EPSO Numerical Reasoning Practice

This week’s ten questions, with the answers

Real questions from the bank, free and with no account. The set is the same for everyone all week and rotates every Monday.

1. Question 1 of 10Difficulty 2/5
   Health expenditure by country

   Country	Health expenditure (% of GDP) in 2020	Health expenditure (€ million) in 2020	Health expenditure publicly funded (%) in 2020
   Denmark	6.29	24,625.81	68.5
   Luxembourg	5.12	4,495.71	69.2
   Malta	8.12	1,612.17	62.2
   Netherlands	5.76	62,760.55	56.9
   Poland	6.22	44,280.48	66.4

   What was the combined health expenditure of Denmark and Poland in 2020, in € million?

   • A68,699.57
   • B69,216.37
   • C69,009.65
   • D68,906.29
   • ENone of the above
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: D — 68,906.29

   Why

   This question tests your ability to quickly isolate specific data points from a table and perform a simple addition. To find the combined total, you simply need to locate the 'Health expenditure (€ million)' for Denmark and Poland and sum them: 24,625.81 + 44,280.48 = 68,906.29. 🎯 When options are numerically close, use a finger or cursor to anchor your place in the table to avoid jumping rows. 💡 X-Ray: this question evaluates a single addition read off a table, with the options a fraction of a percent apart (Health expenditure by country). The dominant trap is transcription_near_miss: reading a neighbouring row, or dropping a digit. The arithmetic is trivial and the options are close together, so the risk is the row you read, not the sum you do.

   Option by option

   • AThis result comes from a slight transcription error when reading the figures. Double-checking your numbers against the table before adding prevents these near-misses.
   • BThis is a transcription error where one of the digits was misread. A quick re-scan of the '€ million' column will help you catch this.
   • CThis result stems from a minor misread of the data points. Always verify that you have selected the correct row and column before calculating.
   • DCorrect. By adding Denmark's 24,625.81 and Poland's 44,280.48, you arrive at the exact combined expenditure of 68,906.29.
   • EThis option is incorrect because the exact sum is available among the choices.
2. Question 2 of 10Difficulty 3/5

   Country/Item (% of GDP (government expenditure))	2021	2022	2023	2024
   Hungary	48.10	49.00	49.50	47.10
   Romania	40.00	40.90	41.10	43.60
   France	59.50	58.40	56.90	57.30
   Netherlands	45.90	43.30	44.00	44.40
   Germany	50.70	48.60	48.10	49.40

   Based on the table, what is the absolute difference between Netherlands and Germany in 2021?

   • A5.90 % of GDP (government expenditure)
   • B8.80 % of GDP (government expenditure)
   • C5.30 % of GDP (government expenditure)
   • DNone of the above
   • E4.80 % of GDP (government expenditure)
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: E — 4.80 % of GDP (government expenditure)

   Why

   The correct answer is 4.80 % of GDP, derived from calculating the absolute difference between two specific data points for the year 2021. This question evaluates the candidate's ability to accurately extract data from a table and perform basic subtraction to find a numerical gap.

   Option by option

   • AThis value results from an arithmetic slip, likely caused by misreading the table or selecting data from a different year. A candidate might arrive here by accidentally pairing 2021 data with values from another column, which can be avoided by strictly isolating the 2021 vertical axis before calculating. The result is incorrect as it does not match the difference between 45.9 and 50.7.
   • BThis option is the result of a significant arithmetic error or the accidental selection of data from an entirely different country pair. It is a plausible distractor for candidates who fail to double-check their subtraction or confuse the 2021 column with another year. The value is mathematically inconsistent with the provided data for Germany and the Netherlands in 2021.
   • CThis option represents a common calculation error where the candidate may have used an incorrect base value or made a subtraction mistake. Such errors often occur when scanning across rows too quickly; verifying the specific values for Netherlands and Germany in 2021 ensures this discrepancy is caught. The resulting figure does not align with the required absolute difference.
   • DThe correct value is obtained through a three-step process: first, identify the 2021 expenditure for the Netherlands (45.9 %); second, identify the 2021 expenditure for Germany (50.7 %); and third, calculate the absolute difference by subtracting the smaller value from the larger (50.7 - 45.9 = 4.8). The term absolute difference signals that the result must be a positive value regardless of which country is subtracted from the other.
   • EThis option is incorrect because the precise absolute difference of 4.80 % is explicitly listed among the other choices. Selecting this option suggests a failure to complete the calculation or an error in verifying the resulting value against the available options.
3. Question 3 of 10Difficulty 3/5

   Country/Item (thousands)	2020	2021	2022
   Construction	48,666.04	34,188.75	23,757.81
   Healthcare	8,112.75	11,059.82	40,320.48
   Public Administration	15,149.26	27,493.27	46,003.23
   Agriculture	29,218.58	36,581.36	33,671.92
   Manufacturing	6,173.73	14,886.76	35,420.59

   In 2020, after accounting for Healthcare and Public Administration, how much of the column total remains?

   • A50,541.57 thousands
   • B84,058.35 thousands
   • C43,505.06 thousands
   • D85,656.87 thousands
   • ENone of the above
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: B — 84,058.35 thousands

   Why

   The correct answer is 84,058.35 thousands. This question evaluates the candidate's ability to calculate a remaining balance by subtracting specific subset values from a total column sum. 💡 X-Ray: this question evaluates a complement_extraction (EU Employment Rates by Sector). The dominant trap is ARITHMETIC_SLIP: a transposition or addition error during computation. Re-read the stem to identify which cells the question targets.

   Option by option

   • AThis value is incorrect and likely results from a calculation error or the accidental omission of one of the required categories. A candidate might arrive here by misreading a digit in the table or performing an incorrect subtraction step.
   • BThe phrase 'how much remains' signals a subtraction operation where the specific categories are removed from the total. The calculation follows these steps: 1) Identify the 2020 column total of 107,320.36; 2) Sum the values for Healthcare (8,112.75) and Public Administration (15,149.26) to get 23,262.01; 3) Subtract this sum from the total (107,320.36 - 23,262.01) to reach the final result of 84,058.35.
   • CThis value is incorrect and stems from an arithmetic slip. It may occur if the candidate mistakenly uses data from a different year, such as 2021 or 2022, instead of the required 2020 column.
   • DThis value is incorrect and represents a common arithmetic error. It could be the result of adding the categories to the total rather than subtracting them, or using an incorrect base value from the table.
   • EThis option is incorrect because the precise result of the required calculation is present among the other choices. Selecting this would indicate a failure to accurately execute the subtraction of the two specified categories from the 2020 total.
4. Question 4 of 10Difficulty 4/5

   Country/Item (Mtoe)	First period		Second period
   	2018	2019	2020	2021
   Biomass	223.44	113.11	195.78	386.48
   Oil	116.01	113.45	161.25	321.38
   Coal	31.76	223.79	125.08	122.25
   Nuclear	20.01	319.44	223.53	257.19
   Renewables	314.29	344.29	73.18	357.50

   Based on the table, what is the difference between the highest and lowest values in 2018?

   • ANone of the above
   • B264.23 Mtoe
   • C705.51 Mtoe
   • D231.18 Mtoe
   • E294.28 Mtoe
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: E — 294.28 Mtoe

   Why

   The correct answer is 294.28 Mtoe, determined by calculating the absolute difference between the maximum and minimum values within the 2018 column. This question evaluates the candidate's ability to isolate a specific data subset and perform a basic subtraction operation. 💡 X-Ray: this question evaluates a max-minus-min comparison within a column (EU Energy Consumption by Source). The dominant trap is ARITHMETIC_SLIP: a transposition or addition error during computation. Scan the entire column for both extremes before subtracting.

   Option by option

   • AThe correct value is reached through three steps: first, scanning the 2018 column to identify the highest value (Renewables at 314.29); second, identifying the lowest value (Nuclear at 20.01); and third, subtracting the minimum from the maximum (314.29 - 20.01 = 294.28). The wording 'difference between' signals a subtraction operation.
   • BThis option is the result of an arithmetic slip, possibly by using a value from a different row as the minimum. Such errors occur when the candidate fails to scan the entire 2018 column for the absolute lowest figure. A systematic check of all five categories is required to avoid this.
   • CThis value is incorrect and stems from a calculation error, such as adding values instead of finding the difference. It may also result from accidentally including data from other years. Re-reading the prompt ensures that only 2018 values are used.
   • DThis value results from an arithmetic slip, likely caused by selecting the wrong data points or a subtraction error. A candidate might arrive here by misreading one of the values in the 2018 column. Verifying the calculation against the identified maximum and minimum prevents this error.
   • EThis option is incorrect because the correct result of 294.28 Mtoe is explicitly listed among the provided choices. Selecting this would indicate a failure to accurately perform the subtraction or a misidentification of the column data.
5. Question 5 of 10Difficulty 4/5

   By approximately what percentage did Bulgaria's education expenditure change between 2018 and 2021?

   • A5.8%
   • B12.2%
   • C7.0%
   • D4.5%
   • ENone of the above
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: D — 4.5%

   Why

   This question tests your ability to calculate a percentage change between two specific points in time. To find the answer, identify Bulgaria's expenditure for 2018 (3,947) and 2021 (4,125), then divide the difference by the starting value: (4,125 − 3,947) ÷ 3,947 × 100 = 4.5%. 🎯 Always identify your 'base' value (the earlier year) first, as dividing by the wrong figure is the most common cause of errors in percentage change questions. 💡 X-Ray: this question evaluates a reading of a time series, where the question is about the rate of change rather than the level (Education expenditure by country). The dominant trap is near_miss: shifting one operand cell by one row. A percentage change is measured against its own starting point, so the steepest line on the page is not necessarily the fastest-growing one.

   Option by option

   • AThis is a near-miss calculation. Double-check your subtraction or division to ensure you haven't accidentally rounded a figure too early in the process.
   • BThis result comes from using data from a different row, such as Slovakia. Always verify that your eyes are following the correct country's line before picking your numbers.
   • CThis happens if you use the wrong column, such as comparing 2018 to 2022 instead of 2021. Re-read the date range in the question to ensure you are using the correct data points.
   • DCorrect. By taking the difference between 4,125 and 3,947 and dividing it by the base year (2018), you arrive at the accurate growth rate of 4.5%.
   • EThis is a fallback option. Since the correct calculation matches option D, there is no need to select 'None of the above'.
6. Question 6 of 10Difficulty 4/5

   Country/Item (M€ (R&D expenditure))	2021	2022	2023	2024
   Germany	113 183.58	121 421.26	132 008.04	135 570.00
   Finland	7 491.10	7 936.14	8 439.34	8 892.60
   Netherlands	19 751.58	21 618.46	24 204.47	25 677.91
   Ireland	4 820.98	7 981.51	8 099.53	7 755.54

   In 2022, after accounting for Finland and Netherlands, how much of the column total remains?

   • A143039.72 M€ (R&D expenditure)
   • B129402.77 M€ (R&D expenditure)
   • C118004.56 M€ (R&D expenditure)
   • D15917.65 M€ (R&D expenditure)
   • ENone of the above
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: B — 129402.77 M€ (R&D expenditure)

   Why

   The correct answer is 129402.77 M€, determined by calculating the remaining balance of the 2022 column after subtracting specific national expenditures. This question evaluates the candidate's ability to isolate a specific time-series column and perform a multi-step subtraction from a total. 💡 X-Ray: this question evaluates a complement_extraction (Horizon Europe Grants by Country). The dominant trap is ARITHMETIC_SLIP: a transposition or addition error during computation. Re-read the stem to identify which cells the question targets.

   Option by option

   • AThis value results from an arithmetic slip, likely caused by using data from the wrong year or incorrectly adding one of the country values instead of subtracting it. A candidate can detect this error by verifying that the result must be significantly lower than the 2022 total of 158957.37 M€.
   • BThe wording 'after accounting for' signals a subtraction of specific subsets from the total. The calculation follows three steps: first, identify the 2022 column total of 158957.37 M€; second, sum the expenditures for Finland (7936.14 M€) and the Netherlands (21618.46 M€) to get 29554.60 M€; third, subtract this sum from the total (158957.37 - 29554.60) to arrive at 129402.77 M€. A useful shortcut is to subtract each country sequentially from the total to avoid an intermediate addition step.
   • CThis figure stems from a common mistake where the candidate may have used 2021 data or omitted one of the two required countries from the subtraction. Re-reading the prompt ensures that both Finland and the Netherlands are accounted for specifically within the 2022 dataset.
   • DThis option is the result of a calculation error, such as subtracting the 2022 total from a different sum or misreading the decimal places of the national expenditures. It is an implausible result as it represents only a small fraction of the total column value.
   • EThis option is incorrect because the precise result of the required subtraction is present among the other choices. Selecting this would indicate a failure to complete the arithmetic or an error in the calculation process.
7. Question 7 of 10Difficulty 4/5

   Country/Item (% of GDP (government expenditure))	First period		Second period
   	2022	2023	2024	2025
   Austria	53.00	52.30	55.30	55.20
   Netherlands	43.30	44.00	44.30	44.90
   Belgium	52.50	52.80	54.10	54.20
   Denmark	45.10	47.40	47.30	48.00

   Based on the table, what is the percentage change for Belgium between 2022 and 2023?

   • A0.30%
   • B0.57%
   • C1.62%
   • D1.92%
   • ENone of the above
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: B — 0.57%

   Why

   The correct answer is 0.57%, which is determined by calculating the percentage change between two consecutive years. This question evaluates the candidate's ability to identify the correct base value and apply the percentage difference formula accurately. 💡 X-Ray: this question evaluates a percentage change between two cells (Government Expenditure by Country). The dominant trap is PARTIAL_CALCULATION: stopping one calculation step early. Identify the BASE (denominator) before computing — the older value, not the newer.

   Option by option

   • AThis option represents a partial calculation where the candidate identifies the absolute difference (0.3) but fails to divide by the base and multiply by 100. This is a common pitfall where the candidate confuses an absolute increase with a percentage change. Re-reading the prompt for the word 'percentage' would reveal that a ratio is required rather than a simple subtraction.
   • BThe phrase 'percentage change' signals a calculation of the difference between the new value and the old value, divided by the initial base. Following these steps: 1) identify the values for Belgium in 2022 (52.5) and 2023 (52.8), 2) calculate the absolute difference (52.8 - 52.5 = 0.3), and 3) divide this difference by the 2022 base (0.3 / 52.5), resulting in approximately 0.0057 or 0.57%. This specific base is required because the change is measured relative to the starting year, 2022.
   • CThis value results from an arithmetic slip, such as accidentally using data from a different row or column. A candidate might arrive here by misreading the table and applying the formula to a different country's data. Verification is achieved by double-checking that only the Belgium row and the 2022/2023 columns are used.
   • DThis value is the result of a rounding trap, likely caused by truncating decimals too early in the division process or rounding intermediate steps incorrectly. Such errors occur when a candidate does not maintain precision until the final step of the calculation. Using a calculator or keeping more decimal places during the division 0.3 / 52.5 prevents this error.
   • EThis option is incorrect because the correct result of 0.57% is explicitly listed among the provided choices. A candidate should only select this if all other numerical options fail to match the calculated result.
8. Question 8 of 10Difficulty 4/5

   Country/Item (€/tonne)	2020	2021	2022	2023
   Q1	6.69	91.39	55.34	50.60
   Q4	51.49	93.62	21.58	17.76
   Q2	81.23	7.34	30.07	41.36
   Q3	14.11	93.42	75.18	74.01

   In 2020, after accounting for Q4 and Q2, how much of the column total remains?

   • A0.02 €/tonne
   • BNone of the above
   • C65.60 €/tonne
   • D21.75 €/tonne
   • E20.80 €/tonne
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: E — 20.80 €/tonne

   Why

   The correct answer is 20.80 €/tonne, determined by calculating the remaining balance of the 2020 column after subtracting specific quarterly values. This question evaluates the candidate's ability to perform a multi-step subtraction using a specific data subset from a table. 💡 X-Ray: this question evaluates a complement_extraction (EU ETS Carbon Price and Volume). The dominant trap is WRONG_UNIT: unit confusion (k vs M, % vs absolute). Re-read the stem to identify which cells the question targets.

   Option by option

   • AThis option represents a unit confusion or a significant miscalculation of the remaining balance. It is an implausible result given that the total for 2020 is 153.52 and the combined values of Q4 and Q2 are significantly lower than that total. Re-checking the scale of the numbers in the 2020 column would immediately rule this out.
   • BThe phrase 'how much remains' signals a complement calculation where the sum of specific parts is subtracted from the total. Following these steps: 1) identify the 2020 column total of 153.52, 2) sum the values for Q4 (51.49) and Q2 (81.23) to get 132.72, and 3) subtract this sum from the total (153.52 - 132.72) to reach 20.80. This precise sequence satisfies the requirements of the prompt.
   • CThis value results from an arithmetic slip, likely caused by selecting the wrong quarterly figures or performing a subtraction error. A candidate might arrive here by misreading the row labels for Q1 or Q3 instead of focusing on Q2 and Q4. Verifying the specific values for 2020 ensures this error is avoided.
   • DThis result stems from an arithmetic slip, such as incorrectly summing the quarterly values or failing to subtract both figures from the total. A candidate might reach this by accidentally including Q1 in the calculation instead of Q2. Double-checking the prompt's requirement to account only for Q4 and Q2 prevents this mistake.
   • EThis option is incorrect because the precise result of the required calculation is present among the other choices. Since 20.80 €/tonne is a mathematically sound result derived from the provided data, there is no basis to select none of the above.
9. Question 9 of 10Difficulty 4/5

   Country/Item (KTOE (gross inland energy consumption))	First period		Second period
   	2021	2022	2023	2024
   Estonia	4 607.38	4 853.70	4 254.67	4 316.15
   Croatia	8 694.37	8 508.06	8 842.04	9 009.72
   Italy	153 919.02	147 448.44	141 118.61	139 809.22
   Ireland	14 272.24	14 659.00	14 388.16	14 614.46

   In 2022, after accounting for Italy and Ireland, how much of the column total remains?

   • A23167.06 KTOE (gross inland energy consumption)
   • B13096.71 KTOE (gross inland energy consumption)
   • C19512.70 KTOE (gross inland energy consumption)
   • D13361.76 KTOE (gross inland energy consumption)
   • ENone of the above
   Show the answer and the reasoning

   Correct answer: D — 13361.76 KTOE (gross inland energy consumption)

   Why

   The correct answer is 13361.76 KTOE, determined by calculating the remainder of the 2022 column total after subtracting the specific values for Italy and Ireland. This question evaluates the candidate's ability to perform a multi-step subtraction using a specific temporal subset of data from a table. 💡 X-Ray: this question evaluates a complement_extraction (EU Energy Consumption by Source). The dominant trap is ARITHMETIC_SLIP: a transposition or addition error during computation. Re-read the stem to identify which cells the question targets.

   Option by option

   • AThis value results from an arithmetic slip, likely caused by misreading the digits in the 2022 column or performing an incorrect subtraction. A candidate might arrive here by accidentally using data from a different year, such as 2021. Verifying the subtraction against the 2022 total of 175469.2 reveals this value is incorrect.
   • BThis option represents a calculation error where the wrong base or an incorrect country value was used. It is a plausible distractor for candidates who fail to isolate the 2022 column specifically. Re-calculating the sum of Italy and Ireland for 2022 confirms this result is mathematically unsupported.
   • CThis value stems from a common arithmetic mistake, such as subtracting only one of the two required countries instead of both. A candidate might select this if they overlook the requirement to account for both Italy and Ireland. Comparing this result to the actual remainder of 13361.76 shows a significant discrepancy.
   • DThe phrase 'after accounting for' signals a subtraction operation from the total. The calculation follows three steps: first, identify the 2022 column total of 175469.2; second, sum the values for Italy (147448.44) and Ireland (14659.0), which equals 162107.44; third, subtract this sum from the total (175469.2 - 162107.44) to reach 13361.76. This precise sequence ensures all specified variables are removed from the total.
   • EThis option is incorrect because a valid numerical result exists among the other choices. Since the calculation using the 2022 data yields exactly 13361.76, there is no need to select the 'None of the above' alternative.
10. Question 10 of 10Difficulty 5/5
    Education expenditure by country

    Country	Education expenditure (% of GDP) in 2020	Education expenditure (€ million) in 2020	Education expenditure spent on tertiary level (%) in 2020
    Belgium	6.07	33,445.11	30.9
    Denmark	4.40	16,098.66	30.9
    Ireland	4.79	24,971.87	29.2
    Malta	5.57	1,095.82	18.5
    Slovakia	4.16	4,889.82	25.9

    In 2020, approximately what was the ratio of GDP in Denmark to that in Belgium?

    • A1:3
    • B3:2
    • C2:3
    • D1:2
    • ENone of the above
    Show the answer and the reasoning

    Correct answer: C — 2:3

    Why

    This question tests your ability to derive a missing value (GDP) by using the relationship between a total amount and its percentage. By dividing the expenditure in millions by the GDP percentage for both Denmark (16,098.66 ÷ 0.044) and Belgium (33,445.11 ÷ 0.0607), you can find their respective GDPs and calculate the ratio. 🎯 When a value isn't explicitly in the table, look for a percentage and its corresponding absolute value to 'work backward' to the total. 💡 X-Ray: this question evaluates a comparison of two rows on a quantity the table never prints (Education expenditure by country). The dominant trap is near_miss: shifting one operand cell by one row. The quantity asked for is not a column. Divide the absolute figure by the rate (as a decimal) to recover it for BOTH rows before comparing.

    Option by option

    • AThis is a near-miss result. It occurs if you round your intermediate GDP figures too aggressively before dividing, which leads to an imprecise ratio.
    • BThis result comes from inverting the ratio. You likely calculated Belgium to Denmark instead of Denmark to Belgium; always double-check which country is the numerator.
    • CCorrect. Dividing Denmark's GDP (365,878.64) by Belgium's GDP (550,990.28) gives approximately 0.664, which simplifies to the ratio 2:3.
    • DThis happens if you compare only the expenditure totals (16,098.66 vs 33,445.11) without accounting for the GDP percentages. Remember that expenditure is only a fraction of the total GDP.
    • EThis option is incorrect because the calculated ratio of 0.664 closely matches the standard proportion of 2:3.