OFFICIAL Nielsen Analytic Assessment Test (From an insider)

I have a copy of the analytic assessment test and an answer key. I worked for The Nielsen Company (North America) for 5 years at the Senior Manager and Director level. Got questions about interview/case studies/test/work? Ask away. I will not serve up the test questions or answers verbatim but fire away with any conceptual questions. Wanna know about compensation or bonus? I'm your man.

Hi, I am about to take the analytic assessment test next Monday, I would like to know what I should prepare to, for 2 major reasons: My mother tongue isn't English and I am a Psychologist, so I would like to know how much formulas, hard data, numbers, etc, i should be prepare of... Any clues will be really much appreciated... Thanks.

I hope this isn't too late...

Format: 10-business math word problems. None of these problems require anything by basic math (addition, subtraction, division and multiplication). However a couple require you to setup a VERY basic algebra equations. The problems are NOT multiple choice and a couple questions have sub questions.

1-case study: You're given a crosstab of data and asked to draw some conclusions and make a recommendation.
1-writing sample: you're given a theoretical new product and asked to write a memo about the product's strengths and weaknesses. This is pretty easy.

Time: 90 minutes

Rules: You're allowed a calculator and scratch paper. Show your work.

Type of word problems: Venn diagram, weighted average, break-even analysis (you're given cost, production rate and price), rate of production, volume forecasting (you're given population, usage and consumption rates and asked to figure out the volume), and conditional probability.

Tips: When you're doing intermediary calculations don't round. It will throw off your final answer. Read carefully, a couple questions can be easily misinterpreted. Show your work (be neat) because if you're only slightly off and the scorer can see the mistake you made there is a CHANCE you might get credit. This is entirely at the discretion of the hiring manager.

Example question: A new company will release 3 new products (A, B, C). 20% of buyers will buy A, 55% will buy B and 25% will buy C. People that buy A will buy 1.5 units, B 2.5 and C .75. What percent of total sales will be product B?

Hi AgentKeyserSoze
I actually cleared my written test today, it was quote hard !!
Am scheduled for 3 interviews next week. Would like to talk with you to know more about how the interview goes, and some of the questions that one can expect

Would it be possible to talk to you on chat or maybe can I call you, if you send me your number ??

What books can I buy to study for these subjects? Marketing formulas and calculations books? Business math? GMAT? Please explain, I need to start study quickly to brush up on these skills.

Do these numeracy questions vary for positions within the company's hierarchy? In other words, do the questions get harder for more senior researchers and managers? Or is Nielsen Co. more strict in its grading system when a candidate applies to senior positions.

Do the questions change every year or month? Who does Nielsen Co. grade the tests? How long does it take to get your score back?

blueskies81 in Villeneuve-le-roi, France said: Hi AgentKeyserSoze
I actually cleared my written test today, it was quote hard !!
Am scheduled for 3 interviews next week. Would like to talk with you to know more about how the interview goes, and some of the questions that one can expect

Would it be possible to talk to you on chat or maybe can I call you, if you send me your number ??

The interview will be tailored for your position, the Nielsen division you'd be working for and the particular client.

But here are some general things:
-Be good at talking about your experience managing a project that involved delivering data AND (this is VERY important) making an actionable recommendation.
-There is probably going to be an estimation question (how many man hole covers in the US, how many paper towels sold in a year etc). This is an exercise in reasoning through a problem; not getting the right answer
-I've heard of some odd-ball questions that also test your critical reasoning skills. Just do a google search for "estimation interview questions" and "critical thinking interview questions".
-You'll run into a lot of situational and character questions: tell me about a time when you worked with a difficult client/co-worker. how do you handle disagreements?
-You really aren't expected to have CPG or retail knowledge for positions up to associate client manager (and in some cases manager). This is definitely true for the more technical positions and less true for the "softer" positions.

The key recommendation I have is make sure you come across as a quick thinker (even if you don't know an answer articulate a reasoned approach to answering it) AND a likable person (Nielsen puts its name on the line every time you go in front of a client.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

joeynoel in Faroe Islands said: What books can I buy to study for these subjects? Marketing formulas and calculations books? Business math? GMAT? Please explain, I need to start study quickly to brush up on these skills.

Do these numeracy questions vary for positions within the company's hierarchy? In other words, do the questions get harder for more senior researchers and managers? Or is Nielsen Co. more strict in its grading system when a candidate applies to senior positions.

Do the questions change every year or month? Who does Nielsen Co. grade the tests? How long does it take to get your score back?

There isn't any one particular book that will contain all the concepts. The test intentionally spans across different types of questions from financial, to category management to share calculations. If you need a quick crash course I would say GMAT questions on rates are probably the best to work through. Also, see my previous post and do some google searches for word problems in these areas.

This is the same Analytic assessment all associates in North America have to take. It does not vary by position. It hasn't changed in the time I've been with Nielsen. The test is graded by HR and there is a minimum score for every position. However, if you're an absolute rock star in every area and the score is the only ding on your application, sometimes exceptions occur.

Good luck.

Hi AgentKeyserSoze
Thanks for all the information, am already onto it.

Hey joeynoel
I took the test last week, but it was for a Analyst position (in CPG sector and not Media research)and not managerial. It is exactly as AgentKeyserSoze has told above, the questions haven't changed much. And overall you need to get score 6/10 to clear the test.

I worked on lot of stuff that I downloaded from the internet and and they were timed tests. The time pressure helps you in the real test.

blueskies81 in Villeneuve-le-roi, France said:
I worked on lot of stuff that I downloaded from the internet and and they were timed tests. The time pressure helps you in the real test.

Would you mind linking what tests you used to practice? I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks!

Hi
You can try some of these

clickatest.co.uk/Business-Math-3090.htm

www.kenexa.com/assessments/assessment_guidance

www.shl.com/tryatest/takeatest/pages/takeatest-english.aspx
(Choose Numerical reasoning)

www.assessmentday.co.uk/aptitudetests_numerical.htm

Dont expect exactly similar questions, but this gives you good experience to solve business math problems under time pressure..

Hi AgentKeyser,
I am trying to get a better understanding of the layout of the exam. Are there 10 math questions which include basic algebra and word problems? Then there are 2 writing samples and one case study for which you have to answer relevant questions?

Your comments have been extremely helpful.

Thanks.

AgentKeyserSoze in Bermuda Triangle said: I have a copy of the analytic assessment test and an answer key. I worked for The Nielsen Company (North America) for 5 years at the Senior Manager and Director level. Got questions about interview/case studies/test/work? Ask away. I will not serve up the test questions or answers verbatim but fire away with any conceptual questions. Wanna know about compensation or bonus? I'm your man.

Can you e-mail me the question paper if possible at sidney.fernandes12@gmail.com

AgentKeyserSoze in Bermuda Triangle said: I have a copy of the analytic assessment test and an answer key. I worked for The Nielsen Company (North America) for 5 years at the Senior Manager and Director level. Got questions about interview/case studies/test/work? Ask away. I will not serve up the test questions or answers verbatim but fire away with any conceptual questions. Wanna know about compensation or bonus? I'm your man.

Can you please reply cause i have my Test on Tuesday???

Hi,

please could you send me an email with more "info" (test and answer :) )))) i have to take the test in few days....please please help me, thank you so much.

my email is lambiasem@hotmail.it

AgentKeyserSoze in Bermuda Triangle said: I hope this isn't too late...

Format: 10-business math word problems. None of these problems require anything by basic math (addition, subtraction, division and multiplication). However a couple require you to setup a VERY basic algebra equations. The problems are NOT multiple choice and a couple questions have sub questions.

1-case study: You're given a crosstab of data and asked to draw some conclusions and make a recommendation.
1-writing sample: you're given a theoretical new product and asked to write a memo about the product's strengths and weaknesses. This is pretty easy.

Time: 90 minutes

Rules: You're allowed a calculator and scratch paper. Show your work.

Type of word problems: Venn diagram, weighted average, break-even analysis (you're given cost, production rate and price), rate of production, volume forecasting (you're given population, usage and consumption rates and asked to figure out the volume), and conditional probability.

Tips: When you're doing intermediary calculations don't round. It will throw off your final answer. Read carefully, a couple questions can be easily misinterpreted. Show your work (be neat) because if you're only slightly off and the scorer can see the mistake you made there is a CHANCE you might get credit. This is entirely at the discretion of the hiring manager.

Example question: A new company will release 3 new products (A, B, C). 20% of buyers will buy A, 55% will buy B and 25% will buy C. People that buy A will buy 1.5 units, B 2.5 and C .75. What percent of total sales will be product B?

Hi,

please could you send me an email with more "info" (test and answer :) )))) i have to take the test in few days....please please help me, thank you so much.

my email is lambiasem@hotmail.it

mario in London, United Kingdom said: Hi,

please could you send me an email with more "info" (test and answer :) )))) i have to take the test in few days....please please help me, thank you so much.

my email is lambiasem@hotmail.it

Hi, were you able to get the test?If so, can you send it to me: kimberly.taylor11@yahoo.com

sidney.fernandes12@gmail.com in Mumbai, India said: Can you please reply cause i have my Test on Tuesday???

Hi, were you able to get the test?If so, can you send it to me: kimberly.taylor11@yahoo.com

blueskies81 in Villeneuve-le-roi, France said: Hi AgentKeyserSoze
Thanks for all the information, am already onto it.

Hey joeynoel
I took the test last week, but it was for a Analyst position (in CPG sector and not Media research)and not managerial. It is exactly as AgentKeyserSoze has told above, the questions haven't changed much. And overall you need to get score 6/10 to clear the test.

I worked on lot of stuff that I downloaded from the internet and and they were timed tests. The time pressure helps you in the real test.

Do you remeber where you found the timed test? I am desperate to get some practice!

Hi AgentKeyserSoze,

Hope you are well. I read your prep questions and they were very helpful.

Is there anyway you can please post questions 4, 7 ,8, 9, 10 with actual numbers to practice from as well.

Thank you in advance!

AgentKeyserSoze in Bermuda Triangle said: I have a copy of the analytic assessment test and an answer key. I worked for The Nielsen Company (North America) for 5 years at the Senior Manager and Director level. Got questions about interview/case studies/test/work? Ask away. I will not serve up the test questions or answers verbatim but fire away with any conceptual questions. Wanna know about compensation or bonus? I'm your man.

Toronto in Toronto, Ontario said: Hi AgentKeyserSoze,

Hope you are well. I read your prep questions and they were very helpful.

Is there anyway you can please post questions 4, 7 ,8, 9, 10 with actual numbers to practice from as well.

Thank you in advance![/QUOTE)

p.s Do you have an email address I can email you?

Thank you.

Hi,

Can you please help me with the rest of the assessment?

Thank you,

Flower

AgentKeyserSoze in Bermuda Triangle said: I have a copy of the analytic assessment test and an answer key. I worked for The Nielsen Company (North America) for 5 years at the Senior Manager and Director level. Got questions about interview/case studies/test/work? Ask away. I will not serve up the test questions or answers verbatim but fire away with any conceptual questions. Wanna know about compensation or bonus? I'm your man.

Can you please help me with the assessment questions?

Thanks!

AgentKeyserSoze in Bermuda Triangle said: I have a copy of the analytic assessment test and an answer key. I worked for The Nielsen Company (North America) for 5 years at the Senior Manager and Director level. Got questions about interview/case studies/test/work? Ask away. I will not serve up the test questions or answers verbatim but fire away with any conceptual questions. Wanna know about compensation or bonus? I'm your man.

If you're actually sending copies of the test and answer key, would love to get a copy for my test tomorrow. My email is: eastvillageguy2001@yahoo.com

Thanks in anticipation.