The Barclays online assessment is two short interactive assessments that show how you might perform at work and your preferred ways of working. It's the second of three steps for Barclays internships and graduate programmes: an application form, the initial assessments, and an assessment centre that includes a motivational interview with a member of the leadership team.
Everything about the process below comes from Barclays' own careers pages, linked as we go. Where Barclays doesn't say something, we say so. The interview questions are ones to prepare for; Barclays doesn't publish its questions.
The Barclays hiring process at a glance
This is the process Barclays publishes for its internships and graduate programmes.
| Step | What happens | What Barclays says about timing |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Application | Complete the application form on Barclays' careers site. | Not published |
| 2. Initial assessments | Two short interactive assessments. Technical programmes add a technical skills assessment. | "Short"; no length published |
| 3. Assessment centre | Two or three stages, in person or virtual, including a motivational interview with a member of the leadership team. | Not published |
| 4. Offer | Barclays doesn't describe the offer stage on its process page. | Not published |
What is the Barclays online assessment?
It's two short interactive assessments taken after your application. Barclays says they show how you might perform at work and your preferred ways of working, and that they look for key attributes and Values shared across Barclays. You can complete them on any device, including a phone or tablet. Technical programmes, such as the Developer programme, also include an assessment of technical skills. Barclays' application page calls it the Explorer Developer programme while its graduates page lists Developer as an Expert programme, so check the name on the advert.
Barclays hosts most of its assessments on a digital experience platform. There you'll find information on Barclays' Purpose, Values and ways of working, plus hints, tips and practice tests. Barclays' hints and tips add three pieces of advice:
- Read each assessment's instructions carefully and complete all the practice and example questions.
- Understand what each assessment is meant to show about your fit for the job.
- Answer honestly. Barclays says your performance across all the assessments is taken into account, so don't give up after one exercise you think went badly.
Barclays doesn't publish who provides its assessments, how many questions they contain, how long they take or how they're scored. Treat specific formats and timings you read on prep sites as unconfirmed.
If an assessment asks about your preferences and ways of working, it works like a personality or work-style questionnaire; our guide to psychometric assessments explains how those are built. If it shows you workplace scenarios and asks what you'd do, it's a situational judgement format, covered in our situational judgement test guide.
Can you get adjustments for the Barclays assessment?
Yes. Barclays says you can ask for adjustments, such as extra time or offline assessments, by noting them in your application. It keeps what you disclose confidential, uses it to help you be at your best, and you only need to share what you're comfortable with. For needs during interviews, tell your recruiter in advance.
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What is the Barclays hiring process?
For internships and graduate programmes, you apply, take the initial assessments and attend an assessment centre. The details come from Barclays' internship and graduate application page.
The application
You apply on Barclays' careers site; the site's 'Your account' link takes you to a Workday sign-in. Barclays' tips for the form:
- Tailor your CV to each role, using keywords from the job description.
- Show what sets you apart, such as extracurricular activities and work experience. Barclays says it doesn't select on academic record alone.
- Back your answers with examples of judgement, innovation, teamwork, commitment and leadership, and avoid claims you can't prove.
- Write in your own words. Barclays tells applicants not to copy and paste from its website or other sources.
Barclays' graduate programmes are split into Expert programmes, which build deep knowledge in one specialism such as Developer, Investment Banking, Quantitative Finance, Internal Audit, Markets or Research, and Explorer programmes, two-year programmes with broad experience across areas such as Operations and Technology. Know which you're applying for, because it shapes your answer to "why this programme?".
Barclays doesn't publish a separate process for experienced hires. The job advert and your recruiter are the places to check.
What happens at the Barclays assessment centre?
The assessment centre is held in person or virtually and has two or three stages, including a motivational interview with a member of the leadership team. Barclays says it's another chance to show the strengths, behaviours or technical skills the role needs.
Barclays doesn't publish the other exercises, how long the assessment centre lasts or how it's scored. Your invitation should tell you what to expect; if it doesn't, ask.
What is the Barclays interview process?
Barclays' published early-careers process has one named interview: the motivational interview at the assessment centre. Its hints and tips also cover video interviews, so part of your process may be on video. Barclays' advice for those:
- Use a laptop or computer with a good camera, or a phone propped up so you don't hold it. Test your microphone and speaker.
- Find a quiet, private space and check what's behind you.
- Dress as you would for an in-person interview, and look into the camera when you speak.
- Research Barclays, the business area and the role, and link your experience to the job description.
Barclays doesn't publish a separate recorded video interview stage, the number of interviews for experienced roles, or interview lengths.
Can you use AI in a Barclays interview?
No. Barclays says third-party AI tools aren't permitted during its interviews, including transcription bots and meeting assistants. Using one will end your interview and withdraw your application, and may affect your eligibility for future roles.
How long does the Barclays hiring process take?
Barclays doesn't publish a timeline for any stage. If you need support with the process, use Barclays' resourcing helpdesk, linked from its careers site.
What questions does Barclays ask in interviews?
Expect questions on your motivation for Barclays and the programme, and on the qualities its application tips name: judgement, innovation, teamwork, commitment and leadership. Barclays' Purpose is "Working together for a better financial future", and it publishes five Values on its purpose and values page:
| Barclays value | What Barclays says it means |
|---|---|
| Respect | Harnessing inclusion and opportunity, and valuing everyone's contribution |
| Integrity | Honesty, courage, transparency and fairness in all it does |
| Service | Empathy and humility, with the people and businesses it serves at the centre |
| Excellence | High standards, championing innovation, making a positive difference |
| Stewardship | Leaving things better than it found them |
The questions below are common ones to prepare for, each with how to answer it for Barclays. Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) for the "tell me about a time" questions.
1. Tell me about yourself.
Keep it to a couple of minutes: where you are now, what you've done that's relevant, and why this Barclays role is next. Include something beyond your grades, since Barclays says it doesn't select on academic record alone.
2. Why Barclays?
Be specific. Mention the business area, the programme (Expert or Explorer) and something recent from Barclays that interests you. Linking it to Barclays' Purpose, "Working together for a better financial future", shows you've read beyond the job advert.
3. Why this programme and business area?
Expect to be asked about your motivation in the motivational interview; Barclays doesn't publish its questions. Explain what draws you to the specialism, what you've done to explore it, and where you want it to take you.
4. Tell me about a time you used your judgement to make a difficult decision.
Judgement is the first quality in Barclays' application tips. Show what you weighed up, what you decided and what happened.
5. Tell me about a time you came up with a new idea or a better way of doing something.
This covers innovation, which Barclays names in its tips and in its value of Excellence. Explain the problem, your idea, how you tested it and the result.
6. Describe a time you worked in a team to reach a goal.
Barclays asks for teamwork examples, and its value of Respect is about valuing everyone's contribution. Show your part clearly, and how you brought in other people's views.
7. Tell me about a time you stuck with something difficult.
This is the commitment Barclays asks applicants to show. Pick a long project, a setback or a commitment outside your studies, and explain how you kept going.
8. Give an example of when you led others.
Leadership doesn't need a title. A society, a group project or organising an event all work. Show how you set direction and supported the people involved.
9. Tell me about a time you did the right thing when it was difficult.
This tests Integrity: honesty, courage, transparency and fairness. Choose a real dilemma and explain why you acted as you did.
10. Tell me about a time you helped someone with a problem.
This fits Service: empathy, humility and putting the people you serve at the centre. A customer, a colleague or someone you volunteered with all make good examples.
11. Tell me about something you left in better shape than you found it.
This is Stewardship. A process you improved, a society you rebuilt or documentation you wrote for the next person all fit.
12. Explain a piece of technical work you've done.
For technical programmes such as Developer, expect to talk through code or a project you built: the problem, your approach, the trade-offs and what you'd change.
13. Do you have any questions for us?
Ask your interviewer about their part of the business, what successful graduates or interns do well, or how the programme's rotations or specialism work.
For more practice questions, see our behavioural interview questions.
How to prepare for Barclays' hiring process
- Tailor your application to the role, using the job description's keywords, and write in your own words.
- Do every practice test on Barclays' assessment platform before the real ones, and read the instructions carefully.
- Take the assessments somewhere quiet, even though you can use a phone. Answer honestly.
- Prepare six or seven STAR stories covering judgement, innovation, teamwork, commitment, leadership and the five Values.
- Prepare your motivation for Barclays, the business area and the programme for the motivational interview.
- Set up for video: camera, microphone, a quiet space. Practise in a mock interview and test your equipment at the same time.
- Turn off AI note-takers and transcription bots before any Barclays interview.
- Ask for adjustments in your application if you need them.
How do you spot a fake Barclays job offer?
Barclays' recruitment scams page says it never asks for payment or gifts at any stage of recruitment, doesn't recruit or onboard through social media (including WhatsApp), and only asks for sensitive personal information through secure systems. Report anything suspicious through barclays.co.uk/fraud-and-scams.
Practising realistic work tasks
Assessments reward clear judgement on realistic situations, and that improves with practice. Cohesyve, which publishes this guide, runs practice job simulations for your role, with a scored report on where you lost marks. It isn't affiliated with Barclays and doesn't use Barclays' assessments or questions.
FAQs
How many online assessments does Barclays have?
For internships and graduate programmes, two short interactive assessments. Technical programmes such as Developer add an assessment of technical skills.
Can I do the Barclays online assessment on my phone?
Yes. Barclays says the initial assessments can be completed on any device, including phones and tablets.
Is the Barclays online assessment hard to pass?
Barclays doesn't publish a pass mark or pass rate. Barclays says your performance across all the assessments is taken into account, so don't give up after one exercise you think went badly.
Does Barclays have practice tests?
Yes. Barclays' assessment platform includes hints, tips and practice tests, along with information on its Purpose, Values and ways of working.
What happens at the Barclays assessment centre?
Two or three stages, in person or virtual, including a motivational interview with a member of the leadership team. Barclays doesn't publish the other exercises.
Can I use AI tools in a Barclays interview?
No. Barclays doesn't permit third-party AI tools, including transcription bots and meeting assistants. Using one ends the interview and withdraws your application.
Does Barclays charge a fee to apply?
No. Barclays says it never asks for payment or gifts at any stage of recruitment.
Sources
Barclays' own pages, checked 27 October 2026:
- search.jobs.barclays: Internship and graduate application process
- search.jobs.barclays: Application hints and tips
- search.jobs.barclays: Early careers and Graduates
- search.jobs.barclays: Recruitment scams
- home.barclays: Purpose and Values