Barclays Online Assessment 2026: Numerical, Verbal & SJT Complete Guide
Barclays uses SHL aptitude tests and a multi-stage digital process to screen thousands of graduate applicants each year. This guide covers every stage — from the online assessment package through to the Assessment Centre — with proven preparation strategies for each.
Barclays Graduate Hiring Process Overview
Barclays is one of the world's largest universal banks and one of the UK's most sought-after graduate employers. It recruits several hundred graduates and interns each year across divisions including Investment Banking, Markets, Corporate Banking, Private Bank & Wealth Management, Technology, Operations, and Global Functions (finance, risk, compliance, HR).
The bank runs three early-careers programmes with distinct timelines:
- Graduate Analyst Programme — a 2-year rotational scheme for final-year students and recent graduates, starting each September.
- Summer Analyst Internship — a 10-week internship for penultimate-year students, providing a direct pathway to the Graduate Analyst Programme.
- Spring Insight Programme — a 1-week insight event for first and second-year students, designed to introduce the bank and provide networking with senior professionals.
| Programme | Application Opens | Typical Deadline | Assessment Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Analyst | September | October – November | November – February |
| Summer Analyst | October | November – December | December – March |
| Spring Insight | October | November | November – January |
The full hiring process follows five distinct stages. Every candidate who progresses past the initial application must complete the online assessment package before moving forward:
| Stage | Format | Typical Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Online Application | CV, motivation questions, eligibility screening | 30–45 minutes |
| 2. Online Assessments | Numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, SJT | 60–90 minutes total |
| 3. HireVue Interview | One-way recorded video interview | 30–45 minutes |
| 4. Assessment Centre | Group exercise, case study, competency interview | Full day |
| 5. Offer | Verbal offer followed by written contract | 1–2 weeks post-AC |
Barclays does not wait until the published deadline to assess candidates. Applications are reviewed as they arrive, and popular divisions (particularly Investment Banking and Markets) can fill their assessment slots significantly before the official closing date. Submitting your application in the first two to three weeks of the window materially increases your chances of being considered.
What Does the Barclays Online Assessment Include?
After passing the initial application screen, candidates receive an email invitation to complete the Barclays online assessment package. The tests are delivered via a dedicated online portal and use assessments developed by established psychometric providers, including SHL Verify-format tests for the cognitive components.
The standard package for most graduate and internship programmes includes three components:
- Numerical Reasoning Test — tests your ability to interpret and calculate using numerical data presented in tables, charts, and graphs.
- Verbal Reasoning Test — tests your ability to understand written passages and evaluate statements as True, False, or Cannot Say.
- Situational Judgement Test (SJT) — tests how you would respond to realistic workplace scenarios, aligned to Barclays' values and competency framework.
Some divisions and programmes include an additional component:
| Division | Numerical | Verbal | Logical / Inductive | SJT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Banking | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Markets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Technology | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Corporate Banking | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Operations / Global Functions | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| Private Bank & Wealth | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
Each component of the assessment package is individually timed from the moment you begin. You can typically complete the tests across different sessions within the validity window of your invitation link (usually 5–7 days), but once you start a specific test you must finish it. Set aside a clean, uninterrupted block of time for each test — do not start a numerical reasoning test if you have a meeting in 30 minutes.
Your scores are assessed independently — a strong verbal score does not compensate for a weak numerical score. See our guide to how SHL test scores and percentiles work for a full explanation of how Barclays and other employers use standardised scores to make screening decisions.
Barclays Numerical Reasoning Test
The Barclays numerical reasoning test follows the SHL Verify format. Each question presents a data set — typically a financial table, bar chart, line graph, or pie chart — followed by a multiple-choice question with five answer options. No advanced mathematics is required; all calculations are achievable with GCSE-level arithmetic, but the combination of data interpretation and strict time pressure makes the test demanding.
Test Format
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | Typically 18–25 |
| Time allowance | Approximately 25 minutes |
| Calculator | On-screen calculator provided |
| Answer format | Multiple choice (5 options) |
| Data format | Tables, bar charts, line graphs, pie charts |
| Topic area | Financial and business data (revenues, costs, market share, growth rates) |
Common Question Types
| Question Type | What It Tests | Typical Example |
|---|---|---|
| Percentage change | Calculating % increase or decrease between two values | Revenue rose from £4.2bn to £4.9bn — what is the percentage change? |
| Proportion / ratio | Finding what fraction one value represents of a total | What proportion of total group revenue does Division A represent? |
| Rate & unit conversion | Working with speed, cost per unit, or output per time period | At this production rate, how many units would be completed in 8 hours? |
| Direct data reading | Extracting a specific value from a chart or table | In Q3, what was the operating margin for the retail segment? |
| Two-step calculation | Combining two separate data points to reach a derived value | If revenue grew 12% and operating costs fell 3%, what is the change in profit? |
| Estimation | Reaching an approximate answer quickly when exact calculation is slow | Which of the following is closest to the average quarterly growth rate over the period? |
Every data set contains more information than any single question requires. If you read the table or chart first, you waste time processing data you will not use. Instead, read the question first to identify exactly which value, row, column, and time period you need — then extract only that information. This approach saves 15–30 seconds per question, which over 20 questions can mean the difference between finishing and running out of time.
Mental arithmetic under time pressure introduces rounding errors that are extremely hard to catch mid-test. The calculator is available precisely because the test is designed to reward accurate data interpretation, not rapid mental calculation. Build your practice habit around using the calculator for every multi-step calculation, not just the complex ones. Familiarity with the on-screen interface itself is part of your preparation.
For a deep dive into question strategies, techniques, and worked examples, read our guide to how to pass the SHL Numerical Reasoning Test. You can also review the fundamentals of the test format at our Numerical Reasoning knowledge page.
Barclays Verbal Reasoning Test
The Barclays verbal reasoning test follows the SHL Verify format. You are presented with a series of written passages — typically 150–300 words each, covering business, finance, or general corporate topics — followed by statements that you must classify as True, False, or Cannot Say based solely on the information in the passage. There are no multiple-choice questions with five options; it is always a three-way classification.
Test Format
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | Typically 18–30 statements across 6–8 passages |
| Time allowance | Approximately 17–22 minutes |
| Answer format | True / False / Cannot Say (3 options only) |
| Passage length | 150–300 words per passage |
| Statements per passage | Usually 3–4 statements |
| Topic area | Business, finance, economics, corporate strategy |
The Three Answer Options
| Answer | When to choose it | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| True | The passage explicitly states or logically implies the statement is correct | Choosing True when you personally believe the statement is correct, but the passage does not explicitly say so |
| False | The passage explicitly contradicts or denies the statement | Choosing False when the passage simply does not mention the topic at all (which is Cannot Say) |
| Cannot Say | The passage does not provide enough information to confirm or refute the statement | Underusing this option — many candidates select True or False based on outside knowledge rather than the passage |
The verbal reasoning test is not testing what you know about finance or business — it is testing whether you can evaluate a statement against a specific text. If you know independently that a statement is factually true, but the passage does not say so, the correct answer is Cannot Say. This catches nearly every test-taker at some point, especially on questions about financial topics where candidates "know" the answer from prior experience but the passage does not confirm it.
High-Risk Statement Patterns
Certain statement structures are statistically more likely to be Cannot Say than True or False. Recognising these patterns during practice will sharpen your instincts significantly:
- Absolute language ("always", "never", "all companies", "every employee") — extremely likely to be Cannot Say or False unless the passage uses identical language.
- Implied combinations — the passage states A and states B separately, but the statement claims A causes B. Unless the passage directly connects them, the answer is Cannot Say.
- Quantitative claims in verbal passages — numbers in the passage often appear in distorted form in the statements (slightly different figures, different units, different time periods). Read very carefully.
- Future or conditional statements — "X will increase" or "Y would result in" — unless the passage makes this exact prediction, the answer is typically Cannot Say.
For each statement, do not answer from memory of the passage. Actively re-find the one or two sentences in the passage that are most relevant to the statement, read them again, then choose your answer. This discipline, consistently applied, significantly reduces the number of errors caused by misremembering what the passage said. It takes an extra 10–15 seconds per question but saves far more by preventing avoidable wrong answers.
For a full guide to the True / False / Cannot Say format, worked examples, and the most common traps, see our post on mastering verbal reasoning and the verbal reasoning knowledge page.
Barclays Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
The Barclays SJT presents a series of realistic workplace scenarios relevant to a graduate banking environment. Each scenario describes a challenging situation — a conflict of priorities, a difficult conversation with a colleague, an ethical dilemma, or a demanding client interaction — and asks you to evaluate a range of possible responses.
The SJT is not a test of banking knowledge. It is designed to assess how you think and behave under pressure, specifically whether your instincts align with Barclays' RISES values framework.
Barclays RISES Values
| Value | What It Means in Practice | SJT Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Respect | Treating colleagues, clients, and communities with dignity and consideration regardless of seniority or background | Responses that dismiss or belittle others will be scored poorly, even if they are technically efficient |
| Integrity | Acting honestly and transparently, including when it is uncomfortable or commercially inconvenient | Responses that conceal information, cut corners, or prioritise appearances over truth score poorly |
| Service | Placing client and stakeholder needs at the centre of decisions and going beyond the minimum required | Passive or self-serving responses score poorly; proactive and client-focused responses score well |
| Excellence | Setting high standards, striving for quality, and continuously improving performance | Responses that settle for "good enough" when better is achievable score lower than responses that demonstrate commitment to quality |
| Stewardship | Taking responsibility for long-term outcomes — for clients, colleagues, and the wider organisation — not just immediate results | Responses that ignore downstream consequences or pass problems to others without ownership score poorly |
Question Formats
Barclays SJT questions typically take one of two formats:
- Most Effective / Least Effective — Given 4–5 response options, identify which single response is most effective and which is least effective for the situation described. This format requires two selections per question and is the most common format in Barclays' assessment.
- Ranking — Rank all response options from most to least effective. Less common, but requires a more thorough evaluation of every option relative to every other option.
The SJT is designed to discriminate between average and outstanding candidates. Most options will be defensible — none are obviously wrong. The distinction is between responses that merely handle the immediate problem (acceptable) and responses that are proactive, consider the impact on others, and align with Barclays' RISES values (excellent). When in doubt, ask yourself: which response demonstrates the most ownership, the most consideration for others, and the most alignment with Barclays' long-term values?
A common SJT mistake is selecting responses that escalate every problem to a manager. While escalation is sometimes correct, treating it as the default — especially for issues a graduate could reasonably handle independently — signals low initiative and poor judgement. The ideal Barclays candidate takes ownership of problems within their scope while escalating appropriately when genuinely warranted, not reflexively.
For a complete breakdown of SJT formats, scoring mechanisms, and how to approach Most Effective / Least Effective questions, read our full Situational Judgement Test guide.
Barclays HireVue Digital Interview
Candidates who pass the online assessment package are invited to complete a HireVue digital interview. This is a one-way, recorded video assessment: you receive a question on screen, have a short preparation window, then record your response directly to camera. Barclays does not see your answers in real time — the recordings are reviewed by recruiters or hiring managers after submission.
Format
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | Typically 3–6 questions |
| Preparation time | 30 seconds to 2 minutes per question |
| Response time | 2–3 minutes per question |
| Retakes | Usually one retake per question permitted |
| Practice question | One practice question at the start (not assessed) |
| Completion window | Typically 5–7 days from invitation |
Common Question Types
| Question Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Motivation | "Why do you want to work in Investment Banking at Barclays specifically, rather than at another institution?" |
| Competency (STAR) | "Tell me about a time you had to adapt your approach when you received unexpected information that changed your understanding of a problem." |
| Commercial awareness | "What development in global financial markets do you think has the greatest implications for Barclays' business over the next 12 months?" |
| Values-based | "Describe a situation where you demonstrated integrity when taking the easier option would have been tempting." |
| Strengths-based | "What do you find most energising about working in a fast-moving, analytical environment?" |
For every behavioural question, use the STAR framework: Situation (where and when), Task (what you needed to achieve), Action (specifically what you did), Result (what happened because of your actions). Keep the Situation and Task brief — no more than 20–25% of your answer. The assessor is scoring your Actions, not your scene-setting. Be specific: "I restructured the team's data collection process by creating a shared tracking spreadsheet and scheduling daily stand-ups" scores higher than "I worked to improve team communication."
Most candidates are significantly less comfortable on camera than they expect. The experience of speaking into a lens rather than at a person changes your pacing, eye contact, and natural expressiveness in ways that are very hard to predict without prior practice. Do a minimum of 3–5 full practice recordings before your real HireVue, reviewing each one critically for pace, filler words, clarity of structure, and whether you look engaged. Your phone camera is sufficient for this.
For broader preparation strategies for one-way video interviews, including how to handle technical difficulties and how Barclays reviewers evaluate responses, see our HireVue interview guide.
Barclays Assessment Centre
Candidates who pass the HireVue are invited to a Barclays Assessment Centre — the final stage before offers are made. The assessment centre typically runs for a full day and includes multiple exercises designed to evaluate candidates across the competencies relevant to their target division. Some centres are held virtually; others are in-person at Barclays' offices.
Standard Assessment Centre Components
| Exercise | Duration | Primary Competencies Assessed |
|---|---|---|
| Competency-based interview | 45–60 minutes | Analytical thinking, communication, resilience, motivation, stakeholder management |
| Group exercise | 30–45 minutes | Teamwork, listening, contribution, leadership, commercial reasoning |
| Case study / written exercise | 45–60 minutes | Structured thinking, analytical reasoning, commercial awareness, written communication |
| Presentation (division-specific) | 10–15 minutes + Q&A | Confidence, clarity, commercial judgement, handling challenge |
Competency-Based Interview
The competency interview is conducted by a senior banker or HR business partner and typically lasts 45–60 minutes. Questions follow the STAR format and probe the same competencies assessed throughout the earlier stages: analytical thinking, stakeholder management, adaptability, resilience under pressure, and commercial awareness. You should have 6–8 strong STAR examples prepared before your Assessment Centre, covering a range of competencies and contexts (academic, extracurricular, professional, voluntary).
Group Exercise
The group exercise places 5–8 candidates in a room together to discuss a business problem or case study and reach a collective recommendation. Assessors observe but do not participate. The exercise is not designed to find the candidate who is "right" — it is designed to assess how each candidate contributes to a group working towards a shared goal.
Assessors consistently penalise candidates who dominate the discussion, interrupt others, or reject ideas without engaging with them. The candidate who scores highest in a group exercise is typically not the one who speaks most, but the one who moves the group forward — bringing in quieter members, building on others' contributions, flagging when the group is going off-track, and steering towards a structured conclusion. Practising active listening and consensus-building is as important as preparing your analytical arguments.
Case Study / Written Exercise
The case study presents a business problem relevant to Barclays or the division you are applying to. You read a pack of information (financial data, memos, news extracts) and produce a written recommendation or presentation. Investment Banking candidates typically work on deal-related or market scenarios; Markets candidates may receive market analysis exercises; Operations candidates focus on efficiency or process improvement scenarios.
Structure your written output clearly: open with a headline recommendation, support it with 3–4 evidence-based arguments, acknowledge limitations, and close with a clear next step. Avoid producing a long descriptive summary of the information — assessors want to see your judgement, not your ability to copy data from the pack.
Barclays assessors expect graduate candidates to demonstrate genuine knowledge of the division they are applying to — not generic banking knowledge. Before your Assessment Centre, read current news about Barclays specifically: recent deals in Investment Banking, current trends in credit or equity markets for Markets roles, or developments in corporate lending for Corporate Banking. Two or three specific, recent examples used naturally in your case study or interview will significantly differentiate you from candidates who speak only in generalities.
For a full breakdown of Assessment Centre formats, scoring criteria, and preparation strategies across all exercise types, see our Assessment Centre knowledge page.
4-Week Preparation Plan
Most candidates who prepare in a structured way show meaningful improvement on both the numerical and verbal reasoning tests. The largest gains tend to come from timed practice — not untimed study — because time pressure is the primary difficulty driver on the SHL Verify format. The plan below assumes you begin preparation approximately 4 weeks before your anticipated assessment date.
| Week | Focus | Key Actions | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Diagnosis & Foundation | Take one timed numerical and one timed verbal practice test. Review your errors in detail. Study percentage change, ratio, and chart-reading fundamentals. | Understand your weakest areas and establish a baseline score |
| Week 2 | Test-by-Test Deep Work | Complete 3 timed numerical practice tests (review every error). Complete 3 timed verbal tests (focus on Cannot Say decisions). Begin drafting 2–3 STAR examples per RISES value. | Build speed and accuracy on both cognitive tests |
| Week 3 | SJT & HireVue Prep | Complete 2 SJT practice sets using the RISES framework. Record 5 HireVue-style answers on camera and review critically. Read the Financial Times or BBC Business daily — note 3 stories relevant to your target division. | Build confidence with SJT and video interview formats |
| Week 4 | Full Simulation & Consolidation | Complete one full mock assessment (numerical + verbal + SJT in one session). Conduct one mock HireVue with a partner for feedback. Practise structured contribution in a group discussion. Confirm test environment: quiet room, stable internet, working camera and microphone. | Simulate real conditions and eliminate last-minute gaps |
Candidates who practise without a timer consistently overestimate their readiness for the real test. The time pressure in SHL Verify tests is deliberate — the test is designed so that most candidates cannot answer every question in the time available. Practising under timed conditions from week one builds the speed and discipline the real test demands, rather than building accuracy alone. Track your timed scores across all practice sessions and treat the trend, not any single score, as your progress indicator.
Access our full library of SHL-format practice tests — numerical, verbal, and inductive reasoning, all timed — at CareerTestPrep Practice Tests. You can also read a detailed guide to building your practice score at our aptitude test preparation guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practise the Exact Tests Barclays Uses
Our SHL-format numerical, verbal, and inductive reasoning practice tests are timed, scored, and calibrated to graduate-level norms — giving you an accurate picture of where you stand before the real assessment.