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Shir, Finance Sector Expert at JobTestPrep.
Have a question? Contact me at: ask_the_team@jobtestprep.comWhat Is the Barclays Online Assessment?
The Barclays online assessment is a series of tests, provided by SHL, that evaluate if you have the competencies and behavioral traits necessary for success in your position and in the organization itself.
The Barclays assessment comprises three mini-tests:
✻ Cognitive ability assessment
✻ Personality assessment
✻ Mindset assessment
Let’s go over them!
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Barclays Cognitive Ability Assessment
The Barclays cognitive ability assessment evaluates your comprehension in three areas:
Numerical reasoning – your ability to understand and analyze numerical data presented in graphs and tables and to make calculations such as percentages, fractions, unit conversion, etc.
Verbal reasoning – your ability to understand written information and evaluate and make logical inferences based on this information.
Inductive logical reasoning – your ability to identify patterns and rules presented in graphic information and predict the outcome based on this information.
You will be presented with a series of multiple-choice questions that can include word problems, syllogisms, argument evaluation, and next-in-series questions.
You will have 12 questions to address in 10 minutes.
You can use a calculator.
Note that you need to answer all the questions to avoid score reductions.
Let’s see how it looks –
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Barclays Cognitive Ability Assessment – Numerical Reasoning Sample Question
If the price of a pen has increased from $0.90 to $0.99, what was the percent increase in price?
Tip: In numerical reasoning questions, especially when time is tight, it is crucial to avoid unnecessary calculations. Read the question carefully, make sure you understand what you are asked and search for this information.
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Barclays Cognitive Ability Assessment – Verbal Reasoning Sample Question
In many cultures, the lotus flower is considered a symbol of purity, enlightenment, and rebirth. Art, literature, and religious texts often depict it as a sacred and powerful symbol. The lotus flower grows in muddy waters but emerges above the surface, clean and pristine. This is seen as a metaphor for human experience – we can rise above our struggles and difficulties to become something beautiful.
What is the lotus flower often used as a symbol for?
Tip: Verbal reasoning questions are often deliberately confusing. If you are unsure about the correct answer, try to eliminate the obviously incorrect options. This will increase your chances of getting the answer right.
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Barclays Cognitive Ability Assessment – Inductive Reasoning Sample Question
Choose the image that completes the pattern
The recommended work method for questions with more than one rule, is to choose one of them and “run with it”, trying to eliminate as many distracters as possible.
Two elements are at play in this question: the number of circles and the colours and patterns of overlapping shapes.
A quick examination of the images can easily eliminate distracter 5 as the shapes remain the same throughout the entire sequence.
Let’s take a closer look at the number of circles element. We can see that it follows a simple rule of decreasing by one every time we advance from one frame to the next. Using this information we can now dismiss distracters 1 & 3 as well.
In this case, the colours’ rule is very intuitive; as we can see it switches from frame to frame, alternately. Thus, we are looking for the distracter (either 2 or 4) that matches the colours shown in frame 2. The correct answer is 2.
The correct answer is
Tip: Sometimes, more than one pattern appears to fit the given series. In this case, look for any clues or information that can help you identify which pattern is more likely to be correct.
With JobTestPrep’s Barclays online assessment PrePack™, you will receive all the tools needed to ace the SHL test, with the practice of all Barclay’s cognitive ability assessment tests, detailed solutions, and study guides.
Barclays Personality Assessment
The Barclays personality assessment evaluates your traits and characteristics and how they fit the requirements of the position you have applied for.
You will be presented with sets of three statements. You will need to choose the statement that describes you best. Then, you will be presented with the two remaining statements and need to choose the one you think is more like you.
You will have 105 sets of statements to address in 20 minutes.
Let’s take a look!
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Barclays Personality Assessment Sample Question
- Step I
Which statement describes you best?
I enjoy working in a team
I prefer to work independently
I enjoy taking risks
As these questions are designed to assess your traits, you need to consider how your chosen statement reflects on your personality in the context of the position you’re after. Thus, if you’re applying for a job that requires a lot of collaboration and teamwork, the best response would be, “I enjoy working in a team.” This shows that you are a team player and can work well with others, which is an essential quality for many jobs.
However, if you’re applying for a job that requires a lot of independent work and self-motivation, the best response would be, “I prefer to work independently.” This shows that you are self-sufficient and can manage your workload without needing constant supervision or guidance.
If you’re applying for a job that involves taking calculated risks or making bold decisions, the best response would be, “I enjoy taking risks.” This shows that you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone and make decisions that could potentially lead to success for the company.
- Step II
Let’s say you choose the statement “I enjoy working in a team” as the one that describes you best.
Which statement describes you best?
I prefer to work independently
I enjoy taking risks
As with your first pick, the statement you should choose depends on the job and work environment you are applying for. However, in this step of the question, you need to consider what the statement you didn’t choose says about you as well.
For instance, choosing "I prefer to work independently" does not necessarily mean that you do not enjoy working with others. It simply indicates that you prefer not to step out of your comfort zone and take risks.
Tip: The test intentionally contains some statements that are repeated. If you come across such statements, just choose the best answer from the available options without being concerned about how you responded to similar statements earlier.
Let's try another one:
- Choose the statement describing you best, then choose the statement describing you second from best.
I aim not to breach guidelines and legislation
I am resilient to emotional distress
I appreciate challenging contests
Most Like Me
Recommended Statement: I appreciate challenging contests
A little friendly competition motivates most employees. Managers/ team members who emulate and model this at the right level, builds morale, efficiency and achievement. The challenge is to harness all the capability, brainpower and creativity each staff member has to offer. Finding fun and creative ways to encourage positive competition that benefits the bottom line is a valuable workplace skill. It is especially valuable to structure the competition to reward teams, not just individuals.
Neutral (2nd choice for more like me)
Recommended Statement: I aim not to breach guidelines and legislation
Rules help ensure work is completed correctly and diligently while providing guidelines for equitable treatment of employees. Although extreme levels of this quality are not positive, a moderate representation among a candidate’s score is desirable. Not breaching necessary guidelines and legislation can forge unity and collaborative achievement.
Least Like Me
Recommended Statement: I am resilient to emotional distress
The Contemporary workplace is a fast-paced culture results in staff working very hard, meeting stringent deadlines, managing work relationships and staying constantly reachable via mobile devices. The relentless pace can lead to undue stress and even burnout. Navigating through these demands requires individuals to develop skills and strategies in personal stress management. Stress resilience is a key strategy that helps employees tackle stress, a competitive job market, workplace conflicts, and address daily challenges on the job. Improving resilience is important because employees identify work as the number one stressor in their lives. Being tough minded is thus an important quality for all employees and the only reason it is not allocated points in this question is the need to portray a balanced profile by allocating points to the other statements.
Start preparing now with JobTestPrep to make your personality shine in the Barclays personality assessment!
Barclays Mindset Assessment
The Barclays mindset assessment evaluates your work-related tendencies, way of thinking, approach, and behaviors in a working environment to ensure they match the Barclays Values.
Like the personality assessment, you will be presented with sets of three statements. You will need to choose the statement that describes you best.
Then, you will be presented with the two remaining statements, and need to choose the one that is more like you.
You will have 75 sets of statements to address in 20 minutes.
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Barclays Mindset Assessment Sample Question
- Step I
Which statement describes you best?
I prioritize clear communication and collaboration to achieve shared goals.
I always act with honesty and integrity, even when it's not convenient, to build trust and respect.
I seek out opportunities to learn and grow, pushing myself to excel and make a positive difference.
It’s important to answer genuinely and consider the traits required in the position you applied for. You also should make sure that your response aligns with the Barclays Values and take into account the impression it makes.
As such, choosing the first statement, “I prioritise clear communication and collaboration to achieve shared goals”, aligns with the value of Service by emphasizing the importance of clear communication and collaboration to achieve shared goals. This demonstrates that you focus on putting people and business at the centre of your work.
The second statement, “I always act with honesty and integrity, even when it’s not convenient, to build trust and respect”, aligns with the value of Integrity by highlighting the importance of always acting with honesty and integrity, even when it’s not convenient. This reflects that you are committed to operating with honesty, transparency, and fairness, which are crucial to building trust and respect.
The third statement, “I seek out opportunities to learn and grow, pushing myself to excel and make a positive difference”, aligns with the value of Excellence by emphasising the importance of seeking out opportunities to learn and grow and pushing oneself to excel. This demonstrates that you are focused on innovation, energy, and expertise, which are key components of making a positive difference.
- Step II
Let’s say you choose the statement “I prioritize clear communication and collaboration to achieve shared goals” as the one that describes you best.
Which statement describes you best?
I always act with honesty and integrity, even when it's not convenient, to build trust and respect.
I seek out opportunities to learn and grow, pushing myself to excel and make a positive difference.
As with your first pick, your chosen statement needs to align with Barclays Values. However, in this step of the question, you need to consider what the statement you didn’t choose says about you. As such, choosing the first statement, “I always act with honesty and integrity, even when it’s not convenient, to build trust and respect”, indicates that you prioritize the value of Integrity over excellence, and vice versa when choosing the second statement, “I seek out opportunities to learn and grow, pushing myself to excel and make a positive difference.”
Tip: choose your answers based on how you would behave in a work setting and not in your personal life outside of work.
Let's try another one:
Choose the statement describing you best, then choose the statement describing you second from best.
Other people can be persuaded to follow a certain course of action by me
In difficult situations, I am able to control my emotions
Before making any decisions, I gather information from reliable sources
The Recommended ranking for this question is:
- Before making any decisions, I gather information from reliable sources.
- In difficult situations, I am able to control my emotions.
- Other people can be persuaded to follow a certain course of action by me.
One of Barclays' important values is excellence. The first statement aligns with this value as it reflects your commitment to making informed decisions. By gathering information from reliable sources, you demonstrate a dedication to excellence by seeking accurate and reliable information to support your decision-making process.
Regarding the second statement, Barclays values empowerment. Being able to control your emotions in difficult situations demonstrates emotional intelligence and resilience, which are essential for empowering yourself and others. By maintaining composure and managing your emotions effectively, you inspire confidence and create an environment that fosters empowerment and growth.
Lastly, the third statement relates to the value of the challenge. The ability to persuade others to follow a certain course of action demonstrates your persuasive skills and ability to take on challenges. By influencing and motivating others, you embrace the challenge of leading and guiding teams toward common goals, driving positive change, and achieving collective success.
Barclays emphasize it's core values and recruit it's employees according to how they fit the organization’s principles, environment, and culture.
Before taking the Barclays online assessment, make sure you are familiar with the Barclays values and address them while choosing your answers, mainly in the Barclays mindset assessment, but also the Barclays personality assessment.
Barclays defines five core values:
- Respect – harnessing inclusion and diversity, trusting your colleagues, and valuing their contribution.
- Excellence – championing innovation and using your expertise, resources, and energy to make a positive difference.
- Integrity – operating with honesty, fairness, and transparency.
- Service – acting with humility and sympathy and putting your clients at the center of your actions.
- Stewardship – improving things and making them better.
Practice how to best answer the Barclays mindset assessment with the complete study guide and solving tips that will teach you how to best address every question!
Barclays Application Process
The Barclays hiring process comprises 5 steps:
- Application
- Barclays online assessments
- Telephone interview
- Face-to-face interview
- Job offer.
FAQs
The Barclays Online Assessment is a series of three tests that assess your abilities and behavioral tendencies – a cognitive ability assessment (numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and inductive logical reasoning), a personality assessment, and a work-related mindset assessment.
Yes. The Barclays online assessment is considered hard as its strict time limit makes it very difficult to reach the correct answer in the cognitive ability assessment, and the personality and mindset assessments are also pretty challenging because you need to be authentic to yourself while keeping in mind your position and the Barclays core values.
The Barclays cognitive ability assessment is a psychometric evaluation of your comprehension in three areas: numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and logical inductive reasoning.
The Barclays personality assessment is a questionnaire designed to evaluate your traits and characteristics and how they fit the position requirements you have applied for.
The Barclays mindset assessment is a questionnaire designed to evaluate your work-related tendencies, way of thinking, approach, and behaviors in a working environment and how they align with the Barclays Values.
Master the Barclays assessment test with the complete PrepPack™, including full cognitive ability simulations and focused practices, study guides, and over 100 SHL OPQ32-style questions
