Basic Math Skills I – Arithmetic

Screen candidates for basic skills in arithmetic, decimals and fractions for all jobs requiring solid mathematical computation skills with the Basic Math Skills I – Arithmetic test.  See all 3 tools in this series: Basic Math Skills I – Arithmetic, Basic Math Skills I – Decimals, Basic Math Skills I – Fractions

Purpose

The Basic Math Skills I – Arithmetic test measures skill in five areas of basic math using whole numbers:(1) adding,(2) subtracting, (3) multiplying,(4) dividing, and (5) using arithmetic to solve simple work related word problems.

What It’s Best Used For

This test is best used during the pre-employment phase or internal promotion cycles to evaluate baseline computational accuracy and pinpoint specific training needs across any job role that handles numbers.

• Preventing Calculator Errors: While most workplaces use calculators, candidates who struggle with mental math often input data incorrectly. To find reliable data handlers, the publisher strongly advises against allowing calculator use during this test.
• Identifying High Performers: High scorers are proven to complete the quantitative and financial parts of their roles faster while keeping inventory or data entry mistakes to an absolute minimum.
• Flagging Core Risk Factors: Low scorers are statistically likely to make frequent calculating errors that disrupt record-keeping, billing, or production workflows.
• Detailed Breakdown Reporting: The platform generates an immediate score report that doesn’t just show an overall grade, but isolates a candidate’s exact performance across all five math operations.

The assessment is available in both English and Spanish and is fully legal for use in Canada.

When To Use It

The Basic Math Skills I- Arithmetic test should be used where employees need to be competent in making simple calculations in their jobs. The test points up areas of deficiency that could be remedied by targeted training on the job. We believe that even though most jobs allow use of calculators, people who cannot do simple math in their head or by hand calculations will make a lot more mistakes when using calculators. Therefore, we advise against allowing candidates to use calculators for this test.

Target Group

We recommend using this for any position where you need to know employees’ level of math skills and areas of deficit.

High Scorers

People scoring high on the Basic Math Skills 1-Arithmetic Test should perform the quantitative aspects of their job more quickly with a minimum of mistakes.

Low Scorers

People scoring low on the Basic Math Skills I-Arithmetic test are likely to make a lot of mistakes in their work, thus causing problems with production and record keeping.

Number of Items

5 problems in each section for a total of 25 questions

Time Limits

Untimed

What the Report Provides

The report provides an overall score for all 25 problems, as well as separate scores for the five topic areas: Adding, Subtracting, Multiplying, Dividing and Word Problems.

Validity: Content validity based on Subject Matter Expert reports of job content. Scores are reported as “Percent Correct.