Avia, Finance Sector Specialist at JobTestPrep.
Have a question? Contact me at: ask_the_team@jobtestprep.co.ukWhat Is the HSBC Online Assessment?
The HSBC Online Assessment is a complex, multi-area test specifically tailored for HSBC by Cappfinity. The test is used to screen candidates for student, intern, and graduate positions, especially for the company’s Spring Insight program.
The HSBC Online Immersive Assessment contains 38 questions overall, 16 of which assess your cognitive abilities (math and verbal reasoning) and 22 are situational judgment questions and personality profiling questions, based on HSBC's four Core Values.
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HSBC Student and Graduate Recruitment Process
When you apply to HSBC, you will go through a challenging screening process. It will begin with the HSBC Online Assessment – a two-part test:
Part#1 – HSBC Online Immersive Assessment
The HSBC Online Immersive Assessment is a collection of 38 questions across 5 subtests including both cognitive and behavioural exercises. While the test is untimed, the recommended time to finish is around 50 minutes.
Part #2 – HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment
If you pass the Online Immersive Assessment, you will be invited to take the HSBC Online Job Simulation Assessment. It is a collection of 4 micro exercises containing 15 behavioural, personality, and pre-recorded video interview questions. The assessment takes 35 minutes to complete.
These 4 micro exercises are also conducted to candidates going through HSBC’s assessment centers.
HSBC Online Immersive Assessment Structure and Content
The HSBC Online Immersive Assessment revolves around one fictitious project (e.g., leading a research team for a new company product). It is comprised of 5 subtests assessing different skills required from actual HSBC employees working on such projects:
All 5 tests are presented as tiles on a main interactive homepage as shown below. The tests are taken by order, and only after you complete one test is the next test unlocked.
Let’s go through a brief overview of the tests. Sample questions are provided below.
Test #1 – Project Kick-Off
Test #2 – Global Engagement
Test #3 – Data Monitoring
Test #4 – Navigating Competing Commitments
Test #5 – Pause and Reflect
Prepare for All 5 Subtests of the HSBC Online Immersive Assessment
HSBC Online Immersive Assessment Questions + Samples
As mentioned above, the HSBC Online Immersive Assessment is comprised of two types of questions:
Here’s a sample of each type, adapted from the actual HSBC assessment, followed by a brief explanation.
HSBC Online Assessment Cognitive Sample Question
Which of the following NGOs had the second-highest percentage increase in subscribers to updates from Montpercentageh 3?
Cognitive questions on the HSBC Assessment include 5-6 information sources (texts, tables, graphs, etc.) and you are required to analyse the data therein (e.g., finding correlations between factors, calculating revenue, or interpreting the intention of a piece of text.)
Tests 3 and 4 (Data Minitoring and Navigating Competing Commitments) contain mostly cognitive questions.
The main challenge of these questions, which usually does not exist on other cognitive tests, is the need to dograte several data sources to come to the correct answer.
HSBC Online Immersive Assessment Situational Sample Question
You are currently working on an app project. The app features are being progressively enhanced during the development phase. You've discovered a new attribute that you think should be added, and you're giving a presentation to the rest of your team. While you're doing this, some of the team's more experienced members continue to interrupt you with questions and queries, while others opt out of the conversation during the meeting.
What do you do?
Please RANK the responses from 1-5 by, with 1 being what you would most likely do and 5 be what you would least likely do:
Note: On the actual test, the questions will be in a drag-and-drop format.
The correct order is A, B, E, D, C.
A avoids engaging the interruptions in a fashion that still allows the primary messages to remain clear. Clear communication is the focus. (No 1)
B demonstrates a pragmatic and calm approach to the interruptions and to ensuring everyone gets to share their opinion. (No 2)
E involves moving efficiently through all the questions in a fashion likely to engage participants but may not be the clearest possible communication of the material. (No 3)
D involves recording questions in writing as an alternative to expressing them verbally and involves thinking outside of the box to engage team members. (No 4)
C involves ignoring the interrupters who are senior colleagues, which is likely to deteriorate the group dynamic even further and perhaps cause further reputation problems down the track. (No 5)
Situational judgment questions comprise subtests 1,2, and 5 (Project Kick-Off, Global Engagement, and Pause and Reflect, respectively). They assess you based on the four HSBC Core Values (read more about the Core Values below).
Note that some values assessment questions, mainly in subtest 5 (Completing the Project Delivery) are structured as 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.
How to Practise and Pass the HSBC Online Immersive Assessment?
Here are three important tips for your preparation for the HSBC Online Immersive Assessment.
Tip #1 – Use the Info Sources
A major part of the HSBC Online Immersive Assessment is to show you can integrate multiple info sources to come to decisions. You will not always need to use all of them, but you will certainly need to use them.
Check every info source you have and ask yourself why it was placed where it did. Even if the question seems to rely solely on your personal preferences and opinions, it really isn’t.
Tip #2 – Always Remember HSBC’s Core Values
The HSBC Online Assessment is often referred to as a values assessment. That is because your personal adherence to the three HSBC core values is tested and assessed ALL THE TIME.
These four core values are:
Although the core values themselves are pretty simple and straightforward, showing HSBC that you follow them in a natural, unpretentious way, is much harder.
That is why it is crucial to prepare for the value assessment questions with the same effort and mindset you prepare for the cognitive ones.
Tip #3 – Pay Attention to Time
The HSBC Online Immersive Assessment is officially untimed. However, the instructions state that the estimated time to complete the assessment is around 50 minutes.
While your performance on the HSBC Online Assessment is more important than your solving speed, it can be assumed that candidates completing the test in a shorter time will be preferred, given that scores are identical.
So, when preparing, find your personal balance between methodical, thorough work and working at a reasonable pace. That is especially important in the cognitive section of the test.
In addition, remember that the HSBC Online Assessment allows you to go back and review your answers (but only until you submit the subtest!). So, if you find yourself struggling with a question, move on to the next one, but don’t forget to get back to it later. You will often find you suddenly have a fresh view on the topic after letting go for a while.
Gain the MOST Comprehensive Preparation for the HSBC Online Immersive Assessment
The HSBC Online Assessment Test Provider – Cappfinity
Both sections of the HSBC Online Assessment (Immersive and Job Simulation) are specifically tailored for HSBC by Cappfinity, a leading provider of pre-employment assessments.
Cappfinity, established in the UK in 2005, focuses on strength-based assessments, both cognitive and behavioural. In recent years, it has begun replacing well-established test providers in providing assessments for the finance industry. Among its many clients in the industry (apart from HSBC) are EY, Barclays, and KPMG.