Numerical reasoning for modern hiring
Assess how candidates read tables, charts and business data, calculate under pace and draw the right conclusion from the figures. Signals Numerical Reasoning uses a familiar reasoning format, with short, timed questions designed to make AI assistance harder.
AI-resilient by design
No specialist knowledge needed
Employers that trust Test Partnership
One stem, four questions, one at a time
Read first, then answer.
Candidates review a table, chart or short business scenario, then answer four questions individually. The stem remains visible throughout, with an on-screen calculator.
Inside a testlet
Four answers recorded. The next stem is chosen to match this candidate's estimated ability.
- Testlet A: below estimated ability
- Testlet B: selected for this candidate
- Testlet C: held for a later sitting
Drawn from a growing bank
Step 4 is illustrative. Candidates complete Signals on their own device, with instructions built in.
Read the six-page guide
What the assessment measures, what candidates see, how the format is designed to preserve the signal when candidates have AI to hand, and what your team gets back.
Written with financial services talent teams in mind, and easy to forward to whoever signs off your assessment process, whatever your sector.
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Short sitting - A handful of testlets, timed per question, leaving room for verbal or behavioural assessment. -
Phone or desktop - Built mobile-first, with an on-screen calculator and instructions built in. -
Familiar format - Read data, choose the answer: recognisable from established numerical tests. -
Fair to any background - Business contexts, no specialist knowledge: graduates, apprentices and lateral hires alike.
The numeracy behind sound business decisions
Stems reflect the data professionals actually handle at work: budgets, performance figures, rates and growth. Every answer is based on the information provided, with no prior finance or sector knowledge required.
Signals Numerical Reasoning is typically used alongside Signals Verbal Reasoning, so candidates sit both in one short session and you get a combined ability profile against the same norm groups.
For graduate, apprentice and professional hiring in finance, professional services and any role where numerical reasoning matters.
Read the data
Extract the right figures from tables, charts and business reports.
What do the numbers actually say?
Calculate under pace
Work with percentages, ratios and rates of change accurately, against the clock.
Is the calculation right?
Draw conclusions
Reach an accurate conclusion from the data presented, and nothing more.
Is that conclusion justified?
Familiar to candidates.
Harder to outsource.
When candidates outsource their reasoning to AI, scores become less useful for shortlisting. Signals builds AI resilience through assessment design rather than surveillance. No remote assessment is beyond AI assistance; Signals makes outsourcing an answer slower, harder and less reliable, and we monitor that as AI tools change: the format itself limits what outside help can achieve. The research behind this approach is set out in our whitepaper.
One question at a time
Candidates cannot capture all four questions together or preview what comes next.
Short answer windows
Individual timers limit the time available to capture a question, obtain an external answer and enter it.
Adaptive selection
Question sets are selected according to estimated ability, so candidates can encounter different content.
Signals uses Rasch calibration and computer adaptive testing to select questions suited to estimated ability. Item analysis informs the review of question quality and differences in performance across groups.
- Percentiles or STENs show performance relative to your selected comparison group
- View results in the platform and download PDF reports to support hiring discussions
- Export scores to CSV or Excel for your wider recruitment workflow
Discuss the assessment evidence, available norm groups and suitability for your campaign.
Talk to our psychologistsTrusted by hiring teams
These clients describe their experience of Test Partnership and our wider assessment service.
Since they upgraded these to gamified tests, it has only enhanced their effectiveness. Add to that their ability to identify candidates' true potential rather than that of ChatGPT, we consider it an invaluable part of our skills assessment process.
Alex Denise Head of Recruitment, GSR
Test Partnership has helped us bring more structure and objectivity into our hiring process. The assessments give us useful insight into candidate potential and help us identify stronger talent more efficiently.
Karima Khaled Fuad Zureiqi Senior Talent Acquisition Manager, Houlihan Lokey
These tests help us quickly narrow down large applicant pools and focus on candidates most likely to succeed. The platform is easy to use, and their team provides excellent support whenever needed.
Elma Jane Castillo Early Careers Lead, S&W
Signals Numerical Reasoning FAQs
Signals Numerical Reasoning is for any employer that screens on numerical ability, typically graduate, apprentice, intern and analyst intakes. It is widely used in finance (investment banks, advisory firms, market makers, asset managers) and suits professional services, consulting and any role where candidates work with data. Candidates do not need a finance degree or specialist knowledge.
Use it at the stage where you assess numerical ability, before interviews or an assessment centre. Our team can help you review how it fits your selection criteria and any other assessments you use.
Yes. The assessment is designed for completion on the candidate’s own device, including a mobile. The stem stays visible while each question is answered, and an on-screen calculator is provided.
Discuss candidate adjustments and assistive technology requirements with our team before your campaign, so the assessment can be configured appropriately.
Each stem is followed by four questions shown one at a time, each with its own short timer, with no previewing or going back, and the next testlet is selected adaptively from a growing bank. These design features make it slower, harder and less reliable to outsource answers to an AI tool. Our fully game-based MindmetriQ suite adds a dynamic format where maximum resilience matters. Book a call to walk through the candidate experience, reporting and norm groups with one of our business psychologists.
