M&G Assessments

Prepare for the M&G recruitment process with tailor-made practice materials.

Careers at M and G

M&G Plc. is a global investment manager based in London that was founded in 1931 to help people grow savings and assets. There are now 6000 employees in offices across 20 countries in Europe, Asia, and North America. M&G's principles are impact, inclusion, and innovation, which guide its commitment to sustainability, diversity, and responsible investments.

There are multiple early careers schemes with M&G to encourage young people to get involved in the financial industry. This includes a summer internship and the apprenticeship programme, which is open for those who do not have a degree to help diversify the financial workplace. The graduate and apprenticeship schemes are 12-24 months long and give you hands-on experience in different areas of business, as well as the opportunity to take formal qualifications and career development training.

M and G Application Process

The application process is a four-step process including an online assessment, a video interview, and an assessment centre.

The graduate scheme is hired on a yearly-basis with applications opening in September for the following year. You are allowed to apply for one scheme per year, so if you are unsuccessful, you will have to wait until the next hiring season.

If you are applying for the apprenticeship scheme, then the process is slightly different. You can list up to 3 roles by preference and there is an additional telephone interview.

M and G Online Application Form

Your online registration and application form should take around 20 minutes to complete. Here you upload your CV and contact information, as well as some questions about your interests and experience.

Again, remember that for graduates and interns, you can only apply to one scheme per application season. Make sure that your CV is up-to-date and really shows your relevant strengths and experience.

M and G Aptitude Tests

The online assessments will be reviewed alongside your application and used together to decide whether or not you will advance in the process.

Each test is around 30 minutes long and you are able to complete each one at separate times, but you cannot pause during a test. Those applying for the graduate scheme should allow 2 hours to take all of the tests at once, while those applying for the apprenticeship should allot 1 hour. You will be able to download a full feedback report on your results afterwards.

M and G Logical Reasoning Test

To test your general cognitive abilities and how well you process complex information, you will be given a logical reasoning test. Financial jobs require you to be able to interpret and analyse large sets of data, spotting patterns, and filtering out key information to draw logical conclusions from, which is why employers like to use these tests.

You will be presented with images or alphanumeric sequences and asked to identify patterns or errors. Typically, logical reasoning tests have a high number of questions for the time limit to demonstrate how you work under pressure and if you can think rationally in a stressful situation.

M and G Situational Reasoning Test

Asituational reasoning test is designed to show employers how you might react to certain workplace environments and challenges. You will be presented with scenarios and asked to rate responses by which you think is most appropriate.

Employers like to use SJT because they show a range of competencies that are otherwise hard to gauge from a CV or interviews such as teamwork, commercial awareness, and relationship building. It also gives an insight into your working style and temperament, which helps employers place you in the right environment and support your career development.

M and G Personality Questionnaire

Personality questionnaires are becoming more popular when it comes to early career hiring and employee development programmes. These are not tests as there are no right or wrong answers, but simply help employers to get a better sense of who you are, how you like to get things done, and what motivates you.

The questionnaire is tailored towards the financial industry, so is assessing traits that are commonly found in successful employees like ambition, cooperation, and adaptability. However, it is important to remember that being honest is the best tactic when it comes to answering a personality assessment. They are designed to help employers place you in the right environment and understand how you work.

M and G Strengths-Based Video Interview

M&G use a strength-based interview style for the digital interview, which means that it is focused on asking you about your interests, passions, and successes. There are three types of questions:

Warm-up

  • What was your favourite subject at school?
  • Describe a successful day.
  • Tell me about your hobbies.

Forced answer

  • Do you prefer working individually or as a team?
  • Do you work better in a relaxed environment or a busy one?
  • Would you rather work behind the scenes or front of house?

Scenario

  • Tell me about a time you navigated a difficult work situation.
  • How would you handle being given a task you'd never done before?
  • How would you manage working with someone you don't like?

Be honest and show your enthusiasm for your experiences and achievements, as the recruiters are looking for what makes you tick. Confident body language and speaking clearly is especially important for a digital interview as they do not see you in person.

M and G Assessment Centre

The assessment centre is where you get to meet with M&G staff, current graduates, and the other candidates. It is a full day of networking and activities such as presentations, group exercises, and face-to-face interviews.

There are a variety of different group tasks you may be asked to do, but the most common is where you have to work together to solve a hypothetical business issue. The focus here is not getting the right solution (there may not be one) but instead showing how you work in a team situation. Make sure to get involved, listen to others, and develop ideas collaboratively.

Finally, there is an interview with two professionals from the area you have applied to. This is also a strength-based interview, so expect similar questions to the digital interview, but more in-depth as this is a two-way conversation. The interviewers will build their questions on your CV and previous interview answers, so be prepared to go into more detail and relate your experience to the skills they are looking for.

M&G expect you to prepare by researching the company, the financial services industry as a whole, the role you have applied for, and any qualifications you will be getting through your scheme. This is all the minimum information that you need to show that you are passionate about joining M&G and taking advantage of all the opportunities the early careers schemes give you.

Sample M&G Assessments question Test your knowledge!

Score: /5

Assuming that all investment managers who embrace technology will improve their clients' portfolio performance, and all managers who improve portfolio performance receive awards, which of the following must be true?

  • Some award recipients may not embrace technology.
  • All award recipients have improved their clients' portfolio performance.
  • All managers who embrace technology receive awards.
  • Embracing technology is the only way to receive an award.

An investment manager is analyzing the patterns of market fluctuations to make strategic asset allocations. If historically, whenever the market fluctuates by -2%, -3%, +4%, and +5% over four consecutive quarters, it then consistently fluctuates by -1% in the fifth quarter. Given the last four quarters have seen fluctuations of -2%, -3%, +4%, and +5%, what should the investment manager anticipate for the forthcoming quarter?

  • The market will fluctuate by +1%.
  • The market will fluctuate by -1%.
  • The market will remain stable with no fluctuations.
  • The market fluctuation cannot be predicted from the provided pattern.

During a conference on sustainable investment, a discussion arises about the sequence in which speakers will address the audience. If it is determined that the speaker discussing eco-friendly technologies will always present immediately before the speaker on renewable energy sources, which of the following is a possible order of presenters from first to last?

  • Diversification, Renewable Energy Sources, Eco-Friendly Technologies, Risk Management
  • Risk Management, Eco-Friendly Technologies, Renewable Energy Sources, Diversification
  • Eco-Friendly Technologies, Risk Management, Diversification, Renewable Energy Sources
  • Renewable Energy Sources, Diversification, Eco-Friendly Technologies, Risk Management

A team of financial analysts are examining investment trends. They determined that there is a direct correlation between the investment in clean energy and reduction in carbon emissions. If the investment in clean energy doubles, the reduction in carbon emissions triples. Considering this correlation, what can be said if the investment in clean energy is quadrupled?

  • The reduction in carbon emissions will increase sixfold.
  • The reduction in carbon emissions will double.
  • The reduction in carbon emissions will quadruple.
  • The reduction in carbon emissions will remain the same.

In a risk analysis meeting, an investment manager states: 'When choosing between projects A and B, we know that if Project A is promising, then Project B will be viable; but if Project A is not promising, then we will need to re-evaluate both projects.' If Project A turns out to be promising, which of the following is true?

  • Project B is not viable.
  • Both projects need to be re-evaluated.
  • Project B will be viable.
  • The viability of Project B cannot be determined.

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M&G Assessments Tips

Understand the Industry

Dive into the specifics of the financial sector and familiarize yourself with the terminology and trends. M&G is a leader in this space, with a focus on sustainability and responsible investing. Understanding these key principles can give you the edge you need, as their tests are likely to reflect the company's ethos of impact, inclusion, and innovation.

Simulate the Test Environment

Practice exams are not just about answering questions correctly; they are also about getting comfortable with the test-taking environment. With Fintest's practice exams, you can simulate the time pressure and question formats you'll experience when applying for jobs in the financial sector, especially at a global powerhouse like M&G.

Attention to Detail

In the financial sector, precision is key—every detail matters. When practicing with Fintest's exams, pay close attention to the specifics of each question. This thoroughness will serve you well when facing M&G's rigorous hiring process, which demands accuracy as much as it assesses your financial knowledge.

Stay Calm and Positive

It's easy to get overwhelmed during a high-stakes exam. Maintaining a calm and positive mindset will help you navigate through the toughest parts of the test. Remember, each Fintest practice session is an opportunity to strengthen not just your skills, but also your test-taking confidence.

Review Your Answers

After completing a practice exam, take the time to review your answers—especially the ones you got wrong. Fintest's detailed answer explanations provide insight into the reasoning behind each question, empowering you to refine your understanding and approach before you face the real test at M&G.

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M&G Assessments FAQs

Is it hard to get hired at M&G plc?

It can be difficult to get hired due to its selective recruitment process. Each stage is thorough and you will expect to perform well during each round. Preparation is key to getting hired.

What skills does M&G look for?

M&G looks for skills like investment expertise, analytical thinking, communication, and teamwork.

Where can I practice M&G assessments for free?

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

What interview questions should I expect at M&G?

Interview questions at M&G may focus on your experience, technical knowledge, and how well you align with the company's values.