Pass the HSBC Apta Values Test in 2024

The HSBC Values Assessment, sometimes referred to simply as the HSBC Online Assessment is a short personality profiling test taken by all candidates for experienced positions in HSBC.

The test is conducted by SHL and is based on their Apta measurement system (see more information on Apta below). It is an adaptation of the SHL OPQ32 Test, SHL’s most popular personality profiling test, although there are several differences.

The test contains 70-90 questions, depending on the position, and is aimed to assess how well your personality fits the requirements of the job and HSBC’s values in general.

Although the official assessment is defined as a 16-minute test, it is actually untimed, and practically takes around 30-45 minutes to complete.

After you have passed the initial screening stage of HSBC you will receive a test invitation from the company by email. Once clicking the test link, you will be redirected to the testing site - TalentCentral.

Although the test invitation in TalentCentral reveals very little about the nature of the assessment, if you see this message, you will be taking the HSBC Values Assessment:

The HSBC Values Assessment is comprised of 70-90 questions, all of which follow this format:

Further below we give a recommended solution for this question, as well as an additional one.

Each of the three statements is related to a different set of competencies measured by the Apta HSBC Values Assessment.

Once you choose a statement that describes you best, it will disappear and you will be requested to choose another statement that best describes you, of the remaining two.

The relevant competency for each statement will be scored based on your selection:

• The first statement you choose gets a score of 2 – this is referred to as the ‘Most’ statement.
• The second statement you choose gets a score of 1 – this is the ‘Neutral’ statement.
• The remaining statement (which you do not choose) gets a score of 0 – this is the ‘Least’ statement.

Your candidate profile will be structured based on your score in all competencies.

What makes this choosing process particularly challenging is that all three statements may be positive or negative, meaning that you HAVE to make both your strengths and weaknesses apparent.

This testing method is known as a Multidimensional Forced Choice (MFC) and is considered more resistant to faking.

Below are several practice questions representing the questions you will be asked on the HSBC Values Assessment.

Take a moment to answer them, and then check out the solution to see our recommendation:

During the test, you will face 70-90 such questions. An algorithm will construct your personality profile for HSBC to determine whether your values and competencies are a good fit for the job you applied to. All that while making sure your profile is balanced and consistent.

Letting your personality shine through this process is a difficult task that requires careful attention and an understanding of the test.

Need more practice? Take a free SHL practice test!

The HSBC Apta Values Assessment measures your values, behavioral traits, and competencies, and how well they align with HSBC’s values and requirements for the particular position.

These are divided into 8 Great Competency Factors:

This competency relates to your ability to take initiative, leadership, and responsibility. It is highly important for team leads and managers.

The Sociability competency shows how well you support and respect your coworkers, clients, and supervisors. This is also a highly important trait for managers and team leaders, but also for anyone who works in a team, especially in customer-oriented positions.

This competency assesses your ability to communicate and connect effectively and professionally, as well as present your ideas in a persuasive manner. It is an important trait to have if you are applying to a marketing or social network-related position.

The Analysis competency is highly important for analysts, researchers, and other data-driven positions, as well as technological ones. It revolves around your ability to define complex problems, execute research, and report results well.

The Creativity and Change competency assesses your strategic thinking, innovation, and creativity. It is therefore sought after in individuals exploring new territories such as business development and design.

With a focus on organisation skills and a systematic work process, this trait is crucial for administrators of all levels. This competency will assess your ability to plan and execute tasks while not deviating from pre-defined rules and standards.

This competency assesses your ability to adapt and cope with change and pressure, as well as overcome obstacles and setbacks.

This competency measures your ‘results-driven’ nature and preference. It also assesses personal ambition and motivation, making it an important trait for salespersons, for instance.

Apta is a “measurement architecture” developed by SHL, one of the world's top providers of pre-employment tests. Apta is based on a set of competencies constructing a universal competency framework (UCF).

This framework is divided into 8 Great Competency Factors, including competencies such as Leading & Deciding, Supporting & Cooperating, etc.

In each Apta test (e.g. the HSBC Apta Values Assessment), an algorithm randomly selects a number of questions covering the particular competencies that are of interest to the employer, so different candidates may receive very different tests assessing the very same traits.

In spite of being a very short and seemingly simple test, the Apta HSBC Values Assessment is a complex test that requires the piecing together of multiple factors to successfully pass.

Here are 4 tips to consider when preparing for this complicated test:

Make sure your answers align with one another. Don’t come off as a lone wolf in some statements and a team player in others.

This is a tricky thing to master, but with careful attention and a good understanding of the traits, it will become easier.

Although some traits are more important than others in your overall profile, it is undesirable to score very low in any particular trait/s.

It gives an impression of someone who may underperform in a certain area, and that is a kind of employee companies often do not tend to “take a risk with”.

The job ad for your position contains an invaluable source of information as to the required traits and competencies for your position.

Before practicing, it is very wise to set some time to go over the ad, analyse the required competencies and assign them to the relevant competency dimensions. This will help you focus on the major traits for your desired job, as well as personalize your practice.

Apart from the general success rules in the HSBC Apta Values Assessment, you should also take into account HSBC’s corporate values:

• Succeeding together – trustworthy and supportive, able to communicate and collaborate with coworkers and clients.
• Responsibility – committed to quality, takes accountability for results, always stands up for the right course of action.
• Getting it done – results-driven, thorough and ambitious. Able to make decisions, rise to a challenge, and take some risk.
• Diversity – inclusive to others and able to take a broader perspective and approach.

To get a broader perspective on HSBC’s values and what they mean, refer to their Values Page.

The HSBC Apta Values Assessment is a challenging, complicated testing experience that requires careful preparation and fine-tuning to score high.

With around 80 randomly compiled questions that force you to show both your positive and negative traits, you have to be very clear as to what each statement measures and how to answer, depending on your particular job.

For practising full-length simulations of the HSBC Values Assessment by position, study guides, and solving recommendations, check out the HSBC Apta Values Assessment Preparation Pack.