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Barclays: application stages, tests and practice

Barclays describes three steps: an application form, two short interactive assessments, then an assessment centre of two or three stages that includes a motivational interview with a leadership team member. It does not name an assessment vendor, and says third-party AI tools such as transcription bots are not allowed in interviews.

Routes: Discovery (two-day insight programme), summer and off-cycle internships, and Explorer and Expert graduate programmes. The application process page covers internships and graduate programmes. Last verified 2026-10-09.

Stages in order

What do the confidence badges mean?
  • Vendor-published Stated in the test publisher's own document or practice site.
  • Academic From peer-reviewed research.
  • Official employer Stated on the employer's own page.
  • Near-official Near-official: an employer-run practice portal, or a vendor or employer-quoted press release naming the employer.
  • Candidate-reported Reported by candidates. Treat as likely but unconfirmed.
  • Third-party From prep sites, press or forums. Not confirmed by the employer or publisher.

  1. Application

    Official employer

    You complete the application form on the Barclays careers site. The form is designed so you can show how you align with Barclays Values and ways of working. Applies to internship and graduate programmes.

    Sources: [1]

  2. Initial assessments

    Official employer

    Two short interactive assessments: one on how you might perform in the workplace, and one on your typical or preferred ways of working. They can be done on a phone, tablet or computer. Most assessments are hosted on a digital experience platform with practice tests where possible. More technical programmes, for example Explorer Developer, also invite a technical skills assessment.

    Practise: Situational judgement test practice, Personality questionnaire practice

    Sources: [1] [2]

  3. Assessment centre

    Official employer

    In person or virtual, with two or three stages, including a motivational interview with a member of the leadership team. It looks at the strengths, behaviours or technical skills needed for the role. Barclays' Analyst-level competency guide says you are assessed against 3 to 5 of five competencies (leadership, business, interpersonal, control environment, technical skills) and told which before your interview. Third-party AI tools, including transcription bots and meeting assistants, are not permitted in the interview; use leads to the interview being stopped and the application withdrawn.

    Practise: Assessment centre practice, Daily interview question

    Sources: [1] [2] [5]

Final stage line-up

Official employer

Two or three stages, including a motivational interview with a member of the leadership team. Barclays does not say whether a group exercise or case study is included.

Assessment centre practice

What we could not verify

  • Assessment vendor (Barclays names none; prep sites say SHL or Cappfinity, unconfirmed)
  • Whether numerical, verbal or logical reasoning tests are used (the official page lists only two interactive assessments)
  • Test length, number of items and time limits (not stated by Barclays)
  • A recorded video interview stage (not on Barclays' process page; prep sites report HireVue)
  • Assessment centre exercises, such as group exercise, case study or written task, and total length
  • Retake or validity rules

Sources

  1. Barclays, Internship and Graduate Application Process Checked 2026-10-09
    Three steps: application, initial assessments, assessment centre; digital experience platform; AI tools rule. No vendor named.
  2. Barclays, Application hints and tips Checked 2026-10-09
    Interview set-up advice, assessment tips (read instructions, complete practice questions), AI tools rule. No vendor, timings or test types.
  3. Barclays, Discovery Programme Checked 2026-10-09
    Two-day insight programme in April for students two years from graduation; may be considered for an internship. No selection stages listed.
  4. Barclays, Internships Checked 2026-10-09
    Summer internships and off-cycle internships (3 to 6 months in Investment Banking or Quantitative Analytics). No stage detail.
  5. Barclays, Candidate Competency Guide (Analyst level) Checked 2026-10-09
    Five competencies with behaviours; you are assessed against 3 to 5 and told before the interview. The PDF's embedded creation date is 2015, so confirm it is still current.
  6. Barclays home site early careers (old address) Checked 2026-10-09. Page could not be read at the time
    Returned 404. Current early careers pages are on search.jobs.barclays.
  7. Bright Network, Barclays application process Checked 2026-10-09. Page could not be read at the time
    Returned 403, not read.

Common questions about Barclays

What are the stages of the Barclays application process?

As we could verify, the stages are: Application, then Initial assessments, then Assessment centre. The page says which of these are stated by Barclays itself and which are only reported by candidates. Check your own invitation, because processes change every cycle.

What is the final stage of the Barclays process?

Two or three stages, including a motivational interview with a member of the leadership team. Barclays does not say whether a group exercise or case study is included.

Can I practise for Barclays here?

Yes. Each stage links to the matching free practice, with real timings, an untimed mode and a learn mode. The practice is independent, uses original questions and is not affiliated with Barclays or any test publisher.

Independent practice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Barclays.

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