BNP Paribas Assessments

Prepare for the BNP Paribas recruitment process with tailor-made practice materials.

Careers at BNP Paribas

BNP Paribas is a French international bank that is the largest in Europe and the 7th largest in the world. There are job roles available in Europe, America, Africa and Asia for students, interns and graduates as well as experienced professionals.

For students and graduates, working for BNP Paribas offers dedicated, personalised, and increasingly digital support for professional development as well as an open-minded, collaborative and diverse workplace.

Recruiters for BNP Paribas are looking for creative, agile and innovative employees who want to work for a sustainable and responsible global leader in finance, and offer roles throughout many financial divisions with great pay and benefits - making them a popular place to work, and available roles are highly sought after.

BNP Paribas Application Process

It is worth noting that the following application process is only relevant for student, intern and graduate applicants - for experienced professionals it is likely that you will complete an application form and move straight on to interviews.

The application process is designed to ensure that all applicants have the desired competencies alongside the required education and experience to be successful in the role. At each stage, the candidates who meet the minimum requirements will be taken forward.

Most applications for BNP Paribas are assessed on a rolling basis so it is beneficial to apply as early as possible to ensure that you get the best opportunities.

BNP Paribas Online Application

Once you have chosen a role that interests you, the first stage is an online application. This is where you will have your first opportunity to demonstrate that you are the right choice for the role, and you need to use all the tools at your disposal to do this.

You will need to upload a CV, and this is a great time to make sure that you have created a bespoke document based on the job you have applied for. BNP Paribas provides lots of detailed information on each job description, so you can demonstrate how you match up to what they are looking for here. Remember to take that personalised approach with your cover letter, too.

As part of the online application, you might be asked to answer some motivational questions - such as "Why do you want to work at BNP Paribas?". There will only be about 200 words for your answer, so conciseness is important.

BNP Paribas Aptitude Tests

If you meet the education and qualification criteria for the role, then you will be invited to the next stage of the recruitment process which is a series of aptitude tests. Throughout these tests, your performance will be judged on both speed and accuracy alongside the competencies that the role requires.

BNP Paribas Situational Judgement Test

The situational judgement assessment might be part of the initial online application, or it might be part of the other aptitude tests.

A situational judgement test is a set of scenario-based questions with multiple choice answers. Candidates need to look at the scenario, and decide on the best course of action to take to deal with the problem or issue presented.

In the BNP Paribas situational judgement test, you will be presented with 12 questions that will take about 20-30 minutes to complete. The questions do not have a right or wrong answer; in fact, most of the answers could be correct. The reason this test is so effective is that it assesses your work behaviour, risk judgement and problem solving.

Your score on this test will be used to determine if you have the right inherent behaviours to be successful in the advertised role.

BNP Paribas Numerical Reasoning Test

Numerical reasoning assessments are not maths tests. In fact, most need only a rudimentary knowledge of basic mathematical functions (equivalent to about GCSE maths level).

In a numerical reasoning test, you are presented with data in the form of tables and graphs with a statement to follow. Candidates must read, understand and apply the information given in the table or graph to the statement in order to answer whether that statement is true, false, or there is insufficient information.

The BNP Paribas numerical reasoning assessment is just 12 minutes long, and you need to answer 37 questions. You will be marked both on your speed and accuracy, so be quick and correct to score well here.

BNP Paribas Verbal Reasoning Test

Like the numerical test, candidates will be presented with some information, followed by a statement, and they must decide if the statement is true, false, or cannot say according to the information provided.

In the verbal reasoning test, the information is usually a block of text containing a large amount of information, and to be successful the candidate needs to read, understand and analyse the information quickly to answer the questions correctly.

In the BNP Paribas verbal reasoning test, you will need to answer 49 questions in just 12 minutes, so there is very limited time available.

BNP Paribas Logical Reasoning Test

The logical reasoning test at BNP Paribas uses inductive reasoning skills. In this type of test you will be presented with a number of images and have to find the rule that links them correctly and predict the next image. A selection of possible images are included, and you need to find the right one that completes the pattern.

The rules aren't always straightforward, and despite being multiple choice it can be difficult to find the right one - especially under time pressure.

In the logical reasoning assessment, you will have 12 minutes to answer 12 questions, and again you will be marked on speed and accuracy.

BNP Paribas Interview

There are three types of interview that you might have at BNP Paribas, and in some cases you might be expected to complete more than one round (depending on the role you have applied for).

The first is a telephone interview. This is usually a less 'formal' interview, a chance for the recruiter to get a feel for you and your personality, as well as some basic getting to know you questions.

You might have a face-to-face interview, either with a single member of the team or a panel. This is more likely to be a formal setting, often either taking place in the office or via video conferencing software.

The third interview type is one that many will be unfamiliar with, although it is becoming more popular in graduate recruitment - and that is the video interview. If you are asked to take part in a video interview, you will be given a number of questions to answer, and you will be required to record your answers via a particular website or platform.

In any of these interviews, it is important that you bear in mind what the assessors are looking for in terms of competencies and soft skills, and be prepared to answer competency questions. It is likely that you will be asked about your CV and cover letter at this stage too.

Don't forget that interviews are two-way conversations, so demonstrate your research and knowledge by asking thoughtful questions about BNP Paribas and the wider financial business to find out more about it.

BNP Paribas Assessment Centre

If you are successful in the interview stage, the final round is often an assessment centre. Known in BNP Paribas as a Superday, candidates are invited to a local office and will take part in a number of activities to finalise the selection process.

During the day, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet and network with future colleagues and managers, but the majority of it will be spent being assessed in various situations.

Depending on the role that you have applied for, your day could consist of a combination of the following activities:

  • One-to-one interviews: these might be with a supervisor or a member of the HR or recruiting team.
  • Coding and other skills tests
  • Group Exercises: a chance to display leadership and collaboration skills.
  • Presentations
  • Case Studies

The Superday is the culmination of the application process and candidates will be continuously assessed in terms of the BNP Paribas culture and desired behaviours - if you are successful, you can expect to have a job offer soon after.

Sample BNP Paribas Assessments question Test your knowledge!

Score: /5

After a meeting with a client, you compile a report summarizing the discussion. Which of the following sentences best demonstrates an appropriate tone and clarity for a professional summary?

  • We had a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious exchange on the prospective financial reallocation.
  • The client and I talked about lots of things, including their finances.
  • The client agreed to the proposed investment strategy after considering potential returns and associated risks.
  • The meeting was okay, and we went over some ideas about the money and stuff.

You are reviewing an investment bank's assets and liabilities over the last quarter. From the given information, company assets increased by 12% while liabilities decreased by 5%. If the total value of the assets at the beginning of the quarter was valued at $200 million, what is the value of the company liabilities at the end of the quarter, assuming they started at $130 million?

  • $123.5 million
  • $136.5 million
  • $124 million
  • $137 million

While drafting a report for the senior manager of credit operations, you note that the pattern of approvals has changed in regular intervals. You observed that initially, the approvals increased by 20%, then decreased by 10%, followed by an increase of 30%. If this pattern continues, what would be the next percentage change in approvals?

  • A decrease of 20%
  • A decrease of 10%
  • An increase of 30%
  • An increase of 20%

Evaluate the following statement: 'If all retail banks are now utilizing digital wallets, and this bank is a retail bank, then this bank must be utilizing digital wallets.' Is the argument logically valid?

  • Yes, the argument is valid by virtue of the transitive property.
  • No, the argument assumes all banks have the technological capacity for digital wallets.
  • No, the argument is based on a false premise as not all retail banks utilize digital wallets.
  • Yes, but only if the bank has confirmed it has adopted digital wallets.

You receive a company memo discussing the change in fiscal policy and its potential impact on international banking operations. After reading the memo, what conclusion can be drawn regarding the effect of fiscal policy on currency valuation?

The memo outlines that tighter fiscal policy often leads to an appreciation of the local currency, which can affect international banking operations by modifying export and import competitiveness. It emphasizes the need for strategic adjustments within the banking sector to mitigate potential risks associated with such currency valuation shifts.

  • International banking operations will benefit universally from an appreciation of the local currency.
  • Strategic adjustments are necessary to address the changes in export and import competitiveness.
  • The fiscal policy will have no impact on currency valuation and consequently, on international banking operations.
  • There will be an inevitable decrease in the value of the local currency.

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BNP Paribas Assessments Tips

Familiarize Yourself with Financial Concepts

Dive into the basics of finance and ensure you're comfortable with the fundamental concepts. At BNP Paribas, understanding the financial industry's lingo and the inner workings of banking systems can give you the upper hand. So before you hit 'Start' on that practice test with Fintest, brush up on your financial know-how!

Simulate the Test Environment

Replicate the exam setting at home to get a real feel for the pressured environment. This means setting a strict timer, finding a quiet space, and doing your best to stay focused. With Fintest, you can practice under timed conditions to simulate the real deal and get used to perform under time restraints.

Analyse Your Practice Results

After each practice test with Fintest, take time to review your answers. This isn't just about checking what you got right or wrong, but also understanding why. This reflection process will help you identify patterns in your performance and areas where you need extra study or strategy enhancements.

Master Time Management

Time can slip away quickly during a test! To avoid this, practice pacing yourself with each question. With Fintest's realistic practice exams, you'll learn to allocate your time efficiently, balancing speed and accuracy to ensure you can complete all questions within the allotted time frame.

Stay Calm and Confident

Test anxiety can be a real performance killer, so it's critical to develop techniques to keep your cool. Practice deep breathing, positive self-talk, or even a quick stretch to manage stress levels. Remember, Fintest is here to help you prepare thoroughly, boosting your confidence when it's time for the actual exam.

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BNP Paribas Assessments FAQs

Are the BNP Paribas tests difficult?

The difficulty level of BNP Paribas tests can vary depending on the specific test and the position you are applying for. However, the tests are typically designed to evaluate candidates' technical aptitude, problem-solving skills, and other relevant competencies for the position.

How many rounds of interviews are there in BNP Paribas?

It usually involves at least two or three rounds of interviews.

Where can I practice test questions for the BNP Paribas tests?

You can practice free BNP Paribas test questions to get familiar with the format and improve your test score using our online platform - no credit card required.