The text below provides a full candidate recruitment, assessment and preparation guide and practice for those applying to jobs, internships and graduate programs at HSBC.
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If you are aiming to apply to HSBC or have a HSBC assessment test coming up, our text below is the best place to start.
Not sure if you should practice to prepare for the HSBC assessments? According to research, 60-80% of candidates are rejected based on their aptitude tests results. It is proven that practice increases your chances of getting hired.
A recent study (Bradley et al, 2019) 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.
In a nutshell:
How to prepare for the HSBC assessment process and tests to get the job?
KPMG use a variety of aptitude assessment tests. These may include:
You may get rejected already after your aptitude tests. These tests sift out 50-80% candidates. The only proven way to get to the next round is practice.
You should 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, filled with content that presents you in the best way for the job.
Prepare for an online video interview by running mock interviews answering typical banking interview questions. For HSBC interview practice, use:
Our video interview practice platform contains predefined competency and industry questions for banking and emulates experience you will have in platforms used for employers’ interviews (Hirevue, Pymetrics, Sonru). Always record your answers and watch them to develop your interview technique, timekeeping and words used. Repeat recordings until you feel satisfied.
Use the STAR method for your answers and practice each answer several times.
HSBC makes use of a variety of competitive exercises during the Super Day assessment center to find the right candidates. Ensure that you practice a variety of exercises including:
Hone your written and spoken communication technique. Research online, prepare and practice presentation of as many business case studies as possible. Be aware as not many get to this stage; the competition is very fierce.
Continue reading to get answers to these critical questions:
Looking into assessments with HSBC, simply use your fingertips or click in the table below to practice assessments relevant to your assessment process!
When you apply to HSBC, practice online aptitude tests with us to improve your results and get ahead of your competition.
What is the recruitment process of HSBC?
When applying to HSBC, you will be required to complete the four following steps:
Take a break. Have a look at GF’s Immersive HSBC Guide in a nutshell on GF YT channel.
Your first step you’ll face is where first impressions are made, so it’s important you stick around to make sure that you can impress HSBC.
The first stage of the HSBC recruitment process is to complete the HSBC application form which will include four capability questions, focusing on your reasons for joining and interest in the financial services industry – particularly HSBC.
Tip: The answers to these questions will be the first point of reference for any future interview, so remember to do a lot of research about the company, HSBC values and the specific role – and then try to match it with your personal skills and experiences.
For Example:
How to answer HSBC’s job application questions:
Once you have carefully considered and submitted your HSBC online application, you’ll be asked to move onto HSBC assessment tests. We’ve got you covered for all things assessment in Section 2.
In your upcoming application, you need to be prepared to face a range of question styles from technical ability tests to those focussed on values assessments. HSBC aptitude tests will include:
In this section, we’re going through each assessment test to give you the best chance of HSBC test success. Be sure to engage with our sample assessment practice test questions and answers
What is a HSBC inductive reasoning test
Tip: Some examples will involve varying patterns from across the categories mentioned above.
Why not start your prep with HSBC inductive reasoning prep with 5 in-depth worked solutions. Check out our video below!
Let’s have a go at an HSBC-style inductive reasoning question and answer below!
HSBC – style Inductive Reasoning Test Example
In the example above you will have ONLY around 45 seconds to notice that:
Got the answer? Check it out at the bottom of the page. For more FREE QUESTIONS similar to HSBC aptitude tests, register with Graduates First and take your FREE inductive reasoning test now!
Following your success in inductive reasoning, HSBC will require you take a blended assessment, of which you can fully prep for with GF. Stick around to get all the juicy details you need for success!
What is a HSBC online immersive assessment?
HSBC online immersive assessment will aim to expose you to a range of styles of question, ranging from those that measure your competence, to those that measure your fundamental aptitude for the role.
How long does the HSBC online immersive assessment take?
The HSBC Online Immersive Assessment test will take 50 minutes to complete. In this time, you will be required to complete 38 questions in total, this is comprised of the following:
To complete this HSBC assessment You can take the assessments at any time within a fixed number of days, as specified in the email.
HSBC Immersive assessment Tip: Read the instructions to remind yourself how many questions that you’re supposed to solve and in how much time. This will help you to plan the amount of time you can afford to spend on each question.
Let’s discuss these test requirements in detail below…
What is a HSBC Situational Judgement Test?
HSBC Situational Judgement Tests examine your competency and skills in dealing with unknown life situations you are likely to encounter when working for HSBC.
As such, this style of question will examine your behaviours in a practical context and how these will impress on HSBC values and collective mind-set.
You will need to draw on your past experiences to inform common sense decisions that will help you to identify the courses of actions that are most desirable.
The HSBC Situational Judgement Test consists of questions that test a candidate HSBC’s four core values. Therefore, while attempting Situational Judgement you will need to keep in mind that your answers are in accordance with the core values of HSBC.
The main difficulty in Situational Judgement Tests comes from the fact that all answers might seem to be good ideas. They will all have some good qualities– so you need to differentiate between which ones are really the key and SOLVE the given problem.
HSBC situational judgement test tip: Identify and consider for each question the competency that is being assessed. This will help you better understand which responses display this competency best! Remember about the core values!
For more hints and tips on how to pass a situational judgement test, check out some videos on our GF YT Channel
HSBC – style Situational Judgement Test Question Example
Question: Your manager has asked you for your input on your department’s key objectives for the next year. He has suggested that you share your ideas with others in the team and the costs associated to it to gain a general consensus before presenting them back to him next week. You have just finished putting together some ideas and the costs associated to each idea. You are now at a point where you need feedback from others in your team to ensure that what you have proposed sufficiently covers the needs of your department. You e-mailed everyone with your ideas, however only a few people have come back to you. You are conscious of the time it is taking to receive feedback and are keen to ensure that your ideas and the costs associated are realistic.
Ready for the answer? Head to the foot of this page to find out how you did!
Another key component of HSBC’s online immersive test, is numerical and verbal reasoning. Our services are ideal for success in both styles of assessments, so continue reading for HSBC numerical reasoning success.
What is HSBC numerical reasoning test?
HSBC numerical reasoning tests are a form of psychometric tests that measure your numerical abilities. This style of assessment will form part of your HSBC online immersive assessment. But don’t worry if it has been a while since you last studied Maths!
What do you need to know for your HSBC numerical reasoning test?
Focus on refreshing yourself on basic high school / GCSE calculations such as:
In the HSBC numerical reasoning test , you will be presented as part of your HSBC immersive assessment with pieces of numerical data. This may be in the form of a graph, table, or chart for example. Your overarching task is to determine the answer to a specific question using this data from the options provided.
These tests are not designed to be easy – not because of the knowledge required as such, but because you will need to work under stress and time pressure. If you want to learn how to manage your stress and be able to get the correct answer as quickly as possible – you need to practice these tests in a quiet environment and learn from the worked solutions.
We have prepared a comprehensive Numerical Reasoning Tests guide that will help you understand how to perform better.
To accompany this comprehensive guide check out our numerical test sample question guide, available below!
Sign up with GF and take FREE practice numerical tests developed by former SHL experts who developed the tests for 8000+ companies.
Don’t overwork yourself! Feel like you need a break? Why not watch a Numerical Reasoning Tests video on our YT Channel
Now, let’s move onto another key component of your HSBC online immersive assessment: verbal reasoning style questions.
What is the HSBC Verbal Reasoning Test?
HSBC Verbal Reasoning tests basically consist of unseen passages of text which the candidate is expected to read, comprehend, and answer a few questions associated with the passage.
Verbal reasoning tests are aimed towards checking the candidate’s written communication and comprehension skills. To excel in the HSBC verbal reasoning test, you need to make sure that you practice enough of these verbal reasoning questions to increase your speed and eye for detail. If you develop this eye for detail, you’ll have no problem understanding the passage and hence locating the correct part of the text in order to answer. Once mastered, this will be a piece of cake! A pre-requisite for this assessment is brushing up your English language concepts for that matter is also a must. Without this fundamental knowledge, you will not be able to go into the detail required in a verbal reasoning test.
HSBC – style verbal reasoning question example
To have a better understanding on what exactly a verbal reasoning test is, take a look at the unseen passage given below and try answering the questions afterwards:
More needs to be done to capitalise on the power of the peer-to-peer networks that many music downloaders still use. A recent study found that regular downloaders of unlicensed music spent an average of £5.52 a month on legal digital music. This compares to just £1.27 spent by other music fans. The research clearly shows that music fans who break piracy laws are highly valuable customers. It also suggests that they are eager to adopt legitimate music services in the future. One researcher pointed out that “There’s a myth that all illegal downloaders are mercenaries hell-bent on breaking the law in pursuit of free music.” In reality, hardcore fans are extremely enthusiastic” about paid-for services, as long as they are suitably compelling, he said.
Question: Determine whether the following statements are true or false
Got the answers for both the questions? Check at the bottom of the page if they’re correct.
Become a HSBC verbal test question pro, with our verbal reasoning question and answer video below.
Want more help to increase your chances of success with Verbal Reasoning Tests? Find out more on our YT Channel
Sign up with GF and take FREE verbal reasoning tests developed by former SHL experts who developed the tests for 8000+ companies.
Now that we have had an in-depth peak into what your inductive reasoning and immersive assessment will involve, let’s now move onto your first round HSBC interview – the next stage of your HSBC application.
What is a HSBC First-round Interview?
The next stage of the HSBC recruitment process is a first-round job interview which will usually take the form of a HSBC telephone or an on-demand video interview. You will be assessed on your compatibility with bank values and your general skills and motivations.
What is the HSBC Telephone Interview?
HSBC Telephone Interview is nothing but a telephone conversation between you and any one of your future field managers for the particular role that you have applied to. This conversation may seem casual and not-so-formal, but while you’re on the call you need to make sure that you remain relaxed but focused, determined and task-driven while answering the questions. Remember, you have a task at hand – to land your dream job! No matter how casual it seems, remember to sound professional and explain all your expectations from the job.
For more hints and tips on how to be successful in an interview, check out videos based on interviews on our GF YT Channel
This telephone interview will be the gateway to the next topic we cover regarding the HSBC On-Demand Video Interviews, so remain focussed on the task at hand.
What is a HSBC On-Demand Video Interview
HSBC conducts an on-demand video interview, a style of assessment that many employers have been utilizing in recent years. You will be asked to record your answers within a time limit and then submit these for HSBC to review.
Your interview will be competency based (CBI), and so be prepared to give examples of when you have demonstrated certain skills: determination, teamwork, leadership skills, etc. Think about the projects you have previously worked on, including those from your professional experiences, education, passions, sports or personal experiences.
How do I clear my HSBC Interview?
HSBC competency-based interview tip: Remember that it is imperative that you refer to a variety of experiences from different areas of your life (professional, personal, community, etc), so do not get stuck on one project you previously worked on and use it as an example in all of your answers. Your goal here is to present your ability to act in different circumstances. Prepare a couple of examples before the interview and sketch them using the STAR model.
Ace on-demand Interview practice with the Graduates First Video Interviews today. Real video interviews, created by experienced chartered psychologists, you can prepare for banking video interviews, finance interviews, and competency based interview questions.
Want to know what questions could come up in your interview? GF has developed a proprietary tool that helps identify the questions that are likely to come up in your interview: the Question Identifier Tool (QIT). The tool is included in our assessment practice packages.
Feel like you need a break? Why not learn about a competency based model answer on our GF YT channel.
After completing your HSBC interview, whether that be telephone or on-demand, success will mean you’ll be heading straight onto the HSBC superday, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet other candidates and show HSBC what you are made of.
What is the HSBC Assessment Day a.k.a. Super Day?
The last stage of the HSBC recruitment process is either a half-day Assessment Centre or the HSBC Super Day, in which you will be assessed by senior members of the relevant business areas across a variety of exercises, and both motivational and business interviews, which may take the form of:
Each HSBC Super Day exercise is included in the Graduates First Assessment Centre Prep Package. Access candidate information and a marking sheet used by assessors to evaluate your assessment centre performance.
Let’s discuss each step of the assessment centre one by one below.
What is HSBC Group Exercise?
HSBC Group Exercises is a part of the assessment centre / Super Day where a candidate is assessed on his / her ability to communicate and reach decisions as part of a team. Throughout HSBC Group Exercises a candidate is observed by members from HSBC, so make sure you do everything you can to demonstrate your strengths: share and argue for your ideas, but also be opened to build on somebody else’s input and develop on their points; try your best to persuade others to your opinions and also ask thought-provoking questions. Above all – stay calm and speak in a confident and clear manner.
What strengths do HSBC look for in the HSBC Group Exercise?
We have prepared a comprehensive Group Exercise guide that will help you understand how to perform better.
Eager to get assessment centre ready? Get practicing now with Graduates First Assessment Centre package
Take a break. Assessment Centre Group Exercises in a nutshell on GF YT channel.
Alongside your group exercise, you’ll be tasked with something less conversational, a HSBC written exercise.
What is the HSBC Written Exercise?
In this exercise, you will be asked to prepare a response to a previously unseen case study problem presented in the candidate brief given to you. The best way to approach this task is to skim through all the information and to plan your response quickly; do not start answering unless you already have a clear idea. Make sure to check your spelling and watch the time – in many cases it might be better to miss one or two arguments to finish the task on time.
How to prepare for the HSBC Written Exercise?
Head over to the GF Written Exercise page to discover more ways that you can ace the HSBC Written Exercise.
Top HSBC Written Exercise Tips
To nail the HSBC written exercise, you will have to ensure that remember the following on the day of your super day assessment centre. Each contributes to how well you will score when your answers are reviewed.
After all this hard work you have put in up to this point, we finally move next onto the final chapter of your HSBC application – HSBC presentation exercise.
What is the HSBC Presentation Exercise?
HSBC’s Presentation exercise will involve a case study on which you will have to create a presentation and give a talk regarding your thoughts on the subject matter for the HSBC recruiting team. You will have limited time to read and prepare the HSBC presentation.
Begin to get familiar with Presentation Exercises, as part of the bundle of expert assessment exercises GF have developed. Reduce the chances of surprises on the real super day.
What does the HSBC Presentation Exercise measure?
This exercise will mainly test your ability to communicate your ideas. Your assessors will be looking at your body language and tone to see how you would cope with delivering professional presentations, taking part in group discussions and explaining your opinions.
HSBC Presentation Exercises look at particular competencies that are key for them in the role you are applying for. Consistently, HSBC will be looking at the following competencies:
Presentation exercise tip: It is important that you stand straight, make regular eye contact with everyone in the audience and do not speak too fast.
We have prepared a comprehensive Presentation Exercise guide that will help you understand how to perform better.
Following this HSBC super day of assessment centres, you will be assessed and your performance determined by their team. Remain positive and be sure to take note of the hints and tips you can find throughout our HSBC Employer Guide!
Do you want to pass your HSBC assessments first time? Sign up for tools offered by GFI Group, the only aptitude practice test experts that provide tests to over 100 UK universities and their students, and across Asia and continental Europe. Go to our Graduates First website now and select from the range of products we offer at no risk. We offer a comprehensive premium package with a full set of assessment tools for job candidates (numerical, logical, verbal reasoning, situational judgment tests, assessment centre exercises and more). Buy with peace of mind and without commitment to a full 100% money back guarantee.
Correct answers to example questions:
Inductive reasoning test: C | Verbal Reasoning test: 1-B, 2-C
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