Practice Test Questions

Business Reasoning

The Business Reasoning test is designed to measure a person's ability to analyze and use information to solve problems faced by managers in the business world. The questions require the test taker to determine appropriate actions or draw logical conclusions based on the information provided. The Business Reasoning test provides examples of work situations which resemble some of the challenges managers may encounter on their jobs. Addressing these problems requires some of the key skills important to success, including skills in problem solving, reasoning, decision making, creativity, judgment, and intelligence.

The test asks you to read information and then to use that information to answer questions. Sometimes the information to answer a group of questions is provided in a single chart or table. Other examples provide a paragraph with one question relating to that information. Still other questions simply require you to choose the best answer to complete an analogy. You will need to choose the one best answer from either four or five options that follow each question.

The following are examples of the Business Reasoning test requiring the review of a table in order to answer a group of questions, a paragraph to answer one question, and a fill in the blank for completing an analogy. Read the information and then look at the options provided.

Use the information below to figure out the amount of vacation time each Company X employee should take before the end of the year and answer Questions 1 and 2.

Length of Time with

Company X

Vacation Time for

Shift A

Vacation Time for

Shift B

 1 - 5 Years

10 Days 

14 Days 

 6 - 10 Years

15 Days

19 Days

 Over 11 Years

20 Days 

24 Days 

1. Mr. Smith has worked at Company X for 12 years.  If he works Shift B, how much vacation time should he take before the end of the year?

A) 15 Days
B) 19 Days.
C) 20 Days.
D) 24 Days.

2. Shift Worker A has been with Company X for 5-1/2 years.  After already taking 5 days of vacation, how many more days should he/she take before the end of the year?

A) 5 Days.
B) 9 Days.
C) 10 Days.
D) 14 Days.

For Example Question 1, you would have used the table to figure out that 24 days are correct and you would have marked "D" on your answer sheet.

For Example Question 2, you would have used the table to figure out that 5 days is correct and you would have marked "A" on your answer sheet. Given that the employee had been with the Company for 5-1/2 years and was a Shift A worker, the total amount of vacation time to be taken before the end of the year would be 10 days. However, since 5 days were already taken, only 5 vacation days remained (10 - 5 = 5).

Use the following paragraph to answer the next question.

All machine operators are required to hold a mechanic's certificate. A mechanic's certificate cannot be acquired until passing a level three operator's class.

3. Which of the following can be concluded from the passage?

A) If someone fails a level two operator's class, they can still obtain a mechanic's certificate.
B) At least some people who have a mechanic's certificate still need to pass a level three operator's class.
C) All machine operators passed a level three operator's class.
D) Anyone that took a level three operator's class is a machine operator.
E) None of the above can be concluded from the passage.

For Example Question 3, you would have used the paragraph to figure out that the correct answer is "C" – all machine operators passed a level three operator's class.

Here is an example question requiring you to choose the best answer in order to complete an analogy.

4. Light is to __________ as dark is to night.

A) day
B) color
C) sun
D) star

For Example Question 4, you would have looked over the options and chosen "A" as the correct answer – Light is to day as dark is to night.

Here are some tips that can help you complete this inventory:

There are 45 questions in the Business Reasoning test. You will have one hour to complete as many questions as possible.

Verbal Reasoning

The Verbal Reasoning test measures the ability to recognize the available facts to support a conclusion. It measures the ability to derive and apply rules for analyzing, interpreting, and solving problems.

The Verbal Reasoning test provides a list of facts. Your job is to read the facts, look at the conclusions, and decide which conclusions are definitely true, definitely false, or you were not given enough information to conclude a definite answer.

If you decide a conclusion is definitely true, mark the "T" circle. If it is definitely false, mark the "F" circle. If the facts do not give enough information to tell whether a conclusion is definitely true or definitely false, mark the "X" circle.

The following is an example of a Verbal Reasoning question:

FACTS

Chris is a welder.
Terry works for Company B.
Chris' only child is a girl.
Company A makes automotive parts.
Company B employs no welders.

CONCLUSIONS

1. T F X    Chris does not work for Company B.
2. T F X    Chris' son is ill.
3. T F X    Chris works for Company C.

In the example above, the facts say that Chris is a welder and that Company B employs no welders. Chris could not work for Company B because it does not hire welders. Therefore, the first conclusion is definitely true (T). The facts also say that Chris' only child is a girl, which means that her son could not be ill since she has no son. Therefore, the second conclusion is definitely false (F). From the facts that are given, there is not enough information to know definitely where Chris works. Chris does not work for Company B because that company hires no welders. It is possible that she works for company C, but it is also possible that she works somewhere else. Therefore, the third conclusion is uncertain (X).

There are 30 items in the Verbal Reasoning test. You will have five minutes to complete them.

Professional Profile

The Professional Profile is an inventory in which candidates must answer multiple choice questions related to experiences at work or school and solving typical work problems using tables, graphs, and charts. It tests candidates for job-related characteristics, such as self-management, work orientation, influencing others, developing and maintaining relationships, adaptability, and quantitative skills.

The Professional Profile asks two types of questions. The first type of question asks about your experiences at work or in school. The second type of question describes work situations and possible actions you could take. For each of these questions, you are asked to provide two different answers. First indicate the action you would be MOST likely to take. Then indicate the action you would be LEAST likely to take. Base your answers only on the information presented in the situation. Please assume you are a manager when responding to these situations.

Here is an example question for each type of question on the Professional Profile test.

Example A. Which one of the following best describes your high school courses?

A.  Vocational studies
B.  Home economics
C.  Business/commercial course
D.  College preparatory
E.  Did not attend high school

You are busy working. One of your employees approaches you and asks for your help for a moment.

Example B. What would you be MOST likely to do?

Example C. What would you be LEAST likely to do?

A.  Help the employee when I am able.
B.  Stop what I am doing and help.
C.  Tell the employee that I cannot help.
D.  Arrange a time when I can help the employee.
E.  Tell the employee to ask a coworker for help.

There are no right or wrong answers to the Professional Profile assessment. Just be honest about your own experiences and opinions. There are 79 questions in this assessment. You will have 30 minutes to complete the Professional Profile.

Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ)

The Occupational Personality Questionnaire (OPQ) is a personality test containing thirty scales of personality that focus on Relationships With People (9 scales), Thinking Style (11 scales), and Feelings and Emotions (10 scales). These scales apply to the job-related characteristics of being conscientious, achieving, innovative, active, persuasive, and decisive.

The OPQ provides statements which describe you either partially, fully, or not at all. Your task is to read each statement and decide the degree to which you agree or disagree with that statement. You will rate yourself on a scale of 1 - 5, ranging from Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree. Indicate your choice by filling in the appropriate circle on your answer sheet.

If you Strongly Disagree, mark the "1".  If you Disagree, mark the "2". If you are Unsure, mark the "3".  If you Agree, mark the "4".  If you Strongly Agree, mark the "5".  Please try to avoid the middle answer (Unsure) as much as possible. Be as discerning and honest as you can. Do not give an answer because it seems like the right thing to say or because it is how you might like to be.

Here are two example questions:

1.  I tend to be assertive in groups. 1 2 3 4 5

2.  People say that I am creative.    1 2 3 4 5

There are 248 items in the Occupational Personality Questionnaire. You will not have a time limit, but work as quickly and honestly as you can. Most people complete this questionnaire in 30 to 40 minutes.

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