RBS Logical Reasoning Test
RBS looks for employees with a high logical reasoning ability. Applicants have to pass a logical test before being offered a position.
RBS use the following tests in their selection process:
Jump to:About RBS Logical Reasoning Tests
Logical reasoning tests are a fair and objective way for RBS to assess a wide range of applicants, each having different experiences and different qualifications. By analysing the results of a standardised logical reasoning test, RBS are able to quickly see which candidates are suitable for the role and which are not. This sort of information about candidates’ skills is difficult to glean from interviews and qualifications alone, so they use professional psychometric tests.
Often, RBS will ask applicants to take a logical test online, which you can take from home. When the logical test is used early on in the application process like this you will have to achieve a minimum score before you progress to the next round (typically a score in the top 50% of applicants is required however this does vary role to role). Further along in the selection process you might be asked to attend an assessment centre or interview where you will be asked to sit a logical test again. This is so RBS can verify the person scoring highly in the test is indeed the person applying for the job.
| Assessment section | Recommended Practice Pack |
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RBS logical test | Logical Test Pack
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All RBS tests | Bundle pack
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RBS Application Process Stages
Here is the typical process for your application to RBS.
Stage 1
| Online Application | You will need to complete an online application form, in which you will need to detail your educational history. |
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Stage 2
| Online Situational Judgement Test | Shortly after submitting your application, you will automatically be invited to take a Situational Judgement test online under timed conditions. The test is quite short, and most candidates complete it under 30 minutes. |
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Stage 3
| Sky Rise City Gamified Assessment | This is a different stage of the process where you will be invited to take part in a new type of online assessment; an interactive assessment, or gamified assessment. Instructions will be sent to you via e-mail with your username and password and how to access the application. Sky Rise City will present you with a series of challenges. The application will analyse how you tackle each challenge. This should take 20 minutes at most to complete. |
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Stage 4
| Online Logical and Numerical reasoning tests | After having successfully passed the situational judgement test, you will be invited to complete a logical and a numerical reasoning test online.The numerical and logical reasoning tests are provided by TalentQ and will assess your ability to reason logically, and analyse numerical data, which are very important skills to have for any financial position. |
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Stage 5
| Video interview | The video interview is described as a one-way recording. Typically, in a video interview you will be given a set of questions to respond to. You will then use the software provided to record your responses to these questions. Responses are typically 30 seconds to a minute long. Use the freedom here to plan your responses to the questions well, even if that means redoing the recording. You will often get the opportunity to view and check the recording before submitting it. Ensure that your answers are relevant to the questions asked. RBS state that you can record your responses from your mobile phone, tablet or any PC with a webcam. |
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Stage 6
| Assessment Centre | Once you've managed to win over RBS with your video interview responses, your scores in the SJT, numerical and logical reasoning tests, the final stage will require you to attend an assessment centre and take part in an interview, a group exercise, and a few other tasks, such as a written exercise, a meeting, or a presentation. During the group exercise, the assessors will be evaluating how well you form relationships with other, new people, and how you contribute to the team. |
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RBS Logical Reasoning Test Questions
Like most logical tests, the one used by RBS look at your ability to interpret abstract data, such as patterns created from shapes and shades, and answer questions which require identification and extrapolation of these patterns. The logical test will be assessing your speed and accuracy. The answers are multiple choice and you should try to work quickly within the time limit, but also accurately. Negative marking is unlikely to be used but do not guess answers, as this will show up in your accuracy score. Sometimes you will find that you can make a best guess estimate by deducing that some of the answer options are incorrect. This approach to logical tests will come with practice, and you will become familiar with the type of logical tests used by companies such as RBS.
Logical reasoning tests and who uses them
Companies are using logical reasoning test more and more in their application process that candidates must go through. Logical reasoning tests are favoured to assess a candidate's general level of abstract intelligence or reasoning ability. A person's score in a logical reasoning test is a good indicator of their ability to work well with new concepts and to spot patterns. This can be important in any sector or position.
RBS use logical reasoning tests as part of their recruitment process to help them select the best candidates for a particular role.
So as a graduate or senior candidate applying for a job at RBS you might feel like the logical reasoning test is an unnecessary hoop to jump through. But you should bear in mind that RBS are asking you to complete the logical test as much for your own benefit as theirs; if you are not suitable for the role, a psychometric test will usually identify this. Research has shown that psychometric tests, such as those used by RBS, are a better predictor of job performance than traditional selection metrics such as level of degree achieved.
What you should know before taking your logical reasoning test
The logical operations required in standardised logical tests are of a level which most applicants can achieve. The difficult aspect comes with identifying the patterns, especially when there are multiple differences in each example of the pattern, quickly and accurately within the time limit. Here is a list of the most common operations you can expect in your logical test:
- Changes in size of shape
- Reflection
- Transformation
- Greyscale shading, stipes, dots or other ways of making shapes more distinct
- Rotation
Different types of logical tests
Most questions in most logical reasoning tests follow a standard format displaying a pattern of images, the question and answer options on screen. These can be arranged differently, but each test will stick to the same layout throughout. The images may contain shapes, such as squares, triangles, and circles, or more symbols, such as arrows, currency signs, and other special characters. The question text may contain extra information which adds to what's given in the sequence of images, this might also be necessary to answer the question correctly. You might have to guess which answer option is the next in the sequence, or which options represents a missing step in the sequence. Lastly, the answer options are almost always multiple choice. Multiple choice answers can vary, however. You may have 4 options to pick from, 5, maybe 10, or more. The more answer options to pick from, the slimmer the chances are that you can obtain the correct answer by guessing.
Some publishers will have less subtle variations in their test from what's described here. Sometimes, in TalentQ tests, the question may have more than one answer, and you will be told to select two, or possibly more answer options from those available. Test types by different publishers are explained here in more detail.
Answered questions
Are these tests suitable for RBS?
Yes. RBS use TalentQ's reasoning tests to assess applicants in the recruitment process. The practice tests we provide have been designed to mimic TalentQ's style to create an environment similar to the real assessment. This provides you with confidence that the questions you practice with us now are an accurate reflection of the real assessment.
How difficult are your tests?
The same difficulty as real tests. Generally real employer selection tests don't differ that much in terms of difficulty which is why they compare your score against norm groups. Our practice tests are pitched roughly at graduate level, but this means they are actually suitable for preparing for all levels of job: entry; apprentice; graduate; senior; director.
Are they compatible with my Mac / Tablet / Phone?
Yes, and PC, and Linux and smartphone and Android and...everything. Our practice tests will run on all systems and they are responsive so they will work well on tablets and smartphones too!
How many times can I take the tests?
Unlimited. You can take our practice tests as many times as you like; there is no limit. But to be honest, after taking the same test a few times you start to remember the answers, so that’s why we have lots of tests.