Most UK graduate schemes put an online test between the application form and the interview. This guide sets out which test families exist, which employers publish what, and how to prepare without relying on unsourced “pass mark” claims. The employer rows come from the pages we have already checked against official sources.
Sky, whose Digital Graduate Programme closes on 15 November 2026, uses two online assessments before its assessment centre: see the Sky graduate scheme guide.
GSK sends a digital assessment by email that you have seven days to complete, partly timed, with a video interview for some roles (Official): see the GSK graduate scheme guide. Sainsbury’s does not publish its application stages on the early-careers page (Not published): see the Sainsbury’s graduate scheme guide.
Graduate online tests UK: which employer uses what
| Employer | Test family | Provider | What it states | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PwC | Cognitive + behavioural + video | SHL | Non-assessed “Bringing our values to life” activity, an untimed behavioural assessment, then a timed cognitive test; on-demand video interview via SHL | PwC early careers process (see our guide) |
| UBS | Reasoning + culture + video | Not named | Depending on the business area: verbal, numerical and inductive-logical reasoning and the UBS Culture Match; possible pre-recorded video interview. Tests sent within days of applying, 7-day limit, no retakes | UBS graduate page (see our guide) |
| TfL | Strengths-based + video | Cappfinity | Two-stage strengths-based online assessment: stage one ranks responses to scenarios; stage two adds realistic scenarios, some answered by video recording; then an assessment centre | TfL how to apply |
| Clifford Chance | Critical thinking | Watson Glaser (TalentLens) | Watson Glaser of 30 minutes and 40 questions; 4 days to complete; AI not permitted | Clifford Chance, how we hire |
| Linklaters | Critical thinking | Watson Glaser (TalentLens) | 5 days to complete; page describes the test as untimed | Linklaters, your application |
The main test families
Cognitive (verbal, numerical, inductive reasoning)
Situational judgement and behavioural
Strengths-based assessments
Critical thinking (Watson Glaser)
Video interviews
How to prepare, in order
- Identify the test family from the employer’s own process page and the invitation email.
- Practise the real format. Use the publisher’s free practice material where it exists (SHL and TalentLens both list practice tests).
- Check the time limit and the retake rule before you open the link. UBS states a 7-day limit and no retakes.
- Do not use AI tools. Clifford Chance states AI is not permitted on its test; assume the same unless told otherwise.
- For strengths and behavioural tests, answer honestly and quickly. Overthinking is TfL’s named risk.
Checklist before you start a test
Related guides
Next stages are covered in our graduate assessment centre guide and the PwC assessment centre guide. Check closing dates in our deadlines calendar and browse all schemes on the graduate scheme hub.
A note on quotes
We could not find a named candidate’s account of these tests that is both published by a source we trust and short enough to quote, so this page contains none rather than an invented one.
Graduate online tests: FAQ
What tests do graduate employers use?
The employers we checked use reasoning (cognitive) tests, behavioural or situational judgement assessments, strengths-based assessments, critical thinking tests and video interviews, often in combination.
What is the pass mark for graduate psychometric tests?
None of the employers or publishers we checked publishes a pass mark. Employers set their own cut-offs.
Can I retake a graduate online test?
It depends on the employer. UBS states no retakes for its reasoning tests; for others it is not published, so ask the recruitment team.
Are there free practice tests?
Yes. SHL and TalentLens each list practice tests on their own sites, linked in this guide.
Related guides: the Bank of England graduate scheme (situational judgement test and recorded video interview) and the National Grid graduate scheme (strengths-based interviews).
Test guides: verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning.
Related: how do situational judgement tests work, and how do you answer them? Read our guide to the situational judgement test for graduate jobs.
Related guides: psychometric tests for graduate jobs, inductive reasoning and Arctic Shores and the Deloitte assessment centre.
See also the step-by-step guides for Aon, RSM, KPMG, EY and Lloyds.
