— GUIDE —
OPTIVER ONLINE ASSESSMENT GUIDE
Optiver uses online assessments for some trading and quantitative roles. Mental math, numerical reasoning, and probability are sensible areas to train, but your invitation has the final word on the format.
UPDATED 2026-08-12 · 8 MIN READ · BY THE VARIANCE TEAM
Checked against Optiver's recruiting pages in August 2026. Optiver confirms that several campus hiring processes include online assessments. Beyond that, details get messy. The test can change with the role, office, and recruiting cycle. Names such as 80-in-8 and NumberLogic come from candidate reports and may not match the assessment in your inbox.
What is the Optiver online assessment?
It is an early screen for numerical fluency and analytical reasoning. The clock is part of the test. Read the instructions before you begin, and take any supplied practice questions seriously; they tell you more about your version than an old forum post will.
What does the Optiver assessment test?
| Commonly reported area | What to train |
|---|---|
| Rapid mental math | Arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, and clean division |
| Numerical logic | Number sequences, rule detection, and switching between patterns |
| Probability | Complements, conditional probability, counting, and expected value |
| Attention or reaction tasks | Accuracy while rules, stimuli, or priorities change |
Not every candidate receives every section. Trading, research, and technology applicants may face different assessments.
How should you prepare for Optiver mental math?
Start with accuracy, then shorten the timer. Memorize multiplication tables, squares through 25, fraction-percentage conversions, and complements to 100. Use decomposition instead of written arithmetic: 47 × 18 = 47 × (20 − 2) = 940 − 94 = 846.
Use short practice sets. When wrong answers carry a penalty, loose guessing can wipe out several correct responses. See our complete mental math guide and multiplication shortcuts.
Representative practice questions
- Compute 84 ÷ 7 + 16 × 3. Answer: 60.
- What is 12.5% of 264? Answer: 33, because 12.5% is one eighth.
- Next term: 3, 8, 18, 38, ? Answer: 78; double and add 2.
- Chance of at least one head in three fair flips? Answer: 7/8 by the complement rule.
- A $4 ticket pays $10 with probability 0.5. Expected profit? Answer: $1.
These are original representative questions, not Optiver questions.
If you have one week
- Days 1–2: diagnose arithmetic accuracy and memorize weak facts.
- Days 3–4: train sequences and probability in separate timed blocks.
- Day 5: mix question types and practice rule switching.
- Day 6: complete a full-length simulation under your invitation's rules.
- Day 7: review errors, do a light warm-up, and stop before fatigue.
Optiver online assessment FAQ
Is the Optiver assessment always 80 questions in 8 minutes?
No. That is a well-known candidate-reported arithmetic format, but Optiver uses different assessments across roles, offices, and cycles.
Can you use a calculator?
Follow the instructions in your invitation. Prepare without one unless your assessment explicitly permits it.
What score do you need to pass?
Optiver does not publish a universal cutoff. Aim for repeatable speed at high accuracy rather than an unofficial target score.
Official source and accuracy note
Review Optiver's campus recruiting Q&A and the instructions sent for your role. Variance is not affiliated with or endorsed by Optiver. Never copy, record, or share confidential assessment material.