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Santander Assessments

Prepare for the Santander recruitment process with tailor-made practice materials.

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Careers at Santander

Santander is an international global bank offering a wide range of career choices for both graduates and experienced professionals. From graduate programs to senior roles and leadership there are many opportunities if you are looking to build a career within a great widely known corporate bank.

Santander's key mission is to keep the focus on improving the customer outcome created by their business. "Simple, Personal and Fair is how we work and that is the behaviour expected of our corporate culture." is how they describe their vision.

Santander Application Process

Santander rejects approximately 60-80% of applicants applying to a role at the international bank. Understanding the application and recruitment process is crucial if you want to land your dream job. Building up confidence on practice questions and doing your research is a step in the right direction for improving your chances. Competition is fierce and you'll want to do the preparation so you can score high on each test.

Santander emphasises that their assessment process is designed to "bring out the best in you" and it involves the following four steps below:

  • Online application
  • Online tests
  • Video interview
  • Assessment centre

The hiring process involves SOVA assessments who are the publishers of tests that evaluate personality, competency, motivation, and ability within candidates applying for jobs.

Santander Online Application

Once you've decided on the role you would like to apply for at Santander you'll start by completing an online application. It should take approximately 10 minutes and you can use the information on your CV to complete it (make sure your information is up to date).

Example questions might include:

  • What is your motivation for applying to work at Santander?
  • Why do you want to work in this particular role?

Santander will usually be in touch within a week of your application date.

Santander Aptitude Tests

Santander uses online pre-employment tests to reduce favouritism and bias in their hiring process. "Even if it's unconscious, the name of your school or university will remain unknown until you start on the programme."

After they've reviewed your application, you'll be asked to complete some online tests. This includes a video-based situational judgement test, a personality test, and a gamified numerical challenge. All designed to test the types of skills you'll bring to the team.

The three core tests are:

The difficulty of these tests are determined by the role and position you apply for, but the key take-away from this should be that you need to be prepared and familiar with the test questions and get lots of practice in. A typical outcome for how well you performed in your tests will usually be provided within 48 hours.

Santander Situational Judgement Test

Santander's situational judgement test offers several scenarios that you are likely to face during a typical work-week at Santander - the question is, how will you handle each situation? Which is the best and worst course of action? You will need to use your common sense and judgement on what the best most professional course of action would be to excel in this test and score high marks.

Keep in mind each answer will have some degree of correctness - Santander is looking for what is most practical and answers that demonstrates key characteristics of their ideal future employee.

Santander Verbal Reasoning Test

The Santander Verbal Reasoning Test is a commonly used assessment tool for evaluating a candidate's verbal reasoning skills.

The test format typically consists of a series of passages, followed by questions related to the content of those passages. The candidate must then read and analyze the text to provide a logical and accurate response.

The purpose of the test is to assess the candidate's ability to comprehend complex information, draw logical conclusions, and communicate effectively in written form. Santander uses this test as part of their recruitment process to identify candidates with strong verbal reasoning skills who can effectively interpret complex information in a financial services context. Additionally, it helps them ensure that candidates have the necessary skills to be able to perform successfully in their roles at Santander.

Santander Personality Test

Santander's personality tests examine what motivates you, and how you're likely to react in certain scenarios. The personality tests can typically examine 20-30 different possible traits to identify valued skills for the workplace. There are no real right or wrong answers, but Santander will be assessing how well your traits might fit in with their culture and values. Try to be consistent with your answers as questions are often worded similarly.

Santander Gamified Numerical Challenge

Santander's gamified numerical challenge is a combination of numerical reasoning and gamification which makes this test unique and interesting to participate in.

A standard numerical reasoning test tests your ability to analyse numerical data such as graphs and charts - a typical interaction you might have if you were to work with Santander and receive information such as a business report. Numerical reasoning tests are all about your ability to comprehend key information with the added complexity of a timer to answer them as quickly as possible.

However, unlike most of Santander's online tests, there is a game-like format to make the test more user-friendly and fun. Gamification is becoming increasingly popular within employers' hiring process to improve candidate experience.

Santander Video Interview

Assuming you pass your online tests, the next stage is a video interview (usually within a week of completing your tests).

You'll get the opportunity to answer pre-recorded questions in a virtual video interview. The key focus here is on why you chose your particular programme/role, the motivations you have, and any specific skills. It's a great opportunity to share more about yourself.

Santander Virtual Assessment Centre

The last hurdle is a virtual assessment centre. The assessment usually lasts for half a day and includes three different activities. These are:

  • Group exercise to get to know your other attendees
  • Q&A on a presentation you've prepared
  • One-to-one interview

Keep in mind that assessment centres give your employer an opportunity to see you in person and assess your abilities as well as allowing you to get a feel for your employer and if it's the right company and cultural fit for you.

To do well in virtual assessments, it's; all about preparation, confidence, and an ability to reflect the values Santander is looking for. This stage can take up to four to six weeks.

Sample Santander Assessments question Test your knowledge!

Score: /5

After a policy change in the banking sector, a client-facing employee would be expected to do which of the following FIRST?

  • Consult with the legal department for interpretation
  • Assess the impact on their daily client interactions
  • Request changes to the marketing materials
  • Consider the policy irrelevant to their role

When assessing the risk of an investment, which of the following is NOT a common financial metric that would be analyzed?

  • Return on Investment (ROI)
  • Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT)
  • Debt-to-Equity Ratio
  • Gross Domestic Happiness

A bank is offering a savings account with a fixed interest rate of 2.5% per annum. If you deposit $10,000, how much money will you have in the account at the end of a two-year period?

  • $10,500.00
  • $10,512.50
  • $10,506.25
  • $10,250.00

If the central bank raises the interest rates, which of the following is the MOST likely immediate effect on commercial banking?

  • Decreased mortgage applications
  • Increased savings account interest rates
  • Reduced bank liquidity
  • Lower loan default rates

When analyzing a passage regarding new regulations in the financial sector, what is the primary aspect to focus on?

  • The potential impact on market competition
  • Peripheral industries affected by the regulations
  • The rhetoric used by the regulation's proponents
  • The compliance measures required for financial institutions

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Santander Assessments Tips

Know Your Sector Inside Out

Getting cozy with the financial sector is key. Santander is all about a spectrum of services, from Retail Banking to Risk Management. Make sure you understand the basics of each field. Dabble in some light reading of financial news, blogs, or even podcasts – whatever floats your boat. It's not just about memorizing facts; it's about getting that financial savvy to shine during the test!

Simulate the Real Deal

There's nothing quite like a test-day surprise, but let's try to avoid those. At Fintest, you can get a real taste of what Santander might throw at you. Use our practice exams to familiarize yourself with the question formats and time constraints. Think of it as a dress rehearsal – the more you practice, the more comfortable you'll be when it's showtime.

Break It Down

Diving into a whole bunch of study material at once can be about as fun as a screen freeze during your favorite show. Instead, break things down into manageable topics. Focus on one area at a time, and give it all you've got. When you master one section, move on to the next. Small wins can lead to a big victory when test day comes!

Keep Calm and Test On

Nerves can be your worst enemy, so let's kick them to the curb. Practice relaxation techniques while you study and before the test. Deep breathing, meditation, or a quick walk can do wonders for your brain performance. Remember, a calm mind is a clear mind, and that's exactly what you need to ace those exams.

Timing Is Everything

Speed and accuracy are the name of the game, and balancing the two is an art. With Fintest's practice tests, you'll learn how to manage your time effectively, so when you're sitting in the hot seat at Santander, you'll know exactly when to slow down for the tricky questions and when to speed up. After all, time waits for no one, especially during an exam!

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Santander Assessments FAQs

What types of tests does Santander use during the hiring process?

Santander uses a variety of tests, including numerical, verbal, and logical reasoning tests, as well as personality and situational judgment tests.

How long do Santander's hiring tests typically take?

The length of Santander's hiring tests varies depending on the specific test. Typically, tests range from 20 minutes to an hour.

Can candidates practice for Santander's hiring tests?

Yes, Santander provides practice tests and resources to help candidates prepare for their assessments.

How important are Santander's hiring tests in the overall recruitment process?

Santander's hiring tests are an important part of the recruitment process as they provide valuable insight into a candidate's abilities and fit for the role. However, they are just one aspect of the overall assessment process.

Will I be able to see my results after taking Santander's hiring tests?

Santander may provide candidates with their test results, but this is not always guaranteed. However, candidates will receive feedback on their performance during the interview process.