J.P. Morgan · Psychometric Tests
J.P. Morgan sifts candidates through Pymetrics (Harver) + SHL Verify G+ before any interview. Below: the exact format, what each section tests, and how to practise it in identical conditions until you walk in confident.
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The format
Immediately after the application form and strictly before HireVue. The CV is held in a staging queue while the assessment is scored.
Most psychometric tests split into 3-5 sections, each with its own clock. Speed and accuracy both count.
Modern formats get harder if you answer correctly, easier if you struggle. Your final score reflects what you can actually do under time pressure.
J.P. Morgan sets a pass mark per test type. Below it, you don't progress regardless of how strong the rest of your application is.
Completion window. Links arrive within 24-48 hours of submission, with a strict 5-calendar-day completion window from the invitation timestamp. Missing it auto-withdraws the application.
By division. A dual-layered, multi-provider ecosystem: Pymetrics (Harver) behavioural games across almost all front-office streams, SHL Verify G+ cognitive tests for technical and quant tracks, plus an SJT, and a HackerRank/CodeSignal coding test for technology roles.
Recent changes. Over recent cycles the firm moved from standalone personality questionnaires toward tailored profile benchmarking, comparing gameplay against data from current high-performing analysts in the specific division.
The provider
J.P. Morgan configures its own selection of Pymetrics (Harver) + SHL Verify G+ modules. Below: the exact products in the suite, why they were chosen, and what the provider's reputation is across the candidate pool.
History at J.P. Morgan. Pymetrics has been used for several cycles to handle early-stage volume; SHL Verify G+ covers the cognitive layer for technical tracks.
Candidate reputation. SHL Verify G+ is seen as a fair, adaptive test of cognitive and mathematical skill under time pressure. Pymetrics is viewed as harder to read, since the behavioural traits sit beneath simple game mechanics and benchmark against a custom high-performer profile.
Section breakdown
Each section has its own format, timer and trap pattern. Worked examples below show exactly what you will see and where candidates drop points.
12 games · About 25-30 minutes total (1-3 minutes per game)
What it tests. Risk tolerance, planning, learning adaptability, attention, altruism, effort allocation and emotional recognition.
Worked example. On the balloon game, pumping adds money but each balloon has a hidden pop threshold; the algorithm rewards calculated risk that adapts downward after a pop, not extreme caution or recklessness.
Common traps. Trying to act out an 'ideal banker' (extreme risk or hoarding) creates an inconsistent profile the system flags.
How to handle it. Use a desktop with a wired mouse for the speed games, pause to plan on the Tower game, and stay consistent and authentic.
About 10 questions · 18-20 minutes (around 108-120 seconds per question)
What it tests. Financial chart interpretation, multi-currency conversion, percentage and yield changes and compound ratios.
Worked example. Index a freight division's revenue by a fuel-cost multiplier across quarters to compute a percentage increase, avoiding distractor options that match common partial errors.
Common traps. Spending too long early so later adaptive questions are rushed, and distractor answers that match forgetting a currency conversion.
How to handle it. Read the prompt and identify the needed columns first, keep a structured scratchpad and double-check units (thousands vs millions).
About 10 passages · 10-12 minutes (60-72 seconds per block)
What it tests. Evaluating arguments, qualifying language and inference versus explicit fact under time pressure.
Worked example. On a passage noting regulators 'have considered' tiered deadlines, the statement that they 'have been implemented' is False; a statement about relative capital reserves not stated in the text is Cannot Say.
Common traps. Importing outside knowledge, and overlooking qualifiers like all, most, some, never or potentially.
How to handle it. If a statement is not explicitly supported by the text, it is Cannot Say; read the statement first, then scan, and cap each at about 75 seconds.
About 10 matrices · 10-12 minutes
What it tests. Non-verbal pattern recognition, spatial logic and tracking multiple elements in a sequence.
Worked example. A shaded triangle rotates clockwise, a dot alternates centre and corners, and a border alternates single and double; the fifth box follows all three rules at once.
Common traps. Analysing every element at once, or choosing an answer that satisfies only one of several hidden rules.
How to handle it. Isolate one element and track it across boxes, then check rules against the options to eliminate quickly.
12-15 scenarios · Often untimed or a generous 20-25 minute block
What it tests. Professional judgement, prioritisation, conflict management and alignment with compliance and risk standards.
Worked example. Finding outdated comps data the night before a print deadline, the best response stays late to re-run the models and emails an update; leaving known-incorrect data with a verbal mention is least effective.
Common traps. Passive options (passing problems on, waiting for direction) or prioritising deadlines over data accuracy and compliance.
How to handle it. Choose active problem-solving and direct accountability; prioritise data precision, client interests and compliance.
Pass mark
J.P. Morgan uses percentile benchmarking, not a raw percentage. Performance is measured against the cycle's applicant norm group and a profile built from current high-performing analysts in the division.
Methodology. Metrics aggregate into an overall capability profile, but an extreme out-of-bounds metric (e.g. 99th percentile verbal but 30th numerical for a banking desk) triggers automated rejection; low-integrity or compliance-disregarding behaviour disqualifies automatically.
Response time. From 48 hours to about three weeks; a pass auto-generates the HireVue invitation.
Score visibility. No raw scores or percentiles are shown. Pymetrics emails a high-level Trait Report within 48 hours, but it omits the role-fit score and rank.
How to practise
Same provider, same section structure, same time pressure. With a scored report after every test so you can fix the weakest section before the real one.
Free practice section, scored. Full report unlocks with the Pack.
Why candidates fail
Specific failure patterns documented across past applicants. Most are avoidable with structured preparation.
Overthinking the Pymetrics games
Manipulating answers to fit an imagined banker profile creates an inconsistent, flagged profile.
Mismanaging adaptive SHL timing
Spending too long on one early question leaves too little time for later adaptive ones.
Outside assumptions in verbal
Judging statements on external knowledge rather than the text.
Passive SJT options
Escalating minor issues or waiting for direction signals weak initiative.
Failing the consistency check
Contradictory risk profiles between the SJT and the games.
Misreading multi-axis charts
Confusing primary and secondary axes or unit scales under pressure.
A distracting environment
Background interruptions during fast attention games hurt response times and accuracy.
What works
Concrete habits drilled by candidates who clear the cut-off, drawn from applicant accounts and practice patterns.
Fluent platform use
Run practice modules first to learn the mechanics and shortcuts before the real test.
Strict time pacing
Cap numerical questions near 90 seconds and verbal near 60, to finish the adaptive sequence.
The strict-fact rule
Treat anything not explicitly proven by the text as Cannot Say.
Calibration runs
Complete full-length timed mocks immediately before the live link to sharpen focus.
Deliberate pre-move latency
Pause to plan the full sequence on the Tower and other planning games before the first click.
Consistent decision logic
Hold a stable, authentic approach to risk and optimisation across all modules.
From past applicants
Anonymised candidate accounts of how recent applicants approached the J.P. Morgan assessment. Each covers the prep, the experience, and the outcome.
Investment Banking summer analyst (passed)
Prep. Practised SHL adaptive numerical and verbal under time.
Experience. Links arrived about 24 hours after applying with a 5-day deadline. Did the Pymetrics games first (about 25 minutes), staying relaxed and balanced on the balloon game, then SHL numerical and verbal where the charts grew more complex as answers were correct. Held a strict Cannot Say rule on verbal.
Outcome. Portal updated four days later with a HireVue invite.
Global Markets (Sales & Trading, passed)
Prep. Drilled inductive patterns and timed numerical.
Experience. Combined the Pymetrics games (intense on the arrows and keypress modules) with SHL inductive and numerical. Paused about 10 seconds per Tower puzzle to plan, and tracked one shape at a time on the inductive matrices.
Outcome. HireVue advancement link about a week later.
Practice strategy
Practise the exact mechanics of both providers, not generic psychometrics.
SHL Verify G+ simulation
The Intervyo JP Morgan pack runs the SHL Verify G+ adaptive numerical, verbal and inductive formats under real timing.
Pymetrics game preparation
Learn the rules and pacing of the core 12 Pymetrics games beforehand so the format is familiar and anxiety is lower on the day.
Free practice on Intervyo
Run psychometric practice in the relevant formats and keep a mistake log to avoid repeat errors.
Time investment. Passers typically invest 15-25 hours: a diagnostic (2-3h), targeted drills (10-12h) and full timed simulations (5-10h).
Time management
FAQ
A desktop or laptop on the latest Chrome, Edge or Firefox with at least 2 Mbps. A wired mouse helps the speed-sensitive Pymetrics games.
The other rounds
Psychometric Tests is one of four rounds. The Pack covers all four end to end.
J.P. Morgan Pack
Practise the exact Pymetrics (Harver) + SHL Verify G+ format ahead of time, scored against the J.P. Morgan pass mark. One Pack covers HireVue, psychometric tests, live interviews and the assessment centre.
Get the J.P. Morgan Pack · £69Intervyo is not affiliated with or endorsed by J.P. Morgan, SHL, Pymetrics, Cubiks, AON or any other assessment provider. Test details are sourced from past applicants and published guidance; verify on the firm's careers site before applying. Sector: Investment Banking.
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