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Commercial Awareness for Goldman Sachs Apprenticeship Applications
Commercial awareness is tested at every stage of the Goldman Sachsapplication — from motivational questions on the form through to case studies and interviews at the assessment centre. Here's what you need to know.
The Business Context
Goldman Sachs is a global investment bank. Key divisions include Investment Banking, Global Markets, Asset Management, and Consumer & Wealth Management. GS UK revenue exceeds £4 billion annually.
Key Facts to Know
Starting salary
£30,000–£35,000
Programme length
3 years
Acceptance rate
1–2%
Application window
October–December for the following summer/autumn start
Commercial Awareness Questions to Prepare For
“What do you think are the biggest challenges facing Goldman Sachs in the next year?”
“Tell me something recent in the news that you think is relevant to what we do.”
“What trends are affecting our industry right now?”
“Can you explain what Goldman Sachs does in a couple of sentences?”
How to build commercial awareness fast
- Read Goldman Sachs's latest annual report introduction (10 minutes — just the CEO letter)
- Set a Google Alert for “Goldman Sachs” and read one article per week
- Read the FT, BBC Business, or The Economist for 10 minutes each morning in the 4 weeks before your assessment
- Be able to explain what Goldman Sachs does in two sentences without using industry jargon
Want the full prep pack?
Goldman Sachs Apprenticeship Prep Pack
Application stages, competencies, real interview questions, commercial awareness, and a pre-submission checklist — in one complete pack.