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✓ High Confidence Finance & Banking Reviewed 29 April 2026

Barclays Assessment & Interview Preparation

Business Insight Stages, Mindset Assessment & RISES Values

Guide country context: United Kingdom · Finance / Banking

Hiring processes can vary by country, role, business unit, and year.

Securing a role at Barclays requires passing their immersive, scenario-based online assessments. The process evaluates cognitive abilities, workplace mindset through a unique personality assessment, and alignment with the bank's core RISES values (Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Stewardship).

ℹ️ This preparation guide is independent and is not official Barclays material. It summarizes public candidate guidance from search.jobs.barclays and helps you practice similar skills and interview formats. Always follow the instructions in your own invitation email.
⚠️ Barclays expects complete integrity throughout the recruitment process. Do not use unauthorized tools during online assessments or misrepresent your values alignment.
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📋 Hiring Process

  • 1
    Online Application official
    Submit application through Barclays careers portal
    → Tailor application to specific role track (business, technology developer, or technology analyst)
  • 2
    Business Insight Stage 1 (Online Assessment) official
    Blended cognitive assessment including numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning tests alongside a unique Mindset Assessment (75 sets of 3 statements, choose most/least like you, ~20 minutes).
    → Practice cognitive reasoning and internalize RISES values for the Mindset component
  • 3
    Business Insight Stage 2 (Job Simulation / Video Interview) official
    Job simulation exercises and/or video interview evaluating competencies like problem-solving and resilience in realistic scenarios.
    → Practice scenario-based responses and video interview techniques
  • 4
    Barclays Business Meeting (Final Interview) official
    Structured behavioral interview assessing alignment with Barclays competencies and RISES values using the STAR method.
    → Prepare 4-5 STAR stories demonstrating RISES values
  • 5
    Job Offer official
    Conditional offer subject to background and reference checks
    → Complete all required documentation and checks promptly

📝 Assessments

Business Insight Stage 1 (Online Assessment) blended cognitive personality

A blended assessment combining cognitive tests (numerical, verbal, logical reasoning) with a unique Mindset Assessment. The Mindset component presents 75 sets of three statements and requires candidates to choose which is 'most like' and 'least like' them (~20 minutes). This evaluates alignment with Barclays' RISES values and workplace behaviors.

Measures: Numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, logical reasoning, personality/values alignment, workplace mindset, RISES values fit

  • Practice all three cognitive areas: numerical, verbal, and logical
  • For the Mindset Assessment: deeply internalize RISES values before taking it
  • Choose responses that consistently reflect integrity, service excellence, and customer empathy
  • Don't try to 'game' the personality section — be consistent
Business Insight Stage 2 (Job Simulation) job simulation video

Scenario-based job simulations and/or video interview exercises that evaluate how candidates handle realistic workplace situations relevant to their role track. Tests competencies like problem-solving, resilience, and customer focus.

Measures: Problem-solving in context, resilience, customer service orientation, communication under pressure

  • Think about how Barclays values (RISES) apply to each scenario
  • For video elements: practice speaking clearly and structuring responses
  • Show customer-first thinking in all responses
  • Demonstrate resilience and composure under simulated pressure
Coding Assessment (Technology Developer Track) technical coding

For Technology Developer roles, a code-heavy assessment testing programming proficiency, algorithm design, and problem-solving. The Developer track is significantly more coding-intensive than the Technology Analyst track.

Measures: Programming proficiency, algorithm design, code quality, efficiency

  • Confirm whether you're on Developer (code-heavy) or Analyst (data-heavy) track
  • Practice data structures and algorithms for Developer roles
  • Write clean, efficient code with good structure
  • Test your solutions with edge cases

🎤 Interviews

Barclays Business Meeting (Final Interview)

The Business Meeting is Barclays' final interview stage. It's a structured behavioral interview where you must use the STAR method to demonstrate your past experiences align with Barclays' competencies and RISES values. Questions probe customer empathy, accountability, and ethical judgment.

Format: Structured behavioral interview, approximately 45-60 minutes

  • Map your STAR stories directly to RISES values
  • Show genuine customer empathy in your examples
  • Demonstrate ethical decision-making under pressure
  • Include examples of taking accountability for outcomes
Technical Interview (Technology Tracks)

For Technology Developer roles: coding interview testing practical programming skills. For Technology Analyst roles: data analysis discussion testing SQL, Excel, and analytical thinking. The two tracks diverge significantly.

Format: 45-60 minutes, coding and/or data analysis depending on track

  • Clarify which track you're on and prepare accordingly
  • Developer: focus on algorithms, data structures, and clean code
  • Analyst: focus on SQL, data visualization, and business analytics
  • Both: be prepared to discuss how technology serves Barclays' customers

🏛️ Values & Framework

Barclays RISES Values

Barclays rigorously evaluates all candidates against its RISES values framework, documented in 'The Barclays Way.' These values must be consistently demonstrated across all assessments and interviews, particularly in the Mindset Assessment and the final Business Meeting.

Respect Integrity Service Excellence Stewardship
  • Show genuine empathy and respect for customers and colleagues
  • Demonstrate ethical behavior and honest communication
  • Emphasize customer-first thinking and exceeding service expectations
  • Show commitment to high standards and continuous improvement
  • Think long-term and act responsibly in all decisions

⏱️ Preparation Plans

  • Memorize the RISES values: Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, Stewardship
  • Complete one practice set each of numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning
  • Understand the Mindset Assessment format (75 sets, most/least like me)
  • Prepare 2 STAR stories demonstrating customer service and ethical behavior
  • Complete daily practice in numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning
  • Practice personality/values-style questionnaires (choosing consistent RISES-aligned responses)
  • If Developer: solve 5-8 coding problems focusing on fundamentals
  • If Analyst: practice SQL queries and data interpretation
  • Prepare 4 STAR stories covering different RISES values
  • Research Barclays' recent initiatives and strategic direction
  • Daily cognitive reasoning practice across all three areas
  • Master the Mindset Assessment format through practice (consistency is key)
  • If Developer: daily coding practice (10+ problems)
  • If Analyst: practice data analysis and visualization
  • Prepare 5+ STAR stories comprehensively covering all RISES values
  • Practice video interview format for Stage 2
  • Study Barclays' approach to customer service and digital banking
  • Conduct mock Business Meeting interviews with STAR-format responses
  • Build strong cognitive test performance across numerical, verbal, and logical
  • Achieve consistent, values-aligned responses in personality practice exercises
  • If Developer: complete 20+ coding problems and system design basics
  • If Analyst: master SQL, data modeling, and business analytics fundamentals
  • Develop comprehensive STAR story bank (6+ stories) mapped to all RISES values
  • Practice job simulation scenarios with customer-focused responses
  • Conduct multiple full mock Business Meeting interviews
  • Study Barclays' competitive position and recent strategic decisions
  • Practice explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences
  • Refine weakest cognitive areas based on practice performance

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Mindset Assessment?
The Mindset Assessment presents 75 sets of three statements. For each set, you choose which statement is 'most like' you and which is 'least like' you. It takes about 20 minutes and evaluates your alignment with Barclays' RISES values and workplace behaviors.
What are the RISES values?
RISES stands for Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship. These are Barclays' core values documented in 'The Barclays Way.' You must demonstrate these consistently across all assessment stages.
What's the difference between Technology Developer and Technology Analyst?
The Developer track is code-heavy — expect algorithm challenges and programming interviews. The Analyst track is data-heavy — expect SQL, Excel/data analysis, and business intelligence questions. The assessments diverge significantly between these tracks.
What is a Business Meeting?
The Business Meeting is Barclays' final interview stage — a structured behavioral interview lasting 45-60 minutes. You'll use the STAR method to demonstrate how your past experiences align with Barclays' competencies and RISES values.
Can I fail the Mindset Assessment?
The Mindset Assessment doesn't have 'pass/fail' in the traditional sense, but inconsistent or values-misaligned responses can flag your application. The algorithm detects contradictory answers, so be genuine and consistent.
How many stages are there in total?
The standard process has five stages: Online Application, Business Insight Stage 1 (Online Assessment), Business Insight Stage 2 (Job Simulation/Video), Business Meeting (Final Interview), and Job Offer.

📚 Sources & Validation

This guide is based on publicly available employer career pages and candidate guidance. Actual process can vary by role, region, and hiring season.

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