Aptitude test tips

Here’s our top aptitude test tips. We hope you find these useful.

RECOMMENDED practice aptitude test papers for top practice 

TOP non-verbal reasoning practice papers for independent school entry 2022;

RECOMMENDED Maths practice papers private school entry 2022;

11 plus grammar school TOP past papers; and

BEST verbal reasoning practice papers private school entry 2022.

Aptitude test design specialists

We are aptitude test design specialists for both adult and child aptitude tests. For more insights into meaningful assessments contact Rob Williams Assessment for a comprehensive appraisal.

Our top aptitude test tips

With all psychometric tests it is important to read and fully understand the test instructions before starting the test. With such complex test formats as these it’s worth repeating this advice again. There are many different types of question format when it comes to critical thinking tests and you must know in advance exactly what each type of question is asking for.

• Do not let your own general knowledge lead you stray. It’s vital that you do not let any of your personal opinions or your general knowledge influence your answers even slightly. This recommendation applies even if it seems that the correct answer is in direct contradiction to what you know to be true.
• You need to be very careful when interpreting the meaning of complex words. Particularly when you are being asked to make a judgement on the basis of a shade of meaning.
• Look out for any words that imply something definitive, such as “always”, “never”, “all”. Do not confuse these with similar words or phrases that do not imply the same strength, for exmaple “almost always, most of the time, invariably” and “often”.
• These are a precursor to the wide range of formats covered in the subsequent LNAT practice testing section. You would be advised to complete all these practice sections!

Our Practice Aptitude Tips Dos and Don’ts

Practice Aptitude Tips Dos

√          Practice right up to the day before you are going to be taking your test. Just as top tennis players practice their serve and strokes before each and every match, you need to keep practicing for as long as you can.

√          Study the format of the questions that you will be taking and focus your initial practice sessions on these questions.

√          Continue practicing with questions of a similar format and difficulty level. If you are comfortable doing more difficult questions, challenge yourself by working forwards in this book; attempt the preceding questions if you need practice with easier questions.

√          Use all other opportunities for practice that come your way. Look up new words in the dictionary. Read the more difficult parts of the newspaper that you normally ignore or immediately throw away.

√          Focus on understanding why you keep getting particular questions wrong and on avoiding any common mistakes.

Practice Aptitude Tests Dont’s

FREE psychometric test practice

Most of our psychometric test practice resources are free! Aptitude tests are designed to measure intellectual ability, focusing on analytic and problem solving skills rather than specific knowledge.

Free Literacy Skills Test Practice

Firstly, LITERACY Practice Questions –

Secondly, LITERACY Practice Test Type 2 Questions.

Thirdly, LITERACY Practice Test Type 3 Questions.

Fourthly, LITERACY Practice Test Type 4 Questions.

Our numeracy test practice

This is our Numerical Reasoning Practice Test for your free practice. And here are the respective numerical reasoning online practice test answers.

Also, our Mental Arithmetic Practice Test for your practice. And here are the respective Mental Arithmetic practice test answers.

• Firstly,  our number series practice test download and our number series practice test answers
• Secondly, our numerical Estimation practice test download and our numerical estimation practice test answers.
•  

Here’s our SJT practice Youtube video:

Critical Reasoning Aptitude Test tips

The Watson Glaser test is produced by test publisher TalentLens and are considered one of the most trusted methods of evaluating critical reasoning.

Watson Glaser critical reasoning test practice

These critical reasoning puzzle books: Critical-thinking-puzzle-book_1 and Critical-thinking-puzzle-book_2.

Maths Test Tips / Numeracy Test tips

Although you may not finish the test, the best strategy is to answer as many questions as you can in the time available.

• Before deciding upon your final answer, you may be able to rule out one or two of the multiple choice questions as incorrect.
• Read each question and review each chart very carefully – taking one chart and its associated questions at a time. Only start looking at the answer options once you have done this.
• Ensure that you are aware of the units of measurement that each question is referring to.
• Each question is worth the same so don’t spend too long on a single question. Remember that you may find subsequent questions easier to answer and that if there is time at the end of the test you can return to any unfinished questions.
• Work efficiently, but do not rush. Although you may not finish the test, the best strategy is to answer as many questions as you can in the time available.
• Remember to only use the information that is provided in the charts and not any of your own background knowledge.
• Round up any decimal points and any pence (whilst taking account of any specific instructions provided).

Aptitude Test Tips

How to do well on different types of aptitude test  

Pre-employment tests are used by many companies as a standard part of the recruitment process. If you’re currently applying for jobs, you’re likely to face psychometric testing. Both personality assessment and some of the most commonly used aptitude tests. These measure numerical, verbal and logical reasoning.

How you perform matters. Nearly 90 percent of companies said they would reject candidates if the test showed them to be deficient in basic skills, according to a survey by the American Management Association.

Companies use pre-employment tests to identify which candidates are most likely to perform well on the job, potentially saving time and cost in the recruitment process and decreasing employee turnover. Skills tests are used to verify whether a candidate has the skills they say they have and are proficient enough to do the job. Skills test are specific to the job – for example, a design challenge using Photoshop for graphic designers or a proofreading test for editors. Aptitude tests are more general and are used to evaluate an applicant’s ability to learn new skills and indicate how they may react to different situations once hired.

Employers may ask you to take a test – often delivered online at home – after you’ve made an initial application or may invite you to an assessment centre after a successful interview.

How to do well on numerical reasoning tests

The general advice given is typically that some focussed test practice will improve your score. Unfortunately, there aren’t any quick wins for being good at Maths.

• Give your “first response”. Don’t second guess what is being looked for since “faking” and lying are easily picked up.
• As a timed test, you need to average around one minute per question. Work briskly but accurately.
• Each question counts the same so pick off the easy ones first and don’t waste your test time on the most difficult questions.
• Practise some of the most common numerical test types at the main test publisher websites. For this reason alone, we strongly advise practising sample questions from Kenexa-IBM, TalentQ and SHL sites. ensure that you are comfortable using data tables, interpreting graphs and manipulating large financial figures.

How to do well on verbal reasoning tests

These come in many different types of format. The traditional comprehension format is to have a short text passage followed by a series of questions about facts, opinions, conclusions from the passage content. A bit like those English tests in primary school where you answered questions on a novel extract. Regardless of the type of test, it’s vital to remember:

• To carefully read each question. Often questions hinge on 1-2 keywords so you must take more care to interpret these accurately.
• If questioned whether something “always” applies whilst the passage states that it is “sometimes” the case, then this is a false interpretation.
• One useful strategy is to scan the passage initially, then to read it in more detail.
• It’s more efficient as you answer each question if you can recall roughly where to find the answer in the passage.

How to do well on abstract reasoning tests

Abstract reasoning tests ask you to look for the changing pattern(s) in the “pictures”. The easier questions typically at the start of the test, will involve one change in colour, position, size etc of the figures shown.

Here’s our abstract reasoning aptitude test tips Youtube video:

Questions become more difficult as you must spot two or three changes in any of the features shown. It can help, once you’ve worked out at least one of the feature changes, to check through the answer options to discount those that do not conform said feature changes.

As always, test practice and your familiarity with the test format help – with these tests you are strongly advised to learn the range of possible feature changes. leading test publishers Kenexa-IBM and TalentQ have excellent sample questions for you to practise any of these test types. Alongside SHL’s practise test pages these three sites cover most of the psychometric tests you are likely to find. You can ask in advance which test publisher’s test you will take.

You can find more detailed advice in our non-verbal reasoning test article for City Kids online magazine.

Introduction to Numerical Reasoning

Numerical reasoning ability links to job performance, which is why numerical reasoning tests are now used as part of the selection criteria for certain professions and postgraduate degree courses in which it is essential to work effectively with numerical reasoning information. Many medium-sized and large employers also make extensive use of ability tests – such as numerical reasoning tests – as part of their standard recruitment and promotion processes.

Why test numerical reasoning?

A well-designed numerical reasoning test is a reliable and consistent means of assessing the skills required for effective performance in that working environment. Ability tests allow employers and university admissions offices to assess a large number of applicants for competitive positions in a standardised way.  This standardisation makes the process much fairer than relying upon old-fashioned, unstructured interviews where every applicant would be asked different questions. Even if you don’t like the idea of being tested on your numerical reasoning skills, at least you know that it is fair since everyone has to do the same test!

Numerical reasoning test design

We are specialists in psychometric test design. In particular aptitude test design:

• Verbal reasoning test design.
• Numerical reasoning test design.
• Abstract reasoning test design.

Numerical Reasoning Tests need to accommodate the very wide difference in mathematical ability from school leavers to senior managers.  Correspondingly there is a range of increasingly difficult Numerical Reasoning Tests from the basic Numeracy Tests (which only require mathematical knowledge of the 4 basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) to the most complex and numerical reasoning involved in the interpretation of complex statitistical data.

When are Numerical reasoning tests used?

Many medium-sized and large companies now use Numerical Reasoning Tests as part of their standard recruitment processes. A standardised Numerical Reasoning Test gives everyone the same numerical reasoning questions.

In fact, everyone uses numerical reasoning skills in daily life – from checking their change in a shop to calculating how long a journey will take. Many different jobs require an ability to work confidently with numbers in order to carry out a range of responsibilities effectively. This could involve anything from interpreting production quotas to carrying out technical work that relies upon detailed calculations. Whereas an accountant will have demonstrated his or her numerical reasoning abilities in the process of acquiring a professional qualification, other career paths depend on numerical reasoning tests to measure applicants’ skill in this area.

Numerical reasoning test intro

A numerical reasoning test is a type of ability test, sometimes referred to as a psychometric or aptitude test. It is designed to measure specific numerical reasoning abilities relevant for success in a particular course, profession or job. Numerical reasoning tests are an objective and accurate means of assessing a candidate’s potential effectiveness whenever there is a numerical reasoning component to a particular job role or course. At the more advanced numerical reasoning level, these more advanced numerical reasoning abilities are measured:

• Interpreting stats.
• Analysing complex maths in graphs, pie-charts and tables.
• Using financial data correctly.

Numerical reasoning test for employees The employers who use these numerical reasoning assessments mainly evaluates how much snug you’re with numbers, basic mathematical functions and analyzing information underneath a substantial time pressure. It is no surprise, that corporation and organizations who take a look at their candidates with numerical reasoning tests typically place confidence in giant numbers and information.

Levels of numerical reasoning skills

These tests are challenging for college students who have a mathematical background, therefore it is no surprise this could be a real problem for students who spent much of their time at the university reading or writing, instead of really tackling with huge numbers and solving various formulas.

Answering numerical reasoning tests

Numerical reasoning tests also come in the form of multiple choice questions. The answers, in contrast to with verbal reasoning tests, are going to be definite. That doesn’t mean it will be easier and this becomes the point of pressure and it is also the reason why the candidates find them so challenging. Usually, candidates are provided with a variety of questions in accordance with the rule of one question = one minute. Certain numerical reasoning tests have a repeated pattern and this gives you an idea on how to prepare for it. The common topics that you can prepare for include fractions, ratio and proportion, profit and loss, estimations, percentages, data analysis and graphical interpretation. So, ensure that you practice these portions thoroughly and make yourself comfortable with the different types of questions in these areas.

Numeracy aptitude tips YouTube video

Numerical reasoning practice test tips

There are always some tips that you can utilize while preparing for your numerical reasoning assessment which are as follows. These tips will easily help you to get through the numerical reasoning assessment easily.

• Whether you would like to sharpen your number skills or learn everything from the beginning, taking some of the mock tests can help you to improve more. It would not turn you into an excellent mathematician in just one day; however, it will certainly improve your performance to a great extent. It will also prevent you from having too many sleepless nights before the assessment day by rising your accuracy, speed and confidence as well. And you may honestly want a good night’s sleep.
• Don’t spend too much time on one question. Get a rough calculation of what proportion of time you have got per question before you begin every check and try maintaining those timings. If it feels that it is getting tough, keep going anyway, keeping in mind the fact that the best and easiest questions are yet to come.

Free aptitude test examples – practice tests (Navy)

Our first Navy psychometric test practice is Navy Practice Test and our Navy practice Test answers.

Here’s the second of our Navy practice tests are Royal Navy Numeracy Practice Test 2 and our Royal Navy Numeracy Practice Test 2 answers . Here are some more Royal Navy practice test examples for you to practice:

• Royal Navy practice numeracy tests and practice verbal ability tests 
• Navy Practice Numeracy Test (Number Series)
• Practice Numeracy (Number Series) Answers
• Navy Practice Numeracy Test 2 (Number Series)
• Practice Numeracy (Number Series) Test 2 answers

• Navy Practice Test (Number Series)
• Practice Test Answers (Number Series)
• Navy Practice Test 2 (Number Series)
• Practice Test 2 answers (Number Series)

Free aptitude test examples

Army psychometric test practice

Most of our own aptitude test tips and aptitude test practice resources are offered free. Other sites offfering free and / or paid Army practice tests are listed below:

• Firstly, how to apply to join the Army as an Army Officer. This is the official site! It has useful details on how to become an Army soldier too.
• Secondly, practice the British Army assessment.
• Then next here’s some free Army test practice and our own new Army psychometric test designs.
• And finally a test prep site we worked with wehne they first started. They also offer free psychometric test practice for the Army.

Free RAF Aptitude Test Practice

Here is our Numerical Reasoning Practice Test for the RAF. Next, here are the Answers. Secondly, her’s our Numerical Reasoning Practice Test 2 for the RAF, and then next the answers: Answers for RAF practice Test 2.

RAF Aptitude Test Practice

Royal Navy Aptitude Test Practice

More numeracy test tips

• While you are practising for the test, try doing it in the same way in which you’ll be sitting your real numerical reasoning assessment. Take your seat in a quiet surrounding with as less distraction as possible at a table. This will increase your focus and also make silence less intimidating and let you practice more thoroughly.
• The numerical reasoning assessment will definitely not kill you but try to figure out the areas that you are getting wrong most of the time and practice those areas thoroughly. Focusing on those problems will help you to improve your overall test.
• Thus, following these tips can be really helpful during the day of your numerical reasoning assessment. Do not stress. So, the type of job position you are applying for doesn’t matter, as it can be an investment bank, consultancy firm or the position of a manager, it is compulsory for you to take the numerical reasoning test.

Passing Numerical Reasoning Tests

There are many analytical knowledge checks done during the hiring process of an employee and one of the most important and critical tests is the numerical reasoning test. It is a selection criterion used by employers to figure out the best in the crowd of many and there are several screening stages of this test for identifying the candidates with a higher level of numerical knowledge (aptitude knowledge) in the goal. The question types and type of answers expected vary from publisher to publisher. Oftentimes, the applicants have to undergo graph study and analyse the information in a numerical diagram and provide answers. This requires interpretation and analytical skills for making better conclusions. These tests are also used in many schools and universities for admission or double promotion in classes.

Numeracy test tips and tricks 

Figuring out the test provider – the test provider can be different for different institutions. So, figuring out who the test provider will be pre-test will allow the applicants to prepare well for the examination. Most of the time there are multiple-choice questions, it is important for providing a precise answer whenever the applicants are attempting the question. Every applicant should be knowing the correct methods for answering the questions as it is not about getting the answer perfect every time. 

Basic arithmetic knowledge – it is important for applicants to have a basic idea of arithmetic. If they have not done arithmetic in the past, then they should start working on it. There are almost 10-15% of the total questions that will be based on basic arithmetic such as numeracy induced with a bit of reasoning.

Practice the questions beforehand – once the applicant gets to know who the test provider will be, it is time for rigorous practice. Rigorous practice will surely come in handy when it comes to scoring good marks in the examination. Practice will allow the applicant to be ahead of everyone else who hasn’t invested time in practicing the papers beforehand. It will allow the applicant to understand exactly how much time is being used in answering the questions and in turn, will make them better prepared for the exams.

The different types of numerical reasoning test question

There are different kinds of questions that will have to be attempted in the exams and the applicants must have an idea of them beforehand.

Table and graph numerical reasoning format

There are innumerable types of tables and graphs that are used for showcasing numerical data. The reasoning contains a number of table themes that might range from somewhere around population demographics to balance sheets. Oftentimes, applicants are asked to figure out the answers using smart strategies from telemarketing surveys. All of this is used to understand how fast can the applicants use their heads in understanding the different data sets.

Non-calculator numerical reasoning questions 

Alongside questions where one should be using a calculator, there will be questions where one will not be allowed to use one. For example, these questions will come not as one but as a mix of many questions and applicants will need to allot some time to understand the questions first. There might be a mix of word problems, arithmetic that will require mental strength, and many other calculations. To get better at this, applicants can always consult the numerical reasoning test questions for gaining the confidence that will be required for answering these questions.

Numeracy test word problems

These are problems that ask the applicants in making rapid mental arithmetic calculations and answering questions based on subtractions and divisions. These are questions that allow students in improving speed and accuracy when they are sitting for real examinations.

Number series numeracy test questions

This numeracy test format asks applicants to use any kind of kind rival sequences that will follow a certain logic rule which will be based on arithmetic. There is a sequence that is used on the rule of deduction. The applicants are always asked on predicting what the next number will be and it must be made sure that the number follows the same rule based on which the previous numbers were achieved.

Tailoring your numerical reasoning test practice

You need to know the format in which the questions will be coming to get the highest marks. The formats are set differently by distinct test providers. It is the best way to prepare for the right kind of test provider. The company that an applicant is applying for will have a certain format and if the individual can get to know the format beforehand then it will be beneficial for getting good marks. Formats like SHL, Saville, Cubiks, Kenexa and Talent Q are the most common ones used.

After a vivid discussion about the numerical reasoning test, it is evident that the passing ability of these tests solely depends on how much the student is practicing. The more one practices for these tests, the better they will get at it and it is quite natural. Furthermore, if a student or applicant is not practicing enough then it will put them in an unfavourable situation as well. So, it is important that whosoever is using the test format and gets tips on how the questions will be, uses the knowledge to their benefit and attain good marks.

More Aptitude Test Tips

Practice can benefit both the beginner and the more experienced test-taker. There are many psychometric test types for which you may wish to practice. So it’s important to practice on psychometric practice tests which are as close as possible to your actual test format. The specific nature of the tests varies, with verbal and numerical reasoning tests as a common feature. Review the Answer Options Narrowing down the number of answer options is a good strategy. Review the answer options. Mentally remove any that are of the wrong magnitude. Ensure that your answer always remains within the range of the remaining answer options.

How to pass aptitude test strategies

1. If not then you must have the wrong method of calculation and will need to rethink your calculation.
2. What about ehen your answer is close to one of the answer options? Then you’ve most likely made one (or more!) errors in your calculation.
3. If you get an answer equal to one of the answer options then don’t assume that it’s the correct answer.

Check Question Context Numerical reasoning questions often involve financial figures or other sales data commonly used at work, such as sales figures. Also, remember your answer needs to be realistic.

So, if you are being asked to total a company’s sales figures try to picture the magnitude of the answer. Familiarise Yourself With All Data Presented Resist diving straight in to answering questions. Review each table and graph that is presented to you. Make sure that you know the range of information sources being made available.

Passing aptitude tests 

How you perform matters. Nearly 90% of companies said they would reject candidates if the test showed them to be deficient in basic skills, according to a survey by the American Management Association.

Companies use pre-employment tests to identify which candidates are most likely to perform well on the job, potentially saving time and cost in the recruitment process and decreasing employee turnover.

How to do well on numerical reasoning tests

The general advice given is typically that some focussed test practice will improve your score. Unfortunately, there aren’t any quick wins for being good at Maths.

• Give your “first response”. Don’t second guess what is being looked for since “faking” and lying are easily picked up.
• As a timed test you need to average around one minute per question. Work briskly but accurately.
• Each question counts the same so pick off the easy ones first and don’t waste your test time on the most difficult questions.
• Practise some of the most common numerical test types at the main test publisher websites. For this reason alone, we strongly advise practising sample questions. For example, from Kenexa-IBM, TalentQ and SHL sites. Always ensure that you are comfortable using data tables, interpreting graphs and manipulating large financial figures.

Verbal reasoning aptitude test tips – Youtube video

How to do well on verbal reasoning tests

These come in many different types of format. There is a traditional comprehension format. This is to have a short text passage followed by a series of questions. On facts, opinions, conclusions from the passage content. Remember to:

• Carefully read each question. Often questions hinge on 1-2 key words so you must take more care to interpret these accurately.
• If questioned whether something “always” applies whilst the passage states that it is “sometimes” the case, then this is a false interpretation.
• Scan the passage initially, then to read it in more detail.
• Efficiently answer questions. For example, by roughly recalling where to find the answer in the passage.

aptitude test tips

Introduction to abstract reasoning tests

• Abstract reasoning tests ask you to look for the changing pattern(s) in the “pictures”.
• Questions become more difficult as you must spot two or three changes in any of the features shown.
• Once you know one of the feature changes, check each answer option to discount any in conflict with it.
• The easier questions typically at the start of the test, will involve one change in colour, position, size etc of the figures shown.
• You can find more detailed advice in our non verbal reasoning test article for City Kids online magazine

Our Practice Aptitude Test Books

• Passing Verbal Reasoning practice test book. This is regularly featured in Amazon’s top ten study guide.
• Plus, our Numeracy Test Practice book, which reached Number One when the publisher Pearson offered it for free (throughout the UK’s first 2020 lockdown)
• Infact, our Numerical Reasoning Test Practice book reached Number One when the publisher Pearson offered it for free (throughout the UK’s first 2020/21 lockdowns) .  

aptitude test tips