Retail, logistics and telecoms: reasoning for some, simulations and writing for others

Royal Mail says its online tests assess numerical, logical and verbal reasoning plus personality, and advises practising first. That is as direct a prompt as any employer gives. It also says tests are not reusable between applications, so a result from one cycle does not carry over.

This is the employer in the group where timed reasoning practice pays most.

Aldi describes a ladder for its Area Manager scheme: an online application with judgement and analytical tests, a video, a psychometric test, an individual assessment, a virtual group assessment and a final interview with a regional managing director. Amazon describes a work style assessment and work sample simulations, and says most roles need no advance preparation.

Both are process-heavy rather than test-heavy. Aldi's preparation is stamina across stages. Amazon's is understanding its Leadership Principles and being rested.

BT Group says its untimed online assessment has five written questions scored with AI support and one video question reviewed by a recruiter. It is one of the few employers to say so. That shapes how you write: answer the question asked, with a specific example, in clear sentences.

Compare it with the other employers in our AI and automation guide.

VodafoneThree describes a digital assessment of around 45 minutes combining a video interview, an image-based personality questionnaire and a logical reasoning test. Older Vodafone pages describe a shorter version with five video questions and a logic game.

The logic test is the part you can train: the CCAT practice test has the nearest question types.

If you are applying to Royal Mail, take a full reasoning test this week. If Aldi, split your time between a reasoning test and your video and presentation. If Amazon, read the Leadership Principles and take rest seriously. If BT, write your four stories out in full. If VodafoneThree, practise logic and record one video answer.

The Reasoning Pass Pack is £29 (US$39) for this exam or £49 (US$59) for all five, if you want timed mocks and drills for the reasoning part.