Apprenticeship online tests explained: SHL, Cappfinity, HireVue and more
Which online assessments degree apprenticeship employers use, what each test looks like, and how to prepare. Includes a table of which firms use SHL, Cappfinity, Aon, HireVue, Korn Ferry, Pymetrics and Arctic Shores.
The short answer
Most degree apprenticeship employers use an online assessment straight after you apply. The most common providers are Cappfinity (used by EY, KPMG, Deloitte and HSBC), Aon (BDO, Morgan Stanley, Nomura), SHL (Barclays, Lloyds, NatWest, Santander), HireVue (Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, BlackRock) and Korn Ferry (UBS, Bank of England). They test numerical, verbal and logical reasoning, situational judgement or behaviour through games. Practising each format under real timing is the fastest way to improve.
Online tests are where a lot of strong applicants quietly drop out. Not because they aren't capable, but because they've never seen the format before and the timer gets them. The good news is these tests are very learnable.
Key takeaways
- Each firm uses a specific test provider, and each provider has its own style.
- The main types are numerical, verbal, logical, situational judgement and game based.
- Find out which provider your firm uses and practise that format.
- Practise under real timing, then review every mistake.
Which firms use which test?
This table comes from the programmes Intake tracks, based on what firms used in recent recruitment cycles. Providers can change between years, so check your invitation email.
| Provider | Firms that use it | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Cappfinity | Deloitte, EY, KPMG, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Rothschild & Co, Aviva Investors | Strengths based questions plus numerical and verbal items, often adaptive |
| Aon | BDO, Morgan Stanley, Nomura, BNP Paribas, Schroders | Short, fast reasoning tests and some game style tasks |
| SHL | Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest, Santander, London Stock Exchange Group | Timed numerical, verbal and inductive reasoning |
| HireVue | Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, BlackRock, Bank of America | Recorded video interview, sometimes with game based tasks |
| Korn Ferry | UBS, Bank of England | Numerical, verbal and logical reasoning |
| Pymetrics | J.P. Morgan, Standard Chartered | Short behavioural games with no right answers |
| Plum | Citi, Bloomberg | Personality and problem solving questionnaire |
| Arctic Shores | PwC | Game based behavioural assessment |
| Kenexa (IBM) | Grant Thornton | Numerical and verbal reasoning |
The main types of test
Numerical reasoning
Questions use tables and charts: percentages, ratios, currency conversions, percentage change. The maths is GCSE level. The hard part is speed and reading the data correctly.
How to prepare: get fast at percentage change and ratios without thinking. Use a calculator if allowed, and always read the units on the table.
Verbal reasoning
You read a short passage and decide whether a statement is true, false or cannot say. The trap is using your own knowledge. Only what's in the passage counts.
How to prepare: practise the difference between "false" (the passage contradicts it) and "cannot say" (the passage doesn't tell you).
Logical or inductive reasoning
Sequences of shapes or patterns where you find the rule and choose what comes next. Look for one change at a time: rotation, colour, count, position.
Situational judgement tests (SJTs)
You get realistic work scenarios and rate or rank possible responses. There's no maths, but there is a right style: the answers firms like usually show ownership, honesty, teamwork and putting the client first.
How to prepare: read the firm's values before you start. Most SJTs are built around them.
Game based assessments
Pymetrics and Arctic Shores use short games, like pumping balloons or remembering sequences. They measure behaviour such as risk taking, attention and how you learn. You can't really "revise" for these, but knowing the format means you'll feel calm instead of confused.
Strengths based tests (Cappfinity)
Cappfinity asks how you'd naturally respond in different situations, alongside some reasoning items. It looks at what energises you, not just what you can do. Answer honestly and consistently.
Video interviews (HireVue)
Not a test in the maths sense, but it's often the next automated stage. A question appears, you get a short prep time, then you record your answer. See our interview questions guide for how to prepare.
How to practise properly
- Find your provider. Check the firm's careers page or the invitation email.
- Do one test untimed to learn the format.
- Then practise timed. Real pressure is the point.
- Review every wrong answer. Write down why you got it wrong, not just the right answer.
- Do the real test somewhere quiet, on a laptop, with a calculator and paper ready if allowed.
Intake's practice tests are free, cover numerical, verbal, logical and situational judgement formats, and show which provider each programme on your list uses.
On the day
- Use a laptop or desktop, not your phone.
- Close other tabs and silence notifications.
- Don't spend too long on one question. Most tests reward getting through more of them.
- Read the instructions. Some tests penalise guessing and some don't.
Frequently asked questions
What online tests do degree apprenticeships use?
Most use numerical, verbal and logical reasoning tests, situational judgement tests or game based assessments from providers like Cappfinity, Aon, SHL, Korn Ferry, Pymetrics and Arctic Shores. Many also use a recorded video interview on HireVue.
Which firms use SHL tests for apprenticeships?
Among the programmes Intake tracks, Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest, Santander and the London Stock Exchange Group have used SHL assessments in recent cycles.
Which firms use Cappfinity?
Deloitte, EY, KPMG, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, Rothschild & Co and Aviva Investors have used Cappfinity assessments for their early careers programmes.
Can you fail a game based assessment?
There are no right or wrong answers in games like Pymetrics or Arctic Shores, but your results are compared with a profile the firm is looking for. Play naturally, stay focused and follow the instructions carefully.
How do I prepare for numerical reasoning tests?
Practise percentages, ratios and percentage change until they're quick, read every table's units carefully, and do timed practice tests followed by a review of each mistake. Intake's practice tests are free.