Frequently asked questions

Numerical reasoning practice > Frequently asked questions

Short answers, with the limits of what can honestly be said marked where they apply.

1. How long does a test take?

Typically somewhere between ten and thirty minutes, often working out at roughly a minute per question. The practice here defaults to fifteen questions for that reason.

⚠️ The actual length is set by the employer. Do not plan around a number from a practice site.

2. Can I use a calculator?

Sometimes. It depends on the test and the employer, and it will be stated in your instructions.

Practise as if you might not have one. The mental shortcuts on the preparation page are faster than typing for most of these questions, and they still help when a calculator is allowed.

3. What is a good score?

There is no fixed pass mark. Scores are usually expressed relative to a comparison group, so the same number of correct answers can be strong or weak depending on who you are compared with.

⚠️ Anyone quoting a specific percentage as "the pass mark" is generalising from one employer. Treat it as unreliable.

4. What if I run out of time?

Very common, and usually caused by spending too long on two or three questions rather than by being slow overall.

• Set a personal limit — around 45 seconds — and move on when you hit it
• Answer the easy ones first if the format lets you move freely
• If wrong answers are not penalised, do not leave anything blank at the end

5. Does practice really help?

Yes, with a low ceiling. Practice removes format shock, teaches question-type recognition, and calibrates your pacing. It does not change your underlying numeracy much.

The largest single gain for most people is learning to abandon a question. The second is recognising the percentage-versus-absolute trap on the percentage change page.

6. Is this site really free, and why?

Yes, with no sign-up and no email required. It exists because the person who built it needed practice material where the answers could not be memorised, and could not find any.

The site is supported by advertising on its Japanese-language pages. These English pages carry no adverts, because the advertising available to it is aimed at the Japanese graduate market and would be of no use to you.