Major UK employers were using Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Analytical tests from the mid-80s onwards as part of their recruitment processes. I was using them at Mars UK as components of Assessment Centres from 1988.
One of their great strengths is that candidates can't practice for them.
We only ever used them as a confirmer of other indicators, including structured interviewing, group task assessments and individual analytical tasks. Not recommended that pass/fail marks are set for them - some people are damn good recruits but just can't do the tests.