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100+ Free Civil Service Numerical Test Practice Questions

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A team of 4 staff can clear a backlog in 15 days. Assuming the same work rate per person, how long would 6 staff take?

A
B
C
D
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Key Facts: Civil Service Numerical Test Exam

Untimed

No Time Limit

GOV.UK test guidance

15-45 min

Typical Completion Time

GOV.UK test guidance

Percentile

How Scores Are Reported

GOV.UK Civil Service online tests

Free

Candidate Fee

Civil Service Jobs

Calculator

Permitted in the Test

GOV.UK test guidance

Adaptive

Difficulty Adjusts to Answers

GOV.UK test guidance

The Civil Service Numerical Test (CSNT) is the UK Civil Service's online numerical reasoning test for job applicants. You interpret graphs and tables to choose the correct answer. It is untimed (most finish in 15-45 minutes), allows a calculator, and is adaptive. There is no fee and no fixed pass mark: scores are reported as a percentile, typically across around 20-30 scored questions.

Sample Civil Service Numerical Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Civil Service Numerical Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A department's monthly casework table shows: September 1,250 cases received, October 1,400, November 1,500. By what percentage did cases received increase from September to November?
A.16%
B.20%
C.25%
D.12%
Explanation: Percentage increase = (new - old) / old x 100. The change is 1,500 - 1,250 = 250, and 250 / 1,250 = 0.20 = 20%. Always divide the change by the original (September) value.
2A survey of 12,000 respondents reports that 9% selected soup as their preferred meal. How many respondents chose soup?
A.960
B.1,080
C.1,200
D.1,360
Explanation: To find a percentage of a total, multiply the total by the decimal form of the percentage. 12,000 x 0.09 = 1,080. The word 'of' signals multiplication.
3A local government department has a £320,000 annual budget split: salaries 45%, services 30%, equipment 10%, and the rest to a contingency fund. How much goes to the contingency fund?
A.£32,000
B.£48,000
C.£64,000
D.£72,000
Explanation: First add the known shares: 45% + 30% + 10% = 85%. The contingency fund is 100% - 85% = 15%. Then 320,000 x 0.15 = 48,000.
4A project team has 12 senior staff each working 40 hours per week and 18 junior staff each working 25 hours per week. What is the ratio of total senior hours to total junior hours?
A.12 : 18
B.8 : 15
C.16 : 15
D.5 : 6
Explanation: Total senior hours = 12 x 40 = 480; total junior hours = 18 x 25 = 450. The ratio 480 : 450 simplifies by dividing both by 30 to give 16 : 15.
5A table shows average handling time falling from 9.0 days in September to 7.8 days in November. By approximately what percentage did the average handling time decrease?
A.12.0%
B.13.3%
C.15.4%
D.1.2%
Explanation: The decrease is 9.0 - 7.8 = 1.2 days. As a percentage of the original 9.0, this is 1.2 / 9.0 = 0.1333 = 13.3%. Percentage change is always relative to the starting value.
6Which number comes next in the sequence: 2, 5, 12, 27, 58, ?
A.116
B.118
C.121
D.174
Explanation: Each term is the previous term doubled plus an increasing odd number: 2x2+1=5, 5x2+2=12, 12x2+3=27, 27x2+4=58, so 58x2+5=121. The added amount increases by 1 each step.
7Which number completes the equation: 4 x ? = 84 / 3 ?
A.7
B.10
C.17
D.28
Explanation: First evaluate the right side: 84 / 3 = 28. Then solve 4 x ? = 28, so ? = 28 / 4 = 7. Always simplify each side fully before solving.
8Normally Katy drives 40 miles each way to work Monday to Friday. One week she takes Wednesday off. How many miles does she drive that week?
A.400 miles
B.360 miles
C.320 miles
D.200 miles
Explanation: Each working day is 2 x 40 = 80 miles. A full five-day week is 80 x 5 = 400 miles. With one day off, subtract 80, giving 400 - 80 = 320 miles.
9A bar chart (shown as a table) lists new gym members in February: Deluxe 14, Super 10, Standard 18, Off Peak 22. What is the ratio of Super to Off Peak members?
A.5 : 11
B.11 : 5
C.2 : 5
D.10 : 22
Explanation: Super = 10 and Off Peak = 22, giving 10 : 22. Dividing both sides by the common factor 2 simplifies this to 5 : 11. Ratios should be reduced to lowest terms.
10Standard gym members rose from 18 in February to 22 in March. What is the best approximation of the percentage increase?
A.2%
B.9%
C.18%
D.22%
Explanation: The increase is 22 - 18 = 4. As a percentage of the February figure: 4 / 18 = 0.222, approximately 22%. Round to the nearest provided option.

About the Civil Service Numerical Test Exam

The Civil Service Numerical Test (CSNT) is an online numerical reasoning assessment used by UK Civil Service Jobs to measure general mental ability for administrative and operational roles. Candidates are presented with graphs, tables or other numerical information and must select the correct answer from multiple-choice options. The test is untimed, allows a calculator, and is adaptive, with each question's difficulty adjusting to previous answers; it also includes a small number of unscored trial items used to calibrate future questions. Scores are reported as a percentile relative to a comparison group at the same job level, and recruiters set the minimum required standard per campaign. The exact number of scored questions varies by campaign, typically around 20 to 30 items.

Questions

30 scored questions

Time Limit

Untimed (most finish in 15-45 minutes)

Passing Score

No fixed pass mark; recruiter sets a minimum required percentile per campaign

Exam Fee

Free (no candidate fee) (UK Civil Service, via the Civil Service Jobs online assessment platform (CSHR))

Civil Service Numerical Test Exam Content Outline

~45%

Data Interpretation (tables, charts, graphs)

Reading values from tables and charts to compute totals, differences, means, ranges, ratios and proportions

~20%

Percentages and Proportions

Percentage of an amount, percentage change, percentage points, reverse percentages, VAT, discounts and interest

~12%

Ratios and Proportions

Simplifying ratios, sharing in a ratio, direct and inverse proportion, scaling and scale conversions

~12%

Averages and Rates

Mean, median and range; work and combined rates; speed, distance and time; per-unit rates

~11%

Number Sequences and Arithmetic

Completing number sequences, solving simple equations, rounding and unit conversion

How to Pass the Civil Service Numerical Test Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: No fixed pass mark; recruiter sets a minimum required percentile per campaign
  • Exam length: 30 questions
  • Time limit: Untimed (most finish in 15-45 minutes)
  • Exam fee: Free (no candidate fee)

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Civil Service Numerical Test Study Tips from Top Performers

1Practise reading tables and charts quickly, and note the units stated (such as thousands or percentages) before you calculate.
2Master percentage change versus percentage points — they are different and a common source of errors on the test.
3Always divide a change by the original value when finding a percentage increase or decrease, not by the new value.
4Use your calculator, but estimate first so you can spot answers that are off by a factor of ten.
5Simplify ratios fully and find the value of one part before scaling up to the share you need.
6Because the test is untimed and adaptive, focus on accuracy over speed; a correct answer can lead to a harder, higher-scoring question.
7Read the official GOV.UK guidance and take the free official practice test so the format and percentile scoring hold no surprises.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Civil Service Numerical Test (CSNT)?

The CSNT is an online numerical reasoning test used by UK Civil Service Jobs. You are shown graphs, tables or other numerical information and must select the correct answer from multiple-choice options. It measures general mental ability rather than job-specific knowledge.

Is the Civil Service Numerical Test timed?

No. The Numerical Test is untimed and your score is not affected by how long you take. Most candidates complete it in 15 to 45 minutes, and you can use a calculator throughout.

What score do I need to pass?

There is no fixed pass mark. Your score is reported as a percentile compared to a group of applicants at the same job level, and the recruiter sets the minimum required standard for each campaign. Meeting the minimum is no guarantee of progressing.

How many questions are on the test?

The exact number varies by campaign, typically around 20 to 30 scored questions. The test is also adaptive and includes some unscored trial items used to calibrate future questions, which do not count toward your result.

Can I use a calculator?

Yes. A calculator is permitted for the Civil Service Numerical Test. Practising with the calculator you will use, and being confident with percentages and ratios, helps you work quickly and accurately.

Is the test taken online or at a centre?

The Numerical Test is taken online, remotely, through your Civil Service Jobs application centre. You must stay connected to the internet; if you lose connection you can resume where you left off. Recruiters may ask shortlisted candidates to re-sit under supervised conditions.

What if I have a disability or need adjustments?

Reasonable adjustments are available, including extra support, an in-person reader, or a paper-based alternative. Charts and graphs are always provided in table format as well, so the test is accessible to screen-reader users and people with visual impairments.

Does the test cost anything?

No. Like all Civil Service online tests, the Numerical Test is free for candidates. Official practice tests and guidance are also free on GOV.UK; only optional third-party prep packs carry a cost.