Verbal and Numerical Tests?

Has anyone got any advice about the verbal and numerical tests that applicants are required to take?

What is the minimum score to pass?

Are there any good practice books you recommend?

What tends to be the average score on these type of examinations?

I have been doing the SHL ones, does anyone know of books which just contain pure questions and answers?

Reply 1

unistudent

OP

Any answers?

Reply 2

President_Ben

15

Aim for 100% and practice under increasingly difficult circumstances, not that hard to work out is it?

Reply 3

Vilho

I did the JPMorgan tests (on their website) last night for fun. I had the right answer to every question and did it quite fast. Although, there was no time limit or recommended time so I doubt I would have done as well with time pressure. I've also done couple other tests and scored pretty well but then my time was limited and I didn't get a perfect score.

Are all the actual tests done within a time limit or do some of them actually allow you some time to think?

Reply 4

unistudent

OP

Bit cocky, President Ben.

In the exams, should one aim to complete all questions (i.e. guessing if you are not sure) OR accuracy?

Reply 5

MrBing

1

unistudent

Bit cocky, President Ben.

In the exams, should one aim to complete all questions (i.e. guessing if you are not sure) OR accuracy?

Maybe both...?

Reply 6

President_Ben

15

unistudent

Bit cocky, President Ben.

In the exams, should one aim to complete all questions (i.e. guessing if you are not sure) OR accuracy?

Cocky? So what?

The questions are one you should be able to answer correctly. You should be able to get 100% in those tests and should be looking to get 100%. The questions are no more difficult than GCSE standard (if that).

If you're struggling with the tests, you may find the actual job rather taxing.

Reply 7

Johan C

13

The questions are easy - I just did the JPMorgan Numerical Test and duly got 100% -; what's tough is being quick enough. It took me way too long to do the last one, though I must say using the Google calculator is seriously hindering.

Reply 8

Roll-The-Dice-And-Win

1

Theres many tests at www.shl.com
Merrill Lynch and Barclays Capital websites also have some practise tests.
easy peasy :wink:

Reply 9

Vilho

mussy1234

Theres many tests at www.shl.com
Merrill Lynch and Barclays Capital websites also have some practise tests.
easy peasy :wink:

I did the ML test a while ago, that was over way too fast, I think I only completed 7-8 of the 10(?) questions... Guess I'll try Barclays now.

And as President Ben is saying, the tests are fairly easy if you can manage the time and you should aim for 100%, nothing less.

When the time comes for the actual tests I'll probably spend a day or two preparing so I know I can handle the time constraint.

Reply 10

unistudent

OP

I have done the beta tests for the shl ones, and found them not to difficult. However as mentioned above I would say to make sure you have all the tools you need ready when it comes to the real thing. I had a few problems getting results from excel whilst using a new keyboard.

What I meant from my above post (which was clearly misunderstood) was to ask:

If you had done 27 questions out of 30 with 10 seconds remaining, should you guess the remaining 3? This would jeopardise a possible 100% accuracy score for the 27 you know you had got right.

Reply 11

Vilho

unistudent

I have done the beta tests for the shl ones, and found them not to difficult. However as mentioned above I would say to make sure you have all the tools you need ready when it comes to the real thing. I had a few problems getting results from excel whilst using a new keyboard.

What I meant from my above post (which was clearly misunderstood) was to ask:

If you had done 27 questions out of 30 with 10 seconds remaining, should you guess the remaining 3? This would jeopardise a possible 100% accuracy score for the 27 you know you had got right.

Well, do you just get a score say 27/30 or perhaps 28/30 if you manage to guess one right or do you get a percentage say 100% on 28Q or 90% 30Q?

By they way, could someone link to the Barclays tests? Their website was really badly organized and I got tired of it for now.

Reply 12

TheAP

9

You need 11/20 in the Barcap numerical test to progress onto the next stage. Source = Barcap Gradute recruitment lady who was not supposed to tell me...

Some people cheat by getting a friend to do the test for you.

Reply 13

unistudent

OP

Do you think that employers use the results further on to distinguish between the cream of candidates, or would one say that there are greater indicators of a candidate’s quality?

Reply 14

fubu

1

Don't they do random paper tests for numerical reasoning at interviews for IB? I wouldn't recommend cheating; you're just setting yourself up for a fall.

Reply 15

TheAP

9

unistudent

Do you think that employers use the results further on to distinguish between the cream of candidates, or would one say that there are greater indicators of a candidate’s quality?

Barcap and GS claim they dont...

and of course there are other greater indicators!

Reply 16

unistudent

OP

Yes. I would tend to agree with fubu. From my understanding you are assessed for a second time one you reach the centres stage of recruitment.

Secondly as noted above, if you are not capable why bother?

Reply 17

TheAP

9

fubu

Don't they do random paper tests for numerical reasoning at interviews for IB? I wouldn't recommend cheating; you're just setting yourself up for a fall.

Some do in-house numerical tests..I think these include GS and DB.

Reply 18

CityMonkey

11

A UBS HR person told me after a certain point, accuracy is more important than how many you get right, i.e. you can't just do 1 and get it right and get in by way of 100% accuracy, but the more you do the more accuracy becomes important.

Reply 19

unistudent

OP

Yes that is what I thought. Of course practice will ensure accuracy and understanding of the examination.

Do you recommend any books?

Verbal and Numerical Tests?

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