What is UBS's Cultural Appraiser? How to master their bespoke SJT

UBS looks for employees with a high ability to handle various situations in a specific manner. Applicants have to pass a situational judgement test before being offered a position.

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Josh Hancock Updated:

About UBS Cultural Appraiser Test

The UBS Cultural Appraiser Test is a bespoke assessment used by UBS, a global investment bank and financial services company, during their hiring process. This test is an SJT specifically designed to evaluate an individual's ability to navigate work-related scenarios that involve cultural diversity and sensitivity.

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UBS use the following tests in their selection process:

  • UBS Cultural Appraiser
  • Numerical reasoning test
  • Verbal reasoning test

Format of the UBS Cultural Appraiser

The UBS Cultural Appraiser test is a bespoke situational judgement test that consists of 15 realistic yet hypothetical work scenarios that analysts at UBS may encounter. These scenarios are specifically designed to evaluate how well candidates align with the culture and values of UBS.

Each scenario is presented through a combination of a short video and a written description. For every scenario, you will be provided with a list of actions, and your task is to rank the most and least effective responses from the given options.

It is important to note that the test is not timed, allowing you to approach each scenario calmly and thoughtfully. Take your time to carefully consider each response before making your choices. On average, it takes approximately 20 minutes to complete the entire test.

Each question in the test aims to assess one or more of your primary competencies or values. To select the correct responses, it is crucial to have a clear understanding of the type of candidates UBS is seeking.

What UBS are looking for in the Cultural Appraiser

To gain insight into UBS's expectations, familiarise yourself with the nine core values and competencies that UBS emphasises. These are categorised into three main keys:

  • UBS Pillars: These represent what UBS is built upon and include capital strength, simplification and efficiency, and risk management.
  • UBS Principles: These reflect what UBS stands for and encompass client centricity, connectivity, and sustainable impact.
  • UBS Behaviors: These outline how UBS operates and consist of accountability with integrity, collaboration, and innovation.

By understanding and aligning with these values and competencies, you will be better equipped to make informed choices and perform well on the UBS Cultural Appraiser test.

UBS Application Process Stages

Here is the typical process for your application to UBS.

Stage 1

Application

Applicants will be required to answer a few competency based questions and provide their contact details, education and work experience, this is to ensure that they meet the necessary entry criteria. The candidate will have the opportunity to upload their CV along with the application form.

Stage 2

Online Aptitude Tests

Candidates will then be invited to complete a Numerical Reasoning test and a UBS Situational Judgement Cultural Appraiser, with the numerical test consisting of 18 questions. The Numerical Reasoning test has a strict time limit, so practice tests are recommended.

Stage 3

Video Interview

Those who are successful at the online testing stage, will progress to the next stage in the UBS selection process, which is a video interview. This allows the candidate to present their strengths from activities inside and outside of work, and gives UBS an impression of the type of person the candidate is. Honesty and openness are recommended.

Stage 4

Assessment Centre

The final stage is attendance at an assessment centre, in which candidates will complete a combination of the following: an analysis exercise, a group exercise and a competency based interview, which will refer to the companies key capabilities; Judgement, Drive, Execution and Influence. Successful applications at stage 4 will be given an offer of a place on one of the Graduate Schemes offered by UBS Banking Group. Applicants for some positions may be asked to provide evidence of their numerical reasoning capabilities.

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How to pass the UBS Cultural Appraiser Test

To do well on the UBS Cultural Appraiser Test, candidates should focus on the following strategies:

  • Get familiar with UBS's values and corporate culture: Understand UBS's dedication to cultural diversity and inclusivity to align your responses with the company's expectations.
  • Go through common work-related scenarios: Study various workplace situations that involve cultural diversity and consider the best ways to handle them effectively and respectfully.
  • Practice SJTs: Familiarise yourself with the format and structure of situational judgment tests by practicing similar assessments. This will help you feel more at ease with the test format and improve your decision-making skills.

By preparing well and showcasing your ability to navigate work scenarios involving cultural diversity, you can enhance your chances of performing well on the UBS Cultural Appraiser Test.

Answered questions

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.