Last updated: Mar 2nd, 2026
Hi! I'm Hadassah, cognitive test developer at JobTestPrep
Over several years at JobTestPrep, I have written about finance industy psychometric testing, analyzed trends in banking and investment assessments, and helped hundreds of test-takers move forward in their careers.
BlackRock is a global leader in investment and risk management. Its prestigious early careers programmes, which includes summer internships and entry-level analyst jobs, is a sought-after springboard to a finance career.
To enter, BlackRock requires that you take the HireVue Interview and a Numerical Assessment. Let's go over what these entail and how you can take the assessment prepared.
HireVue Pre-Recorded Interview Preparation
Numerical Reasoning Test
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The BlackRock recruitment process begins with a dual online assessment which includes an interview and a cognitive exam.
They may seem simple, but this is a major shortlisting step for BlackRock, with many hopefuls screened out at this phase. To make sure you get a spot, let's review the HireVue Pre-Recorded Interview and the BlackRock Numerical Assessment.
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Numerical reasoning means more than just performing mathematical calculations. In fact, calculators are allowed- because you're calculation skills are not being measured.
Instead, the numerical test is more about handling data. In each question, you'll be presented with a graphic representation of information: a table, grpah, or chart. You will need to answer questions about the data, often requiring you to understand and utilize basic mathematical concepts like ratios, percentages, and fractions.
The BlackRock Numerical Test contains 20 questions, with one minute alloted for each question.
The following is a comparison of four companies (in millions of $).
| Company | Axel | Wright & Co. | Britore | Wingspan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variable Costs | 15 | 20 | 13 | 9 |
| Fixed Costs | 6 | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| Gross Profit | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 |
| Overhead | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Operating Profit | 8 | 11 | 10 | 9 |
| Tax | 1.2 | 1.65 | 1.5 | 1.35 |
| Net Profit | 6.8 | 9.35 | 8.5 | 7.65 |
What is the Corporate Tax rate?
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
The correct answer is E.
The tax a company pays is equal to their operating profit multiplied by the tax rate; the tax rate can therefore be calculated by dividing the tax paid by the operating profit.
Tax Paid = Operating Profit × Tax Rate
Tax Rate = Tax Paid/Operating Profit
This question can be solved using any company, as the corporate tax rate will be uniform across all companies. If we take the operating profit and tax of Axel, for example, we will see that 1.2/8 = 0.15 = 15%
To be certain that this is the correct answer, we can examine the operating profits and taxes of all companies and find that 1.2/8 = 1.65/11 = 1.5/10 = 1.35/9 = 0.15 = 15%
This table compares the USA and Australia in unemployment numbers for the year 2025:
| Category | US | Australia |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | 122,000 | 54,000 |
| Tourism & Hospitality | 168,000 | 65,000 |
| IT | 82,000 | 119,000 |
| Education | 54,000 | 87,000 |
| Construction | 79,000 | 26,000 |
| Other | 3,605,000 | 1,009,000 |
| Total | 4,110,000 | 1,360,000 |
Approximately what proportion of both countries' unemployed ITs were US residents?
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
The correct answer is B.
The proportion of IT unemployed in 2006 that were US residents = ((IT Unemployed in US / (IT Unemployed in US+ IT unemployed in Australia)) x 100
((82,000 / (82,000 + 119,000)) x 100 = 40.8%
Another way to calculate: 82,000 + 119,000 = 201,000
(82,000/201,000)*100 = 40.8%
“Transcriptions Now!” is a company that hires people to transcribe audio files. The fastest transcriber can transcribe 75 words per minute (WPM) while the slowest transcriber can only transcribe 70 WPM.
How many less hours would it take the fastest transcriber to transcribe an audio file with 7,500 words in comparison to the slowest transcriber?
Wrong
Correct!
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
The correct answer is B.
In order to find the time it would take each transcriber to transcribe 7,500 words, we can formulate the following equation based on the Work-Rate formula (work=rate*time):
t = 7,500/rate
Fastest transcriber: t = 7,500/75 = 100 minutes.
Slowest transcriber: t = 7,500/70 = 107 1⁄7 minutes.
Therefore, the fastest transcriber can complete the task in 107 1⁄7 – 100 = 7 1⁄7 = 50⁄7 minutes less than the slowest transcriber.
However, the question is asking for the number of HOURS. Thus, we need to divide the result by 60:
50⁄7 ÷ 60 = 50⁄420 = 5⁄42
Look at the following series:
0.35 | 1 | 3.6 | ? | 55.6
What number belongs in place of the question mark?
Wrong
Wrong
Wrong
Correct!
The correct answer is D.
The series in this question advances according to the following pattern:
(a- 0.1)*4, a= the previous term.
Thus:
1st term = 0.35
2nd term = (0.35- 0.1)*4 = 1
3rd term = (1- 0.1)*4 = 3.6
4th term = (3.6- 0.1)*4 = 14
5th term = (14- 0.1)*4 = 55.6
BlackRock, like a growing number of companies, uses a video interview platform for their assessment.
If you've never done one of these before, it may seem a bit strange, even surreal. You will have no interaction with your recruiters. Instead, you will be given three HR-style questions and you will be asked to record your respons using a webcam.
You will have three minutes to prepare for each question, and up to two minutes to answer it. The entire thing usually takes about 15 minutes.
The quetions themselves revolve around your motivation for applying to blackrock, your approach to problem-solving, and your past experience. For example:
Look the Part
Some candidates assume an online interview requires a more relaxed dress code than a face-to-face interview.
This isn't the case. Your recruiters expect you to dress and look like a candidate taking an interview. This doesn't just apply to dress. Make sure the lighting is good and your background is formal or blank.
Use the STAR Method to Format Your Answers
The STAR method is an industry standard in how to answer questions about past successes.
STAR stand for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Describe the situation you were in, explain what your task was, share how you completed this task, and detail how your actions helped.
Find a Good Work Environment
Make sure youre computer is set up in a well-lit room, and test your internet connection, microphone, and webcamp before you begin.
Becoming an analyst at BlackRock typically begins by submitting an online application form.
You will receive an invitation for the online assessment immediately after completing the application. You will have five calendar days to respond to this invitation.
If you pass both the HireVue interview and the numerical assessment, you will move on the the real interview stage, which usually includes 2-3 rounds with HR and your direct manager.
Note- candidates applying for a software engineer position will have to take a 6-question coding assessment, which is not included in our prep course.
The BlackRock Pre-Interview Assessment is another name for the online assessment, taken during the BlackRock recruitment process before the first round of interviews.
It includes a video interview and a numerical exam.
The Blackrock Coding Assessment evaluates the abilities and skills of candidates who apply for software engineering positions. Provided by HireVue, it includes 6 coding assignments and one HR pre-recorded interview question.
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