Banks
NatWest Group: application stages, tests and practice
NatWest's application support page lists the stages as an online application, a work scenarios assessment (not for Engineering), a job focus assessment, technical tests for Engineering programmes, a recorded video and a full day virtual assessment centre. You can only apply for one programme in one location, and NatWest accepts only your first application.
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.
Online application
Official employerFind a role that is right for you and submit your application. You can only apply for one programme in one location: you cannot submit a second application, and NatWest accepts only your first application. For NatWest Markets programmes you upload a CV and cover letter as one document. Graduate programmes need a 2:1 or above (or on track for one). For Insight Experiences the page says you have 10 days from applying to complete the online assessment; it does not state the window for graduate and internship applicants.
Sources: [2]
Work scenarios assessment (all programmes except Engineering)
Official employerNatWest describes it as an assessment that tests your ability to solve work-related problems, and its Insight Experience FAQ calls work scenarios a situational judgement assessment. It does not appear in the Engineering stage list. No question count or timing is given for graduate and internship applicants (the apprenticeship section of the same page says its version takes around 20 to 25 minutes but you can take as long as you need).
Practise: Situational judgement test practice
Sources: [2]
Job focus assessment
Official employerNatWest describes it as a work style and problem solving assessment. It appears in both the Engineering and the all other programmes lists. No question count, timing or format is given. For Insight Experiences the page lists a reasoning skills test instead, described as a problem solving and numerical assessment.
Sources: [2]
Technical tests (Engineering programmes only)
Official employerA SQL and coding skills assessment, listed after the job focus assessment and before the video recording for Engineering graduate programmes and internships. No format, timing or vendor is given.
Sources: [2]
Video recording
Official employerYou record your responses to questions about your experience and potential. For Insight Experiences NatWest says you record timed answers to 6 pre-recorded questions, with a mix of motivational, hypothetical and scenario-based questions, taking around 20 minutes. The page does not give the question count or timings for graduate and internship applicants.
Practise: Video interview practice
Sources: [2]
Virtual assessment centre
Official employerA full day of virtual activities. NatWest says most of its assessment centre runs virtually on digital platforms such as Zoom, and the tasks are designed to explore how you work on your own and collaboratively with others. You hear the outcome within a few weeks and receive a feedback report.
Practise: Assessment centre practice
Sources: [2]
Final stage line-up
A full day of virtual activities, mostly run on digital platforms such as Zoom, with tasks that explore how you work on your own and collaboratively with others. The individual exercises and number of interviews are not listed.
Retakes and validity
NatWest accepts only your first application: you cannot submit a second application or change the programme or location you applied to. The September 2026 page gives no retake rule for the online assessments or video recording for graduate and internship applicants.
What we could not verify
- Which vendor runs the graduate and internship assessments. The September 2026 page names SHL Talent Central only in its apprenticeship technical help; an SHL link appeared only on pages last captured in 2025.
- The Work Scenarios assessment format of 14 scenarios rated more or less effective, taking 20 to 25 minutes, which appeared only on a page last captured in September 2025.
- The Reasoning Skills assessment of 24 interactive questions in 36 minutes, which appeared only on a page last captured in September 2025, and whether it is the same test as the current job focus assessment.
- A 10 day window to finish all online assessments for graduate and internship applicants, with a reminder on day 7.
- Video recording details for graduate and internship applicants: six questions from pre-recorded colleagues, a practice question first, about 20 minutes, reviewed later by assessors.
- Assessment centre activities such as a group discussion, a role play exercise and an interview, and a guide sent beforehand.
- That only one attempt at the assessments or video counts, and that SHL logins are limited to two re-entries before lockout.
- That you can apply again in the following academic year.
- Per-question preparation and answer lengths for the video recording.
Sources
Common questions about NatWest Group
What are the stages of the NatWest Group application process?
As we could verify, the stages are: Online application, then Work scenarios assessment (all programmes except Engineering), then Job focus assessment, then Technical tests (Engineering programmes only), then Video recording, then Virtual assessment centre. The page says which of these are stated by NatWest Group itself and which are only reported by candidates. Check your own invitation, because processes change every cycle.
What is the final stage of the NatWest Group process?
A full day of virtual activities, mostly run on digital platforms such as Zoom, with tasks that explore how you work on your own and collaboratively with others. The individual exercises and number of interviews are not listed.
Can I practise for NatWest Group 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 NatWest Group or any test publisher.
Independent practice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by NatWest Group.