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Cognitive

Numerical Reasoning Test for Hiring

Measure how candidates interpret data, work with percentages and ratios, and make decisions with numbers in role-relevant scenarios.

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What It Measures

## What This Domain Measures The numerical reasoning domain covers percentages, ratios, tables, charts, and quantitative decisions expressed in workplace-style problems. It is one source of evidence within HeyHRM's cognitive battery, not a diagnosis or a stand-alone prediction of job performance. Use the domain only when a documented job analysis shows that the underlying ability matters for essential duties. Review the content for unnecessary language, cultural, sensory, or device barriers; provide appropriate accommodations; and combine the result with other structured evidence.

How It Works

## How It Works The current cognitive battery contains 40 questions, including 10 numerical reasoning items, and displays a 15-minute overall timer. Once the battery starts, it cannot be paused and resumed. Employers should set expectations and arrange approved accommodations before the invitation is sent. The result includes overall accuracy and efficiency plus accuracy for each of the four cognitive domains. It does not currently include a norm-referenced candidate rank, an AI-written hiring recommendation, or automatic pipeline advancement. Use the domain result to plan consistent follow-up rather than as a final decision.

Sample Questions

1. A sales team closed 48 deals from 320 SQLs last quarter. This quarter they closed 54 deals from 360 SQLs. Did the close rate improve, decline, or stay flat?

  • A.Improved from 15.0% to 16.7%
  • B.Declined from 15.0% to 15.0%
  • C.Stayed flat at 15.0%
  • D.Improved from 13.3% to 15.0%

2. A product costs $42 to deliver and sells for $60. What is the gross margin percentage?

  • A.30%
  • B.42%
  • C.18%
  • D.70%

3. Website traffic rose from 24,000 visits to 27,600 visits. What was the percentage increase?

  • A.12%
  • B.15%
  • C.18%
  • D.20%

4. A support team handled 1,200 tickets with a 92% SLA hit rate in March and 1,500 tickets with an 88% SLA hit rate in April. Which month met SLA on more tickets?

  • A.March
  • B.April
  • C.They are equal
  • D.Cannot be determined

5. An analyst forecasts $240,000 in quarterly revenue. Actual revenue lands at $228,000. What is the forecast error as a percentage of forecast?

  • A.5%
  • B.8%
  • C.12%
  • D.20%

6. A team has 5 recruiters. Each can process 14 interviews per week. If one recruiter is out for half the week, how many interviews can the team process?

  • A.56
  • B.63
  • C.66
  • D.70

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a numerical reasoning test measure in hiring?▾
The numerical domain samples interpretation of percentages, ratios, tables, charts, and quantitative workplace-style problems. It does not establish that a candidate can be trusted with every financial or operational decision.
Which roles should use a numerical reasoning assessment?▾
Use it for finance, analytics, revenue operations, supply chain, operations, customer success, sales leadership, commercial management, and any role where candidates must read data and make business decisions from it.
How long does the numerical reasoning test take?▾
The current cognitive battery contains 40 questions, including 10 numerical items, and displays a 15-minute overall timer. It cannot be paused after it starts, so arrange approved accommodations beforehand.
Is this test just basic math?▾
No. It uses arithmetic as a foundation, but the real goal is applied reasoning: interpreting charts, understanding rates, sanity-checking results, and drawing the right conclusion from multiple data points.
How is the test scored?▾
Score against a documented, role-specific rubric and report the underlying skill dimensions. Calibrate the rubric before testing, review explanations where available, and avoid applying an unvalidated universal threshold.
What score should I use as a cutoff?▾
There is no universal cutoff. Set role-specific decision bands before testing, validate them against job requirements and downstream outcomes, and review the underlying dimensions with other structured evidence rather than using one score as an automatic verdict.
Can I combine numerical reasoning with other tests?▾
Numerical reasoning is already one of four domains in the standard cognitive battery. Add other methods only when each provides distinct, job-relevant evidence.
Is the assessment fair and job relevant?▾
A structured assessment can support more consistent review, but it cannot guarantee fairness or eliminate bias. Validate job relevance, administer it consistently, provide appropriate accommodations, monitor adverse impact, and review results with other evidence.
Can candidates cheat on a numerical reasoning test?▾
No online assessment is cheat-proof. Use proportionate safeguards, explain what is monitored, protect candidate privacy, and confirm important evidence through structured interviews or representative work samples.
How is HeyHRM different from SHL or TestGorilla for numerical reasoning?▾
Compare current products directly on job relevance, question and scoring controls, accessibility, validation evidence, security, candidate experience, integrations, and total cost. Verify vendor-specific details from current documentation.

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