Situational Judgement / Occupational Questionnaires - How to Pass?

Hello all,

I've been invited to take a Situational Judgement test and an Occupational Questionnaire for Barclays Investment Bank.

I'll start by saying, I don't think these tests are fair at all, for a few reasons:

1 - You will not know how you will react to a certain situation until you are faced with it.

2 - Sometimes there are a few answers which you feel equally drawn to. Again your overall reaction to a situation would depend on numerous factors, in a real life situation - not based on a hypothetical question.

3 - In any new job, it's not hard to adapt to the requirements of the role.


Here's the main problem: I never know how to answer these properly, because I genuinely either don't know how I will react, or there are equally viable options and i'm not sure which one to pick. People will say don't second guess the test, it's designed to catch you out, and also you should be honest with the answers to avoid entering a job which isn't suited to yourself.

I understand this, but I feel I have to tailor my answers for the company because I don't really know how to answer hypothetical questions, and end up picking the wrong answers simply because I am forced to answer - although I could adapt and respond in many ways.

I'm sure many people feel exactly the same as me.

Anyone got any advice on what Barclays are looking for? Or, where I can research the types of responses required? Not just for barclays but for any company.

Any tips?

Thanks in advance.

I agree with you, I think these tests are just a time-wasting exercise to put people off applying and have no relevance whatsoever.

Anyway, the Barclays one is different. I might say it's even easier because it's a video SJT so it's easier to visualise yourself in the situation (their employees appear to be good at acting, haha). You should go with what you think one should do in that situation, honestly. Just think about it logically, it's untimed. Ask yourself 'if I was the person on the receiving end, would I be satisfied with that response?'

The personality questionnaire is not easy to second guess and with it, the easiest approach is just to say what you think is most relevant to you. Barclays actually give you feedback on this so even if it doesn't go so great, they will tell you how you scored and where within a month.

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Be the person that you think they would like you to be. They want you to be organised, hardworking, and friendly

I really wouldn't worry too much about situational test. I've never ever failed one. Like I said just try to be the person they want you to be, organised and hardworking and friendly. That's it, its that simple.

These tests might seem silly/irrelevant but are one of the strongest predictors of performance on the job compared to other parts of the recruitment process. It's why many organisations rely on them.

My advice would be to stop trying to over analyse it (this is where people go wrong with them) and just respond to them in an honest and "gut reaction" type way (as long as you have thoroughly read and understood the content).


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