Subject guide
Numerical ability tests basic operations, fractions, percentages, ratios, and word problems — usually without a calculator. The way to score well is to translate each word problem into a simple equation, keep your solution steps neat, and check that your answer is reasonable before marking it.
Relevance to your level
Numerical ability is tested on both levels. It rewards method over memorization, so steady daily practice on a few problem types produces fast, reliable score gains.
Question 1
A supplier sells a printer for ₱8,000. During a sale, it is discounted by 15%. How much will you pay?
Correct answer: B. ₱6,800
Why: A 15% discount means you pay 85% of the price: 0.85 × 8,000 = 6,800. (The discount itself is 0.15 × 8,000 = 1,200, which is choice A — the trap.)
Learning objective: Compute a discounted price using percentage.
Question 2
Three workers can finish a task in 8 days. Working at the same rate, how long will 4 workers take to finish the same task?
Correct answer: A. 6 days
Why: Total work is 3 × 8 = 24 worker-days. With 4 workers: 24 ÷ 4 = 6 days. More workers means less time, so the answer must be below 8 days.
Learning objective: Solve inverse-proportion (work-rate) problems.
Question 3
A student scored 78, 85, and 90 on three quizzes. What must she score on the fourth quiz to average exactly 85?
Correct answer: B. 87
Why: An average of 85 over four quizzes needs a total of 4 × 85 = 340. The first three total 253, so the fourth must be 340 − 253 = 87.
Learning objective: Work backward from a target average to a required value.
Question 4
A barangay's population rose from 50 to 65 households in one year. What is the percentage increase?
Correct answer: C. 30%
Why: Percentage increase = (increase ÷ original) × 100. The increase is 65 − 50 = 15, so (15 ÷ 50) × 100 = 30%.
Learning objective: Calculate percentage increase from two values.
Question 5
If 2/5 of the 350 examinees passed, how many examinees passed?
Correct answer: B. 140
Why: 2/5 of 350 = (2 × 350) ÷ 5 = 700 ÷ 5 = 140. (1/5 of 350 is 70, which is the trap for those who forget the numerator.)
Learning objective: Find a fractional part of a whole number.
Plan to solve numerical items by hand. Practice mental math and neat written solutions for percentages, ratios, and averages so you are fast and accurate without a calculator.
Percentages, fractions, ratio and proportion, and word problems give the best return. These appear often and improve quickly with focused practice on one type at a time.
Write your steps instead of solving entirely in your head, watch for the trap choice (like the discount amount instead of the discounted price), and quickly sanity-check whether your answer is reasonable.
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