American Express uses a coding test for technology roles, reasoning and situational judgment tests for some graduate programmes, and HireVue recorded interviews across many of them. The mix depends on the role and country, and most public reports are from candidates rather than from Amex itself. This page covers what the American Express online assessment is, its format and timings, how it is scored, the rules to know before you start, how to prepare and a practice plan.
What the American Express online assessment is
American Express publishes no test specification, so this page reflects candidate reports from about 2017 to early 2026. Technology candidates describe HackerRank or Codility tests; UK graduate candidates describe numerical, verbal and situational tests arriving within days of applying; and US interns in late 2025 describe a HireVue round with skills and behavioural questions. UK technology candidates have also reported an assessment centre built around a hackathon.
For the interviews that follow, see the American Express interview process and what a one-way video interview is.
Format and timings
| Part | What it involves | Time and questions |
|---|---|---|
| Coding test (technology) | Multiple-choice questions plus coding, or several easy coding problems | Reports include 75 minutes, and four easy problems in 90 minutes |
| Reasoning tests (some graduate programmes) | Numerical and verbal reasoning | Varies; one older UK report described tight per-question timing |
| Situational judgment test | Customer and workplace scenarios | Varies |
| HireVue video interview | About four or five recorded behavioural questions | Commonly reported: about 20 minutes |
Total: varies by programme; coding tests are commonly reported at 75 to 90 minutes and HireVue rounds at about 20 minutes.
How it is scored
- Coding tests are auto-graded on test cases.
- Situational answers are compared with how Amex wants colleagues to treat customers and each other.
- American Express does not publish cut-offs.
Rules to know before you start
- The test link usually arrives within a few days of applying, guides report.
- Watch the clock on coding tests: one candidate reported running out of time on a 75-minute test.
- Outside help is not allowed.
How to prepare
- Technology applicants: practice easy LeetCode-style problems for speed, since several reports describe more problems rather than harder ones.
- Graduate applicants: do timed numerical and verbal sets and a situational practice test.
- Prepare four or five two-minute behavioural answers for the HireVue.
- If you reach a UK assessment centre, expect group work such as a hackathon and an individual interview.
A practice plan
- Day 1: confirm from the invitation whether your track gets reasoning tests, a coding test or both, and note the deadline.
- Days 2 and 3: timed numerical and verbal sets, or two coding problems a day if you are on a technology track.
- Day 4: one full timed run of the exact mix your invitation lists.
- Day 5: record yourself answering three motivation and teamwork questions in two minutes each.
- Day 6: rest and check your device, browser and camera.
- Day 7: take the assessment in one sitting, early in the window.
Related guides: what an online assessment is, the HackerRank assessment guide, the CodeSignal assessment guide.
On the day, and the mistakes to avoid
- Read which parts are timed and which are only time-recorded; both kinds note how long you take.
- Use a laptop with a webcam and microphone, because many of these assessments end with recorded answers.
- Keep a calculator, paper and pen nearby for numerical items if the instructions allow them.
- For a coding part, pick the language you are fastest in and test edge cases before submitting.
- Dress as you would for an interview and sit facing a light source in case video is requested.
- Finish in one sitting and save the confirmation email.
Mistakes that cost candidates:
- Preparing for the wrong format because a forum post described a different track or year.
- Ranking situational options by what sounds impressive rather than by what the employer's values describe.
- Skipping the multiple-choice computer science questions that sit beside the coding problems.
- Reading a script in the recorded answers instead of speaking to the camera.
- Applying to several programmes at an employer that counts only one application a year.
What happens after the American Express online assessment
Passing usually leads to a recorded or live interview and then an assessment centre or final round with several conversations in one day. Technology candidates should expect at least one live coding interview; everyone should expect motivation and values questions, so prepare specific stories now. For the next stage, see what a one-way video interview is.
Where CoPilot Interview fits
Online assessments are tests you take on your own: outside help is not allowed, and proctoring settings can flag other apps, tab switches or a second voice. Practice beforehand instead. CoPilot Interview is an AI interview assistant; its free AI mock interview prepares you for the interviews that follow the assessment, with questions built from your résumé and the job description and each spoken answer scored out of ten. The free plan gives 15 minutes a day of live help in sessions of up to 15 minutes, with AI mock interviews included. Read the invitation carefully and follow your employer's rules.
Disclosure: CoPilot Interview is our product, so weigh what we say about it accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
What platform does American Express use for coding tests?
Candidates report HackerRank and, in some years, Codility. Your invitation names it.
Is there a HireVue at American Express?
Often, yes. Candidates describe about four or five recorded behavioural questions taking about 20 minutes.
Does Amex use situational judgment tests?
For some graduate and early-careers programmes, according to UK candidate reports and prep providers.
What comes after the American Express online assessment?
Usually a panel or final interview; some UK technology candidates report an assessment centre with a hackathon.
Can I use AI tools during the American Express online assessment?
No, unless the instructions explicitly allow it. Assessments are meant to be taken on your own, and proctoring settings can flag other apps, tab switches or pasted code. Use AI tools to practice beforehand, and follow your employer's rules.
Practice this interview before the real one
The AI mock interview builds questions from your resume and the job description, reads them aloud and scores each spoken answer out of 10. Included on the free plan.
Start a mock interview