FCA Logical Reasoning Test
FCA looks for employees with a high logical reasoning ability. Applicants have to pass a logical test before being offered a position.
FCA use the following tests in their selection process:
Jump to:About FCA Logical Reasoning Tests
The selection process for the FCA involves psychometric testing as a means of screening out candidates who do not possess the skills required for a job in this area. This part of the process, typically, requires successful completion of a logical reasoning test, numerical reasoning test, and a situational judgement test. Additional tests may be used depending on the role applied for. Candidates are informed in advance as to which tests they will be required to take. The FCA assesses candidates in terms of their key competencies which are as follows: adaptability and flexibility, business acumen, action orientation, communication, collaboration and teamwork, stakeholder management and personal accountability. It is similar to SHL numerical reasoning tests, so practice tests of this type will prove useful in preparing applicants for the financial reasoning test.
Logical reasoning tests are a fair and objective way for FCA to assess a wide range of applicants, each having different experiences and different qualifications. By analysing the results of a standardised logical reasoning test, FCA 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.
| Assessment section | Recommended Practice Pack |
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FCA logical test | Logical Test Pack
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All FCA tests | Bundle Pack
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Often, FCA 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 FCA can verify the person scoring highly in the test is indeed the person applying for the job.
FCA Application Process Stages
Here is the typical process for your application to FCA.
Stage 1
| Application | Applicants will be required to provide their contact details, education and work experience. This is to ensure that the candidate meets the entry requirements for their selected role. The candidate will also be asked questions to demonstrate their knowledge of the FCA, along with their reasons for wanting to join the company. It is a good idea to look into their current objectives and key issues prior to completing the application form. Applications are to be made online. |
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Stage 2
| Testing | Candidates will then be asked to carry out three online tests; a logical reasoning test, a numerical reasoning test and a situational judgement test. Afterwards, candidates will be asked to complete a questionnaire to explain in more detail why they’ve applied for a position with the FCA. This is also an opportunity to demonstrate their background knowledge on the FCA and to express their interest in the services it provides. The tests used have strict time limits, so practice tests are recommended. |
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Stage 3
| Telephone Interview | Candidates that are successful in the testing stage will then have a 30 minute telephone interview. Applicants will be required to reiterate why they believe they are suited for the job they’ve applied for and how they can contribute to the FCA. |
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Stage 4
| Assessment Centre | The final stage of the selection process is the assessment centre, in which candidates will be required to complete a case study, give a presentation, take a part in a group exercise and, finally, an interview to gauge the candidate’s ability. Successful applicants at stage 4 will be given an offer of employment, or a place on one of the internships offered by the FCA. |
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FCA Logical Reasoning Test Questions
Like most logical tests, the one used by FCA 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 FCA.
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.
FCA 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 FCA you might feel like the logical reasoning test is an unnecessary hoop to jump through. But you should bear in mind that FCA 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 FCA, 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
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.