Numeracy Skills Part 2. Practice Tests

Anthony J. Evans Associate Professor of Economics, ESCP Europe

www.anthonyjevans.com

London, February 2015

(cc) Anthony J. Evans 2015 | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

Introduction to numeracy tests

•  Numeracy tests are designed to ascertain your level of numerical literacy

•  50% should be the average score •  Basic arithmetic

–  Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division •  Use a calculator (not your phone!)

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Suggested process for numeracy tests

Identify relevant information

Apply appropriate technique

Verify solution

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

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America’s largest private companies

•  What proportion of America’s 10 largest private companies have revenues of $20bn or more?

4 Source: Forbes, “The Largest Private Companies” 2006 http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/21/biz_06privates_The-Largest-Private-Companies_Rank.html

America’s largest private companies

•  What proportion of America’s 10 largest private companies have revenues of $20bn or more?

5 Source: Forbes, “The Largest Private Companies” 2006 http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/21/biz_06privates_The-Largest-Private-Companies_Rank.html

60% = = 0.60 6

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SHL test trials

•  We will look at the example questions from SHL •  SHL is a leader in test preparation, and are used by various

recruiters •  You can practice online under test conditions at your

leisure

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Newspaper readership

1.  Which newspaper was read by a higher percentage of females than males in Year 3?

a.  The Tribune b.  The Herald c.  Daily News d.  Daily Echo e.  The Daily Chronicle

2.  What was the combined readership of the Daily Chronicle, the Daily Echo and The Tribune in Year 1?

a.  10.6 b.  8.4 c.  9.5 d.  12.2 e.  7.8

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NEWSPAPER READERSHIP: A1

1.   Which newspaper was read by a higher percentage of females than males in Year 3?

a.  The Tribune b.  The Herald c.  Daily News d.   Daily Echo e.  The Daily Chronicle

2.  What was the combined readership of the Daily Chronicle, the Daily Echo and The Tribune in Year 1?

a.  10.6 b.  8.4 c.  9.5 d.  12.2 e.  7.8

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NEWSPAPER READERSHIP: A2

1.  Which newspaper was read by a higher percentage of females than males in Year 3?

a.  The Tribune b.  The Herald c.  Daily News d.  Daily Echo e.  The Daily Chronicle

2.   What was the combined readership of the Daily Chronicle, the Daily Echo and The Tribune in Year 1?

a.  10.6 b.  8.4 c.   9.5 d.  12.2 e.  7.8

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AMOUNT SPENT ON COMPUTER IMPORTS: Q3,4

3.  In Year 3, how much more than Italy did Germany spend on computer imports?

a.  650 million b.  700 million c.  750 million d.  800 million e.  850 million

4.  If the amount spent on computer imports into the UK in Year 5 was 20% lower than in Year 4, what was spent in Year 5?

a.  1,080 million b.  1,120 million c.  1,160 million d.  1,220 million e.  1,300 million

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AMOUNT SPENT ON COMPUTER IMPORTS: A3

3.   In Year 3, how much more than Italy did Germany spend on computer imports?

a.  650 million b.   700 million c.  750 million d.  800 million e.  850 million

4.  If the amount spent on computer imports into the UK in Year 5 was 20% lower than in Year 4, what was spent in Year 5?

a.  1,080 million b.  1,120 million c.  1,160 million d.  1,220 million e.  1,300 million

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AMOUNT SPENT ON COMPUTER IMPORTS: A4

3.  In Year 3, how much more than Italy did Germany spend on computer imports?

a.  650 million b.  700 million c.  750 million d.  800 million e.  850 million

4.   If the amount spent on computer imports into the UK in Year 5 was 20% lower than in Year 4, what was spent in Year 5?

a.  1,080 million b.   1,120 million c.  1,160 million d.  1,220 million e.  1,300 million

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And finally…

•  Replicate test conditions •  Time yourself •  Don’t have answers to hand •  Be hydrated •  Trust, but verify

I’ve got a job!

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•  This presentation forms part of a free, online course on analytics

•  http://econ.anthonyjevans.com/courses/analytics/

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