Have you guys encountered many math tests when applying for jobs?

[Reverend Conehead]

They gave me a grammar and proofreading test -- no surprise there. The math test was a bit of a surprise since you really don't use math when proofreading. I did find out the day before that there would be math, so I went online and studied up.

Turns out, the exact thing has happened that all my math teachers said would never happen. They claimed no one would ever walk around everywhere carrying a calculator. In this era of smartphones, this is no longer true. We have all these helpful tools like the smartphones, spreadsheets, financial software, etc., so that we end up rarely doing math with pencil and paper anymore. I was shocked at how out of practice I was. I did get a bit back into the swing of things. I did better on the test than I would have if I had gone in cold. However, though I knew how to do all the problems on the test, I did not finish it. I ran out of time. If I had been preparing for it for maybe a couple weeks, I could have gotten back my speed that I had back in grade school.

I do some basic math in my head such as calculating tips in restaurants. However, things like multiplying and dividing fractions, division with decimal points, etc., I really haven't done since grade school. For anything that's the least bit complex, I always just work it up in a computer spreadsheet. I could get fast at it again if I did a little regular practice. There are plenty of materials online.

A different company hired me. This company gave me a writing and a computer networking test, both of which I aced, but no math test. I'm therefore no longer in the job market, at least for now. I'm thinking maybe I should do some pencil-and-paper math each day so that I'm better prepared next time and it improves my competitive advantage.

I'm curious if others have encountered math tests in the job application process, especially for fields unrelated to math.

 

[Reality]

Some jobs require a background in mathematics, but in those jobs, you would expect to be tested and their tests would likely be in depth. For other jobs, I can see them using math tests as a filter to gauge your analytical thinking, especially if the test contains word problems, as well as to verify your educational background.

I am not saying this is the case in your situation, but in certain situations where the job position does not utilize advanced or in depth mathematics, it is possible to use math tests to filter (discriminate) against certain demographics, such as older people who have not used anything beyond basic math skills in decades.

 

[DFWJC]

Systematic Analytical thinking can, in part only, be seen through math skills.

And not that most jobs would require it, but learning higher level math can help in your thinking on nearly all topics. Again, I'm sure they weren't looking for that, but just saying.

 

[Bill Wooten]

I've had a couple of companies make me take competency tests. I didn't prep for them, but probably should have. Most of it was word problems that had me doing simple math based on graphs or reports. Nothing that had me sweating, but agree that it is stuff I haven't done in a long time.

 

[TheCount]

I've seen companies do it as a measure of your ability to follow direction and attention to detail.

I had one for a very early design job. Right before they gave it to me, they asked what I feel my weaknesses are, I told them, "Math."

Failed the math test, still got the job.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Thanks for your comments. I've decided I'm going to regularly practice basic math. You don't realize you're losing a skill over the years through disuse. I had to google how to do a bunch of things like how to divide fractions, decimals, do square roots. It was frustrating because I used to have that stuff down. It shouldn't take too long to get quick at it again.

 

[Seven]

Screw math........

 

[StarBoyz83]

Had one when I just switched jobs 2 months ago and I realized my 10 year old is already smarter than me lol

 

[DallasDomination]

A math test? Get that junk outta my face.