PassEveryTest
English

Numerical Reasoning Test Practice Course 2026

This course is for job seekers who may be asked to take a numerical reasoning test as part of a hiring process. Five short lessons cover test strategy, percentages and ratios, tables and charts, rates and currency, and multi-step data questions, each followed by an untimed topic quiz with explanations. Finish with a timed 30-question final assessment; score 80% or more to earn a Certificate of Completion.

  • Course
  • Canada
  • 87 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026
  • Fact-checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 180 minutes of lessons, 5 untimed topic quizzes (87 questions in all) and a timed final assessment of 30 questions drawn at random. Score 80% or more on the final assessment to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsNumerical Reasoning Course: Lessons: about 180 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Use a step-by-step method and estimation to answer timed number questions
  • Calculate percentages, percentage change, percentage points and ratios
  • Read and combine data from tables and charts, including means and medians
  • Work with pay rates, units, time, and currency conversions using a given rate
  • Solve multi-step problems about budgets, staffing costs, revenue and survey results

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

Your study plan

Read each lesson, take its topic quiz (untimed, with explanations), then the timed final assessment. A new mix of questions is drawn every time. Your progress is saved in this browser.

  1. Read the lessons5 lessons, about 180 min
  2. Topic quiz 1: How numerical reasoning tests work15 questions
  3. Topic quiz 2: Percentages, percentage change and ratios18 questions
  4. Topic quiz 3: Reading tables and charts18 questions
  5. Topic quiz 4: Rates, units, currency and time18 questions
  6. Topic quiz 5: Multi-step data interpretation18 questions
  7. Final exam30 questions, 30 min · Score 80% or more

Topic quiz 1: How numerical reasoning tests work

  1. Question 1 of 15

    You start a question that shows a table and asks about one region in one month. What should you do first?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Read the question closely and note exactly what it asks for

    Most mistakes come from answering a different question. Note the row, column, units and rounding asked for before you calculate.

  2. Question 2 of 15

    Without a calculator, which is the best estimate of 498 × 21?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 10,000

    Round to easy numbers: 500 × 20 = 10,000. The exact answer is 10,458, so 10,000 is closest.

  3. Question 3 of 15

    A table is titled "Sales ($ thousands)". The cell for the East region shows 245. What were East sales in dollars?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. $245,000

    In a table "in thousands", multiply each figure by 1,000: 245 × 1,000 = $245,000.

  4. Question 4 of 15

    A practice test has 24 questions and a 20-minute time limit. On average, how much time do you have for each question?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 50 seconds

    Change minutes to seconds and divide: 20 × 60 = 1,200 seconds; 1,200 ÷ 24 = 50 seconds. 72 seconds comes from dividing the wrong way (24 × 60 ÷ 20). 20 ÷ 24 = 0.83 minutes, which is 50 seconds, not 83 seconds.

  5. Question 5 of 15

    Your working gives a decimal of 0.12. The options are shown as percentages. Which option matches?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 12%

    To change a decimal to a percentage, multiply by 100: 0.12 × 100 = 12%.

  6. Question 6 of 15

    The question says "round to the nearest whole percent". You calculate 17.46%. Which answer should you choose?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 17%

    To the nearest whole percent, look at the first decimal place: 4 is less than 5, so 17.46% rounds down to 17%.

  7. Question 7 of 15

    You are stuck on a hard question and the timer is running. What is usually the best thing to do?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Pick your best estimate, mark it if you can, and move on

    Do not let one hard question use time you need for several easier ones. Choose your best estimate, mark the question if the test allows it, and come back if time is left.

  8. Question 8 of 15

    Which is the best quick estimate of 19.8% of $50,120?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. $10,000

    19.8% is about 20% and $50,120 is about $50,000. 20% of $50,000 = $10,000. The exact answer is $9,923.76.

  9. Question 9 of 15

    Which is the best estimate of 3,987 ÷ 41?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 100

    Round both numbers: 4,000 ÷ 40 = 100. The exact answer is about 97.2.

  10. Question 10 of 15

    Your answer is not one of the options. What is the best next step?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Check the figures, units and operation you used, then recalculate

    Options are often built from common mistakes. If your answer is missing, you probably used a wrong figure, unit or step, so check your working.

  11. Question 11 of 15

    Before you use a table or chart, what should you check?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Its title, labels, units and any notes

    A good table or chart has a title and labels. These tell you what the numbers mean and in what units.

  12. Question 12 of 15

    Sales rose from $8,200 to $8,610. Which percentage increase is correct?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 5%

    The increase is $410. Divide by the starting value: 410 ÷ 8,200 × 100 = 5%. 4.8% comes from dividing by the new value instead.

  13. Question 13 of 15

    Sales went from 200 units to 250 units. Someone says the percentage change is 125%. What mistake did they make?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. They divided new by old and did not subtract 100%

    250 ÷ 200 = 1.25, or 125%. This shows the new value as a percentage of the old one. The change is 125% − 100% = 25%.

  14. Question 14 of 15

    Why should you avoid rounding in the middle of a calculation with several steps?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Small rounding errors can add up to a wrong answer

    Keep full values until the last step, then round once, as the question asks. Early rounding can push you to a wrong option.

  15. Question 15 of 15

    A question asks for the answer "in hours and minutes". Your working gives 3.5 hours. Which option should you choose?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 3 hours 30 minutes

    0.5 of an hour is half of 60 minutes, which is 30 minutes. Always give the answer in the form the question asks for.

What to know before the test

  • The Government of Canada's Skills for Success model defines numeracy as the ability to find, understand, use and report mathematical information in words, numbers, symbols and graphics.
  • The Public Service Commission of Canada advises candidates in written tests to read each question carefully, manage their time and leave time to review their answers.
  • In the Public Service Commission's online tests, an on-screen timer shows the time left, and the test closes when the time is up.
  • In those online tests, you can mark questions for review; marking a question does not affect your score.
  • In 2015, the Public Service Commission of Canada described using an unsupervised internet test to screen large numbers of candidates for its Public Service Entrance Exam, followed by a supervised test.
  • Accommodation measures during Government of Canada testing are tailored to the candidate's situation.
  • Statistics Canada calculates percentage change as the difference between two numbers expressed as a percentage of the first (base) number.
  • Bank of Canada exchange rates are expressed as 1 unit of foreign currency converted into Canadian dollars and are indicative rates only.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Certificate of Completion, and what is it not?

It shows that you finished this course and scored at least 80% on the final assessment. It is not an accredited qualification, an employer's test result or a score from any test publisher.

Are these questions from real employer tests?

No. Every question was written for this course to practise the same kinds of skills. Real tests differ between employers, so read your invitation and instructions carefully.

How does the final assessment work?

It has 30 questions drawn at random from the course question bank, with a 30-minute time limit. You need 80% to pass, and each attempt gives a new mix of questions.

Can I use a calculator?

Use whatever your real test allows. Some tests allow a calculator and some do not, so it is good practice to estimate first and then work out the answer.

How should I practise?

Read one lesson, take its untimed topic quiz and read the explanations for anything you got wrong. When you score well on all five topics, try the timed final assessment.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

Related tests