Rolling Used by many graduate employers year-round. Timings, calculator rules and question counts differ by provider.
27 October 2026
Numerical reasoning tests are not advanced maths. SHL describes them as questions answered “using facts and figures presented in statistical tables” (SHL example questions), so the skill is reading data quickly and calculating percentages, ratios and change accurately. This guide replaces our older 2018 article and links to the graduate online tests guide, the Watson Glaser guide and our new verbal reasoning guide.
Numerical reasoning test: key facts at a glance
| Item | What we know | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Questions answered from facts and figures in statistical tables | Official |
| Practice | SHL offers example questions and full-length practice tests | Official |
| Typical content | Percentages, ratios, averages, currency and change over time | Reported |
| Calculator | Often allowed, but not always; check your invitation | Reported |
| Timing and length | Differ by provider and employer; no single figure is published | Not published |
| Pass mark | Not published by employers | Not published |
Checked on 27 October 2026 against SHL Direct pages.
How the numerical reasoning test works
| What you get | Tables, and often charts, with a question about the figures. | Official |
| What you do | Pick the correct answer using the data shown, usually under a time limit. | Official |
| Calculator and notepad | Commonly allowed in online tests, so have both ready; confirm in your invitation. | Reported |
| Score needed | Employers do not publish the score they require. | Not published |
Start with the SHL numerical example, then use the SHL practice tests page. SHL says practice tests give a similar experience, not an exact copy of the live test.
The calculations you actually need
Percentage change, percentages of a total, ratios, averages and simple currency or unit conversions cover most questions. Refresh these before anything else. Percentage change is (new minus old) divided by old, so check which number is the starting point.
Read the question before the table
Know what the question needs, then find only those figures. Check the units (thousands or millions), the years and the currency, because wrong units are a common reason for a near-miss answer.
Timing
Spread your time evenly. If a question takes much longer than the others, make your best estimate and move on. This is our advice; the actual limit is set by the test provider.
A one-week practice plan
Day 1 to 2: percentages and ratios. Day 3 to 4: tables and charts under a timer. Day 5: one full-length practice test. Day 6: review every wrong answer. Day 7: rest. This plan is ours, not employer guidance.
What a graduate says
Step 1: read the question first
Decide what answer form you need: a number, a percentage or a ratio.
Step 2: find the right figures
Locate the row and column, and check units and years.
Step 3: calculate
Use the calculator if allowed. Write down intermediate numbers on your notepad.
Step 4: sense check
Does the answer fit the size of the data? A 300 percent rise on a small table is a warning sign.
What a graduate says
We looked for a named graduate describing this test in their own words on the official SHL pages and found none, so there is no quote here. We do not invent them.
Checklist
0 of 5 done
Numerical reasoning compared with other tests
Numerical reasoning focuses on data, while verbal reasoning focuses on text and Watson Glaser on critical thinking. See all of them in the graduate online tests guide and browse employers in the graduate scheme hub.
Numerical reasoning test FAQs
What is a numerical reasoning test?
A timed test where you answer questions using facts and figures from tables and charts. SHL describes it as using statistical tables.
Is a calculator allowed?
Often yes in online tests, but not always. Check the instructions in your invitation.
What maths do I need?
Mostly percentages, ratios, averages and change over time, not advanced maths.
How long is the test?
It depends on the provider and employer, and no single figure is published, so check your invitation.
What score do I need to pass?
Employers do not publish pass marks, so treat figures you see online as unverified.
