The difficulties

1. Unlike standard numerical tests, data is presented both verbally and numerically. Passages of 150-220 words are likely to accompany each set of questions which demands an ability to discern, filter and extract relevant information.
2. These tests introduce financial definitions and concepts that most people are not acquainted with. Terms like profit margin or market capitalization, which are universal conventions in the finance world, might turn a question to be seemingly more complex, regardless of how simple their mathematical representation is.
3. Unlike numerical reasoning tests whose questions usually require no more than 3-5 mathematical calculations and rely on universal concepts, financial reasoning tests can ask for more elaborate calculations and application of newly introduced mathematical expressions.
4. Psychology of course plays an important role in this test. Employers want to see if a person can draw conclusions and assumptions using pure logic even when he is not fully familiar with a specific field of knowledge.
5. The scoring method of this test is also different. Wrong answers reduce points, while a new answer option allows the test taker to state that he does not know the answer.