Santander Numerical Reasoning Test
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Santander looks for employees with a high numerical ability. Applicants may have to pass a numerical test before being offered a position.
Santander use the following tests in their selection process:
- SHL numerical reasoning test
- SHL verbal reasoning test
- SHL Situational Judgement Test
| Assessment section | Recommended Practice Pack |
|---|---|
Santander Numerical Test | Numerical Test Pack
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Santander Verbal Test pack | Verbal Test Pack
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Santander Bank is one of the top retail banks on the market and offers everything from basic checking and savings accounts to comprehensive financial solutions.
Numerical reasoning tests are a fair and objective way for Santander to assess a wide range of applicants, each having different experiences and different qualifications. By analysing the results of a standardised numerical reasoning test, Santander 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.
Santander Application Process Stages
Here is the typical process for your application to Santander, though it may vary between position level and sector.
Stage 1
| Online Application | Applicants start with an online application: you will need to provide personal details (background, education and work experience) as well as to upload a copy of your CV. |
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Stage 2
| Online Aptitude Test | For some roles, after completing the online application, you’ll be asked to complete online assessments. If you don’t meet the requirements, your application won’t be taken any further. |
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Stage 3
| Interview/Assessment center | Having passed the initial selection process, your application will then be submitted for review for short-listing. If successful you will be invited to either a face-to-face interview or an assessment day, which will include some formal assessment of your skills and competencies. |
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Santander Numerical Reasoning Test Questions
Like most numerical tests, the one used by Santander look at your ability to interpret numerical and graphical data and answer questions which require numerical analysis of the data provided. The numerical 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 numerical tests will come with practice, and you will become familiar with the type of numerical tests used by companies such as Santander.
Numerical reasoning tests and who uses them
Companies are using numerical reasoning test more and more in their application process that candidates must go through. Numerical reasoning tests are favoured when the role being recruited for requires interpretation and manipulation of numerical data on a regular basis. A person's score in a numerical reasoning test is a good indicator of their ability to work well with numbers. This is very important in finance, accounting and actuarial positions.
Santander use numerical reasoning tests as part of their recruitment process to help them select the best candidates for a particular role.
So as a graduate or senior candidate applying for a job at Santander you might feel like the numerical reasoning test is an unnecessary hoop to jump through. But you should bear in mind that Santander are asking you to complete the numerical 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 Santander, are a better predictor of job performance than traditional selection metrics such as level of degree achieved. For more information, check out ournumerical reasoning test guide.
What you should know before taking your numerical reasoning test
The numerical operations required in standardised numerical tests are of a level which most applicants can achieve. The difficult aspect comes with carrying out the calculations quickly and accurately within the time limit. You will be allowed a calculator for your numerical test at Santander, so make sure you know how to perform these basic operations. Percentage increases and decreases are the most common questions which catch out candidates. Here is a list of the most common operations you can expect in your numerical test:
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
- Percentages (including percentage changes)
- Ratios
Different types of numerical tests
Most questions in most numerical reasoning tests follow a standard format displaying numerical data, the question and answer options on screen. These can be arranged differently, but each test will stick to the same layout throughout. The numerical data may be a graph, table, chart or other visual form. The question text may contain extra information which adds to what's given in the table, this might also be necessary to answer the question correctly. 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.
Some publishers will have less subtle variations in their test from what's described here. Cappfinity for example, will ask you to rank the answer options by a particular criteria. Sometimes, in TalentQ tests, the question may have more than one answer, and you will be told to select two, or possibly more answer options from those available.
Answered questions
Are these tests suitable for Santander?
Yes. Santander 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.