Santander Online Tests and Assessment Centre Preparation (2026)

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. 

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.

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.