UBS Numerical Reasoning Test
UBS looks for employees with a high numerical ability. Applicants have to pass a numerical test before being offered a position.
UBS use the following tests in their selection process:
Jump to:About UBS Numerical Reasoning Tests
UBS use numerical reasoning tests as part of their recruitment process to help them select the best candidates for a particular role..
UBS use the following tests in their selection process:
- Korn Ferry Numerical reasoning test
- Korn Ferry Situational Judgement
| Assessment section | Recommended Practice Pack |
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UBS numerical test | Numerical Test Pack
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All UBS tests | Bundle pack
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Often, UBS 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 UBS can verify the person scoring highly in the test is indeed the person applying for the job.
UBS Application Process Stages
Here is the typical process for your application to UBS.
Stage 1
| Application | Applicants will be required to answer a few competency based questions and provide their contact details, education and work experience, this is to ensure that they meet the necessary entry criteria. The candidate will have the opportunity to upload their CV along with the application form. |
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Stage 2
| Online Aptitude Tests | Candidates will then be invited to complete a Numerical Reasoning test and a UBS Situational Judgement Cultural Appraiser, with the numerical test consisting of 18 questions. The Numerical Reasoning test has a strict time limit, so practice tests are recommended. |
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Stage 3
| Video Interview | Those who are successful at the online testing stage, will progress to the next stage in the UBS selection process, which is a video interview. This allows the candidate to present their strengths from activities inside and outside of work, and gives UBS an impression of the type of person the candidate is. Honesty and openness are recommended. |
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Stage 4
| Assessment Centre | The final stage is attendance at an assessment centre, in which candidates will complete a combination of the following: an analysis exercise, a group exercise and a competency based interview, which will refer to the companies key capabilities; Judgement, Drive, Execution and Influence. Successful applications at stage 4 will be given an offer of a place on one of the Graduate Schemes offered by UBS Banking Group. Applicants for some positions may be asked to provide evidence of their numerical reasoning capabilities. |
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UBS Numerical Reasoning Test Questions
In these tests numerical data is provided to a candidate, usually in the form of graphs, tables, statistics and financial data. To answer these questions, candidates must analyse this data and make a logical conclusion from it, allowing them to select the correct answer. Typical numerical skills which are tested include addition/subtraction, multiplication/division, ratios, fractions and percentages. The UBS Banking Group numerical reasoning test consists of 18 questions and has a time limit of 18 minutes. The questions are adaptive, so do not be concerned if you feel they increase in difficulty.
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.
UBS 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 UBS you might feel like the numerical reasoning test is an unnecessary hoop to jump through. But you should bear in mind that UBS 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 UBS, are a better predictor of job performance than traditional selection metrics such as level of degree achieved. For more information, check out our numerical reasoning test guide.
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 UBS, 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.