Capital One Assessment Tests: Guidelines & Practice Examples


Capital One is one of the world’s largest financial technology companies, attracting many candidates annually. Thus, the company must include a comprehensive assessment to hire the right person with the best talent and fit well into the company’s culture and values.

This article will take a closer look into the Capital One Assessment: what to expect, sample questions, and answers to FAQs about the tests.

What are Capital One assessment tests?

Capital One often uses online assessment tests provided by SHL to filter out candidates after the application stage of recruitment. The tests measure your cognitive ability and problem-solving skills in workplace contexts. Depending on the different areas that a hiring company wants to evaluate, Capital One’s online assessments are divided into 3 main types:

  • Numerical Reasoning Tests: assess your ability to interpret numerical data and perform calculations.
  • Verbal Reasoning Tests: highlight your reading comprehension and the ability to reason written information.
  • Situational Judgment Tests: measure your behavior and approach towards work-related scenarios.

Besides these tests, you must also take the Capital One coding assessment if you are vying for a technical position like a software engineer or data engineer.

Note: In addition to SHL, Capital One may also use assessments provided by other test publishers. Tests from different providers vary in terms of style and format. However, their main objective is to evaluate specific skills, such as verbal, situational judgment and numerical reasoning. Therefore, mastering these skills will help you handle all Capital One tests.

 

When Capital One assessment tests take place

Capital One uses Online Assessment Tests in the second stage of its recruitment. To get a job at Capital One, you have to prepare carefully for all 4 phases in the hiring process: Online Application => Online Tests => Video Interview => Power Day.

Stage 1: Online Application

In this stage, you need to fill out an online application form. You are also required to submit your resume, and preferably, a motivation letter to show your enthusiasm for Capital One and the specific position you are applying for. Online application helps Capital One roughly screen candidates by looking into their educational background and work experience.

Stage 2: Online Tests

Capital One uses 3 main types of tests: numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and situational judgment tests. Through these assessments, Capital One wants to evaluate your cognitive ability and also your behavior and working style.

Stage 3: Video Interview

This stage includes a video interview or phone screening with a manager or HR personnel at Capital One and can be conducted in either a one-on-one or group interview format. Also, there will be a case study for you to solve.

Stage 4: Power Day

Capital One Power Day is a term for a series of comprehensive exercises including an aptitude test, a behavioral interview, and a case interview. Power Day is an effective tool to help the company gain better insight into your experience, behavioral characteristics, and work ethics. 

 

Capital One numerical reasoning test

Capital One Numerical Reasoning Tests ask you to perform mathematical calculations or interpret data from tables and graphs. The tests are designed to measure candidates’ numeracy skills, which are essential for roles in finance. Here are some examples of numerical reasoning questions from SHL.

Source: SHL

Answer: The correct answer is D

Explanation:

The price of a box of paper after sale off: $21.99 x (100%-20%) = $17.592
The price of a toner cartridge after sale off: $52.90 x (100%-20%) = $42.32
The price of a folder after sale off: $0.99 x (100%-20%) = $0.792
The remaining budget for buying folders: $175.00 – 3 x $17.592 – 2 x $42.32 = $37.584
The number of folders Joe can buy: $37.584/$0.792 = 47.45
So the answer is D. 47 folders.

Source: SHL

Answer: The correct answer is D

Explanation:

The total amount of time to manufacture: 9 hours x 7 = 63 hours = 3780 minutes
The revenue of each model is presented as follows:

As shown in the table above, model D brings the highest revenue.

 

Capital One verbal reasoning test

In this section, you will be provided with a short passage followed by a statement, which you have to determine whether it is true, false, or cannot say. Verbal Reasoning Tests aim to assess how well you understand and process written language. Let’s find out how this question type will be in the Capital One assessment test:

Source: SHL

Answer: TRUE

Explanation: This statement is true (Option A) as the passage states: “In response to the problem, the report observes the need for an immediate international agreement on reducing emissions.” The problem here is “global warming”.

Source: SHL

Answer: Cannot Say

Explanation: We cannot say whether this statement is true or false (Option C) as the passage does not make reference to the “support” or “individuals responsible for allocating funds”.

 

Capital One situational judgment test

Situational Judgment Tests look into your approach and attitudes towards workplace situations, how you interact with colleagues and the way you contribute to the company. SHL-style questions often require you to rank 4 options based on the extent of effectiveness for a given scenario. Let’s take a look at some typical questions.

Source: SHL

Answer: The order is D-B-A-C

Explanation:

The most effective response is option D. Helping customers is always the staff’s top priority, but you also need to announce the coworker, so they don’t have to wait.

The 2nd should be option B. Taking time to know the customer’s insight helps assist in selling; however, it can be time-consuming, and your colleague would have to wait for a long time without any announcement.

The next priority would be option A. It is your responsibility to show them the party section. However, this customer doesn’t know what to buy, so this response is just average and cannot solve their problems.

Finally, option C is the least effective in this case. It may indicate your neglect of the customer’s problem though you know well about the party items, and there’s no solution for them as you cannot be sure if there’s a coworker to help at the section.

Source: SHL

Answer: B-A-C-D

Explanation:

The best response will be option B. You must prioritize your job first and ensure the highest productivity through your comfort at work. Moreover, other coworkers may be willing and possibly hope to swap with that colleague.

The second best solution is option A. Talking with the manager may help the colleague no longer struggle to find someone to change shifts. However, it is not an optimal answer as changing assigned shifts permanently is not flexible, and that colleague just needs to swap for a few.

The second least effective is option C. This answer shows your willingness to help and empathy with coworkers, but it is far from effective as you have to sacrifice while others may be comfortable changing shifts.

The least effective option would be option D. Though you will be accommodating, this option shows that you do not prioritize and consider your work and just try to please others.

 

What Capital One looks for in candidates

To hire the right person, Capital One looks for candidates with appropriate personal values and cognitive abilities. These are demonstrated by the qualities below:

Personal values

Capital One’s culture is built on 2 core values: Excellence and Doing the Right thing, demonstrated by 7 qualities. To become a part of the team, your answers for the test have to perform compatible with what the company expects from its candidates:

  • Efficiency
  • Advanced communication skills
  • Innovation
  • Collaboration
  • Trustworthiness
  • Willing to learn
  • Respect for diversity

Cognitive abilities

Capital One online assessment includes numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning, and situational judgment tests. These assessments ask you to perform the corresponding qualities that Capital One looks for in a candidate. Why are such skills necessary for a position at Capital One?

  • Numerical reasoning skills: A financial analyst at Capital One is often responsible for researching and utilizing financial data, which includes numbers, tables, and graphs. Therefore, the ability to perform accurate calculations and draw logical reasoning out of numbers is essential.
  • Verbal reasoning skills: A financial worker needs to look for data from different sources and convey their findings in concrete financial reports. To do so, you need to comprehend and use written language effectively.
  • Situational judgment skills: When working at Capital One, you will often be in contact with different stakeholders: managers, coworkers, or clients. Thus, good communication and problem-solving skills in work-related contexts are vital to every position in this company.
 

Frequently asked questions

1. How long is the Capital One assessment test?

The assessment lasts 60 minutes, meaning each section is around 20-30 minutes.

2. How do I know if I passed the Capital One assessment test?

The notification about an interview will be sent via email to those who perform well in the assessment tests.

3. How long does it take to hear from Capital One after interviews?

It depends on the recruitment season, typically the quality and quantity of candidates. However, the average amount of time is within 2 weeks.

4. What is the passing score for the Capital One assessment test?

There is no fixed band score for the tests. The benchmark is formed once comparing candidates altogether. You must score in the top 50% of all applicants to be qualified for the next round.

5. How do I prepare for the Capital One assessment test?

One proven tip for the Capital One online assessment is practice. Your aptitude skills can be improved by exercising mock tests and revising solutions, by which you can develop skills and techniques to handle every aptitude test, not just those from Capital One.

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