DBS PI Cognitive Assessment, Personality Test, Hiring Process & Interview Online Preparation – 2025

What Is DBS?

Originally started by the government of Singapore, DBS is now the largest bank in Southeast Asia with 100 locations, and a multinational banking and financial services provider. They operate in 17 markets with 250 branches. The countries in which they can be found include Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, The Philippines, Taiwan, Taiwan, The United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, The United States, and The United Kingdom.

No matter which aspect of finance you are interested in, there is a team for you at DBS. Consumer finance, business banking, and capital markets are all areas in which DBS offers services. There are also careers available that are finance adjacent, such as marketing, compliance and legal, group audit, and risk management, as well as positions with HR, and IT. The benefits of working for DBS are:

• Comprehensive medical coverage
• Maternity and paternity leave
• Volunteer leave
• Scholarship programs
• Cross departmental opportunities

What Is DBS’ Recruitment Process?

Application

To apply at DBS, create a profile on its website so you can save your searches, and return to any job posts that interest you. You can search by country as well as by job title. You will need to create a profile to be able to apply for jobs and upload your documents.

DBS’s Online Assessments

An important part of the DBS hiring process is aptitude testing. As part of their assessment process you may be asked to solve case studies, perform skills tests, such as coding, or complete psychometric tests. Some of the tests may even be in a game format. The test process will vary by job title, but most applicants will be required to take at least the PI Cognitive Assessment.

PI Cognitive Assessment

The PI Cognitive Assessment, PICA, or PLI, is a psychometric test that measures your problem solving and critical thinking skills. It is a 50 question multiple-choice test, and has a time limit of 12 minutes. Even if it is not complete, the test will automatically shut off after 12 minutes have passed. The PI measures 3 areas of cognition. These are:

• Inductive Reasoning – This area of problem solving is tested using shapes and sequences. You will need to be able to determine patterns involving changing shapes, and use logic and spatial reasoning to finish the patterns.
• Verbal Reasoning – Using analogies, synonyms and antonyms, and reading comprehension, your reading and communication skills will be tested.
• Numerical Reasoning – Your ability to work with numbers will be measured using word problems, number sequences, and arithmetic.

Personality Test

Another common assessment is a personality survey. This consists of a brief questionnaire. You may be asked to rank responses, or pick adjectives that best and least describe you. This information is used to build a profile of your workplace behaviors, and measured against a model profile.

Interviews

The interview process may vary by department. Some applicants will be sent a link to complete a brief video interview through HireVue. During this type of interview, you will record yourself answering the questions, and you will have only a few minutes to prepare your answer between each question. Others will proceed directly to interviewing with a team lead, or to a panel interview with at least to managers.

How to Prepare for DBS’ Psychometric Tests?

Without passing the assessment tests, you will not be invited to interview. It is important that you take some time to practice for the tests so you can put your best foot forward. Inductive reasoning can be one of the more difficult areas on the test. You can use online apps and “brain games” to help improve this skill. Many of the drills and games on these apps resemble inductive reasoning questions. You can improve your vocabulary through reading, and practice your reading comprehension with word puzzles. These require you to use critical thought and limited information to solve a puzzle. Do not forget to do math drills, and practice solving word problems. There are also websites that can help you with any math skills you may feel are lacking.

Answer the questions on the personality survey from a professional standpoint. Be honest, but as you decide on your responses, keep in mind how you would behave in the workplace, since this often varies from how you would act in your private life.