The 4 Micro Exercises of the HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment [2024]

 What Is the HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment?

The test is conducted by Cappfinity, and combines situational judgment, personality profiling, and video interview questions simulating the everyday scenarios of an HSBC employee. It is somewhat similar to the popular Deloitte Job Simulation.

The assessment contains 15 questions overall, divided between 4 micro exercises:

1. Video set-Up – 1 “practice” question
2. SJT Based on an Article – 2 questions
3. Fictitious Company Analysis – 6 questions
4. Further Analysis – 6 questions

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HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment Questions + Samples

Before we go over the four micro exercises of the assessment, let’s tackle the questions you will encounter while taking it. The HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment contains four types of questions:

• Situational judgment questions
• Personality profiling questions
• Video interview questions
• Free text questions

Question Type #1 – Video Interview Questions

This is the biggest portion of the test (and the most time-consuming). You will be presented with a question (usually a situational judgment one) and will be requested to record your response.

For each question, you will have two minutes to prepare yourself, and up to two minutes to record your answer. This kind of video interview is called a pre-recorded interview.

Question Type #2 – Situational Judgment Questions

Situational judgment questions on the HSBC Job Simulation Assessment present you with a work-related scenario and ask you to rank five responses from 1 (most likely to do) to 5 (least likely to do).

The test assesses you based on HSBC’s four core values:

• Succeeding together
• Responsibility
• Getting it done
• Diversity

If you want to learn more about HSBC values, read further below.

Question Type #3 – Personality Profiling Questions

Personality profiling questions ask you to self-report your personal preferences and traits. In the HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment, they appear as a two-sided scale, on which you can place your preference (unlike the tricky HSBC Apta values test questions where you have to choose between three statements).

Question Type #4 – Free Text Questions

In free text questions, you will be requested to respond to an email from one of your colleagues or managers. The length of your answer can be no more than 3000 characters.

The 4 HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment Micro Exercises

The 4 micro exercises of the HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment revolve mostly around research and analysis.

Again, let’s take a brief overview of each exercise.

Micro Exercise #1 – Video Set-Up

• Theme – An introduction to the video interview questions of the assessment, as well as checking that all the technical details are functioning properly.
• Question Type – A video interview “practice” question. Why “practice”? we’ll get to that in the “How to Practise” section.
• Number of Questions – 1
• Assesses – General personal impression.

Micro Exercise #2 – SJT Based on an Article

• Theme – You were requested to start a research project based on one fictitious event (e.g., G7 Summit).
• Question Type – Video interview and situational judgment. The fictitious event is presented in the form of a news article./li>
• Number of Questions – 2
• Assesses – Approach to commencing a research project.

Micro Exercise #3 – Fictitious Company Analysis

• Theme – You were requested to explore a fictitious company.
• Question Type – Personality profiling and situational judgment. The fictitious event is presented in the form of a news article.
• Number of Questions – 6
• Assesses – Priorities of research and presentation, and general approach to research and decision-making.

Micro Exercise #4 – Further Analysis

• Theme – You were requested to perform a deeper analysis of the fictitious company, and to present it to potential investors.
• Question Type – Video interview, situational judgment, and free text.
• Number of Questions – 6
• Assesses – Research tactics and prioritization of tasks.

How to Practise and Pass the HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment?

Here are two important tips for your HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment.

Tip #1 – You Are Assessed for Everything

Remember I said that the Video Set-Up test contains one “practice” question? That is because you are assessed on that question as well.

Even though HSBC specifically says you are not.

Look, if the practice question was something like “Do you like cats or dogs, and why?” I’d believe HSBC that one is not assessed for it. But do you really believe your 3-minutes answer to a question like “What is your biggest strength and how it will help you working in HSBC?” does not influence your chances of working at HSBC?

Get real…

So, remember that this is an assessment, start to finish. Don’t let yourself be caught off guard and take each and every question seriously.

Tip #2 – Be Prepared (Really Prepared)

Being prepared does not mean only practising beforehand. It also means making sure that you have a steady internet connection, that your webcam and microphone are working properly, and even getting well-dressed (seriously!).

The HSBC Online Assessment is a comprehensive test that in many ways replaces a one-on-one interview. Take it as such!

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• Practice questions follow the actual test’s formatting and the world of content.
• Contains info sources as on the actual assessment
• Detailed answers and explanations to questions

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The HSBC Core Values

HSBC defines three values they seek in each and every employee:

• Succeeding together – can be trusted, supportive to others, shows an ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
• Responsible – has high-quality standards, is always accountable for actions and results, has the courage to speak up if something goes wrong.
• Getting it done – takes opportunities. Driven to succeed even at occasional risk-taking. Thorough and ambitious.
• Diversity – able to think outside the box and bring a fresh take on topics. An avid learner.

Always keep these three values in mind when taking the HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment – as they are probably the most important thing HSBC looks for in its employees.

The HSBC Assessment Centre Interview

If you were invited to an HSBC assessment centre, expect to go through a number of different interviews. Each one of these interviews lasts 30 minutes, and they are often spread out throughout the day. Below we will discuss the different types of interviews you may face at the assessment centre.

If instead, you were scheduled a final face to face interview, chances are likely it will be a competency-based interview. This type of interview assesses your skills against the HSBC values and the requirements of the job for which you are applying. Ahead of the interview, prepare by thinking up as many examples as you can for each required skill. Read up on HSBC and the area to which you are applying. Draft answers to common questions, and then rehearse answering them.

Business Interview

The content of this interview varies from scheme to scheme. To successfully pass this interview, you should be familiar with the current situation of the market in relation to your chosen subject. During the interview, you will be asked numerous questions on the market. You may get asked some brainteaser questions as well.

Some example HSBC business interview questions are:

• What do you think about this latest development in the industry?
• How would you respond if you were in a position of authority regarding this new directive?
• What do you know about the qualification you will receive from the HSBC graduate scheme you have applied to?
• Do you read the Financial Times? What is the headline of today’s paper?
• How much does the QE2 weigh?
• What is the total amount of numbers between 1 and 99?
• What will the world be like in 2050, and what impact will this have on HSBC?
• Tell me about HSBC’s initiatives.

Motivational Interview

This interview is solely based on you as a person. In other words, whereas the first interview assessed your business acumen, this interview is used to assess your motivation and skills for working with HSBC.

Some example HSBC motivational interview questions are:

• What demotivates you?
• What are you doing to improve yourself as a person?
• Tell me about a time when you had to deal with disappointment.
• When have you helped someone else achieve a goal?
• Do you like helping other people?

For this interview, it is very important to ensure that you have a story to back up your answers. This is best done using the STAR method: first talk about the situation, then the problem, and finally how you dealt with it.

Prepare for Your Assessment Centre and Interview

In order to successfully pass the assessment centre and interview at HSBC, and get the job you want, you will have to put in a lot of hard work and preparation. To help you do so, JobTestPrep’s experts have created a unique preparation pack.

Our HSBC Assessment Centre & Interview preparation pack offers detailed online guides for the different exercises you may need to participate in during the assessment day. These include case studies, presentations, role-plays, group exercises, and interviews. The pack also includes practice materials and tutorials for the numerical test.