Numerical reasoning examples Welcome to the session Please

Numerical reasoning: examples Welcome to the session! • Please use the chat to say hi and let us know which department you are from • Please keep your microphone and video switched off. If you have any questions, ask them in the chat or use the raise hand button • You should sign in with your full name (or a nickname along with your ucard number, if you’d prefer), so that we can more easily share resources after the session

Goals for today • Become more familiar with the types of questions in numerical reasoning tests • Locate areas you may need to focus on • Practise necessary numerical and critical thinking skills

Initial discussion What do you think a typical numerical reasoning question would look like? Write down anything you would expect to see.

Approaching numerical reasoning questions • Should be relevant to the job or position you’re applying for • Only tests the skills necessary to do that role • Aim is to extract information from a numerical problem

Approaching numerical reasoning questions Should be comfortable with maths skills up to GCSE-level or equivalent (up to age 16) • Percentages, decimals and fractions (and converting between them) • BIDMAS/BODMAS (order of arithmetic) • Ratios • Averages (mean, median, mode) and range • Unit conversion • Estimation

Approaching numerical reasoning questions A step-by-step guide to solving maths-related problems when you’re unsure: 1. Read the question (carefully!) 2. Write down any relevant formulae you can think of 3. Try picking out any numerical information and seeing if they fit your formulae 4. If you’re still stuck try and make an educated guess The educated guess is usually the quicker option!

Approaching numerical reasoning questions The trick(s) You will not usually be required to perform lots of calculations! Repetition of numerical reasoning style questions will help you to use estimation to speed up your solutions.

Approaching numerical reasoning questions Step to take • Ensure you know the specifications of your test (see our “Numerical reasoning – what to expect” workshop) • Form a revision schedule • Practise the test!

Types of questions Overview • Tables and graphs • Word problems • Number series (also called number sequences)

Types of questions Tables and graphs • You should be able to read rows and columns in a table efficiently to extract only the necessary information • Examples of graphs include bar charts, scatterplots, pie charts • You should be able to understand relationships between variables on graphs

Types of questions [CATEGORY NAME] [PERCENTAGE] Tables and graphs – an example question If the Market Leader holds a share of the market worth £ 112 million, what is the value of the whole market? £ 100 m [CATEGORY NAME] [PERCENTAGE] £ 300 m £ 200 m £ 150 m

Examples Tables and graphs • Look at the problems involving tables and graphs on the worksheet. • Select the ones you think you’ll find the hardest first • Feel free to ask any questions you’d like (either raise your hand or drop a message in the chat)

Types of questions Words problems • You should be able to extract numerical information from text • These assess both your sense of logic and numerical ability • You may not need all of the information given in the text!

Types of questions Word problems – an example question Mark is going to make chocolate peanut squares. There are just three ingredients: chocolate, peanut butter and rice crispies. This is mixed in the ratio 4 : 2 : 3 respectively. How much of each ingredient will he need to make 900 g of mixture?

Examples Word problems • Look at the problems involving word problems on the worksheet. • Select the ones you think you’ll find the hardest first • Feel free to ask any questions you’d like (either raise your hand or drop a message in the chat)

Types of questions Number series (or sequences) • These are less common • You should be able find the missing term in a series of numbers • These test your ability to find patterns in numbers • There many be a multiple patterns occurring at once!

Types of questions Number series – an example question 1, 6, 11, 16, ?

Examples Number series • Look at the problems involving number series on the worksheet. • Select the ones you think you’ll find the hardest first • Feel free to ask any questions you’d like (either raise your hand or drop a message in the chat)

What are the next steps? Write down any areas or skills in particular that you found most difficult. Do you know what information you need to revise to overcome these barriers?

What are the next steps? Numerical reasoning tests require a specific set of skills, which are best learnt from trying lots of problems If you’re getting stuck in your revision, come to a maths 1: 1!

Where can I look for extra stuff? Graduates First has an extensive bank of aptitude tests available for free. You can find them over at the University of Sheffield Graduates First portal.

Tell us what you think! We would love to hear your comments and feedback on this session! Please fill in this very short survey You need to log into MUSE, but it is anonymous Thanks for your input!

Need more help? Why not book a 1: 1 support session? • Free support for any aspect of maths/stats • You can ask questions in a judgement-free environment • Shown to be an effective method for reducing anxiety • Explanations tailored to your learning preference • Immediate feedback from tutors on your understanding

Website links www. sheffield. ac. uk/mash To book a one-to-one help session: www. sheffield. ac. uk/mash/bookings For more online help: www. sheffield. ac. uk/mash/resources

Contact details MASH Advisors Hope Thackray Marta Emmett Pete Hart h. thackray@sheffield. ac. uk m. e. emmett@sheffield. ac. uk peter. hart@sheffield. ac. uk Manager of MASH Jenny Freeman j. v. freeman@sheffield. ac. uk Maths And Statistics Help General enquiries mash@sheffield. ac. uk Resources and appointments at: www. shef. ac. uk/mash