Prepare for Santander Online Bank Tests and Assessment Centre

Being such a large company, there are many different positions available for both graduates and non-graduates at Santander. There are eight Santander graduate schemes including finance, risk, compliance, HR, technology and marketing. For each of the graduate programmes, there are corresponding internships as well.

You can also apply for an apprenticeship, work experience and for spring week opportunities. There are well over 1,000 branches across the UK and Santander Bank is rated as one of the top 50 employers for women. There are between 50 and 100 graduate places up for grabs every year, so make sure your application stands out by using this guide.

As the most detailed recruitment process for applicants is the Santander graduate scheme, this page will concentrate on this. However, many of the tracks also follow this process. 

The first stage of the recruitment process requires you to complete the online application form. There are a number of elements to this application form, including the Santander situational judgement test, some competency questions and a CV upload. You are also given the opportunity to attach a cover letter detailing why you are the best candidate for the job.

There are normally three competency questions that have a 1500 word limit for you to answer to the best of your ability. The questions for many schemes are the following:

• What are your personal goals for joining the career programme you have applied for at Santander? Why are these goals important to you?
• Explain what appeals to you about a career with Santander rather than a career with one of our competitors?
• We are interested in people who want to progress their career. Give an example of a time when you have taken the opportunity to learn something new in order to progress at something? Why did you do this?

In order to answer the questions in the best possible way, bear in mind the key values of the company and incorporate them into your answers. These are:

• Dynamism
• Strength
• Leadership
• Innovation
• Quality service and customer satisfaction
• Professional ethics and sustainability

The Santander recruitment process includes a series of tests that you must come through in order to even get to the Santander interview. Preparing for these tests is your way of ensuring you are completely ready. This product's carefully chosen resources will give the perfect preparation. Start preparing today.

If your application thus far is successful, you will be invited to sit the Santander numerical test. In some cases, you may be asked to take a verbal reasoning test as well, but this is an exception rather than a rule. These tests are provided in the UK by SHL:

In the Santander numerical reasoning test, you are presented with numerical data in the form of tables, graphs and text-based questions. Using the four basic functions, as well as percentages, ratios and inflation changes, you need to answer the multiple-choice questions.

You have approximately one question per minute, so you need to work at a fast pace. There are two main issues with these tests: the actual content; the need to complete the test in the time allowed, placing you under some pressure.

The solution to these problems is in one place. Here you can take practice tests similar to those of SHL, under the same test conditions that you will expect in the real Santander numerical test. What this means for you is that you will go into the test fully prepared, knowing how to answer the questions in the best and quickest manner. This also gives you the confidence to know that you are aware of the challenge and you will be able to view this test as an affirmation of your skills.

For some roles, particularly for internships, you will be asked to complete a verbal reasoning test. In this test, you are presented with a passage of information containing various facts, often in a disjointed way. You have to analyse this information and use it to answer the multiple choice questions. There are two possible types of answer choices.

The most popular is the True/false/cannot say variety. The second type of answer choice is where you are given a question where you have to use the text to come up with a solution. For example: Based on the text, which of the following statements is correct. As in the Santander numerical reasoning test, practise answering such questions in a true exam setting. See how the PrepPack™ can help you do well in this test.

As part of the initial online application, you need to complete a 12-question long situational judgement test. In this test, you are presented with 12 different scenarios and given four different options on how to approach each one.

For example, you have been asked to prepare a report based on a number of different sections of the office. You don’t know most of the people who you have been assigned to help you. What is the best option?

You are given four different options and you have to select both the best option and the worst option. Learning how to answer Situational Judgement Tests (SJT's) in the correct manner is a skill that can be mastered with correct instruction and practice.

If you perform well enough in the Santander online tests, you will be invited to take part in a telephone interview. The Santander phone interview is approximately 30 minutes long and is competency based. Some Santander interview questions include:

• Why do you want to join the financial services industry?
• Have you applied to any other fields apart from banking?
• How do you feel about committing yourself to professional training?
• Are you willing to travel?
• Who are our major competitors and what are the differences?
• What significant trends do you see in the future of our industry?
• Do you have you any questions?
• Why Santander?
• Why this business area?
• Tell me about a time when you've displayed exceptional customer service.
• Tell me about a time when you've worked in a team.
• Tell me about a time you had to make a difficult decision

Preparing for an interview is tough, as you have to really know what the interviewer wants. You have to use the key values mentioned above, as well as using the STAR method for answering questions. This method showcases your skills and where they have been used in a productive fashion previously. Here, you are offered an interview preparation package to help you perform better on your phone interview.

This interview is with a senior manager who tests your motivational skills and intellectual capacity. You need to know your CV inside out as the details of it will be brought up. As well as this, you need to have a clear idea and vision as to why you want to join Santander and why you think this particular position is best suited to you. This interview can be as long as an hour and a half and you need to be on top of your game the entire time.

In this Santander assessment day exercise, you are grouped together with six other candidates, as well as the same number of assessors. This is a fairly standard group exercise where you are given a brief relating to the application stream that you have applied for.

The brief is based on an imaginary company and you have to come up with strategies on bringing the company forward, discussing a solution with the other candidates. Performing well during this task is difficult as you have to make yourself heard without being overbearing. This is somewhat of a balancing act.

In this part of the Santander assessment centre, you will give a presentation to two assessors. This is based on two questions that directly relate to the stream you have applied for. An example question asks you to present some reasons why Santander is the best possible bank for its customers.

After making your presentation you will face questioning by the assessors. This can be difficult as you have to stand your ground whilst being respectful. However, as trained workers in the company, the assessors will know more than you. Therefore, if you feel that they have made a strong enough point that you think is correct, the correct line to take is to admit your oversight. Being able to admit that you have made a mistake is a big part of the learning curve that Santander wants you to take.

The Santander recruitment process is long and difficult for almost every applicant. Preparing yourself for the assessments will help you perform well and overcome the competition. Here, there is a complete range of packages to help you in your application. Hope you found this page helpful and look forward to having you on board.