How Barclays Interviews in 2026: Process, Questions & What They Score

1. 01

   Explain the difference between an abstract class and an interface (or a standard class), typically in Java.

   Java fundamentals: abstract class versus interface contracts and when to choose each.

2. 02

   How does garbage collection work, and how would you handle memory/data storage considerations in your code?

   Tests JVM memory knowledge: garbage collection and reachability, plus practical memory-conscious coding.

3. 03

   Solve: find the subarray with the maximum sum.

   Tests Kadane's algorithm: a running best-ending-here sum in O(n).

4. 04

   Solve: reverse a string without using extra space.

   Tests in-place two-pointer swapping under an O(1) extra-space constraint.

5. 05

   Perform (or describe) a breadth-first search (BFS) traversal on an unweighted graph.

   Tests BFS mechanics: queue-driven level-order traversal with a visited set.

6. 06

   Write SQL queries against a given schema (basic joins/aggregations).

   Tests basic SQL joins and aggregations against a provided schema.

7. 07

   Explain OOP concepts (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism) with examples from a past project.

   OOP knowledge check: encapsulation, inheritance, and polymorphism illustrated with real project examples.

8. 08

   Walk me through the design or architecture of a project you've built (a lightweight system-design discussion).

   Lightweight system design: explain your own project's architecture, tradeoffs, and scaling decisions.

Reported problems, listed so you know what to expect. Practice them in your own editor or on the platform you prefer; SupaCV's practice mode coaches how you talk through them.

1. 01

   Walk me through a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis.

   IB technical staple: forecast free cash flows, discount at WACC, and defend terminal-value assumptions.

2. 02

   How would you value a company, and what are the pros and cons of DCF vs. comparable company analysis vs. precedent transactions?

   Tests valuation breadth: DCF versus comparables versus precedent transactions and when each is most reliable.

3. 03

   Walk me through how the three financial statements link together.

   IB technical: trace net income, depreciation, and working capital changes through the three statements.

4. 04

   What is WACC and how do you calculate it?

   Tests WACC mechanics: weighting cost of equity (via CAPM) and after-tax cost of debt by capital structure.

5. 05

   What is the difference between enterprise value and equity value?

   Tests the EV bridge: equity value plus net debt and other claims equals enterprise value.

6. 06

   If interest rates rise by 100 basis points overnight, walk me through exactly what happens to a DCF valuation.

   Tests sensitivity intuition: a higher discount rate compresses present values, hitting terminal value hardest.

7. 07

   Walk me through an LBO at a high level.

   Tests LBO mechanics: leverage at entry, debt paydown from cash flows, and exit-multiple-driven returns.

8. 08

   Can you name a recent deal Barclays advised on, and why does it interest you?

   Tests deal awareness: know one recent transaction's parties, rationale, and rough valuation, plus why it interests you.

Reported problems, listed so you know what to expect. Practice them in your own editor or on the platform you prefer; SupaCV's practice mode coaches how you talk through them.

1. 01

   Tell me about a time you demonstrated integrity, even when it was difficult.

2. 02

   Describe a time you went above and beyond what was expected of you.

3. 03

   Tell me about a time you worked in a team to deliver a difficult outcome.

4. 04

   Give an example of a time you supported a colleague's development.

5. 05

   Describe a time you had to adapt to significant organizational or process change.

6. 06

   Tell me about a time you introduced an innovative idea or improvement at work.

7. 07

   Describe a situation where you had to reprioritize your work due to changing requirements.

8. 08

   Why Barclays? / What do you know about our business and values?

1. 01

   Why sales and trading over other areas of finance?

2. 02

   Tell me about a market or trade you've been following recently and why.

3. 03

   How do you handle failure, risk, or a quick decision made under pressure?

4. 04

   You have a 3-gallon jug and a 5-gallon jug: how do you measure out exactly 4 gallons?

   Brainteaser on state search: pour between the jugs to isolate 4 gallons; narrate each intermediate state.

5. 05

   What is the probability that the last (100th) passenger to board a fully booked plane sits in their own assigned seat, given the first passenger sits randomly?

   Probability puzzle; the insight is symmetry between the first and last passenger, giving 1/2.

6. 06

   What's your view on [a current macro theme, e.g., rates, a major asset class] and how would you trade it?

7. 07

   Describe a time you had to communicate a complex idea simply and quickly.

Reported problems, listed so you know what to expect. Practice them in your own editor or on the platform you prefer; SupaCV's practice mode coaches how you talk through them.

1. 01

   Tell me about yourself.

2. 02

   What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses?

3. 03

   Why should we hire you over other candidates?

4. 04

   What challenges do you think this division/business area is currently facing?

5. 05

   How does this role fit into the wider organization, and where do you see yourself developing at Barclays?

6. 06

   When do you feel most energized at work, and how does that connect to what matters to you? (a 'strengths-based' question format Barclays uses alongside competency questions)