A numerical comprehension test checks how well someone can understand everyday numerical information, such as rotas, price lists and simple charts, and draw accurate conclusions from it. This guide explains what the test measures, works through a generic example, explains how it differs from numerical reasoning, and offers advice for candidates and employers.

What a numerical comprehension test measures

Plenty of roles that are not "numbers jobs" still depend on numbers every day: checking stock, reading a delivery schedule, comparing prices, totalling a timesheet. Mistakes here cost money and customer goodwill. A numerical comprehension test measures whether someone can read this kind of information and work with it accurately.

The Viewpoint Numerical Comprehension Test has 32 questions in 16 minutes, based on 8 sets of everyday numerical data in tables, charts and graphs. Candidates make comparisons and draw conclusions. The test is normed, so the Assessor Report shows a percentile and score band alongside speed and accuracy, and every candidate can receive a supportive Candidate Report.

A worked example

The following is a generic illustration written for this article, not an item from the Viewpoint test.

A café's price list shows: coffee £2.80, tea £2.20, sandwich £4.50, and a meal deal (any hot drink plus a sandwich) £6.00.

Question: How much does a customer save by buying a coffee and a sandwich as a meal deal? Separately they cost £2.80 + £4.50 = £7.30. The meal deal is £6.00, so the saving is £1.30.

Question: Is the meal deal better value with tea or with coffee? With tea, the separate cost is £6.70, a saving of £0.70. With coffee the saving is £1.30, so the deal is better value with coffee.

These questions are not hard maths. What they test is reading the information carefully and working through it without slips, which is what everyday jobs require.

Numerical comprehension or numerical reasoning?

Viewpoint offers several numerical tests. Numerical comprehension uses everyday data and suits customer service, retail, administrative, operational and apprentice roles. The Numerical Reasoning Test uses business charts and tables and suits graduate, managerial and professional roles. The Numerical Analysis Test is designed for different role demands again. Matching the test to the role matters for fairness and for prediction.

What research says

Numerical tests are among the ability measures with the strongest research support in selection. Bertua, Anderson and Salgado's UK meta-analysis found that numerical tests predicted both job performance and training success [1]. Using a test pitched at the right level for the role helps those results translate into good decisions.

Using a numerical comprehension test well

For employers, read results in bands from Very Low to Very High with speed and accuracy, and use them alongside an interview. For candidates, practise first, read each table's headings and units, and check each answer makes sense before moving on. With 32 questions in 16 minutes, keep a steady pace of about 30 seconds per question.

See the Numerical Comprehension Test page or compare all our ability tests.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Viewpoint Numerical Comprehension Test take?

It has 32 questions and a time limit of 16 minutes.

What kind of data does it use?

Everyday numerical information in tables, charts and graphs.

Is it normed?

Yes. The Assessor Report shows a percentile and score band, plus speed and accuracy.

Which roles is it suited to?

Roles that use everyday numbers, such as customer service, retail, administration, operations and apprenticeships.

References

1. Bertua, C., Anderson, N. & Salgado, J. F. (2005). The predictive validity of cognitive ability tests: a UK meta-analysis. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology, 78(3), 387–409.