Numerical reasoning what to expect Welcome to the

Numerical reasoning: what to expect 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 While you are waiting: head over to the Jamboard answer the following question – when has critical thinking involving numbers been necessary in your life?

Goals for today • Get a sense of what is expected from you during a numerical reasoning test • Know what maths skills you should brush up on • Start thinking about how to begin your revision

Initial discussion What is the purpose of a numerical reasoning test? Head over to the next page on the Jamboard and add your ideas

Initial discussion What is the purpose of a numerical reasoning test? • To test whether the candidate has the right numerical skills for the job • To find a shortlist of the most suitable applicants

What will the test look like? The aim of the test The applicant is expected to take numerical information and draw conclusions/analyse. You should be comfortable with handling numerical data, either given explicitly or to be extracted from text.

What will the test look like? Theme The theme will be relevant to the job you’re applying for. e. g. A finance job will have graphs presenting financial information such as profits or losses, a healthcare role may have tables relating to patient data

What will the test look like? Format Often tests are built specifically for a role, but some common elements are • Multiple choice questions • Timed • Randomised question bank • Often online

What will the test look like? An example Source: SHL website

What will the test look like? Common numerical reasoning tests Some of the biggest companies in the numerical reasoning testing game are • SHL • IBM Kenexa • Pearson/Talent. Lens • Talent Q • Cubiks

What will the test look like? Logistics Hypothetical numerical reasoning test: • 20 questions • 12 minutes (whole test) • Expected to get at least 60% correct • Penalty for wrong answers • Supervised and online

What maths do I need to know? A common misconception Numerical reasoning tests are not a test of advanced mathematical ability! They are more a test of your critical thinking and reasoning skills involving numbers.

What maths do I need to know? Core topics • Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division • Averages (mean, median and mode) and ranges • Percentages, fractions and decimals • Ratios • Estimation • Data manipulation

What maths do I need to know? Relevant resource webpages You can find lots of helpful worksheets over at our Mathematics Refresher page and Basics Statistics page.

Combating anxiety Is there a time you felt anxious taking a test (either a maths test or otherwise)? Head to the Jamboard and describe your feelings (if you feel comfortable doing so!)

Combating anxiety Where does anxiety come from? Tests of all forms can be anxiety inducing. Some sources of anxiety may be: • Taking the test • Solving maths problems

Combating anxiety Anxiety surrounding tests A few things to consider which may help alleviate the feeling of anxiety: • “The test is much harder than practice tests” • Use untimed vs timed • Practice tests (but only ones in the same format!) Most of all, these feelings are normal.

Combating anxiety Maths anxiety Fear associated with maths is completely normal. • Even maths students experience it • 85% of students have been affected by maths anxiety at some point • Accepting that you have fear is the first step!

Combating anxiety Maths anxiety You might find our maths anxiety workshop useful if you feel that your anxiety is holding you back from progression. Check out the available dates over at our maths anxiety workshop page.

Approaching the test Cycle of practice Did my revision have a positive impact Which areas need work? Practise and build confidence

Approaching the test Solving maths-related problems – a revision process Read the question carefully Summarise all the information Write down any related quantities Still stuck? Make an educated guess! Try calculating these quantities

Approaching the test Multiple choice questions • Eliminate • “Gut instinct” • Be sensible Head over to the Study Skills pages for more information on multiple choice tests.

Approaching the test Speed it up! • Start untimed • Try half-speed • Work your way up to the time limit

Approaching the test Different types of questions • Tables and graphs • Word problems • Number series (also called number sequences)

Examples A weather problem 1. Which region experienced the sunniest August 2003? 2. What percentage of the historic average did Region 4 experience that August? 3. In Region 2, how many hours below the historic average was August 2003? Hours of sunshine and percentage comparison with historic averages for August 2003 Hours % below historic average Region 306 -15 1 294 -2 2 252 -10 3 222 -40 4 210 -25 5

Examples Look through the worksheet 1. Which problem do you think is the easiest? Let’s focus on that one first a) Which mathematical concepts do you need to solve this problem? e. g. percentages increase/decrease, ratios, etc. b) Are there any skills you think you need to brush up on? Make a note of these c) Try solving the problem. If you get stuck, can you figure out what’s causing the issue? 2. Which problem do you think is the hardest? Repeat the steps above for this question

Strategies for success What are your exam revision tips? Do you have a fool-proof method you stand by? Drop your suggestions into the Jamboard

Strategies for success Managing your expectations You cannot control the outcome, but you can control how much you prepare. • Don’t panic if you don’t already know everything (but plan to learn it) • Research your test well in advance • Form a realistic practice schedule and stick to it

Strategies for success Revision top tips • Play with untimed vs timed questions • Use the cycle of practice • Know your calculator (if you’re using one) • Eliminate and estimate • Use the real-world • Two-colour pen technique • You will make mistakes, and that’s okay

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