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Interested in applying for graduate programs in the banking industry? Are you exploring professional opportunities in the banking industry? The guide below is for you.
The text below provides a full banking assessment process preparation and practice guide for those applying for jobs, internships, and graduate programs in the banking industry around the world.
Our website provides scientifically validated practice assessment tests, interviews, and assessment centre exercises that can be used to practise and prepare for the recruitment and assessment process.
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Not sure if you should practice to prepare for banking assessment tests? Research shows 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude test results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.
A study found that candidates who do not practice assessments tend to fail at the first hurdle of psychometric assessments (54%-84%). This study looked at the Top 100 global employers (Bradley et al., 2019).
Companies in the banking industry use different assessment tests to measure your cognitive abilities and behaviors. These tests may include the following:
These tests sift out 50-80% of candidates at this stage. Some banking organisations may send a report on your performance and areas where you need to improve.
Prepare for your banking interviews by running mock interviews and answering typical bank interview questions. For banking interview practice, use the following:
Use the STAR+R method for your answers and practice each answer several times. Review your responses and enhance your interview skills.
Our video interview practice platform provides interview questions that test your skills and knowledge in specific industries. It is similar to other popular employer interview platforms like HireVue and Pymetrics.
Organisations in the banking industry typically use an assessment centre to measure your potential and compatibility with the company and the role. These exercises may include:
Continue reading to get answers to these critical banking questions:
Ensure you practice assessments similar to banking tests by clicking on any of the assessments below to stay ahead!
Practice for your upcoming banking online assessments with all of our above practice tests as part of our Go Premium package.
Before we break down the various banking job tests, let’s find out more about the banking industry!
The banking industry is a crucial sector of the global economy that provides financial services such as deposits, loans, investment management, and payment processing. It helps economic growth by managing money flow and financial stability.
The banking industry consists of different types of banks, including commercial banks, investment banks, central banks, retail banks, and online banks.
The banking industry receives hundreds of thousands of applications yearly to organisations such as:
Good to Know: The companies listed above are just a few of the many organisations operating in the banking industry. Check out our step-by-step employer guides for 100+ of the world’s largest organisations, including banking companies.
What skills do these banking firms look for when hiring? Keep reading to find out below!
The banking industry looks for different skills and competencies to find the best candidates. Depending on the role, companies within the banking industry will typically look for some of the following skills:
Numerical & Quantitative Skills
Ability to analyse financial data, calculate interest rates, and assess risks.
Financial Analysis & Accounting
Understanding of balance sheets, income statements, and financial modeling.
Data Analysis
Proficiency in spreadsheets, statistical tools, and financial software.
Risk Management
Knowledge of risk assessment frameworks, regulatory compliance, and credit evaluation.
Market Awareness
Understanding of global financial markets, economic trends, and investment strategies.
Critical Thinking
Ability to assess financial risks, solve client problems, and make data-driven decisions.
Attention to Detail
Precision in analyzing transactions, financial reports, and legal documents.
Adaptability & Innovation
Ability to navigate evolving financial regulations, technology, and market trends.
Collaboration
Working with teams across risk, finance, and client services.
Project Management
Leading financial projects, mergers, or digital banking initiatives.
Decision-Making
Making sound financial and strategic choices in a fast-paced environment.
Companies in the banking industry use assessment tests from well-known test providers to assess you for these various skills.
Read on as we explore the top Banking test providers below.
Banking companies around the world use some well-known test providers to hire you during the recruitment process. These top test providers include the following:
Now let’s go ahead and cover the banking online assessment tests these test providers create for banking companies to use below.
Banking assessment tests are used by banks to evaluate you for various required skills for the job. The tests you will be required to complete will vary depending on the role, the level of the role, and the bank’s specific hiring process.
The banking assessment tests you can most likely expect to take for many roles include the following:
Good to Know:
Some banks such as Visa may have other custom or gamified assessments for you to complete at this stage.
Practice with our assessments ahead of your banking job tests today!
Let’s break down each of the banking tests and find out how you can pass them, starting with the banking numerical reasoning test.
A banking numerical reasoning test is an assessment that assesses your ability to work with numbers, interpret financial data, and perform calculations using questions that involve charts, graphs, and data tables through multiple choice questions.
A typical banking numerical reasoning test aims to measure your ability to carry out basic arithmetic calculations and interpret and understand financial data.
Watch our short video below to understand more about this type of banking online assessment!
Let’s check out our simple, actionable tips to help you pass this type of banking test below!
Practice a FREE numerical reasoning test question with us in preparation for your banking tests, or attempt our example numerical reasoning question below!
Banking Numerical Reasoning Test Example
Apply each of our tips above while practising our example numerical test question to see how they help you during this commonly used type of banking test.
Looking for more practice questions to prepare you for your banking assessment? Get access to more with us!
Another banking psychometric test you may also have to take for your assessment process is a banking verbal reasoning test.
Let’s find out more details below.
A banking verbal reasoning test involves reading a series of short paragraphs and answering follow-up questions using the information provided in the paragraphs. This banking test may also include basic grammatical and verbal questions.
A banking verbal reasoning test aims to measure your ability to read, understand, and analyse written information. This banking online assessment may also assess your command of the English language and non-verbal communication skills.
Our short video below explains more about this banking online assessment test.
Read on for helpful tips we have curated to help you pass your banking verbal reasoning test.
Practice a FREE verbal reasoning test with us to understand how this banking online assessment test may be presented, or have a go at our free example verbal reasoning question below!
Banking Verbal Reasoning Test Example
Ensure to try and apply each of the tips we gave above while practising our example verbal test question to see how they help you during this banking test.
Looking to further develop your verbal reasoning skills? Practice more verbal reasoning questions with us at GF!
Another banking aptitude test you may be required to complete for a banking role is a banking logical reasoning test.
A banking logical reasoning test is an assessment that typically involves analysing shapes or symbols in a sequence to identify patterns and determine what comes next in the sequence. This banking test may also come in a numerical or written format.
A standard banking logical reasoning test has different types and is referred to differently by several banks. The various types of banking logical reasoning tests are:
While the names and types of logical reasoning tests used by banks may vary, the skills they measure are similar!
A banking logical reasoning test aims to measure your logical thinking and pattern recognition skills. These tests also evaluate your ability to analyse and understand complex concepts to make informed decisions.
Check out our short video below for key details on a banking logical reasoning test.
Let’s go ahead and cover tips that will help you pass this type of banking job test.
Practice a FREE logical reasoning question to improve your logical skills, or attempt our banking logical reasoning test example below.
Banking Logical Reasoning Test Example
Ensure to try and apply each of the tips we gave above while practising our example logical test question to see how they help you during this banking test.
Practice more logical reasoning test questions with us to improve your logical skills before you take this banking job test.
Another banking online test you may be required to take for many banking jobs is the banking situational judgement test.
A banking situational judgement test is an assessment that involves you choosing the best and worst responses or actions to potential workplace scenarios, typically related to the banking role you applied for.
A banking situational judgement test measures your problem-solving, decision-making, and customer service skills. This banking test also assesses if you align with the work approach of the banking company you applied to.
Watch our short video below to understand more about a banking situational judgement test:
Read on for our helpful tips to help you pass the banking situational judgement test.
Practice for this banking online assessment using our practice situational judgement test questions!
Organisations in the banking industry may also look to assess your personality using a banking personality test.
A banking personality test is an assessment that typically looks to determine your personality, working style and preferences, and workplace behaviours. This banking test helps banks look at candidates who fit their work culture.
A banking personality test aims to measure your work preferences, working style, and workplace behaviors in line with the specific bank’s values and organisational culture. It evaluates how you align with the bank, its values, and its approach.
Watch our short video below to further understand what the banking personality test measures.
So how do you pass a banking personality test? Find out with our top tips below!
Prepare for your banking personality test by understanding your workplace preferences with our personality test.
After the online assessment stage, for most banks, you will be invited to complete some banking interviews.
Banking interviews are typically conducted to get to know you better in terms of your experience, skills and abilities and to assess your technical knowledge and cultural fit with the organisation.
Banking interviews can come in different types. You can expect banks to use one or a few of the following types of interviews:
Phone Interviews
A phone interview is a phone conversation with your recruiter. They are often used at the beginning of a banking hiring process.
Video Interviews
Video interviews are online interviews that are conducted virtually. Many banking organisations are opting to use video interviews today to interview candidates before the final recruitment stage.
Strength-based Interviews
This banking interview looks to identify your strengths and how they align with the role to ensure proper compatibility.
Behavioural Interviews
This banking interview is designed to get to know you better in terms of your behaviours and handling typical work scenarios.
Competency-based Interviews
This banking interview is used to evaluate key competencies the bank requires for the particular role.
Technical Interviews
This banking interview aims to test your financial knowledge, market awareness, and problem-solving skills.
Prepare for your banking interviews by practising banking interview questions with our video interview tool!
Below are our important tips to help you pass your banking interviews.
Let’s use the tips above to practice some common banking interview questions.
Some common banking interview questions you can typically expect include:
Read on as we give example answers to some of the banking interview questions.
Good Answer:
Watch our short video below for tips on how to answer the common banking interview question, ‘Tell me about yourself’:
How to Answer: Tailor your response to the specific bank. Research its culture, reputation, recent deals, and market position. Show how your skills align with its values and why you’re genuinely interested in working there.
I want to work for this bank because of its strong reputation in the industry and its commitment to innovation in financial services. I was particularly impressed by your role in the recent push for integrating financial technology into banking services.
My background in financial analysis and my ability to thrive in high-pressure environments align well with the demands of the role. Additionally, I appreciate the bank’s emphasis on mentorship and professional development.
How to Answer: Use the STAR+R method to structure your answer. Focus on a time when you had to meet a tight deadline, handle multiple priorities, or resolve a critical issue under pressure. Highlight your problem-solving, time management, and resilience.
Situation
In my previous role, I was given a last-minute task to prepare a detailed report for a high-profile client within 24 hours.
Task
The challenge was to analyse large datasets, identify key financial trends, and ensure accuracy, all while handling my regular workload.
Action
I quickly prioritised my tasks, delegated minor data cleaning work to a colleague, and used advanced Excel automation to speed up calculations. I also ensured to cross-check all figures to ensure accuracy under pressure.
Result
I completed the report on time, and the senior manager praised its clarity and insights. The client was highly impressed, leading to a continued partnership with the bank.
Reflection
This experience reinforced my ability to stay composed, manage high-stakes situations, and deliver quality work under pressure.
Discover even more banking interview questions to practice with for your next banking interview using our Question Identifier Tool!
After the interview stage, many banks may go ahead and invite you to a banking assessment centre.
A banking assessment centre is typically used by most banks as the last stage of their recruitment process. The banking assessment centre involves participating in some exercises with other shortlisted candidates to measure your potential and skills.
A typical banking assessment centre will require you to complete some exercises. The banking assessment centre may be held online or in-person at a specific location and may include one or several of the following exercises:
Let’s go ahead and learn more about these exercises, starting with the banking presentation exercise.
A banking presentation exercise typically involves you creating and delivering a presentation based on a given topic that will be assigned to you ahead of the assessment day or at the beginning of the exercise.
A banking presentation exercise measures your ability to analyse information, structure key points, and communicate effectively under time constraints.
Below are 7 top tips to help you ace a banking presentation exercise.
Gain more insights and excel in your banking assessment centre by practicing with our Assessment Centre Package, packed full of practice assessment centre exercises to help you prepare for the banking assessment centre.
The next activity you may face during the banking assessment centre is the banking group exercise.
A banking group exercise involves you getting paired with other candidates to analyse a given issue or scenario. This banking assessment centre exercise puts you in a team and evaluates how the analysis is carried out.
A banking group exercise measures your ability to collaborate, communicate, and work effectively in a team setting.
Let’s check out our top tips that can help you pass your next banking group exercise.
Watch our video below for a proper breakdown of what the banking group exercise is about and more tips on how to pass it.
The next banking assessment centre exercise you can anticipate is the banking e-tray exercise.
A banking e-tray exercise is a computer-based test that typically involves a simulated email inbox where you must respond to emails, analyse financial data, and prioritise urgent tasks within a set time limit.
A banking e-tray exercise measures your ability to manage tasks, prioritise information, and make decisions under pressure.
Read on for our quick tips on how to pass a banking e-tray exercise.
The next banking assessment centre exercise you can anticipate is the banking in-tray exercise.
A banking in-tray exercise involves a business-related scenario and a list of tasks that you must complete within a time frame. These tasks could include replying to customers’ complaints, writing reports, calculating budgets, or analysing.
A banking in-tray exercise measures your ability to manage workload, prioritise tasks, and make decisions under pressure.
Below are top tips for you to consider to help you pass the banking in-tray exercise.
Practice the banking assessment centre exercises with us using our Assessment Centre Package to get familiar with all the exercises and learn how to pass them.
The next banking assessment centre exercise you are likely to face is the banking role-play exercise.
A banking role-play exercise involves you getting inserted into a scenario and being expected to act out how you would handle the situation to resolve the problem.
A typical banking role-play exercise measures your ability to communicate effectively, handle client concerns, resolve conflicts, and make informed decisions.
Below are quick tips we have curated to help you ace a banking role play exercise.
Practice the banking assessment centre exercises with GF to improve your skills and performance.
After the exercises, many banks look to end the assessment centre with a final interview.
A banking final interview is the last stage of the banking recruitment process, where you meet with senior managers, HR managers, or team leads. This banking interview will typically look to understand more about your skills, experience, and motivations.
A banking final interview will typically measure your technical skills, industry knowledge, potential, and cultural fit with the bank before making a hiring decision.
Good to Know: In a banking final interview, you are likely to face technical interview questions that are specific to the role or job you applied for. This is to check that you have the required expertise to succeed in the role.
Read on for important tips to use for your banking interview questions and answers to help pass your banking final interview.
For your banking final interview, below are some questions you may ask:
Prepare for your banking interview questions with our banking interview question and answer practice sets to improve your technique!
And with this, we have covered all you need to know about banking assessment tests and the banking recruitment process of many global banks.
But wait, before you go!
Keep reading below for common FAQs about banking assessment tests.
The difficulty of banking assessment tests varies depending on the role and bank, but they are generally challenging due to strict time limits and high competition. Strong numerical and analytical skills are essential for success.
If you fail a banking assessment test, it usually means you won’t proceed to the next stage, but some banks allow retakes after a period (e.g., 6 or 12 months). Always review your results and identify areas for improvement.
The duration of banking assessment tests varies depending on the role, bank, and the tests you are required to take. Typically, they range from 20 to 60 minutes.
No, different banks use different combinations of psychometric tests and test providers. Always research the specific test format used by the bank you’re applying to before you take the test.
Banking tests for graduates may focus more on cognitive abilities and skills required, while the tests for experienced professionals may include role-specific tests, financial tasks, and more interviews about their expertise and experience.
Investment banking jobs require high GPAs, financial modelling skills, and relevant experience. Prepare to showcase these through bank aptitude tests, interviews, and assessment centres during the hiring process.
Do you want to pass your banking online assessment tests, first time? Sign up to take numerical, logical, verbal reasoning, situational judgement, and personality practice tests today with GF, the only aptitude practice test expert providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe. Practice with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests. Correct answer to example questions: Numerical Reasoning Question: C Verbal Reasoning Question: B Logical Reasoning Question: C
Do you want to pass your banking online assessment tests, first time? Sign up to take numerical, logical, verbal reasoning, situational judgement, and personality practice tests today with GF, the only aptitude practice test expert providing practice test solutions to over 150 UK universities and their students, and also across Asia and continental Europe.
Practice with peace of mind without commitment to a full 100% money-back guarantee if you do not pass your job tests.
Correct answer to example questions:
Numerical Reasoning Question: C Verbal Reasoning Question: B Logical Reasoning Question: C
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