Plum-style drills
Plum-style discovery survey
20 sets of statements, 10 pattern puzzles, 5 word lists and 7 workplace situations, untimed in about 25 minutes
Used by Citi (Reported)
The format
- Sections5 in a fixed order: preferences, puzzles, words, puzzles, people
- TimeUntimed, about 25 minutes
- Marked here10 puzzles and 7 situations
- No right answersPreferences and word lists
- Going backBack on every screen, and Next waits for an answer
Each section opens with a worked example you don't answer
How to approach it
- Answer the preference sections as you are: trying to look like a banker flattens your profile
- When no statement fits, pick relatively: which is a little more like you, and which a little less
- There's no clock, so check each puzzle against every rule before you choose
- In the situations, look for the calm, direct response that deals with the problem
Format notes
What this drill copies from the published format and how sure we are of each value, checked 1 October 2026
| Parameter | Value | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Sections | 5 in a fixed order: preferences, puzzles part 1, words that describe you, puzzles part 2, working with people | OfficialSource 1 for SectionsSource 2 for Sections |
| Total time | No time limit, about 25 minutes, and no clock on screen | OfficialSource for Total time |
| Moving through | Back and Next on every screen, and Next stays locked until the answer is complete | OfficialSource for Moving through |
| Review | Reviewing at the end restarts from the first screen | OfficialSource for Review |
| Work preferencesThe count comes from the provider's own screenshots | 20 sets of three statements: pick one least and one most like you | OfficialSource for Work preferences |
| Puzzles, part 1 | 5 puzzles, each with 5 options to click | OfficialSource 1 for Puzzles, part 1Source 2 for Puzzles, part 1 |
| Puzzles, part 2One prep site counts about 7 | 5 more puzzles in the same format | ReportedSource 1 for Puzzles, part 2Source 2 for Puzzles, part 2 |
| Puzzle types | Rows that continue a sequence, and 3 by 3 grids with a piece missing | OfficialSource for Puzzle types |
| Puzzle figuresOur design; the real figures look different but follow the same kind of rules | Our own shapes, dots and outlines | Unverified |
| Words that describe you | 5 lists of ten words: pick 3 least and 3 most like you, and some lists are all negative | OfficialSource for Words that describe you |
| Working with people | 7 situations with 4 responses: pick the most and least effective | OfficialSource 1 for Working with peopleSource 2 for Working with people |
| Calculator | None needed, as no part involves maths | OfficialSource for Calculator |
| Scoring | Puzzles right or wrong against other candidates, preferences with no right answers, and an unpublished key for the situations | OfficialSource for Scoring |
| What you see | A profile of your strengths straight away; the employer sees a match score you don't | OfficialSource for What you see |
| Retakes | One sitting a year, shared with every employer you link it to | OfficialSource for Retakes |
| Idle time | Logged out after 30 minutes idle, with answers kept | OfficialSource for Idle time |
| WindowOne prep site; the invite gives the real deadline | About 5 days to complete once invited | UnverifiedSource for Window |
| Marking hereOur choice; the provider's key isn't published | Puzzles right or wrong, situation picks against our key, the rest summarised | Unverified |
Who uses it
What the evidence says about each employer, checked 1 October 2026
CitiReported
The bank's own careers page names a skills discovery survey for EMEA programmes, and two prep sites name this provider for it, untimed and about 25 minutes
CitiUnverified
Other guides name a different provider for the bank's tests, including for spring week, so check your invite
Independent practice in the style of Plum's published format. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Plum