The Advanced Numeracy Test Workbook - Mike Bryon [47]
A score below 65
The language examined by this test is typical of that used in the business press and workplace, and a working knowledge of it is expected in the psychometric tests of advanced numeracy.
Seek to develop greater confidence in using this language by reading the business section of a quality newspaper and the weekly specialist business journals. Obtain a dictionary of business terms and look up any words that you do not understand.
Test 4: A test of geometry
A score above 40
Not every advance numeracy test includes questions of geometry. However, GMAT does and if you face this test your score suggests that you will excel in this aspect of it. As you can expect to perform well in this aspect of the test you face, you can concentrate on other challenges in order that you perform to this high standard across the board.
A score of 30 or above
It is a good result but it could be better! Not every advance numeracy test includes geometry questions but a number do and if you face one of these you should undertake some more practice and ensure that you pick up all of these marks rather than most of them. Go over your result and see if there are any rules or formulae that you can memorize. If you ran out of time, practise more so that you build up your speed and confidence. It may be that you have to take more risks in terms of risking getting some questions wrong in order to attempt more questions. You have to achieve a difficult balance between speed and accuracy where you manage all the questions in the time given but minimize errors because you are rushing. Only practice will help achieve this balance.
A score below 30
It may be that the test you face does not include questions of geometry. Establish for sure whether or not it does. If the answer is no, forget triangles and cosine ratios and practise on the questions that are directly relevant to the challenge ahead. If the test you face does indeed involve geometry questions, these represent relatively straightforward marks, and with more practice you can guarantee these points count towards your overall score. Revise and memorize the rules and formulae. Many are covered in the chapter ‘A key concepts reference’ and the explanations offered with the answers. Learn the sequence of square and cube numbers. Then practise until you get the questions right every time. Finally practise under realistic test conditions.
Test 5: A further test of quantitative operations
A score above 40
Your score suggests a high level of confidence and familiarity in these operations. You can expect to perform well in a real test of these concepts and so you can concentrate on other challenges in order that you perform to this high standard every time.
A score of 30 or above
Establish which principles were involved in the questions that you got wrong and start a programme of practice that begins with the revision of these operations. Once you have become confident in these and all the key operations reviewed in this test, practise on further mock tests under realistic test conditions – if you do this I am confident that you will notice a significant improvement in your score.
If you found that you did not have enough time to complete all the questions, practise estimating the answers rather than working the whole sum. Look to rule out some suggested answers as wrong and thereby narrow the field of possible answers. Practise more with a view to increasing your confidence and speed.
You will find suitable material in my book How to Pass Advanced Numeracy Tests (Kogan Page, 2008). Other sources are also listed on page 3 of this book.
A score below 30
To compete, set aside a quite significant amount of time to review the further operations examined in this test. With practice you will succeed in acquiring the confidence, accuracy and speed in answering these questions. It may take time, but if the opportunity to which you are working is something