Numeracy and Literacy guidance and example questions
The result of the numeracy and literacy test do not form part of UEA’s selection process, tests will
not be marked until after a decision is made about your offer which is based on your UCAS
application and performance at interview. Results of the test are used by the University to help
plan the level of support we provide to our cohorts.
The test should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete (15 minutes for the numeracy section
and 15 for the literacy section) however, 45 minutes have been allocated to allow you to take
extra time if you should feel you need it. You can leave after 30 minutes but please do so quietly
without disturbing those taking extra time.
Numeracy questions are designed to test skills which will be necessary for completion of our
Health Sciences courses, including:
Manipulation of numbers as applied to volume, weight, and length (i.e. conversions). Addition,
Subtraction, Division, Multiplication, Fractions, SI units, Decimals, Percentages, Ratios, Rounding,
Area and perimeter, Interpreting graphs and charts and Using Formula.
The function of the literacy test is primarily to assess your comprehension and written
communication which are key to success on our programmes. You will be given a short piece of
text to read and will be asked questions about the topic of the text.
Example numeracy questions:
E1)
How would you convert millimetres (mm) to centimetres (cm)?
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E2)
A bottle contains 250ml, how many 5ml teaspoons does the bottle contain?
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E3)
Write 0.9846328 to 3 decimal places.
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E4)
What is 25% as a fraction? Give your answer in its simplest form
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E5)
Here is the formula for the volume of a cylinder: Volume = π × r2 × height
What is the volume of a cylinder where r2 = 2cm, height = 3cm. Remember π = 3.14.
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Example literacy questions:
Please read the following extract taken from the NHS choices website on 24th November 2014.
Norovirus, sometimes known as the winter vomiting bug, is the most common stomach bug in the
UK.
The virus is highly contagious. It can affect people of all ages and causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
There's no specific cure for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course. It's usually mild and
shouldn't last more than a couple of days.
The period from when you're infected to when you start to show symptoms (the incubation period)
usually lasts between 12 and 48 hours. You may be infectious to other people during this time.
Although having norovirus can be unpleasant, it's not usually dangerous and most people make a full
recovery within a couple of days without having to see their GP.
It's not always possible to avoid getting norovirus, but good hygiene measures can help limit the
spread of the virus.
The advice below will help stop the virus spreading.
•Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet
and before preparing food.
•Don't share towels and flannels.
•Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated with the virus. It's best to use a
bleach-based household cleaner.
•Wash any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated with the virus. Wash
the items separately and on a hot wash to ensure that the virus is killed.
•Flush away any infected faeces or vomit in the toilet and clean the surrounding toilet area.
•Avoid eating raw, unwashed produce and only eat oysters from a reliable source. Oysters have
been known to carry the norovirus.
If you have norovirus, avoid direct contact with other people and preparing food for others until at
least 48 hours after your symptoms have disappeared. You may still be contagious, even though you
no longer have sickness or diarrhoea.
Avoid visiting hospitals if you have had the typical symptoms of norovirus in the past 48 hours. Some
hospitals may request you avoid visiting if you've had symptoms within the past 72 hours. Norovirus
is more serious and even more easily spread among people who are already ill.
You may be asked to rearrange a medical appointment if you have had norovirus symptoms
recently.
From the text, identify two methods of good practice that can stop the spread of norovirus.
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2. ___________________________________________________________________________
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Using ideas from the text and ideas of your own, why do you think ‘you may be asked to rearrange a
medical appointment if you have had norovirus symptoms recently’?
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