Barclays · Data
Barclays Data Scientist Interview Questions & Preparation
Quick answer
A Barclays Data Scientist interview combines Barclays's 4-stage process — application & tests, video interview, assessment centre, offer — with the technical and behavioural bar for a Data Scientist. Expect Barclays to assess respect and integrity, alongside core data scientist skills like statistics & probability and sql. Prepare data scientist answers framed around what Barclays specifically looks for.
How Barclays interviews Data Scientists
Barclays is a major British universal bank, hiring across investment banking, technology, operations and retail. Its process assesses technical capability, behavioural strengths and alignment with its values, with division-specific content.
For a Data Scientist specifically, Barclays pairs its standard assessment with a technical bar focused on statistics & probability, sql, python. Data science interviews test whether you can turn ambiguous business problems into measurable analyses. Strong candidates pair technical depth (stats, ML, SQL) with clear communication and product judgement.
The Barclays interview process
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Application & tests | CV screen plus online aptitude and situational assessments. |
| Video interview | Recorded strengths- and competency-based questions. |
| Assessment centre | Interviews plus a case or group exercise with senior staff. |
| Offer | Decision and offer. |
What Barclays assesses
Data Scientist questions at Barclays
Expect a blend of Barclays's signature questions and core data scientist questions:
- 1Why Barclays, and why this division?
- 2Walk me through a valuation (banking) / a technical problem (technology).
- 3Tell me about a time you delivered great service.
- 4Explain p-values to a non-technical stakeholder.
- 5Write a SQL query to find the second-highest salary per department.
- 6How would you design an A/B test for a new feature?
- 7When would you use precision vs recall?
- 8Tell me about a time your analysis changed a business decision.
- 9How do you handle missing data?
Example STAR answer
Example answer to: “Tell me about a time your analysis changed a business decision.”
Skills assessed
How to prepare for a Barclays Data Scientist interview
- Map answers to Barclays' values.
- Prepare division-specific technicals.
- Define the metric and success criteria before reaching for a model.
- Practise SQL window functions and probability puzzles.
- Explain technical concepts in plain language — it's tested directly.
- Tie every analysis to a business decision.
Data Scientist salary
UK data scientists typically earn £45k–£85k, with senior and specialised roles exceeding £100k.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Barclays Data Scientist interview process involve?
Barclays's process runs through application & tests, video interview, assessment centre, offer. For a Data Scientist, the technical rounds focus on statistics & probability, sql, python, and behavioural rounds assess respect and integrity.
What is the Barclays interview process?
Online tests, a recorded video interview and an assessment centre with interviews and a case or group exercise, varying by division.
Is SQL tested in data science interviews?
Yes — SQL is almost always tested, including joins, aggregations and window functions.
How much machine learning do I need?
Enough to choose appropriate models, explain trade-offs and evaluate them properly. Depth scales with the role's seniority and specialism.
Preparing for a Barclays Data Scientist interview?
Upload your CV and paste the job description. CareerFast instantly builds your interview readiness score, a company briefing, predicted questions, tailored STAR answers, a mock interview and a downloadable PDF — free to start, no card needed.
Keep preparing
Other Barclays roles
This role at other companies