EPSO Numerical Reasoning
Theory Summaries
A short summary of the core formulas, methods and examples you need for the EPSO numerical reasoning test, organised by topic, free to read.
12 topics · Formulas · Worked examples · Common traps
The EPSO numerical reasoning test requires you to read data from tables and charts and answer questions under strict time pressure. The limiting factor is almost never arithmetic, it is knowing which formula to apply and how to set up the calculation in seconds. These theory pages distil the twelve core topics into the essential rules, with worked examples drawn from realistic EPSO-style data.
Each topic links to the next, so you can read straight through or jump to whichever area you need to strengthen. Once you are ready, practice with our 100 EPSO-style questions.
Percentages
Part-to-whole relationships, complementary percentages, percentage shares
Percentage Change & Sequential Changes
% increase/decrease, chained changes, percentage points vs relative %, reverse percentages
Nested Percentages
Percentage of a percentage, multi-level hierarchical calculations
Per Capita & Per Unit Calculations
Total vs per-person values, population scaling, unit rate calculations
Rates & Ratios
Applying rates per 1,000, ratio comparisons, proportional reasoning
Averages & Weighted Averages
Arithmetic mean, weighted averages, sub-period averages
Linear Equations & Interpolation
Setting up and solving first-degree equations, linear interpolation
Speed, Distance & Time
S = D ÷ T, average speed, meeting points, multi-leg journeys
Unit & Currency Conversion
Unit conversions, cross-currency exchange rates, multi-step conversions
Data Sufficiency
Determining whether a question can be answered from the data given
Estimation & Calculation Shortcuts
Rounding, digit analysis, approximation techniques
Rules of Exponents & Large-Number Arithmetic
Powers of 10, scientific notation, compound growth, unit scaling
Ready to practice?
Put the theory to work with 100 EPSO-style numerical reasoning questions, each with a full step-by-step explanation.