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Irish Prison Officer Recruit study materials
Irish Prison Officer Recruit study resources

Irish Prison Officer Recruit practice questions

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Question 1Numerical Reasoning

What is 15% of 240?

  1. 24
  2. 48
  3. 36 Correct answer.
  4. 32

Explanation

Convert the percentage to a decimal and multiply: 0.15 × 240 = 36. A quick check is that 10% of 240 is 24, so 15% must be half of 24 (12) more than 24, giving 36.

Question 2Numerical Reasoning

€360 is divided among three people in the ratio 2:3:4. How much does the person receiving the largest share get?

  1. €80
  2. €120
  3. €180
  4. €160 Correct answer.

Explanation

The ratio contains 2 + 3 + 4 = 9 equal parts, so each part is €360 ÷ 9 = €40. The largest share is 4 parts, giving 4 × €40 = €160.

Question 3Numerical Reasoning

What is the average of the numbers 12, 18, 21, 25 and 34?

  1. 22 Correct answer.
  2. 21
  3. 20
  4. 24

Explanation

Add the values to get a total of 110, then divide by how many numbers there are: 110 ÷ 5 = 22. The average must lie between the smallest and largest values, and 22 does.

Question 4Numerical Reasoning

What number comes next in the sequence 3, 7, 15, 31, 63, ?

  1. 111
  2. 95
  3. 125
  4. 127 Correct answer.

Explanation

Each term is double the previous term plus one: 3 × 2 + 1 = 7, 7 × 2 + 1 = 15, and so on. Applying the rule to 63 gives 63 × 2 + 1 = 127.

Question 5Numerical Reasoning

What is three-quarters of 96?

  1. 68
  2. 64
  3. 72 Correct answer.
  4. 78

Explanation

Divide 96 by 4 to find one quarter, which is 24, then multiply by 3: 24 × 3 = 72. Equivalently, 96 × 0.75 = 72.

Question 6Numerical Reasoning

How many minutes are there in 2.75 hours?

  1. 175
  2. 145
  3. 155
  4. 165 Correct answer.

Explanation

Each hour is 60 minutes, so 2 hours give 120 minutes and the remaining 0.75 of an hour gives 0.75 × 60 = 45 minutes. Adding them gives 120 + 45 = 165 minutes.

Question 7Numerical Reasoning

How many grams are there in 4.5 kilograms?

  1. 45 000
  2. 40 500
  3. 4500 Correct answer.
  4. 450

Explanation

There are 1000 grams in one kilogram, so multiply by 1000: 4.5 × 1000 = 4500 grams. Moving the decimal point three places to the right gives the same result.

Question 8Numerical Reasoning

A prisoner's account holds €50.00. A deduction of €23.75 is made. What balance remains?

  1. €27.25
  2. €26.75
  3. €25.25
  4. €26.25 Correct answer.

Explanation

Subtract the deduction from the balance: €50.00 − €23.75 = €26.25. Checking the answer by adding back, €23.75 + €26.25 = €50.00.

Question 9Numerical Reasoning

A weekly wage rises from €520 to €572. What is the percentage increase?

  1. 12%
  2. 9%
  3. 11%
  4. 10% Correct answer.

Explanation

The increase is €572 − €520 = €52. Divide the increase by the original amount and multiply by 100: 52 ÷ 520 × 100 = 10%.

Question 10Numerical Reasoning

A transport covers 180 km in 2 hours 30 minutes. What is its average speed in km/h?

  1. 72 Correct answer.
  2. 68
  3. 75
  4. 80

Explanation

Convert the time to hours: 2 hours 30 minutes is 2.5 hours. Speed equals distance divided by time, so 180 ÷ 2.5 = 72 km/h.

Question 11Numerical Reasoning

One officer can complete a task in 6 hours and a second officer can complete the same task in 12 hours. Working together at these rates, how long will the task take?

  1. 4 hours Correct answer.
  2. 3.5 hours
  3. 3 hours
  4. 4.5 hours

Explanation

In one hour the first officer does 1/6 of the task and the second does 1/12, giving a combined rate of 1/6 + 1/12 = 3/12 = 1/4 of the task per hour. At one quarter per hour the whole task takes 4 hours.

Question 12Numerical Reasoning

An item is bought for €80 and sold for €92. What is the percentage profit?

  1. 14%
  2. 15% Correct answer.
  3. 13%
  4. 12%

Explanation

Profit equals €92 − €80 = €12. Percentage profit is profit divided by cost price times 100: 12 ÷ 80 × 100 = 15%.

Question 13Numerical Reasoning

The average of five numbers is 14. One of the numbers, 20, is removed. What is the average of the remaining four numbers?

  1. 12
  2. 12.5 Correct answer.
  3. 13
  4. 13.5

Explanation

The five numbers total 5 × 14 = 70. Removing 20 leaves a total of 50 across four numbers, and 50 ÷ 4 = 12.5.

Question 14Numerical Reasoning

If 7 officers process 84 files in a set time, how many files would 12 officers process in the same time at the same rate?

  1. 156
  2. 148
  3. 132
  4. 144 Correct answer.

Explanation

Find the rate for one officer: 84 ÷ 7 = 12 files. Multiply by the new number of officers: 12 × 12 = 144 files.

Question 15Numerical Reasoning

A rectangular exercise yard measures 8.5 m by 4 m. What is its area?

  1. 25 m²
  2. 30 m²
  3. 34 m² Correct answer.
  4. 38 m²

Explanation

The area of a rectangle is length multiplied by width: 8.5 × 4 = 34 m². The answer is in square metres because two lengths are multiplied together.

Question 16Numerical Reasoning

€1500 is invested at 4% simple interest per year. How much interest is earned over 3 years?

  1. €170
  2. €160
  3. €180 Correct answer.
  4. €150

Explanation

Simple interest is principal × rate × time: 1500 × 0.04 × 3 = €180. The interest is the same each year (€60), giving €180 in total.

Question 17Numerical Reasoning

Which of these numbers is the smallest: 0.089, 0.098, 0.809, 0.9?

  1. 0.089 Correct answer.
  2. 0.9
  3. 0.098
  4. 0.809

Explanation

Compare place values from left to right. All four numbers have 0 units; 0.089 and 0.098 have 0 tenths, while the other two have 8 tenths, so the smallest must be one of the first pair. Of those, 0.089 has the smaller hundredths digit (8 against 9), so 0.089 is smallest.

Question 18Numerical Reasoning

The fraction 5/8 is equivalent to which percentage?

  1. 58%
  2. 62.5% Correct answer.
  3. 65%
  4. 68%

Explanation

Divide the numerator by the denominator: 5 ÷ 8 = 0.625. Multiplying by 100 gives 62.5%.

Question 19Numerical Reasoning

A night shift runs from 20:45 until 07:15 the following morning. How long is the shift?

  1. 11 h 15 min
  2. 10 h 15 min
  3. 10 h 30 min Correct answer.
  4. 9 h 45 min

Explanation

From 20:45 to midnight is 3 hours 15 minutes. From midnight to 07:15 is 7 hours 15 minutes. Adding the two parts gives 10 hours 30 minutes.

Question 20Numerical Reasoning

On a map drawn to a scale of 1:250, a wall measures 4 cm. What is the real length of the wall?

  1. 6 m
  2. 4 m
  3. 10 m Correct answer.
  4. 8 m

Explanation

A scale of 1:250 means 1 cm on the map represents 250 cm in reality, so 4 cm represents 4 × 250 = 1000 cm. Converting to metres gives 1000 ÷ 100 = 10 m.

Question 21Numerical Reasoning

A price of €400 is reduced by 20% and the reduced price is then increased by 10%. What is the final price?

  1. €348
  2. €360
  3. €352 Correct answer.
  4. €344

Explanation

Apply each change in turn: €400 × 0.80 = €320, then €320 × 1.10 = €352. Successive percentage changes must be applied one after the other, not combined into a single 10% reduction.

Question 22Numerical Reasoning

30 litres of a solution containing 20% disinfectant is diluted by adding 10 litres of water. What percentage of the new mixture is disinfectant?

  1. 18%
  2. 12%
  3. 15% Correct answer.
  4. 16%

Explanation

The amount of disinfectant stays fixed at 20% of 30 litres, which is 6 litres. The new volume is 30 + 10 = 40 litres, so the strength is 6 ÷ 40 = 0.15, or 15%.

Question 23Numerical Reasoning

Two numbers are in the ratio 5:7 and their sum is 144. What is the difference between the two numbers?

  1. 26
  2. 20
  3. 24 Correct answer.
  4. 22

Explanation

The ratio has 5 + 7 = 12 equal parts, so each part is 144 ÷ 12 = 12. The difference is 7 − 5 = 2 parts, giving 2 × 12 = 24.

Question 24Numerical Reasoning

After a 15% discount, an item costs €68. What was the price before the discount?

  1. €80.00 Correct answer.
  2. €78.20
  3. €76.50
  4. €79.00

Explanation

The reduced price represents 100% − 15% = 85% of the original. Divide by that percentage: 68 ÷ 0.85 = €80. Checking, 15% of €80 is €12 and €80 − €12 = €68.

Question 25Numerical Reasoning

The average of eight numbers is 15. The average of the first three of these numbers is 12. What is the average of the remaining five numbers?

  1. 16.2
  2. 15.6
  3. 16.8 Correct answer.
  4. 17.0

Explanation

The eight numbers total 8 × 15 = 120, and the first three total 3 × 12 = 36. The remaining five therefore total 120 − 36 = 84, and 84 ÷ 5 = 16.8.

Question 26Numerical Reasoning

A store room holds 240 identical files. An officer checks three-quarters of them. How many files does the officer check?

  1. 200
  2. 210
  3. 180 Correct answer.
  4. 160

Explanation

Divide the total by the denominator and multiply by the numerator: 240 ÷ 4 = 60, then 60 × 3 = 180. Three-quarters must also be more than half of 240, which rules out smaller values.

Question 27Numerical Reasoning

A corridor is 3.6 kilometres long. What is this length in metres?

  1. 360 m
  2. 36 m
  3. 36 000 m
  4. 3 600 m Correct answer.

Explanation

One kilometre equals 1 000 metres, so multiply by 1 000: 3.6 × 1 000 = 3 600. The decimal point moves three places to the right.

Question 28Numerical Reasoning

A canteen budget for the week is €80. Cleaning supplies take 15% of this budget. How much is spent on cleaning supplies?

  1. €12 Correct answer.
  2. €8
  3. €15
  4. €10

Explanation

Fifteen per cent means 15 parts out of 100, so calculate 80 × 15 ÷ 100 = 12. A quick check is that 10% of €80 is €8, so 15% must be a little more than €8.

Question 29Numerical Reasoning

The number 4 867 is to be rounded to the nearest hundred. What is the result?

  1. 4 900 Correct answer.
  2. 4 800
  3. 4 870
  4. 4 860

Explanation

The hundreds digit is 8 and the next digit (tens) is 6, which is 5 or more, so the hundreds digit rounds up to 9. This gives 4 900.

Question 30Numerical Reasoning

Which of these numbers can be divided by 9 with no remainder?

  1. 8 127 Correct answer.
  2. 4 731
  3. 9 043
  4. 6 124

Explanation

A number is divisible by 9 when the sum of its digits is a multiple of 9. For 8 127 the digits add to 8+1+2+7 = 18, which is a multiple of 9.

Question 31Numerical Reasoning

A number pattern begins 3, 7, 11, 15. If the same rule continues, what is the next term?

  1. 19 Correct answer.
  2. 23
  3. 17
  4. 21

Explanation

Each term is 4 more than the one before it, since 7 − 3 = 4 and 11 − 7 = 4. Adding 4 to 15 gives 19.

Question 32Numerical Reasoning

A grant of €540 is divided between two units in the ratio 4:5. What is the larger share?

  1. €270
  2. €320
  3. €240
  4. €300 Correct answer.

Explanation

The ratio has 4 + 5 = 9 equal parts, so one part is 540 ÷ 9 = €60. The larger share is 5 parts: 5 × 60 = €300.

Question 33Numerical Reasoning

An officer works a 7.5 hour shift and is paid €16.40 per hour. What is the total pay for the shift?

  1. €123.00 Correct answer.
  2. €112.80
  3. €122.50
  4. €118.40

Explanation

Multiply the hourly rate by the hours worked: 16.40 × 7.5. This is 16.40 × 7 = 114.80 plus 16.40 × 0.5 = 8.20, giving €123.00.

Question 34Numerical Reasoning

A recreation room is 6 metres long and 4 metres wide. What is the distance all the way around its edge?

  1. 24 m
  2. 12 m
  3. 20 m Correct answer.
  4. 10 m

Explanation

The distance around a rectangle is twice the length plus twice the width: 2 × 6 + 2 × 4 = 12 + 8 = 20 m.

Question 35Numerical Reasoning

A water tank holds 480 litres when full and is currently 35% full. How many litres are needed to fill it completely?

  1. 288 litres
  2. 336 litres
  3. 168 litres
  4. 312 litres Correct answer.

Explanation

If the tank is 35% full, 100% − 35% = 65% remains to be added. Then 480 × 65 ÷ 100 = 312 litres.

Question 36Numerical Reasoning

A bus travels at a steady 90 km/h. How long does it take to cover 225 km?

  1. 2 h 45 min
  2. 2 h 15 min
  3. 1 h 45 min
  4. 2 h 30 min Correct answer.

Explanation

Time equals distance divided by speed: 225 ÷ 90 = 2.5 hours. Half an hour is 30 minutes, so the journey takes 2 hours 30 minutes.

Question 37Numerical Reasoning

A batch of 240 records must be checked. One officer completes two-fifths of the batch and a second officer checks the remainder. How many records does the second officer check?

  1. 132
  2. 144 Correct answer.
  3. 108
  4. 96

Explanation

The first officer checks 2/5 of 240 = 96 records, so the remainder is 240 − 96 = 144. Equivalently, three-fifths of 240 is 144.

Question 38Numerical Reasoning

A jacket is priced at €85 and staff receive a 12% discount on it. What is the price after the discount?

  1. €76.50
  2. €75.00
  3. €73.20
  4. €74.80 Correct answer.

Explanation

The discount is 12% of €85 = €10.20, so the reduced price is 85.00 − 10.20 = €74.80. Paying 88% of €85 gives the same result.

Question 39Numerical Reasoning

What is the average of the numbers 12, 18, 9, 25 and 16?

  1. 16 Correct answer.
  2. 17
  3. 18
  4. 15

Explanation

Add the values: 12 + 18 + 9 + 25 + 16 = 80. Dividing by the five values gives 80 ÷ 5 = 16.

Question 40Numerical Reasoning

A yard measuring 15 m by 12 m is paved with square slabs each measuring 0.5 m by 0.5 m. How many slabs are needed to cover the yard?

  1. 360
  2. 720 Correct answer.
  3. 1 440
  4. 180

Explanation

The yard covers 15 × 12 = 180 m². Each slab covers 0.5 × 0.5 = 0.25 m², so the number of slabs is 180 ÷ 0.25 = 720.

Question 41Numerical Reasoning

A fund of €2 400 is divided equally among 16 officers. How much does each officer receive?

  1. €140
  2. €135
  3. €150 Correct answer.
  4. €120

Explanation

Divide the total by the number of people: 2 400 ÷ 16 = 150. A check is that 16 × 150 = 2 400.

Question 42Numerical Reasoning

On a landing block the ratio of officers to prisoners is 1:12. If there are 96 prisoners, how many officers are there?

  1. 12
  2. 14
  3. 10
  4. 8 Correct answer.

Explanation

A ratio of 1:12 means each officer corresponds to 12 prisoners. Dividing the prisoners into groups of 12 gives 96 ÷ 12 = 8 officers.

Question 43Numerical Reasoning

A 5 kg sack of potatoes costs €6.50. What is the price per kilogram?

  1. €1.35
  2. €1.40
  3. €1.20
  4. €1.30 Correct answer.

Explanation

Divide the cost by the weight: 6.50 ÷ 5 = 1.30. Checking, 5 × €1.30 = €6.50.

Question 44Numerical Reasoning

A driver covers 120 km at 60 km/h and then returns along the same road at 40 km/h. What is the average speed for the whole journey?

  1. 45 km/h
  2. 52 km/h
  3. 48 km/h Correct answer.
  4. 50 km/h

Explanation

The outward trip takes 120 ÷ 60 = 2 hours and the return takes 120 ÷ 40 = 3 hours. Total distance 240 km in 5 hours gives 240 ÷ 5 = 48 km/h, which is not the simple average of the two speeds.

Question 45Numerical Reasoning

€800 is invested at 5% compound interest per year. What is the value of the investment after 2 years?

  1. €860
  2. €840
  3. €880
  4. €882 Correct answer.

Explanation

Compound interest means each year's interest also earns interest. After year 1: 800 × 1.05 = €840; after year 2: 840 × 1.05 = €882.

Question 46Numerical Reasoning

A car park charges €2.40 for the first hour and €1.15 for each additional half hour or part of a half hour. What is the charge for a stay of 3 hours 20 minutes?

  1. €8.15 Correct answer.
  2. €7.00
  3. €9.30
  4. €8.30

Explanation

After the first hour, 2 hours 20 minutes remain, which is 140 minutes. This is four full half hours plus 20 minutes, and because a part half hour is charged in full it counts as 5 units: 5 × €1.15 = €5.75. Adding the first hour gives 2.40 + 5.75 = €8.15.

Question 47Numerical Reasoning

A 48-litre drum contains paint and thinner in the ratio 5:3. If 12 litres of thinner are added, what percentage of the new mixture is thinner?

  1. 50% Correct answer.
  2. 60%
  3. 45%
  4. 55%

Explanation

The 48 litres divide into 8 parts, so thinner is 3 × 6 = 18 litres and paint is 30 litres. Adding 12 litres of thinner gives 30 litres of thinner in a total of 60 litres, which is 30/60 = 50%.

Question 48Numerical Reasoning

A jug holds 3 litres of juice. How many cups of 250 ml each can be filled from a full jug?

  1. 10
  2. 15
  3. 12 Correct answer.
  4. 8

Explanation

Convert the jug to millilitres: 3 litres = 3 000 ml. Divide by the cup size: 3 000 ÷ 250 = 12 cups.

Question 49Numerical Reasoning

A savings scheme pays €18 in the first month and increases the payment by €3 every month after that. What is the total paid into the scheme over 12 months?

  1. €408
  2. €414 Correct answer.
  3. €360
  4. €396

Explanation

The monthly amounts form an arithmetic sequence from €18 up to €18 + 11 × €3 = €51. The total is the number of terms multiplied by the average of the first and last terms: 12 × (18 + 51) ÷ 2 = €414.

Question 50Numerical Reasoning

The value 45% written as a decimal is which of the following?

  1. 0.045
  2. 4.5
  3. 0.45 Correct answer.
  4. 45.0

Explanation

A percentage is a fraction out of 100, so 45% = 45/100 = 0.45. The decimal point moves two places to the left.