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Are you thinking about submitting your application for Barclays in 2023? Let this complete guide be your go-to resource for your Barclays online assessment test practice.
The text below provides a full candidate recruitment, assessment preparation guide and practice for those applying to jobs, internships and graduate programs at Barclays.
Our website provides scientifically validated practice assessment tests, interviews and assessment centre exercises that can be used to practice and prepare for the recruitment and assessment process.
Check here for Free and Premium aptitude assessment tests and video interviews to practice and prepare for Barclays recruitment.
If you are aiming to apply to Barclays or have a Barclays assessment test coming up, our text below is the best place to start. The information we provide in the text is applicable across the globe, including the UK and US.
Not sure if you should practice preparing for your Barclays tests? According to research, 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude test results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.
A recent study found that candidates who do not practise 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)
A recent study found that candidates who do not practise assessments, tend to fail at the first hurdle of psychometric assessments (54%-84%). This study looked at the Top 100 global employers.
How do you prepare for the Barclays assessment process and tests to get the job?
Barclays use a variety of aptitude assessment tests. These include:
You may be rejected after the verbal, logical, or numerical tests. These tests sift out 50-80% of candidates at this stage. The only proven way to get to the next round is to practice.
Practice answering questions that typically come up in interviews for banking jobs. Your answers need to flow and be timely. Avoid filler words. Your verbal communication should be convincing and filled with content that presents you in the best way for the job.
Prepare for your online video interview. Run mock interviews answering typical interview questions for banking. For Barclays video interview practice, use:
Use the STAR method for your answers and practice each answer several times.
Barclays uses a number of competitive exercises in its assessment centre to find the right candidates. Ensure that you practice a variety of exercises including:
Continue reading to get answers to the following important questions:
Looking to prepare for your upcoming Barclays tests? Click in the table below to practice similar tests relevant to your assessment process!
Or, Go Premium and access all the above assessments for your Barclays application at a reduced cost!
Before we dive in….
Barclays is a British multinational bank and financial services company headquartered in the UK. It is one of the largest banking institutions in the world, providing a wide range of services including retail banking, corporate and investment banking, wealth management, mortgage lending, and credit cards.
Barclays employs approximately 83,500 people and competition for its jobs and internships is very high. Barclays is a popular destination for graduates aiming for professional positions and it attracts thousands of applicants each year.
People who apply to Barclays have both excellent grades and skills to back up their applications – therefore you need to differentiate yourself from the crowd!
Barclays is an organisation that operates in several business areas and sectors. This means Barclays has a wide array of roles that people from different walks of life can fill.
Discover the range of roles available in Barclays in the next section.
Barclays operates in various business areas and offers a wide range of job opportunities. Below are some of the key business areas and roles within Barclays.
These are just a few examples of the business areas and job roles within Barclays.
Now let’s have a rundown of the contents to give you an idea of what you’ll be getting from this guide:
Let’s dive in!
What is the Barlcays online application form?
To begin your application process for Barclays, create an account on the Barclays career website and fill out the online form. Provide personal information, education history, contact details, employment history, and respond to competency questions as required.
When answering these competency questions, keep in mind the key competencies Barclays are looking for:
Gain key insights in this less than 1-minute video that explains what a competency is and why you will come across it during the Barclays hiring process.
Often candidates will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Always aim to apply as early as possible to increase your chances. Remember to double-check the application form for any mistakes. This is banking; no mistakes or spelling errors are allowed!
These details are important as they set a first impression and will be used in future correspondence between you and Barclays.
Barclays Application tip: When filling out your Barclays application form, make sure you have extensively researched the role and then try to tailor your profile to it. The information you provide should not only reflect you as a person but also as an ideal employee for Barclays.
Barclays application form requires you to fill in the following details:
Below you can see a picture of what the Barclays application form looks like.
Barclays Application tip: In addition to tailoring your application and CV to Barclays’ job description, you should also refer to Barclays’ key values during your application questions. These are also great to know during your interview.
What are Barclays Core Values?
Barclays Core Values are important to understand when making a new Barclays application online. Barclays are keen to see that you embody the right attitude to working life. Barclays has the following 5 core values and searches for them in its applicants:
Once you have completed your Barclays Application form, you’ll be heading onto the Barclays online tests.
What are the Barclays aptitude tests?
The Barclays online aptitude tests are awaiting all candidates applying to Barclays who successfully pass their application screening. Previously supplied by Cappfinity Tests, Barclays recently started using SHL as the test publisher for their assessments.
The assessment provider used by Barclays may depend on the company’s decision or what they want to assess, nonetheless these tests will still serve the same function.
How long do Barclays online assessments take?
Depending on the business area and position, the tests you are required to take may differ, and the total time allotted to complete the online aptitude tests ranges between 30 – 90 minutes.
Typically, you will be asked to complete any 3 of the following assessments as part of this stage based on the position or role you are applying for:
Our experts at GF have designed the same tests for SHL in the past. Gain a similar experience to the real tests and help you prepare for the real thing with our practice assessments!
What is the Barclays Numerical Reasoning Test?
The Barclays numerical reasoning test is where you will be given a few tables, charts and other types of data presentation. Your task will be to quickly analyse the information and answer a series of questions.
What do I need to know to ace the Barclays Numerical Reasoning Test?
Do not worry if Maths is not your strong suit! Just make sure to do a quick recap of your basic maths such as GCSE level calculations, such as ratios, percentages and reading data off charts.
Candidates mainly find Barclays numerical reasoning test difficult because of the time pressure and stress involved – not the knowledge tested. You will have to solve 35 questions and will be allocated less than a minute to answer each one.
In our short video below, we explain what a numerical reasoning test is. Check it out for a better understanding of how numerical tests work!
Good to know: For more FREE QUESTIONS similar to Barclays assessment tests, register with GF and take your completely FREE numerical reasoning test now!
How to Pass the Barclays Numerical Reasoning Test
Before you start the numerical reasoning test, there are a few things you need to know. Remember these, and your numerical performance will likely improve and increase your chances of getting your dream job.
For more hints on how to pass Barclays numerical reasoning test, watch our short video below.
Gain key insights in this under 1-minute video for tips and tricks to help you pass your Barclays numerical reasoning test.
Using the tips we’ve provided in this employer guide, take the opportunity to try a Barclays-style numerical reasoning test question below!
Barclays-style Numerical Reasoning Test Example
Did you get the right answer? Check the bottom of the page to find out.
If you are looking for Barclays-style Numerical Reasoning Practice test questions with answers, worked solutions, progress tracking and professional score reports, including personalised tips based on your performance – then GF has you covered.
In addition to the Barclays numerical test, you’ll face the verbal reasoning test. It evaluates your comprehension of written information. Discover what it entails and how to ace it in the next section.
What is the Barclays Verbal Reasoning Test?
In Barclays verbal reasoning test, you will be given several passages to read, and you will be required to answer questions based on the information provided in the short text. Barclays verbal reasoning assessment tests your ability to read, understand and analyse information in the form of text.
The key challenge of the Barclays verbal reasoning test is making sense of the passage and answering the questions based ONLY on what you have read, as opposed to concluding the answers from your own opinion. You will stand out as a strong applicant if you can master this skill.
In our short video below, we give you several hints on how to prepare for Barclays Verbal Reasoning Tests.
How to Ace Barclays Verbal Reasoning Test?
The Barclays verbal reasoning test evaluates your ability to evaluate information, draw conclusions, and make accurate decisions. Therefore, mastering the Verbal Reasoning Test is essential for success in the Barclays hiring process.
What does the Barclays Verbal Reasoning Test measure?
Below we identify tips and strategies to help you ace the Barclays Verbal Reasoning Test, ensuring you progress to the next stage.
For more tips on how to pass Barclays Verbal Reasoning Test, check out this less than 1-minute video:
Sign up with GF and take your FREE practice verbal test developed by former SHL experts who developed the tests for 8,000+ companies.
Barclays Verbal Test tip: For Verbal Reasoning Test questions, follow instructions closely and focus solely on the provided passage to get the right answer or solution.
Try out this Barclays-style verbal reasoning test below using the tips we have highlighted:
Barclays-style Verbal Reasoning Test Example
Check out this comprehensive video below where we go step by step through five real verbal reasoning questions.
Good to know: Practice for your Barclays Verbal Reasoning Test by signing up for GF’s Verbal Reasoning Test package today to access real questions and answers!
After completing the Barclays Verbal Reasoning Test, you will be headed for the Barclays Logical Reasoning Test which assesses your abstract reasoning skills. Explore the full breakdown of the Barclays Logical Reasoning Test in the next section.
What is the Barclays Logical Reasoning Test?
Barclays logical reasoning test assesses your problem-solving and logical thinking abilities. It involves analyzing 5 diagrams with different shapes and spatial arrangements to identify the correct pattern and predict the next sequence.
The main difficulty of the Barclays logical reasoning test, often referred to as a diagrammatic reasoning test, is that they test the logical aspect of your aptitude and each question can vary in patterns and trends. Both two- and three-dimensional shapes will differ in size, arrangement, and movements.
Good to know: Practice for your Barclays logical test with our free logical reasoning questions that assess similar abilities. Register with GF to practice a FREE Barclays-style logical reasoning test and further improve your logical reasoning skills today.
It’s very important that we practise for the Barclays logical reasoning test. Our short video below explains why!
How to Prepare for the Barclays Logical Reasoning Test
It takes much practice and time to get up to speed with the style of questions the Barclays logical reasoning test will present to you. However, consider the following tips to help you prepare adequately:
Have a go yourself at practising a Barclays-style logical reasoning test, with our sample question below.
Barclays-style Logical Reasoning Test Example
In the example above, you will have ONLY around 45 seconds to notice that:
Did you get the answer to the logical reasoning test example? Check the bottom of the page to find out.
For more logical reasoning practice questions similar to the Barclays logical test, check out our in-depth video below.
If you are looking for even more Barclays-style logical reasoning tests with answers, worked solutions and professional score reports including personalised tips based on your performance – then we at GF have you covered.
Barclays also administers Situational Judgement Tests to assess your decision-making skills in a work context. Discover how this assessment works in the upcoming section.
What is the Barclays Mindset Assessment?
Barclays Mindset Assessment also known as the Barclays Situational Judgement Test, assesses how you would behave in workplace scenarios. In this assessment, you’ll be given a work situation and you will be required to rate the provided course of actions.
What does the Barclays Situational Judgement Test measure?
This test is designed to get to know you better. Further than merely understanding your competencies, the Barclays Situational Judgement tests measure your behaviours and preferences, to understand if you will perform well in the job position you have applied for.
Looking for even more insight into Barclays Situational Judgement Tests? Watch our explanatory short video below.
What does the Barclays Situational Judgement Test involve?
The Barclays SJT will ask many questions all focussed on competencies that Barclays find key to success in the role and company. Some of the skills that these tests tend to assess may include:
Barclays SJT tip: For each Barclays SJT question, consider what competency is being measured. This will help you identify the best answer from those provided as it will most closely align with the competency.
Barclays recently used SHL Tests for its online aptitude tests, including the Situational Judgement tests. Learn all the details about SHL Tests in our comprehensive article.
To help build your confidence for Barclays SHL situational judgement test, we’ve come up with the following handy tips for you.
Top Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Barclays Situational Judgement Test
Barclays SJT tip: For Barclays Situational Judgement Test, make sure you take your time to understand the situation and before answering. Consider whether your answers reflect Barclays’ culture and core values.
Get a glimpse of what the Barclays Situational Judgement Test may looks like, from the following Barclays-style Situational Judgement Test sample question provided by GF.
Barclays-style Situational Judgement Test Example
Good to know: Start your Barclays-style situational judgement test preparation, sign-up for GF’s Situational Judgement Test package today to access real questions, live test reports, and progress charts!
Once you’ve smashed the Barclays Situational Judgement Test, you’ll be headed straight for a Barclays Personality Assessment.
What is the Barclays Personality Assessment?
The Barclays personality assessment measures how well you ‘fit’ the position and is mostly used to predict how likely employees will stay in a role. Barclays may use a personality test to assess how well your personality fits the requirements of the position you have applied for.
In the personality assessment, you will be asked to answer a set of questions about your behaviour, preferences, and attitudes. In some cases, might decide to use the SJT only because it also covers behavioural tendencies and attitudes.
Barclays Personality Test tip: Do not try to manipulate your responses, as these tests are designed to flag any inconsistencies. Be honest and consistent with your answers.
How to Ace the Barclays Personality Assessment
Remember that Barclays only conducts personality assessments to understand your personality and get to know you a little better so there are no correct answers here as answers will differ based on individual personality.
However, consider these handy tips below when answering questions in Barclays Personality Assessment:
Our short video below explains the above in simpler terms with insights into how you should approach the Barclays personality assessment.
Get a glimpse of Barclays personality assessments in the example personality questionnaire provided by GF.
Barclays-style Personality Assessment Example
Check out GF’s Work Personality Questionnaire today to discover more first-hand insights into a personality-style test and your own workplace preferences.
After completing your Barclays aptitude tests, you’ll be heading straight onto the Barclays Video Interview where you will be required to answer pre-recorded questions. Read on to find out more!
What is the Barclays Video Interview?
The second stage of the assessment process at Barclays is a Video Interview which is also known as Barclays Business Insight. It requires you to record video responses to 3-5 pre-recorded questions and the answers you give will be recorded.
The video interview is usually done hand-in-hand with the assessments and Barclays uses HireVue to conduct its video interviews. Barclays will evaluate your video responses or employ the use of an AI and choose which participants advance to the next stage.
Watch our short video below to understand more about video interviews and how Barclays use them to hire:
In certain instances, Barclays video interviews may not occur immediately after assessments. Depending on your location and the position you applied for, you may be invited for an in-person interview at a Barclays branch office or headquarters.
Did you know? Barclays may conduct an additional telephone interview instead of the aptitude tests for experienced hires. Here you will have an insightful conversation with a Barclays representative and discuss your accomplishments.
8 Top Tips to Pass the Barclays Video Interview
Barclays video assessment tip: It is crucial to present a number of different examples from your experiences. Do not get hooked on only one situation.
Practice with our Video Interview Tool to get first hand feedback that will help you master your body language and unlock the power of confident gestures and expressions in your Barclays interview.
Barclays Video Interview Example
The final stage of Barclays hiring process is an assessment centre and the Barclays assessment centre could either be in-person or virtual.
What is the Barclays Assessment Centre?
The Barclays assessment centre is the final stage in the hiring process, offering you the opportunity to showcase your skills, competencies, and potential for success within the organisation.
What does the Barclays Assessment Centre measure?
It is designed to evaluate candidates through various exercises and interviews, the assessment centre provides a comprehensive assessment of their suitability for specific roles or graduate programs at Barclays.
In the Barclays assessment centre, you will be required to a combination of 2 or 3 of the following exercises:
Good to know: To gain more insights and do well in your Barclays Assessment Centre, check out our Assessment Centre Package packed full of practice assessment centre exercises to help you prepare.
Read on to understand what each of these tasks entails and what they assess.
What is the Barclays E-tray Exercise?
Barclays e-tray exercises simulate an email inbox with various subjects representing different issues that require a response. Your task is to review these emails and prioritise your replies within the designated time frame. Aim to answer the most important emails first.
Did you know? E-tray exercises are simulated work scenarios and assess your ability to prioritize, problem-solve, and manage tasks efficiently, and are often used in assessment centres and hiring processes.
What is the Barclays Role-play Exercise?
In Barclays role-play exercises, you will be paired up with other candidates and given a brief for the role-playing candidates that includes background information and guidelines for a particular scenario. During the exercise, Barclays assesses teamwork, leadership, communication skills, problem-solving skills, and negotiation skills amongst other competencies.
How to ace the Barclays Role-play Exercise
For more tips on how to pass your Barclays E-tray Exercises, read more on them here.
Did you know? Role-play exercises are commonly used in assessments to simulate real-life scenarios and evaluate your ability to handle various situations within a controlled setting.
What is the Barclays Business Meeting?
The Barclays Business Meeting is usually an enveloping challenge that lasts between 3 to 5 hours and will involve a case study exercise. In this Barclays case study round, the interviewers want to assess your comprehension, decision-making and critical thinking skills.
You will be required to read the case study and come up with the best possible solutions for the problems mentioned. They may ask you about your findings from that particular case study or ask you to give a 5-minute presentation where you summarise your points.
For example, you may get a case study about Supply and Demand Analysis. Now, this particular topic is also a technical topic which will be used to test your conceptual knowledge as well.
Good to know: Start your Barclays assessment centre preparation early with us at GF! The GF Assessment Centre bundle gives you the prime opportunity to lead the pack in your application.
What is the Barclays Motivational interview?
The Barclays motivational interview is the final part of this stage. The interview will be conducted by a member of the leadership team and it is designed to examine your motivations, aspirations, and alignment with Barclays’ values.
This interview aims to understand your genuine interest in the role and assess your potential fit within the organisation’s culture.
Examples of a few Barclays motivational interview questions are:
Down below, we provide good example answers to these questions but first, how do you answer Barclays motivational interview questions?
How to answer Barclays motivational interview questions
Consider the following tips and strategies to answer questions during your motivational interview.
For the example motivational interview questions above, consider the following example answers and curated tips for answering each question.
How to Answer: When answering this question, focus on specific examples and experiences that demonstrate your alignment with Barclays’ values.
Good Answer: I align myself with Barclays’ values by placing a strong emphasis on respect, integrity, service, excellence, and stewardship in my professional conduct. I believe in treating individuals with fairness and equality, upholding ethical standards, and being transparent and accountable in all my actions. I am dedicated to providing exceptional service to customers, clients, and communities, consistently striving for excellence in my work. Furthermore, I am committed to being a responsible steward, considering the long-term impact of my decisions and actions on society and the environment.
How to Answer: When answering this question, focus on a well-rounded definition of professional success. Emphasise the importance of personal growth, impact, and collaboration.
Good Answer: To me, professional success goes beyond just achieving personal goals or acquiring titles and wealth. It is about finding fulfilment and making a meaningful impact. Professional success means continuously growing and learning, while positively contributing to the success of my team, organisation, and the communities we serve. It entails building strong relationships, fostering collaboration, and inspiring others to reach their full potential. Ultimately, professional success is about leaving a lasting legacy by making a difference and creating a positive change in the world.
How to Answer: When answering this question, showcase a comprehensive approach that considers financial metrics, market position, growth potential, and the significance of Barclays’ culture, values, and ethical practices.
Good Answer: When valuing a company, I consider various factors to assess its worth. Financial performance and stability are crucial indicators, including revenue growth, profitability, and strong financial ratios. I also look at the company’s market position, competitive advantages, and potential for future growth. However, beyond financial metrics, I value a company based on its culture, values, and commitment to ethical practices. A company that prioritizes employee well-being, customer satisfaction, and environmental sustainability holds significant value in my eyes. Additionally, I consider the company’s reputation, innovation, and ability to adapt to changing market dynamics as key elements in evaluating its overall worth.
How to Answer: When answering this question, focus on highlighting specific aspects of Barclays that attract you, such as its reputation, global presence, and commitment to values that resonate with you.
Good Answer: I am drawn to Barclays for several reasons. Firstly, Barclays’ strong reputation and global presence make it an exciting and reputable organisation to be a part of. Secondly, the company’s commitment to values such as respect, integrity, service, excellence, and stewardship aligns closely with my personal values and work ethic. Additionally, Barclays’ focus on innovation and digital transformation in the banking industry presents tremendous opportunities for growth and development. Finally, the emphasis on making a positive impact in the communities they serve resonates with me, as I believe in the importance of responsible and sustainable business practices.
Barclays Motivational Interview tip: To answer questions in Barclays Motivational Interviews that are directed at assessing a specific competency, consider using the STAR Method.
Watch our insightful video below to learn what Barclays seeks in the final interview round.
Now, if your assessment centre went well, Voila! You’ll probably receive your offer letter in a week. Congratulations!
As we’ve explored the various stages of the Barclays hiring process, let’s now shift our focus to the exciting array of entry roles and graduate programs available at Barclays.
Barclays entry roles and graduate programme opportunities serve as gateways to embark on a rewarding career journey within the organisation. If you are a fresh graduate or in your penultimate year of college and thinking of starting your career with Barclays, Barclays offers the following:
These internships and graduate programmes will help you develop your skills and competencies to become a successful career individual. What are these opportunities? Let’s find out.
Barclays Explorer and Expert programs offer opportunities for individuals looking to kick-start their careers and gain valuable experience within the banking industry. All graduates are generally eligible for either of these programmes and it offers roles in various departments such as IT, Consumer Banking, Investment Barking, Sales and Marketing, etc.
Barclays Summer and Off-Cycle Internships at Barclays offer valuable opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in a professional setting. These internships provide a chance to apply theoretical knowledge, develop practical skills, and build a strong foundation for future career growth.
These programmes offer roles in various business areas of Barclays such as: IT, Banking, Quantitative Analytics, Corporate and Consumer Banking, Investment Banking, etc.
Barclays Summer Internships are for students in their penultimate year in the university and Barclays Off-Cycle Internships are for penultimate-year students or graduate students who have to complete an extended internship as part of their degree requirements.
Barclays offers both Foundation and Higher Apprenticeship programs, providing valuable pathways for individuals to gain practical experience, learn new skills, and earn industry-recognized qualifications. These programmes are available to anyone that wants to change career paths or anyone who wants to work and study at the same time.
These programmes offer roles in IT, Cyber Security, Audit, Customer Service, Human Resources, etc.
And with that, we’ve covered all you’ll need to know about Barclays tests and its hiring process.
But wait!
Before you go ahead and begin your Barclays application and assessments, check out our FAQ section below to find even more answers to frequently asked questions concerning Barclays tests and assessments.
Barclays Online Assessment consists of a series of tests designed to assess candidates’ skills, abilities, and aptitude for specific roles. It consists of aptitude tests like:
Barclays recruitment process takes an average of 18 days. However, note that this is just an average and Barclays hiring process could stretch out longer than that depending on internal decisions and the positions they are recruiting for.
It takes between one to two weeks to hear back from Barclays after you have taken the assessments.
Do you want to pass your Barclays assessments first time?
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Correct answers to example questions:
Numerical Reasoning Test: C
Verbal Reasoning Test: B
Logical Reasoning Test: C
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