Numerical reasoning (quantitative verification)
10 to 15 questions · Roughly 60-90 seconds per item
What it tests. Numerical literacy, percentage-change speed, compound-interest intuition and filtering irrelevant financial data under time pressure.
Worked example. A multi-column table shows five iShares ETFs across four regions; the prompt asks for a single metric on one UK ETF, so the skill is zeroing in rather than analysing the whole table. Currency questions convert portfolios from USD or EUR back into GBP.
Common traps. The all-data snare (analysing the entire table when one row is needed) and currency inversion (mixing up exchange rates on the way back to GBP).
How to handle it. Keep a clean scratchpad and calculator ready, write base numbers clearly, and if an item passes about 75 seconds, estimate by rounding to the nearest hundred to match the answer scale and move on.
Situational judgement test (SJT)
Scenario-based · Timed per scenario
What it tests. Alignment with the BlackRock Core Principles (Be a Fiduciary to Clients, One BlackRock, Passionate About Performance, Emotional Ownership, Commitment to a Better Future), conflict resolution and ethical compliance.
Worked example. You spot a portfolio error. The lone-wolf option fixes it alone overnight to look like a superstar; the correct corporate behaviour is a brief alignment check with your Associate or VP, balancing initiative with risk management and the One BlackRock principle.
Common traps. The lone-wolf fallacy (solving a major issue entirely alone without telling anyone) and over-escalation (running to an MD over a minor disagreement).
How to handle it. Filter every option through a fiduciary lens. Your primary loyalty is the client's long-term security and BlackRock's risk guidelines, so favour collaboration, compliance and a quick alignment check over guessing or burning out.
Behavioural video response (the core filter)
Multiple prompts · 180 seconds prep, 90-120 seconds to record
What it tests. Verbal structured communication, clarity of intent, commercial awareness and psychological resilience.
Worked example. A common behavioural prompt asks for a time you overcame a professional challenge or worked through team conflict. Apply STAR+R: 15% on Situation and Task, 60% on your explicit personal Actions, 15% on a quantifiable Result (use numbers), 10% on Reflection tied to BlackRock's values.
Common traps. The lens shift (looking at your own face instead of the camera) and the infinite ramble (no framework, running out of time before the result).
How to handle it. Write bullet points on the scratchpad during the 3 minutes, not a full script, and look dead at the webcam lens so the recording reads as confident eye contact.
Technical / coding challenge (Software Engineering only)
3 coding problems plus 1 video · Active coding sessions typically capped at 60-90 minutes once launched
What it tests. Algorithmic optimisation, object-oriented principles, clean-code construction, exception handling and edge-case validation under pressure.
Worked example. Problems scale from string and array manipulation to data structures and algorithmic puzzles. A naive nested loop that is O(n^2) may pass simple inputs but fail hidden large-scale test cases that need an O(n log n) solution.
Common traps. Brute-force stagnation (poor time or space complexity) and ugly architecture (no comments, weak variable names) since engineers review the code after the automated checks.
How to handle it. Read the constraints, write your approach in comments first, handle edge cases (null arrays, negatives, empty strings) and leave 5 minutes per question to dry-run alternative inputs.