Civil Service Numerical Reasoning Test Speed and Accuracy Calculations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A call centre handles calls averaging 6 minutes each. There are 15 operators working 7.5-hour shifts. Assuming 85% utilisation (accounting for breaks and admin), how many calls can the centre handle per day?
- 956 (Correct answer)
- 1,125
- 1,012
- 890
Correct answer: 956
Available minutes per operator = 7.5 x 60 x 0.85 = 382.5 minutes. Total available minutes = 15 x 382.5 = 5,737.5. Total calls = 5,737.5 / 6 = 956.25, so 956 calls.
Question 2: A typing test requires candidates to type a 500-word passage. Candidate A finishes in 5 minutes 30 seconds with 4 errors. Candidate B finishes in 4 minutes 45 seconds with 8 errors. If each error deducts 10 words from the effective count, who has the higher net words-per-minute rate?
- Candidate B at 88.4 wpm (Correct answer)
- Candidate A at 83.6 wpm
- They are equal at 86.0 wpm
- Candidate A at 90.9 wpm
Correct answer: Candidate B at 88.4 wpm
Candidate A: net words = 500 minus (4x10) = 460. Time = 5.5 min. Net WPM = 460 / 5.5 = 83.6. Candidate B: net words = 500 minus (8x10) = 420. Time = 4.75 min. Net WPM = 420 / 4.75 = 88.4. Candidate B has the higher net rate at 88.4 wpm.
Question 3: Three printers in an office print at different speeds: Printer A: 25 pages/min, Printer B: 18 pages/min, Printer C: 32 pages/min. A 4,500-page report needs printing. If all three run simultaneously, how long will it take?
- 60 minutes (Correct answer)
- 55 minutes
- 65 minutes
- 50 minutes
Correct answer: 60 minutes
Combined rate = 25 + 18 + 32 = 75 pages per minute. Time = 4,500 / 75 = 60 minutes.
Question 4: A post room processes incoming and outgoing mail. In the morning (3 hours), the team processes 540 incoming items. In the afternoon (4 hours), they process 480 outgoing items. What is their average processing rate across the full day?
- 145.7 items per hour (Correct answer)
- 148.2 items per hour
- 152.5 items per hour
- 140.0 items per hour
Correct answer: 145.7 items per hour
Total items = 540 + 480 = 1,020. Total hours = 3 + 4 = 7. Average rate = 1,020 / 7 = 145.7 items per hour.
Question 5: A department must process 8,400 tax returns in 15 working days. After 6 days, 2,940 returns have been processed. What daily rate is needed for the remaining days to meet the deadline?
- 607 per day (Correct answer)
- 560 per day
- 620 per day
- 580 per day
Correct answer: 607 per day
Remaining returns = 8,400 minus 2,940 = 5,460. Remaining days = 15 minus 6 = 9. Required daily rate = 5,460 / 9 = 606.7, rounded up to 607 per day.
Question 6: An automated system processes applications at 200 per hour but 5% are flagged for manual review. Manual review takes 12 minutes per application with one reviewer available. What is the maximum sustainable input rate without the manual review queue growing?
- 100 per hour (Correct answer)
- 80 per hour
- 120 per hour
- 90 per hour
Correct answer: 100 per hour
The reviewer can handle 60 / 12 = 5 manual reviews per hour. If 5% of inputs are flagged, then 5 = 0.05 x input rate, so input rate = 5 / 0.05 = 100 applications per hour. Above this rate, the manual queue grows indefinitely.
Civil Service Numerical Reasoning Test Speed and Accuracy Calculations 2
A call centre handles calls averaging 6 minutes each.
There are 15 operators working 7.5-hour shifts.
Assuming 85% utilisation (accounting for breaks and admin), how many calls can the centre handle per day?