Hi all,
I’m prepping for Barclays and just got invited to do their online aptitude tests. I heard there's numerical, verbal, critical reasoning, and even SJTs. Has anyone gone through them recently? Any tips on how strict the timing is or how to manage the critical reasoning section?
Appreciate the advice! Thanks!
Hey, congrats on getting the invite – that’s already a strong step forward! 🎉
From what I’ve seen, the timing is definitely tight, especially on the numerical and critical reasoning parts. My tip: don’t get stuck on one question, flag it mentally and move on – the system is designed to test how you manage pressure.
For the critical reasoning, it’s less about “guessing what they want to hear” and more about staying logical and consistent. I usually recommend practicing with SHL- or Watson-Glaser-style questions, since Barclays often uses similar formats.
The SJTs are more about aligning with Barclays’ values – think teamwork, client-focus, and integrity. Trust your gut, don’t overthink every option.
Most importantly: practice a few sets under real time pressure to get used to the pace. Even 20–30 minutes of daily prep makes a difference.
Hope that helps!
Hi,
Barclays’ aptitude tests are usually designed to assess how you think under pressure rather than to check deep technical knowledge. They often include a mix of numerical reasoning, critical thinking, and situational judgment elements, but the exact format can vary depending on the role and location.
What tends to matter most is staying calm under time pressure, approaching questions in a structured way, and keeping your reasoning consistent. Practicing a few sample aptitude questions can help you get comfortable with the style, but I would not worry too much about the exact format, since it may change from year to year.
Good luck with your preparation!
Hi There!
Barclays’ aptitude tests are quite time-pressured, so the key is to practice working quickly and accurately under tight limits. The numerical and verbal sections tend to be straightforward in content but challenging because of the pace, while the critical reasoning requires careful reading to identify logical flaws or assumptions without overthinking.
The situational judgment test is more about consistency with Barclays’ values than right or wrong answers, so think in terms of teamwork, integrity, and client focus. The best approach is to practice timed mock tests, learn to skip and return to harder questions, and keep calm so you can show both accuracy and sound judgment under pressure.
