Lidl Numerical Reasoning Test

ben author icon
Ben Hopgood Updated:

About Lidl Numerical Reasoning Test

Lidl looks for employees with a high numerical ability. Applicants have to pass a numerical test before being offered a position.

Lidl logo

Lidl use the following tests in their selection process:

  • Numerical reasoning test

Lidl are a German based retail chain with a large number of branches in the UK. They offer a variety of graduate programmes in a number of areas, ranging from retail to corporate management. The selection process for a place on one of their graduate programmes will involve psychometric testing to ensure that Lidl maintain a workforce well suited to their job roles, by assessing candidates’ abilities. The process typically requires successful completion of a numerical reasoning test and a number of assessment exercises. Different exercises are used depending on the job role, and all candidates are informed in advance as to which tests or exercises they will be required to complete.

Lidl use SHL for their tests. The function of these tests is to screen out candidates without adequate numerical ability. This ensures that only those suited to a career with Lidl progress to the next stage of the selection process. The key competencies that Lidl look for in potential employees are leadership, commitment and ambition, teamwork, communication, motivation and self-development.

Often, Lidl will ask applicants to take a numerical test online, which you can take from home. When the numerical test is used early on in the application process like this you will have to achieve a minimum score before you progress to the next round (typically a score in the top 50% of applicants is required however this does vary role to role). Further along in the selection process you might be asked to attend an assessment centre or interview where you will be asked to sit a numerical test again. This is so Lidl can verify the person scoring highly in the test is indeed the person applying for the job.

Lidl Application Process Stages

Here is the typical process for your application to Lidl.

Stage 1

Application

Applicants will be required to complete and online application, providing their contact details, education and work experience. Lidl require applicants to upload a copy of their CV to be submitted with their application. Some roles also require a covering letter. This stage is largely to ensure that the candidates who progress further, meet the entry requirements for the selected job role. Candidates should receive a response from Lidl within 4 weeks of submitting their application

Stage 2

First Interview / Assessment Centre

The second stage of the process is an assessment centre and group interview. The assessment centre group interview is somewhat like a combined group exercise and interview, in which candidates will be required to answer certain questions. The numerical test lasts approximately 20 minutes and does not permit the use of a calculator, so practice tests are recommended.

Stage 3

Second Interview

Candidates successful during the first two stages then undertake an individual face-to-face interview comprised of competency and motivational based questions. This interview should last around 40 minutes and is likely to be administered by a senior manager. Successful applicants at this stage will be given an offer of employment, or a place on one of the graduate programmes

Join those now working at top companies

Don't settle for 'try again next year'. Let us help you pass employer tests first time.

Try now for free
logos of top companies

Lidl Numerical Reasoning Test Questions

Like most numerical tests, the one used by Lidl looks at your ability to interpret numerical and graphical data and answer questions which require numerical analysis of the data provided. The numerical test will be assessing your speed and accuracy. The answers are multiple choice and you should try to work quickly within the time limit, but also accurately. Negative marking is unlikely to be used but do not guess answers, as this will show up in your accuracy score. Sometimes you will find that you can make a best guess estimate by deducing that some of the answer options are incorrect. This approach to verbal tests will come with practice, and you will become familiar with the type of verbal tests used by companies such as Lidl.

Numerical reasoning tests and who uses them

Companies are using numerical reasoning test more and more in their application process that candidates must go through. Numerical reasoning tests are favoured when the role being recruited for requires interpretation and manipulation of numerical data on a regular basis. A person's score in a numerical reasoning test is a good indicator of their ability to work well with numbers. This is very important in finance, accounting and actuarial positions.

Lidl use numerical reasoning tests as part of their recruitment process to help them select the best candidates for a particular role.

So as a graduate or senior candidate applying for a job at Lidl you might feel like the numerical reasoning test is an unnecessary hoop to jump through. But you should bear in mind that Lidl are asking you to complete the numerical test as much for your own benefit as theirs; if you are not suitable for the role, a psychometric test will usually identify this. Research has shown that psychometric tests, such as those used by Lidl, are a better predictor of job performance than traditional selection metrics such as level of degree achieved.

What you should know before taking your numerical reasoning test

The numerical operations required in standardised numerical tests are of a level which most applicants can achieve. The difficult aspect comes with carrying out the calculations quickly and accurately within the time limit. You will be allowed a calculator for your numerical test at Lidl, so make sure you know how to perform these basic operations. Percentage increases and decreases are the most common questions which catch out candidates. Here is a list of the most common operations you can expect in your numerical test:

  • Addition
  • Subtraction
  • Multiplication
  • Division
  • Percentages (including percentage changes)
  • Ratios

Different types of numerical tests

Most questions in most numerical reasoning tests follow a standard format displaying numerical data, the question and answer options on screen. These can be arranged differently, but each test will stick to the same layout throughout. The numerical data may be a graph, table, chart or other visual form. The question text may contain extra information which adds to what's given in the table, this might also be necessary to answer the question correctly. Lastly, the answer options are almost always multiple choice. Multiple choice answers can vary, however. You may have 4 options to pick from, 5, maybe 10, or more. The more answer options to pick from, the slimmer the chances are that you can obtain the correct answer by guessing.

Some publishers will have less subtle variations in their test from what's described here.Cappfinity for example, will ask you to rank the answer options by a particular criteria. Sometimes, in TalentQ tests, the question may have more than one answer, and you will be told to select two, or possibly more answer options from those available.

Answered questions

How difficult are your tests?

The same difficulty as real tests. Generally real employer selection tests don't differ that much in terms of difficulty which is why they compare your score against norm groups. Our practice tests are pitched roughly at graduate level, but this means they are actually suitable for preparing for all levels of job: entry; apprentice; graduate; senior; director.

Are they compatible with my Mac / Tablet / Phone?

Yes, and PC, and Linux and smartphone and Android and...everything. Our practice tests will run on all systems and they are responsive so they will work well on tablets and smartphones too!

How many times can I take the tests?

Unlimited. You can take our practice tests as many times as you like; there is no limit. But to be honest, after taking the same test a few times you start to remember the answers, so that’s why we have lots of tests.