Macquarie Logical Reasoning Test

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Ben Hopgood Updated:

About Macquarie Logical Reasoning Test

Macquarie looks for employees with a high logical ability. Applicants have to pass a logical test before being offered a position.

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Macquarie use the following tests in their selection process:

  • numerical reasoning test
  • verbal reasoning test
  • Logical reasoning test

Founde in Australia in 1969, Macquarie Group Limited is a multinational independent investment bank and financial services company employing approximately 14,000 people worldwide. While Macquarie Group employs many people of various skill sets, there is an extensive selection process in place to ensure only the most suitable candidates progress successfully and a high calibre of workforce is maintained. Psychometric testing is adopted throughout the recruitment process, as a means of screening out candidates who lack the abilities necessary for a career in this area. Typically, candidates are asked to complete logical (diagrammatic), numerical and verbal reasoning tests, although further tests may be used for some positions. Candidates are informed in advance as to which tests they will be required to take.

The function of these tests is to screen out candidates without adequate ability in these sections, although different combinations of tests could be required depending on the level of role applied for.

Logical reasoning testsare a fair and objective way for Macquarie to assess a wide range of applicants, each having different experiences and different qualifications. By analysing the results of a standardised logical reasoning test, Macquarie are able to quickly see which candidates are suitable for the role and which are not. This sort of information about candidates’ skills is difficult to glean from interviews and qualifications alone, so they use professional psychometric tests.

I prepared for Verbal, Numerical and Logical Reasoning. The practice helped and questions were a good difficulty. The Verbal and Numerical tests were similar difficulty to the actual test and the logical were maybe more challenging.

Macquarie applicant

Macquarie Application Process Stages

Here is the typical process for your application to Macquarie.

Stage 1

Application

Applications are made online and require candidates to provide their contact details, education and work experience. They are also required to complete a few screening questions, which are used to ensure that the candidate is suited to their selected role.

Stage 2

Online Aptitude Test

Selected candidates will then need to undertake a selection of psychometric tests; including some of all of the following: numerical, verbal and diagrammatic reasoning, a situational judgement test and personality questionnaire.

Stage 3

Interview

Successful candidates are required to attend an initial interview, which is usually conducted in person, but is sometimes administered as a telephone interview. Later on in the selection process, this is often followed by a second interview which will be either technical/functional or competency based. It is recommended that candidates adopt the STAR approach when formulating answers, while remaining mindful of the Macquarie competencies: Leadership, Commercial Awareness, Thought Processing, Delivery, Personal Effectiveness, and Personal Style. These interviews allow opportunities to demonstrate strengths, areas of interest and experience.

Stage 4

Face to face interviews

Macquarie also use face to face interviews as a last stage process to really determine who the right candidate is for the position.

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Macquarie Logical Reasoning Test Questions

Like most logical tests, the one used by Macquarie look at your ability to interpret abstract data, such as patterns created from shapes and shades, and answer questions which require identification and extrapolation of these patterns. The logical test will be assessing your speed and accuracy. The answers are multiple choice and you should try to work quickly within the time limit, but also accurately. Negative marking is unlikely to be used but do not guess answers, as this will show up in your accuracy score. Sometimes you will find that you can make a best guess estimate by deducing that some of the answer options are incorrect. This approach to logical tests will come with practice, and you will become familiar with the type of logical tests used by companies such as Macquarie.

Logical reasoning tests and who uses them

Companies are using logical reasoning test more and more in their application process that candidates must go through. Logical reasoning tests are favoured to assess a candidate's general level of abstract intelligence or reasoning ability. A person's score in a logical reasoning test is a good indicator of their ability to work well with new concepts and to spot patterns. This can be important in any sector or position.

So asa graduate or senior candidate applying for a job at Macquarie you might feel like the logical reasoning test is an unnecessary hoop to jump through. But you should bear in mind that Macquarie are asking you to complete the logical 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 Macquarie, are a better predictor of job performance than traditional selection metrics such as level of degree achieved.

What you should know before taking your logical test

The logical operations required in standardised logical tests are of a level which most applicants can achieve. The difficult aspect comes with identifying the patterns, especially when there are multiple differences in each example of the pattern, quickly and accurately within the time limit. Here is a list of the most common operations you can expect in your logical test:

  • Changes in size of shape
  • Reflection
  • Transformation
  • Division
  • Greyscale shading or other ways of making shapes more distinct
  • Rotation

Different types of Logical tests

Most questions in most logical reasoning tests follow a standard format displaying a pattern of images, the question and answer options on screen. These can be arranged differently, but each test will stick to the same layout throughout. The images may contain shapes, such as squares, triangles, and circles, or more symbols, such as arrows, currency signs, and other special characters. The question text may contain extra information which adds to what's given in the sequence of images, this might also be necessary to answer the question correctly. You might have to guess which answer option is the next in the sequence, or which options represents a missing step in the sequence. 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.

Answered questions

Are these tests suitable for Macquarie??

Yes. Macquarie use SHL's reasoning tests to assess applicants in the recruitment process. The practice tests we provide have been designed to mimic SHL's style to create an environment similar to the real assessment. This provides you with confidence that the questions you practice with us now are an accurate reflection of the real assessment.

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.