Mental maths tests in trading interviews

Many trading firms test raw arithmetic speed before anyone reads your CV. Here is what candidates report, and how to prepare.

Why trading firms test arithmetic

Traders make quick decisions with numbers all day. A timed arithmetic test is a cheap way for firms to check you are comfortable with numbers under pressure, so it often comes first, before interviews.

What candidates report, firm by firm

Firms rarely publish their tests, and formats change. Treat these as reported, not official.

• Optiver: the “80 in 8”, 80 multiple-choice questions in 8 minutes on whole numbers, decimals and fractions, commonly reported with negative marking. Practise the format.
• Flow Traders: a numerical test of mental maths and sequences. The maths part is commonly described as 60 questions in 6 minutes. Practise the format.
• IMC: recent reports describe reasoning games or an inductive reasoning test as the first step, with mental maths coming up later in interviews. Arithmetic speed still helps.
• Other firms, such as SIG, Akuna and others, are reported to use their own timed numerical screens. Check each invitation carefully.

A preparation plan that works

1. Get a baseline. Play the classic two-minute drill and note your score.
2. Practise daily, briefly. 10 to 20 minutes a day beats long weekend sessions. Your streak keeps you honest.
3. Fix your weak spots. Your stats page ranks your slowest areas and shows a heatmap of every times table.
4. Add decimals, fractions and percentages once whole numbers feel quick.
5. Rehearse the real shape with the 80 in 8 and 60 in 6 practice tests in the final week.

See the two-week plan for a day-by-day version.

Questions people ask

Keep going

• 80 in 8 practice test
• 60 in 6 practice test
• Two-week plan