Civil Service Numerical Reasoning Test Speed and Accuracy Calculations 2

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?

Accepted Answer

956

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Candidate B at 88.4 wpm

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

60 minutes

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

145.7 items per hour

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

607 per day

Answer

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.

Civil Service Numerical Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Numerical Reasoning Practice Test

Civil Service Numerical Reasoning Test Speed and Accuracy Calculations 2