Goldman Sachs Aptitude Test & Full Recruitment Guide 2026

Goldman Sachs is consistently ranked among the most selective employers in the world. Its recruitment process is longer, more technically demanding, and more interview-heavy than most other financial services or professional services firms. Competing for a Goldman Sachs offer — particularly in Investment Banking, Sales & Trading, or Asset Management — requires preparation across multiple distinct dimensions simultaneously.

The aptitude testing component (SHL) is the initial filter, but at Goldman it is followed by a HireVue video interview and then a full "Superday" — a single day of 5–8 back-to-back interviews with bankers, analysts, and senior leaders from across the division. The Superday is where most selections are made and where preparation depth is most critical.

Goldman Sachs recruits across multiple divisions with different technical requirements, interview styles, and aptitude emphases. Understanding your target division shapes what you prepare for beyond the SHL tests.

The SHL TalentCentral battery is Goldman's first quantitative filter. With a norm group calibrated to finance graduates and an estimated cut score at the 80th–85th percentile, this is more demanding than most other employers' SHL tests — even though the questions themselves are the same format. Your preparation needs to get you to consistently strong scores, not borderline pass.

Goldman Sachs uses HireVue for pre-recorded video screening after the SHL tests. Questions are displayed on screen; you have 30 seconds to prepare and then 2–3 minutes to record your response. Answers are reviewed by Goldman's recruitment team, not by AI scoring alone.

Common HireVue Question Types at Goldman

• "Why Goldman Sachs — specifically?" — The answer must reference Goldman's specific positioning (bulge bracket scale, global client relationships, partnership culture, specific division strength). Generic prestige answers are transparent and weak.
• "Why [Investment Banking / S&T / Asset Management]?" — Demonstrate genuine knowledge of the division's function, client types, and what day-to-day work looks like. Show you understand the difference between divisions.
• "Walk me through a deal/trade/investment you found interesting." — Have a real example ready — a recent M&A transaction, an IPO, a macro trade thesis, or an investment case you've followed. Be able to explain the rationale clearly.
• Competency questions (STAR format): "Tell me about a time you worked in a high-pressure team." Use specific examples with measurable outcomes.
• Market/macro questions (S&T divisions): "What is your view on [current market event]?" Have a well-reasoned, data-supported view prepared on 2–3 current market themes.

The Superday is the final and most demanding stage of the Goldman recruitment process. It is a full-day event at a Goldman office where you complete 5–8 back-to-back 30-minute interviews with professionals from across your target division — from analysts to managing directors.

Each interviewer evaluates a different set of competencies. Some focus on technical knowledge, some on behavioural fit, some on market views. The cumulative result across all interviewers determines your offer outcome.

Goldman Sachs is more technically demanding in its interviews than most other employers — including other investment banks and the Big Four. The level of technical depth expected varies significantly by division.

Investment Banking (IBD) — Core Technical Topics

• Valuation methods: DCF (free cash flow, WACC, terminal value, sensitivity analysis), comparable companies (EV/EBITDA multiples, selection criteria), precedent transactions.
• LBO fundamentals: How an LBO works, sources and uses of funds, return drivers (leverage, multiple expansion, EBITDA growth), IRR calculation concept.
• Enterprise value vs equity value: Bridge from equity value to enterprise value, treatment of debt, cash, minority interest, and preferred equity.
• Accounting: Three financial statement linkages, impact of transactions on each statement, working capital mechanics.

Sales & Trading — Core Technical Topics

• Brain teasers and probability: Market-making brain teasers (bid/ask quotes), probability puzzles, expected value calculations. Practise reasoning aloud — the thinking process is assessed, not just the answer.
• Options basics: Call vs put payoffs, delta, gamma, vega at a conceptual level. Not required to price options quantitatively but conceptual understanding expected.
• Market views: Have data-supported views on 2–3 current macro themes — interest rates, FX, commodities, or equity markets. Know current central bank positioning.

• SHL tests (3–4 weeks before): Target 85th percentile consistently in practice before your test date. Use our free timed practice tests. Review every incorrect answer. The higher your SHL score, the stronger your overall profile going into HireVue and Superday review.
• HireVue (2 weeks before): Prepare and record answers to 10–15 common Goldman questions. Have a specific deal or trade you've followed ready to discuss. Practice recording yourself and watch playbacks. Research Goldman's recent major transactions, hires, or market positions.
• Technical preparation — IBD (4–6 weeks before): Work through a technical interview guide (Investment Banking by Joshua Rosenbaum, or Mergers & Inquisitions guides). Be able to walk through a DCF in 3 minutes cold. Practice accounting linkage questions. Know at least one live deal in your sector of interest.
• Technical preparation — S&T (4–6 weeks before): Practise mental maths and probability problems daily. Read Goldman's research publications. Follow macro developments across rates, FX, and equities. Form and defend a view on 2–3 current market themes.
• Superday stamina (week before): Run mock interview sessions of 4–5 consecutive 30-minute interviews to build cognitive endurance. Fatigue in the 6th or 7th interview is a real risk without preparation.
• Goldman-specific research (2 weeks before): Know Goldman's recent major deals, strategic initiatives, and market positioning. Read the Goldman Sachs annual report. Have specific reasons — beyond prestige — for why Goldman over other bulge brackets.