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About this exam

The CBN Aptitude Test is the recruitment screening assessment used by the Central Bank of Nigeria to shortlist candidates for graduate and specialist roles. It is intended for applicants who have already met the Bank's academic and eligibility criteria and are moving into the written assessment stage. The test is multiple choice and blends six areas: quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning and comprehension, logical and abstract reasoning, general knowledge and current affairs, economics and finance fundamentals, and English usage. Numerical and verbal sections carry the most weight, so speed with percentages, ratios, data interpretation and passage analysis matters more than obscure trivia. Economics and finance questions reward familiarity with monetary policy, inflation, exchange rates and basic banking concepts. Because the Bank does not publish a detailed syllabus, preparation works best as a staged routine: revise core arithmetic and grammar first, then drill timed mixed sets, then review Nigerian and global economic news against the concepts you have learned. Treat any question bank as practice material, not as leaked content, and confirm all logistics directly with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

What you'll study

Common questions

About CBN Aptitude Test preparation

What is the format of the CBN Aptitude Test?

It is a multiple-choice test delivered under timed conditions, covering numerical, verbal, logical, general knowledge, economics and finance, and English usage. Expect four or five options per question with no penalty for guessing beyond the raw score, so answer every item. Confirm the exact delivery method and section structure with the Central Bank of Nigeria before your test date.

How long is the test and how many questions are there?

The Central Bank of Nigeria sets and revises the question count and time limit for each recruitment cycle, and it does not publish a fixed figure in advance. Check the official CBN careers portal and your invitation message for the current details. Practise under a strict clock regardless, aiming for roughly under a minute per question.

How difficult is the exam?

Difficulty is moderate but pace-driven. Individual questions are rarely advanced mathematics; the challenge is sustaining accuracy across many short items. Most candidates lose marks through slow arithmetic, misread passages and skipped questions rather than genuine knowledge gaps. Timed practice on mixed sets is the single best way to raise your score.

Can I retake the test if I do not pass?

Retakes are not generally offered within a single recruitment cycle; the assessment is a one-shot screening stage. You may reapply in a future cycle if you still meet the eligibility criteria. The Central Bank of Nigeria controls the retake and reapplication policy, so verify the current rules on its official site rather than relying on forum claims.

What is the passing score?

No fixed public cut-off exists. Selection is competitive and relative to the applicant pool for each role, so the effective threshold shifts between cycles and cadres. The Central Bank of Nigeria publishes recruitment updates on its official channels. Aim to maximise your raw score rather than targeting a specific number.

In what order should I study the sections?

Start with quantitative reasoning and English usage, since they underpin verbal and logical sections and carry the most weight. Add economics and finance fundamentals next, then build a current-affairs habit through daily news reading. Finish with full timed mixed sets in the final two weeks so section-switching becomes automatic.

What are the most common reasons candidates fail?

Running out of time on calculation-heavy items, leaving blanks, misreading question stems that ask for the exception or the incorrect option, and neglecting current affairs entirely. Poor mental arithmetic slows everything downstream. Fix these by drilling tables, percentages and fractions, and by reading each question twice before answering.

How much does the test cost?

The Central Bank of Nigeria does not charge candidates for its recruitment assessment, and any request for payment should be treated as fraud. Fee information, if any applies to a given cycle, is stated only on official CBN channels. Never pay a third party claiming to secure your invitation or score.

How long is my result valid?

Results are tied to the recruitment cycle in which you sat the test and are not a portable, multi-year credential. A score from one cycle does not carry into the next. The Central Bank of Nigeria determines validity and how results feed into subsequent interview stages, so confirm via official communication.