Aptitude & video interview process for Singapore banks
Singapore’s three major banks — DBS, OCBC, and UOB — all use multi-stage assessment processes for graduate and internship roles. The tests differ by bank, but the pipeline is similar: online application → aptitude tests → video interview → assessment centre → offer. Use this with the employer assessment hub, SHL guide, and video interview guide.
- Singapore bank processes usually combine online tests, video interviews and final-stage interviews.
- SHL-style numerical and verbal reasoning are the safest baseline practice.
- Video answers should show risk awareness, customer judgement and teamwork.
- Provider details vary by programme and intake, so trust the official invite.
Bank assessment invites move quickly, so baseline the likely SHL sections early. Explore SHL practice
What to focus on first
| Focus area | Why it matters | Best drill |
|---|---|---|
| Numerical | Banking roles use data, rates, growth and currency context. | SHL-style table and chart drills. |
| Verbal | Policy and customer passages test evidence discipline. | True/False/Cannot Say sets. |
| Video | Motivation and judgement are often screened early. | STAR answers under a timer. |
| SJT | Risk, compliance and escalation scenarios are common. | Rank-response banking scenarios. |
Common traps
- Applying too late. Test links can arrive quickly after application windows close.
- Forgetting video prep. Passing the test often leads straight into recorded answers.
- Over-assuming one provider. DBS, OCBC and UOB can vary by role and season.
How to practise from here
Prepare in pairs: one timed numerical/verbal set, then one recorded answer. Banking candidates often fail because they prepare tests and leave communication until the last minute.
DBS
DBS uses SHL for numerical and verbal reasoning. Graduate roles also include a HireVue video interview (typically 3–4 questions, 2 minutes each). Expect SJT-style questions focusing on DBS’s PRIDE values: Purpose, Relationship, Innovation, Decisiveness, Everything Fun.
OCBC
OCBC uses a mix of SHL and Cappfinity strengths-based assessments. The strengths assessment is less about right answers and more about what energises you — consistency is key. Their video interview focuses on customer service scenarios and teamwork.
UOB
UOB’s process varies by division. Technology roles may include coding assessments. Banking roles use SHL numerical and verbal plus a recorded video interview. UOB is known for testing risk awareness — expect SJT scenarios about compliance and escalation.
Practise the bank-style questions
Three quick questions in the formats Singapore bank candidates report: an SHL-style numerical question with regional currency, a true / false / cannot say verbal question, and a risk-and-escalation judgement question.
Singapore bank practice
3 free questions- Q1. A client converts SGD 12,000 to Malaysian ringgit at 1 SGD = 3.45 MYR. The bank then charges a 0.5% fee on the MYR amount. How much MYR does the client receive? (Illustrative rate.)
- Q2. “The bank's new app lets customers open a savings account without visiting a branch. Customers who are not Singapore residents must still verify their identity in person.” Statement: Non-residents can open a savings account entirely through the app.
- Q3. A client wants a large transfer sent immediately and gets impatient when the system flags it for review. What do you do?
Next steps by test: SHL numerical, SHL verbal, Cappfinity strengths and SJT (for OCBC-style strengths assessments) and SHL situational judgement.
The video interview: practise the bank question themes
In forge's HireVue practice bank, the DBS, OCBC and UOB question sets share three themes beyond “tell me about yourself”: why this bank, an ethical dilemma, and a customer or sales story. Ethical-dilemma questions show up almost only at banks and payments firms in our bank, so prepare one before any Singapore bank interview.
Free Singapore bank video drill
Question 1 of 4 · 30s prep · 2 min answerWhy do you want to work at this bank rather than another bank in Singapore?
Practice prompts written by forge for the question themes in its HireVue practice bank. They're representative of the format, not taken from any bank's own interviews.
The typical timeline
- Week 1: Online application closes. You receive the test link within 3–5 days.
- Week 2: Complete online tests (usually 3–7 day window).
- Week 3: Video interview invitation (if you pass tests).
- Week 4–5: Assessment centre or final interview.
- Week 6–8: Offer or rejection.
Day 1: Take the forge diagnostic to identify weak areas. Day 2–3: Drill your weakest skill with SHL-format questions. Day 4: One full timed mock. Day 5 morning: Take the real test when you are fresh.
What trips people up
- Regional data formats. Singapore uses DD/MM/YYYY. Test tables may use US format (MM/DD/YYYY). Check carefully.
- The HireVue prep time. You get 30 seconds to prepare and 2 minutes to record. Use the STAR framework: Situation (10s), Task (10s), Action (60s), Result (30s).
- Strengths-based traps. Cappfinity assessments repeat similar questions in different wording. Inconsistent answers lower your score.
Source notes
forge treats bank-provider mapping as a candidate-reported and year-sensitive signal. We cross-check practice advice against official provider pages from SHL, HireVue, and Aon. Your invite overrides this guide.
If the invite does not name a provider yet, practise one SHL-style numerical set, one verbal set and one recorded answer. That covers the most reusable skills while you wait for the exact platform instructions. Then switch immediately when the portal shows examples, because banks can vary their test provider by division and intake. Treat this page as a routing guide, not a promise that every graduate programme uses the same battery. Always follow the invite.
If you're an international student, see which companies have hired international graduates in Singapore. Several banks are on that list, alongside the semiconductor, engineering and professional-services firms that hire the most.
Prep for Singapore bank assessments on forge
SHL numerical and verbal packs, HireVue practice with 200+ questions, and company-specific guides for DBS, OCBC, and UOB.
Start preparingFrequently asked questions
Which tests do Singapore banks use?
They commonly use numerical and verbal reasoning, video interviews and sometimes strengths or SJT-style assessments. The exact provider varies by bank, programme and year.
Should I practise SHL for Singapore bank roles?
SHL-style numerical and verbal practice is a strong baseline, but always follow the provider named in your invitation email.
How should I prepare for bank video interviews?
Prepare concise STAR answers covering motivation, teamwork, customer judgement, risk awareness and ethical escalation.
Applying in Singapore?
Singapore hiring processes by employer covers the steps at each employer, from application to offer.
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