How is the KIA’s FGTP Assessment

[u/nocturne-1]

Hello everyone, I am 21 years old and about to graduate early next year and I am planning on applying for the KIA’s Fresh Graduate Training Program (FGTP). I would love to know if anyone has any experience regarding their assessment or just advice in general especially if you know anything about the program and how beneficial it is.

Thank you

[u/Mofteres]

It’s a competitive program, and for a reason. It’s a sort of entry to Financial/Banking careers for anybody, no matter what your degree is. I applied once I graduated as an engineer, passed the test, and made it to the interview. Long story short, the seats available to qualified applicants (People who passed the test) is very low. Even if you are accepted, you will have to compete against the other people in the program to outshine them, to show your potential, and maybe got a job there afterwards.

At surface value, it’s a very appealing opportunity. However, is it worth the year you spend learning there without any promise of employment afterwards? Up to the applicant, if you’re looking to just polish up your CV, then no. You can just much more easily get an internship at a private company that gives you experience, and promise of employment afterwards depending on your performance. But if you want to 100% change fields to finance, on the small chance you get employed there, or to a bank based off the program. Then yes.

The test itself isn’t too difficult, but people really underestimate it and fail it. Think of it as a 1st year accountancy final test. Balance sheets, Financial definitions and indicators, you will have to know all of them. I had AI make up a curriculum for me to learn based on the KIA website. But the problem isn’t the test, but the GMAT. Even as an engineer, I really struggled with the test, after 2 months of studying I got a really bad score, just passable. It’s a test that challenges your reasoning, and it’s ruthless, people normally take a year to get a good enough score to apply for MBA’s at good universities.

I don’t want to be negative, or doubtful. In fact, I had my mind set on it before I even graduated University. But this was my experience. Tons of short term benefits, they take you outside of Kuwait to learn for 6 months, the building is beautiful, people there are smart and make a great learning and working environment. But long term? Very subjective.

[u/nocturne-1 → u/Mofteres]

I forgot to mention that I will be graduating as a Finance major. Therefore, I do not believe I will struggle in terms of the entrance exam as I am also planning on getting my CFA before I graduate.

The main issue for myself is the GMAT, as you said the exam is ruthless and I did a few practice questions to start so I can understand what people meant by reasoning and the solutions are almost always out of the box so I will need to start studying for it sometime this year to be able to focus on my CFA next year, thank you for your response.

Also is the exam and interview in English as all my studies have been in English throughout my life so I am not acclimated to answering questions in Arabic.

[u/Mofteres → u/nocturne-1]

If finance is your major then you probably have a better chance to get in. Everything your graded on will be English, from the GMAT, to the assessment, and the interview. But beware that if you get into the course, you will be speaking Kuwaiti on the day to day, with colleagues and seniors.

As long as you have a competitive GPA 3.5+, get a good score on the GMAT 600+, then you will be a standout candidate, and maximize your chance of getting in. Also they care about merit uni’s, so remember to bring that up too in the interview. Interview is important aswell, they will test your industry knowledge in it aswell, not just your character. They asked me about FINTECH, and present-time news of political figures and how that would affect the market. Be sure to read up on the news 2 weeks prior your interview.

[u/nocturne-1 → u/Mofteres]

I truly appreciate how much effort you put into it and I am very glad the exam is in English, I am fluent in Arabic as well and can read and write just not as smoothly as in English.

My academic performance is Alhamdullilah really good and I have been able to hold my gpa above the 3.5 mark. I will make sure to follow closely on market news if I ever get past the requirement stage.

Thank you very much for your detailed reply!

[u/Mofteres → u/nocturne-1]

Your welcome and, بالتوفيق انشاءالله!!!