RANRA
Rust Advanced Numerical Reasoning Appraisal
RANRA assesses the extent to which a candidate can recognize, understand, generalise and apply the logical operations inherent in their mathematical training. It is a companion test to the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WG-CTA), a higher-level assessment tool for critical thinking as a form of verbal ability that additionally assesses the extent of the respondent’s ability to access and utilize the rationality inherent in language. RANRA is used for selection into UK Public Health Specialty Training. Further information is available from the NHS England Public Health Assessment Centre. An example of the RANRA Practice Test is available here.
Although Pearson’s main website now directs visitors towards newer versions of the WG-CTA, the earlier UK version, with which I was involved, is also currently used alongside RANRA and a Public Health Situational Judgement Test in the selection process for UK Public Health Specialty Training, Further information, including an official example of the UK Edition, is available from the Pearson VUE Public Health National Recruitment page.
RANRA applies the Watson-Glaser model to the mathematical domain. It aims to assess the extent to which the respondent can recognize, understand, generalise and apply the logical operations inherent in their mathematical training. Throughout the world, the mathematics curriculum incorporates the same fundamental mathematical concepts (knowledge of symbols, numbers, and fractions), operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, mental computation) and applications (numerical problems employing variables such as distance, money and time). While all taught in schools, many of these skills are allowed to atrophy in adulthood. RANRA assesses the extent to which the respondent has retained and/or extended their utilization of the mathematical fundamentals during their working life.
Many of the items in RANRA expect a basic knowledge of mathematics up to GCSE level. But almost all additionally require life-long experience in utilizing this knowledge, either in business or professional settings or in day-to-day problem-solving. The items are most easily solved through mental arithmetic rather than rote calculation so that those who have internalized their mathematical knowledge are at an advantage. The intuitive recognition of equivalence or of sufficiency of information is a cognitive skill that is only likely to be present in those who not only have the knowledge and ability but also have regularly applied it. These, taken together, are the best predictors of future performance and skill acquisition in the use of mathematics for problem-solving.