Hiring someone who can “think with numbers” isn’t just about finding a good mathematician — it’s about finding someone who can interpret data, spot trends, and make logical business decisions quickly.
That’s where numerical reasoning tests come in. They go beyond checking whether a candidate can add or subtract. Instead, they reveal whether someone can understand data under time pressure, extract useful insights, and apply logic to real-world business problems.
In this guide, you’ll get:
- A clear breakdown of numerical reasoning skills and their hiring importance
- Multiple categories of numerical reasoning test sample questions
- Step-by-step explanations for each question
- A table of beginner, intermediate, and advanced examples
- Tips for administering and scoring these tests
If you haven’t yet read our full guide on what a numerical reasoning test is, I recommend starting there to understand the broader context.
Why Numerical Reasoning Matters in Hiring
Whether you’re hiring an analyst, finance officer, project manager, or operations lead, they’ll encounter situations like:
- Reviewing a sales performance chart and identifying underperforming regions
- Calculating the financial impact of a discount offer
- Comparing supplier quotes and identifying the best deal
- Estimating delivery timelines from multiple data sources
These situations require more than basic arithmetic — they require numerical reasoning skills:
- Data interpretation
- Logical thinking
- Time-efficient calculations
- Pattern recognition
Related reading: How numerical reasoning tests evaluate IQ and logic skills
Types of Numerical Reasoning Questions
Below is a question bank broken into six major categories. Each includes:
- A realistic hiring scenario
- A sample question
- The correct answer
- An explanation of how to solve it
1. Data Interpretation Questions
Scenario: You’re hiring for a marketing analyst role. The candidate must interpret campaign performance data.
Question:
The table below shows ad spend and sales revenue over four months.
| Month | Ad Spend ($) | Sales Revenue ($) |
| Jan | 10,000 | 25,000 |
| Feb | 8,000 | 20,000 |
| Mar | 12,000 | 28,000 |
| Apr | 9,000 | 22,000 |
What is the average return on ad spend (ROAS) across the four months?
Answer: 2.5
Explanation:
ROAS = Revenue ÷ Ad Spend
- Jan: 25,000 ÷ 10,000 = 2.5
- Feb: 20,000 ÷ 8,000 = 2.5
- Mar: 28,000 ÷ 12,000 = 2.33
- Apr: 22,000 ÷ 9,000 = 2.44
Average = (2.5 + 2.5 + 2.33 + 2.44) ÷ 4 = 2.44 (rounded to 2.5)
2. Percentages & Discounts
Scenario: You’re recruiting for a retail buyer who needs to negotiate supplier discounts.
Question:
A supplier offers a product at $200 with a 15% discount for orders above 500 units. If your company orders 600 units, what’s the total cost?
Answer: $102,000
Explanation:
- 15% of $200 = $30 discount → New price per unit = $170
- 600 × $170 = $102,000
3. Ratios & Proportions
Scenario: You’re hiring for a project manager. They must allocate team resources based on workload ratios.
Question:
A project requires resources in a ratio of 3:2:1 (Design: Development: QA). If the development team gets 8 members, how many total people are needed?
Answer: 24
Explanation:
Ratio total = 3 + 2 + 1 = 6 parts
If 2 parts = 8 members → 1 part = 4 members
Total = 6 × 4 = 24
4. Currency Conversion
Scenario: You’re hiring for a procurement role involving international suppliers.
Question:
If 1 USD = 1.3 AUD, how much would AUD $19,500 cost in USD?
Answer: $15,000 USD
Explanation:
AUD $19,500 ÷ 1.3 = USD $15,000
5. Trend Analysis
Scenario: You’re hiring for a business strategist.
Question:
Sales for the last 3 quarters are $240,000, $264,000, and $290,400. What is the quarterly growth rate?
Answer: 10%
Explanation:
- Increase from Q1 to Q2 = $24,000 → $24,000 ÷ $240,000 = 10%
- Consistent across all quarters = 10% growth rate
6. Logic-Based Numerical Problems
Scenario: You’re hiring for a logistics coordinator.
Question:
A truck can carry 1,200 kg per trip. An order requires 8,400 kg to be delivered. If the company has two trucks operating simultaneously, how many trips will be needed?
Answer: 4 trips
Explanation:
Total capacity per trip = 1,200 × 2 = 2,400 kg
8,400 ÷ 2,400 = 3.5 → 4 trips needed
Difficulty Levels Table
| Level | Example Question Type | Suitable For Hiring… |
| Beginner | Simple percentages, ratios | Entry-level admin, sales support |
| Intermediate | Data interpretation, trends | Analysts, supervisors |
| Advanced | Multi-step logic problems | Managers, strategists, finance |
How to Administer Numerical Reasoning Tests
- Choose the right format — online timed test, on-site written test, or integrated pre-employment assessment.
- Balance difficulty — mix beginner, intermediate, and advanced questions.
- Set realistic time limits — usually 45–60 seconds per question.
- Score objectively — prioritize both accuracy and speed.
- Use in combination — pair with cognitive ability or psychometric tests for better prediction accuracy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Making it only about math — focus on reasoning, not just calculation speed.
- Overcomplicating questions — too much data can overwhelm candidates.
- Not validating questions — ensure relevance to the role.
- Ignoring test fatigue — long tests reduce accuracy.
FAQs
Q: What is a numerical reasoning test?
A timed assessment that measures a candidate’s ability to interpret and work with numerical data.
Q: Are these tests only for finance roles?
No — they’re useful for any role requiring data-driven decision-making.
Q: How long should the test be?
Typically 20–30 minutes for standard hiring use.
Q: Can candidates prepare for these tests?
Yes — practice can improve familiarity, but natural reasoning speed and accuracy still matter.
Q: Do higher scores always mean better hires?
Not necessarily — interpretation and context matter as much as the raw score.
Final Thoughts
Numerical reasoning tests aren’t just a hiring formality — they’re a window into how candidates think, solve problems, and handle real-world business data. By using a balanced mix of question types, you can uncover skills that a resume or interview alone would never reveal.
For a deeper dive, explore: