Graduate Assessment Centre – How to Shine and Get the Job

The following are examples of typical exercises you may find in assessment centres for graduates:

Case Study

A graduate case study is an exercise which assesses your ability to analyse, strategise, or be creative. This exercise usually includes the analysis of fictional documents that relate to hypothetical or real-life situations. Banking, financial services, accountancy, and management consulting are typical sectors in which you will find case study assessments, but they can also be part of assessments for other business sectors and industries.

Group Exercise

A graduate group exercise is a group activity which helps evaluate your ability to work in a team, your leadership skills, your social skills, and your ability to work under pressure. It is typically used in assessments for jobs requiring teamwork, such as management consulting, finance, and IT.

Presentation

A graduate presentation involves giving a 5–20-minute presentation based on either a previous case study assessment or another topic you will receive. This may include one of your hobbies, your course of study, or even the company where you are applying. A presentation task may be found in any sector's assessment centre because it is a simple way to give each candidate the chance to shine.

In-tray Exercise

In-tray/e-tray is an exercise that shows how well you prioritise tasks and manage your workload, usually in the form of an inbox. These tasks may include emails, reports, a calendar, and organisation charts, amongst others. Large employers, such as the Civil Service Fast Stream, KPMG, Deloitte, and Citigroup, are most likely to use in-tray exercises as part of their assessment centres.

Written Exercise

A written exercise involves writing in a concise and persuasive manner while expressing yourself clearly. Types of employers such as law firms, consultancies, and property firms are among those graduate employers most likely to use a written exercise assessment, but any employer that requires good written communication skills may administer this kind of test.

Interview

Some employers prefer to conduct the interview after you pass the assessment centre stage, whilst others opt to interview the candidates as part of it. It is important to be prepared for the possibility of being interviewed on assessment day. Our graduate interview preparation will help you get ready either way.

Verification Test

Verification tests are often given on assessment day to verify the integrity of the previous test you took online. The exact tests you will be asked to take depend on the employer and position for which you are applying. Find practice materials for graduate aptitude tests.

The following are tips for how to succeed in assessment centres for graduates. These tips are broken down into two categories: preparation tips and on-the-day tips.

How to Prepare for a Graduate Assessment Day

• Take the time to get to know the employer, their history, and recent changes they have made.
• Read everything the employer sends you in advance and complete all the pre-assessment day tasks.
• Find out as much as you can about the assessment/s you will have to pass.
• Practise out loud for assessments such as the presentation, the group exercise, and the interview.
• Get a good night's sleep.

How to Behave during a Graduate Assessment Day

• Show how professional you are by arriving on time or a little early and wearing clean, pressed clothes.
• Be enthusiastic about the exercises by showing interest and a willingness to learn.
• Don't put other candidates down or leave them out of the discussion.
• Be friendly to everyone you meet. You are constantly being assessed.
• Remember to relax and let your personality come through.