Fractions, equations, numerical data, and graphs – you’ll encounter all these problems and more when you take a numerical reasoning test. Designed to challenge even the most mathematically savvy of individuals, these tests aren’t easy. But with a little preparation and practice, success really is possible. That’s why we’ve put together our top seven tips on how to get through the test and come out the other side smiling!
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Do your homework
Start at the very beginning and interrogate why you’re taking a numerical reasoning test, why the company you’re applying for might value these skills, and what strengths you want to showcase on the big day. It’s also worth looking at some numerical reasoning test question and answers to get an idea of what will be asked of you.
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Prepare like a pro
We always recommend preparing to take mock tests in a quiet, comfortable room; one that mimics the test environment as closely as possible. Make sure there aren’t any distractions and that you have a timer, pen and paper with you. Letting people know you’ll be working and shouldn’t be disturbed is also a good idea.
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Practice, practice, practice
Once you’ve set up your work-space, it’s time to get on with the most important preparation tool of all – practice numerical reasoning tests. There really is no substitute for mock tests and the more you take, the more you’ll get used to the question format, discover the areas you need to improve on, and learn how to quickly and calmly move from question to question.
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Don’t ignore the evidence
After each test it’s important to review the work you’ve just done. Comb through every question and answer and work out where your weak spots are. The more you learn about how you respond to the questions in front of you, the easier it will be to get through the more challenging areas of the SHL test. At Practice Aptitude Tests, there are lots of helpful video tutorials and tips and tricks to help you.
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Pretend it’s exam day – every day
After you’ve taken a few practice tests and got to grip with the format, we think the best way you can prepare yourself for the test it to practice as if you’re in the exam. Don’t allow yourself any extra time or resources; if you become too reliant on these, you’re likely to struggle in the exam.
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Timing is everything
When you first start taking the mock tests, you may not want to time yourself as it’s more important to get to grips with what’s in front of you. But as you get more comfortable with the practice tests, we recommend undertaking them in timed conditions as you will do for the real thing. Solving problems under pressure is one of the aspects you’re being tested on. We advised taking a few times at the starting of the test to work out how long you can spend on each question. Then, if you go over your allotted time, you know to pass on and come back to it at the last if you can.
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Be confident, not complacent
The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel on the big day. A healthy dose of confidence is important, it’ll make you see things in a more positive light and fuel you to keep going when the test gets challenging. And as long as you haven’t been complacent about the preparation needed for the test, there’s no reason you shouldn’t ace it on the day.
Follow these seven rules and you’ll give yourself the best possible chance of success when it counts. Good luck!
