Reviewed 13 August 2026
A numerical reasoning test asks you to use figures presented in a workplace context and decide what follows from them. The arithmetic is usually familiar. The difficulty comes from finding the right data, choosing an efficient calculation and judging whether the answer is reasonable before time runs out.
The skill
What is a numerical reasoning test?
A numerical reasoning test asks you to use figures presented in a workplace context and decide what follows from them. The arithmetic is usually familiar. The difficulty comes from finding the right data, choosing an efficient calculation and judging whether the answer is reasonable before time runs out.
Employers use these tests to assess data literacy, quantitative judgement and the ability to make accurate decisions from incomplete or densely presented information.
Question formats
What do the questions look like?
You may work from a table, chart, dashboard or short passage. Questions commonly require percentages, ratios, rates, averages, currency conversion or a comparison across several data points. Calculator rules and timing differ by provider.
- Percentages, percentage change and reverse percentages
- Ratios, proportions and unit conversion
- Tables, charts and multi-tab data sets
- Rates, averages, currency and financial arithmetic
- Sufficiency and comparison questions
A table shows quarterly sales, costs and exchange rates for four regions. You might need to calculate which region produced the largest percentage increase in profit after converting every value to the same currency.
Launch coverage
Which providers use numerical reasoning tests?
The underlying maths overlaps, but the interface does not. SHL-style tests often use conventional data sets, Aon-style tests can place information across tabs, and Korn Ferry / Talent Q-style questions may use large answer sets with tight per-question timing.
Provider names identify the assessment format. Cognivy is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by these providers.
A clear route
How should you prepare?
- 1
Refresh the small set of high-frequency operations before adding time pressure.
- 2
Practise translating the question into one calculation before touching the numbers.
- 3
Learn the exact provider interface, calculator policy and timing rule named in your invitation.
- 4
Review wrong answers by cause: data selection, method, arithmetic or pace.
- 5
Finish with timed provider-style sets and full battery rehearsals.
Cognivy uses your assessment date to choose the route. It does not ask you to predict a permanent study schedule. When you sit down to practise, choose the session length that fits that day.
What slows progress
Common mistakes
- Calculating before checking units, dates or chart labels
- Using percentage-point change when percentage change is required
- Reading every value in a dense table instead of locating only the needed data
- Spending too long rescuing one difficult question