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Free Civil Service Numerical Test Practice Questions

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Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Civil Service Numerical Test practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

  1. 1A service centre records 148 completed cases on Monday, 167 on Tuesday and 135 on Wednesday. How many cases were completed across these three days?

    1. A.302
    2. B.315
    3. C.450Correct answer: C
    4. D.460

    Explanation: Education Scotland states, "Finding the total of more than one amount." The three non-overlapping daily counts total 148 + 167 + 135 = 450 cases. 302 omits Monday, 315 omits Wednesday, and 460 results from an addition error.

    Reference: Number and number processes — p. 1, Addition

  2. 2A budget is £8,450 and recorded expenditure is £6,975. What amount remains unspent?

    1. A.£1,475Correct answer: A
    2. B.£1,575
    3. C.£2,525
    4. D.£15,425

    Explanation: The glossary states, "Subtraction is the inverse operation of addition." The missing amount satisfies 6,975 + remaining = 8,450, so remaining = £1,475. £1,575 is a borrowing error, £2,525 reverses digits during subtraction, and £15,425 adds rather than subtracts.

    Reference: Number and number processes — p. 7, Subtraction

  3. 3Six teams receive equal shares of 1,428 application files. How many files does each team receive?

    1. A.228
    2. B.232
    3. C.248
    4. D.238Correct answer: D

    Explanation: The definition of division is "Sharing a quantity into a number of equal shares." Therefore 1,428 ÷ 6 = 238 files per team. 228 and 248 are division errors; 232 would distribute only 1,392 files.

    Reference: Number and number processes — p. 3, Division

  4. 4Each of 36 packs contains 24 envelopes. What is the total number of envelopes?

    1. A.720
    2. B.864Correct answer: B
    3. C.840
    4. D.960

    Explanation: The source states, "Multiplication is the inverse operation of division." The total divided into 36 packs must give 24 each: 36 × 24 = 864 envelopes. 720 uses 20 per pack, 840 omits one complete pack, and 960 uses 40 packs.

    Reference: Number and number processes — p. 5, Multiplication

  5. 5An account starts with a balance of −£240. A deposit of £375 and then a payment of £190 are recorded. What is its final balance?

    1. A.−£55Correct answer: A
    2. B.£185
    3. C.−£425
    4. D.£325

    Explanation: The glossary states, "Subtraction is the inverse operation of addition." Apply the signed movements: −240 + 375 − 190 = −£55. £185 ignores the opening negative balance, −£425 reverses both transaction signs, and £325 adds the payment instead of subtracting it.

    Reference: Number and number processes — p. 7, Subtraction

  6. 6A print run produces 947 leaflets. Complete packs contain 40 leaflets each. After making as many complete packs as possible, how many leaflets remain loose?

    1. A.7
    2. B.23
    3. C.27Correct answer: C
    4. D.37

    Explanation: The source defines a remainder as "The amount left over when a quantity cannot be divided exactly." Since 947 = 23 × 40 + 27, there are 27 loose leaflets. 23 is the complete-pack count, 7 drops a tens digit, and 37 uses an incorrect subtraction.

    Reference: Number and number processes — p. 7, Remainder

  7. 7A coach holds at most 48 passengers. What is the minimum number of coaches needed to carry all 253 passengers on one trip?

    1. A.4
    2. B.5
    3. C.7
    4. D.6Correct answer: D

    Explanation: The source describes grouping as "Splitting a quantity into groups of an equal size." Five coaches hold 5 × 48 = 240 people, leaving 13. A sixth coach is necessary, so the minimum is 6. Four and five are insufficient; seven exceeds the minimum.

    Reference: Number and number processes — p. 3, Division

  8. 8A team can spend at most £485 on identical £32 headsets. Headsets cannot be bought in fractions and there are no extra charges. What is the greatest number it can buy?

    1. A.14
    2. B.15Correct answer: B
    3. C.16
    4. D.17

    Explanation: The glossary describes division as "Splitting a quantity into groups of an equal size." Fifteen cost 15 × £32 = £480; sixteen cost £512, beyond the budget. Thus 15 is the maximum. Fourteen is affordable but not the greatest; sixteen and seventeen are unaffordable.

    Reference: Number and number processes — p. 3, Division

  9. 9A dashboard calculates a workload score as 18 + 6 × 4 − 8 ÷ 2. What score should it display?

    1. A.38Correct answer: A
    2. B.34
    3. C.46
    4. D.92

    Explanation: The source specifies, "Multiplications and divisions would be carried out next, followed by additions and subtractions." Evaluate 6 × 4 = 24 and 8 ÷ 2 = 4 first, giving 18 + 24 − 4 = 38. The value 34 omits division of eight, 46 changes the final subtraction to addition, and 92 incorrectly groups 18 + 6 before multiplication.

    Reference: Number and number processes — p. 6, Order of operations

  10. 10Recorded temperatures are −7°C at 06:00 and 4°C at noon. By how many degrees did the temperature rise?

    1. A.4°C
    2. B.3°C
    3. C.7°C
    4. D.11°CCorrect answer: D

    Explanation: The glossary states, "Subtraction is the inverse operation of addition." The increase is final minus initial: 4 − (−7) = 11°C. 4°C is the final reading rather than the increase; 3°C subtracts magnitudes, and 7°C counts only the rise to zero.

    Reference: Number and number processes — p. 7, Subtraction

Exam Review

About Civil Service Numerical Test

Civil Service Numerical Test · GB

Key exam facts

Provider
UK Civil Service recruitment test, with candidate guidance published by the Cabinet Office and online-test guidance by Civil Service Resourcing; administered through Civil Service Jobs. The linked PAN practice platform is a delivery channel, not evidence of exam ownership.
Format
Online adaptive numerical reasoning: graphs, tables or other numerical information followed by a question requiring one correct answer. The official practice instructions specify five answer choices. English or Welsh; supervised retesting may be required. This practice bank uses four options.
Time limit
No time limit. Most candidates take 15–45 minutes; official guidance recommends allowing at least an hour. Application deadlines still apply; time taken does not affect the score.
Passing score
Percentile relative to a representative applicant group, not percentage correct. A minimum standard applies for the job level; the recruiter may raise the vacancy pass mark. No single universal numeric pass mark is published in the candidate guidance.
Exam fee
No candidate fee amount or currency is published in the official candidate guidance or test-selection guidance reviewed. Recruiter guidance states that a charge applies for use, without specifying its amount. This does not establish a £0 candidate fee or unrestricted paid booking.

Topics covered

  • Perform calculations, and evaluate and interpret numerical information to solve problems

How to prepare

Work through the topics, read the explanation after each answer, and revisit the areas where you miss questions. Use the official outline and reference materials below to guide your study.

These independent practice questions are not actual exam items and do not guarantee a passing result.

Frequently asked questions

What is the exam format?

Online adaptive numerical reasoning: graphs, tables or other numerical information followed by a question requiring one correct answer. The official practice instructions specify five answer choices. English or Welsh; supervised retesting may be required. This practice bank uses four options.

How long is the exam?

No time limit. Most candidates take 15–45 minutes; official guidance recommends allowing at least an hour. Application deadlines still apply; time taken does not affect the score.

What is the passing score?

Percentile relative to a representative applicant group, not percentage correct. A minimum standard applies for the job level; the recruiter may raise the vacancy pass mark. No single universal numeric pass mark is published in the candidate guidance.

How much does the exam cost?

No candidate fee amount or currency is published in the official candidate guidance or test-selection guidance reviewed. Recruiter guidance states that a charge applies for use, without specifying its amount. This does not establish a £0 candidate fee or unrestricted paid booking.

Official sources and references

Confirm current exam arrangements with the exam provider.