 36 ÷ 240 = 15%.
- 2.Share = 276 ÷ 1,840 = 15%.
Antwort15% growth and a 15% share.
Rechenbeispiel · Percent versus percentage points
Per Code geprüftA margin goes from 12% to 15%. By how much did it rise?
Lösungsweg anzeigen
- 1.In percentage points: 15 − 12 = 3 points.
- 2.In percent: 3 ÷ 12 = 25%.
Antwort3 percentage points, which is a 25% increase.
Rechenbeispiel · Currency direction
Per Code geprüft€50m is converted at 1.08 US dollars per euro. How many dollars?
Lösungsweg anzeigen
- 1.Dollars per euro × euros = dollars: 1.08 × 50 = 54.
Antwort$54m.
Common mistakes
Häufige Fehler
- Dividing by the new value instead of the old one for a percentage change.
- Mixing percent and percentage points.
- Converting currency the wrong way round. Check whether the rate is "dollars per euro" or "euros per dollar".
- Reading the wrong year's column.
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