If it's a company that handles "marketing research/intelligence firm that conducts surveys, observational research, focus group interviews", it's possible that they would prefer specific locations for demographic purposes.

Or, possibly, work from home opportunities. If you could do the work from home that you could also do at said business, perhaps they would find you more flexible in regards to when you could work. I imagine surveys could be done from home, over the phone, and a lot of work from home opportunities require you to be in certain locations, depending on the business.

I've also had a few people be interested in my travel time to the work location, so it's possible they were looking for a rough estimate. Also, if they needed someone to come in, and you worked close, you could probably cover quickly if available.

As for a test, I've never heard of such a thing. They probably judge so many people that they'd guess if you were pretending to be nice, and stick by that decision.

To be hones I would personally would not work for them, here is why...

The firms is a marketing research firm if he did know know where you lived before you were interviewed tells me how good they are at research. Usually if you don't put your address in your resume or the application you are automatically rejected in most jobs, they simply want to know if you are withing a reasonable distance from work. Second part time means a certain amount of hours a week, they tell you the hours and if you can't make it than you don't get the job, if you where not told specifics they are obviously new to the marketing business. In marketing there is specific times or operation for certain jobs no matter if is a research firm or a design firm the marketing department has specific times and deadlines if you where not provided with such, is not a good place to work. What they are telling you is that we currently have no idea of the work we have but we will call you when we feel you will come in handy. I would be surprised if they don't offer you a job, but now that you know a bit more of what they should of told you you can go back and ask them specific working hours if they can't tell you is your decision what to do, do take the job if you feel it will help you in the future but tell them once University starts you will not be working for them...