Barclays assessment 2026: cognitive tests, personality & business meeting

Updated April 2026 · 13 min read · Banking · 85,000+ employees worldwide

Barclays is one of the UK's largest banks and a highly competitive graduate employer. The recruitment process is multi-stage and specifically designed to evaluate both cognitive ability and alignment with Barclays' RISES values framework.

Barclays recruitment stages

Stage 1: Online application. Standard details plus motivation questions. Barclays screens applications, so your motivational answers need substance — reference specific Barclays initiatives, recent news, or business areas that interest you.

Stage 2: Barclays Online Assessment (three parts).

Part 1 — Cognitive Ability Assessment. As of 2026, Barclays uses the SHL Verify Interactive format: an activity-based test with drag-and-drop data interaction. 24 questions in approximately 36 minutes, mixing deductive reasoning (logic puzzles, calendar scheduling), inductive reasoning (pattern recognition), and numerical reasoning (profit/loss calculations, data interpretation from charts). You might be asked to schedule meetings on a calendar one moment and calculate year-on-year revenue growth the next. You must answer all questions — unanswered questions reduce your score. A calculator is available.

Specific question breakdown: 12 questions across numerical reasoning (percentages, ratios, chart reading), supplemented by inductive and verbal reasoning. Time limit for the numerical section alone: approximately 10 minutes. The test is considered challenging primarily because of the tight time limit and the need to switch rapidly between different reasoning types.

Part 2 — Personality Assessment. Evaluates your traits and characteristics against the requirements of the specific role you've applied for. This is a questionnaire with forced-choice items — you select which statement best describes you from pairs or groups. While there are no "right" answers in theory, responses that align with the RISES values and the demands of banking (attention to detail, client focus, ethical judgment) score better.

Part 3 — Mindset Assessment. Evaluates your work-related tendencies, approach, and behaviours. This is Barclays' SJT component — workplace scenarios where you choose how you'd respond. Every answer should reflect the RISES values.

Stage 3: HireVue video interview. Pre-recorded video interview with competency and motivation questions. Barclays uses HireVue with AI-assisted evaluation. Dress professionally, look into the camera, and structure answers using STAR format.

Stage 4: Barclays Business Meeting (assessment centre). An immersive 3.5-5 hour session, often in-person. Includes a project-based case study exercise specific to your business area, written summaries of business reports, video message recordings in response to line manager queries, and e-tray exercises. This is where you demonstrate both analytical skills and Barclays cultural fit.

A second stage of the Business Insight assessment is more grounded in the specific business area of your role — expect deeper, more role-specific scenarios with questions answered through multiple-choice and video responses. This stage is timed at approximately 45 minutes.

Preparation strategy

For the cognitive assessment: Practice SHL Verify Interactive format tests. Focus on speed — 36 minutes for 24 questions across three reasoning types means you have roughly 90 seconds per question, including switching between completely different question types. Practise transitioning between numerical calculations and logical puzzles rapidly.

For the personality and mindset assessments: Review the RISES values thoroughly. For each value, think of 2-3 specific examples from your experience. In forced-choice items, select responses that reflect Service and Integrity — Barclays places heavy emphasis on client-first and ethical behaviour.