Problem
Solving: The Test .
Time starts now: You have remaining
You and your companions have just survived the crash of a small plane.
Both the pilot and co-pilot were killed in the crash. It’s mid-January, and
you are in Northern Canada. The daily temperature is 25 below zero, and the
night time temperature is 40 below zero. There is snow on the ground, and
the countryside is wooded with several creeks criss-crossing the area. The
nearest town is 20 miles away. You are all dressed in city clothes appropriate
for a business meeting. You managed to salvage the following items:
A ball of steel wool
A small axe
A loaded .45-caliber pistol
Shiny can of cooking oil
Newspapers (one per person)
Cigarette lighter (without fl uid)
Extra shirt and trousers for each survivor
20 x 20 ft. piece of heavy-duty canvas
A sectional air map made of plastic
One bottle of proof whiskey
A compass
Family-size chocolate bars (one per person)
Your task is to list the above 12 items in order of importance for your survival. List the uses for each.
Try this problem in the time frame given. Time has already started!
This test was given at an assessment centre to 12 fi nalists at a FTSE 250 fi rm.
If you would like to have a set of answers please email us at write@yourhpd.com.
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HPD Sept ‘09 - Feb ‘10