Introduction to this format

Tests of advanced numerical data interpretation are one of the most difficult forms of numerical reasoning test. Although these questions share a similar format with the graduate-level questions in the previous chapters, this range is benchmarked at a higher level. These questions are more difficult since at least two or more calculations – or more – are needed typically per question. These are not necessarily complex calculations.

The questions are designed to mirror the type of numerical problems that managers face in the workplace and are set within an organisational context. So you are being assessed on applying your numeracy skills to business data. Many of the practice questions are set within the context of a (fictitious) international company called Conglomerate plc. From the table(s)/graph(s) presented you must ‘find’ the data you need to answer the question.

Guidance for advanced data interpretation practice tests

The practice questions appear in sets of 4–6. Each of these is followed by its respective answer explanations.

Start off by deciding what data you need and which of the graphs and/or tables contains it. Then locate the specific data that you need.

You are advised to:

• aim for roughly 1–2 minutes per question since questions can have 1, 2, 3 or more calculation stages;
• check your answers against the answer explanations that follow the test once you have completed all the questions;
• do this before you move on to the next test so that you can apply anything you have learnt immediately – this will aid your memory;
• use a calculator to answer the questions.

• For this question type the number of calculations in a question is high, which greatly increases the opportunity for error.
• Keep things simple whenever possible so that you can focus on getting the calculation correct.
• Don’t go for an answer just because it is the closest to your own calculation. The question will specify if you need to round up an answer.
• Don’t be distracted by complex business language, the size of the figures or the measurement units. Nine times out of ten the measurement units will be constant throughout the question and answer.
• If you can get the right answer by doing a rough calculation then by all means do so.
• You can in some cases simplify things for yourself – for example, focus on the one-to-nine digits in each figure rather on the zeroes (tens, hundreds, thousands, millions even) that follow the digits.
• You can also simplify matters by working to one decimal point, thus cutting down on the number of digits you need to write down and manipulate.

Advanced data interpretation practice test 1

Conglomerate plc projected UK regional sales (£ millions) for 2009

Review your answers to practice test 1

1	Answer (E) is correct: 3 world regions; 1 market sector Where’s the information I need? Look in: Conglomerate plc turnover by world region and Conglomerate plc worldwide turnover by market sector tables. Count up the number of regions and sectors that have increased between 2006 and 2007, 2007 and 2008: Asia-Pacific, North America, Rest of World = 3 world regions Retail = 1 market sector
2	Answer (D) is correct: UK, Other markets Where’s the information I need? Look in: Conglomerate plc turnover by world region and Conglomerate plc worldwide turnover by market sector tables. Calculate the difference between the 2006 and 2008 figures for each world region and each market sector:

Absolute change means that you can ignore where the change has been an increase or a decrease.

	Asia-Pacific = 292.2 – 280.8 = 11.4 UK = 477.9 – 479.3= –1.4 North America = 364.5 – 341 = 23.5 South America = 180.3 – 86.7 = 93.6 Rest of world = 174.7 – 139.2 = 35.5 Retail = 321.9 – 314.5 = 7.4 Leisure markets = 161.8 – 173.1 = – 11.3 Packaging = 467.6 – 469.2 = –1.6 Food markets = 392.3 – 411.6 = –19.3 Other markets = 52.4 – 52.2 = 0.2
3	Answer (B) is correct: 43% decrease Where’s the information I need? Look in: Conglomerate plc turnover by world region table and Conglomerate plc projected UK regional sales (£ millions) for 2009 graph.
	Step 1: The 2008 figure for the UK, £477.9 million, can be read directly from the Conglomerate plc turnover by world region table.
	Step 2: Find the sum of the projected UK regional sales figures: London total + Southern total + Northern total 75.3 + 115.2 + 82.9 = 273.4
	Step 3: Find the difference: 477.9 – 273.4 = 204.5
	Step 4: Turn this into a percentage: 100% × 204.5/477.9 = 43% (rounded up)
4	Answer (C) is correct: £26.7 million Where’s the information I need? Look in: Conglomerate plc worldwide turnover by market sector table.
	Step 1: You need to calculate the difference in sales for each market sector between 2006 and 2008. This has already been done for Question 2. The most profitable sector is Retail (£7.4 million increase in sales). The least profitable sector is Food markets (£19.3 million drop in sales).
	Step 2: Difference = 19.3 + 7.4 = £26.7 million
5	Answer (D) is correct: £198.1 million Where’s the information I need? Look in: Conglomerate plc Projected UK regional sales (£ millions) table. Add the projected sales for the Northern and the Southern regions: £82.9 + £115.2 = £198.1 million

Advanced data interpretation practice test 2

Product A, B, C sales in Year X for Conglomerate plc

Conglomerate plc total packaging sales ($100,000s) for
2008 (including new customer packaging sales)

Review your answers to practice test 2

Advanced data interpretation practice test 3

Retail sales for Product A (£10,000s)

Telecommunications company
UK sales 2008 by market (£ millions)

Telecommunications company
non-UK sales of Products A, B, C and D 2008 (£ millions)

Review your answers to practice test 3

Advanced data interpretation practice test 4

Review your answers to practice test 4

Answer (E) is correct: £150,000

Advanced data interpretation practice test 5

Female packaging employees 2008
(at Pennon location)

Male packaging employees 2008
(at Pennon location)

Conglomerate plc employees by function 2006–2008

Review your answers to practice test 5

The ratio of male to female employees for those aged 50–59 years is far higher than for any of the other age bands. You could perhaps have got to this answer by writing down the respective numbers of male and female employees and then comparing them visually.

Advanced data interpretation practice test 6

Conglomerate plc share price (pence) against main competitor

Conglomerate plc average graduate starting salary (in £)

Review your answers to practice test 6

Advanced data interpretation practice test 7

Sales by region (£100,000s)

Conglomerate plc UK staff 2008 by function and qualification

Review your answers to practice test 7