RBS Numerical Reasoning Test
RBS looks for employees with a high numerical ability. Applicants have to pass a numerical test before being offered a position.
RBS use the following tests in their selection process:
Jump to:About RBS Numerical Reasoning Tests
Numerical reasoning tests are a fair and objective way for RBS to assess a wide range of applicants, each having different experiences and different qualifications. By analysing the results of a standardised numerical reasoning test, RBS are able to quickly see which candidates are suitable for the role and which are not. This sort of information about candidates’ skills is difficult to glean from interviews and qualifications alone, so they use professional psychometric tests.
Often, RBS 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 RBS can verify the person scoring highly in the test is indeed the person applying for the job.
| Assessment section | Recommended Practice Pack |
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RBS numerical test | Numerical Test Pack
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All RBS tests | Bundle pack
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RBS Application Process Stages
Here is the typical process for your application to RBS.
Stage 1
| Online Application | You will need to complete an online application form, in which you will need to detail your educational history. |
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Stage 2
| Online Situational Judgement Test | Shortly after submitting your application, you will automatically be invited to take a Situational Judgement test online under timed conditions. The test is quite short, and most candidates complete it under 30 minutes. |
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Stage 3
| Sky Rise City Gamified Assessment | This is a different stage of the process where you will be invited to take part in a new type of online assessment; an interactive assessment, or gamified assessment. Instructions will be sent to you via e-mail with your username and password and how to access the application. Sky Rise City will present you with a series of challenges. The application will analyse how you tackle each challenge. This should take 20 minutes at most to complete. |
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Stage 4
| Online Logical and Numerical reasoning tests | After having successfully passed the situational judgement test, you will be invited to complete a logical and a numerical reasoning test online.The numerical and logical reasoning tests are provided by TalentQ and will assess your ability to reason logically, and analyse numerical data, which are very important skills to have for any financial position. |
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Stage 5
| Video interview | The video interview is described as a one-way recording. Typically, in a video interview you will be given a set of questions to respond to. You will then use the software provided to record your responses to these questions. Responses are typically 30 seconds to a minute long. Use the freedom here to plan your responses to the questions well, even if that means redoing the recording. You will often get the opportunity to view and check the recording before submitting it. Ensure that your answers are relevant to the questions asked. RBS state that you can record your responses from your mobile phone, tablet or any PC with a webcam. |
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Stage 6
| Assessment Centre | Once you've managed to win over RBS with your video interview responses, your scores in the SJT, numerical and logical reasoning tests, the final stage will require you to attend an assessment centre and take part in an interview, a group exercise, and a few other tasks, such as a written exercise, a meeting, or a presentation. During the group exercise, the assessors will be evaluating how well you form relationships with other, new people, and how you contribute to the team. |
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RBS Numerical Reasoning Test Questions
Like most numerical tests, the one used by RBS look 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 numerical tests will come with practice, and you will become familiar with the type of numerical tests used by companies such as RBS.
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.
RBS 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 RBS you might feel like the numerical reasoning test is an unnecessary hoop to jump through. But you should bear in mind that RBS 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 RBS, 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 RBS, 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
Are these tests suitable for RBS?
Yes. RBS use TalentQ's reasoning tests to assess applicants in the recruitment process. The practice tests we provide have been designed to mimic TalentQ's style to create an environment similar to the real assessment. This provides you with confidence that the questions you practice with us now are an accurate reflection of the real assessment.
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.