How to Pass the Primark Assessment: Complete Guide, Tips, and Examples
If you’re considering a career at Primark, you’re not alone – this popular, low-cost clothing retailer operates in over 16 countries and receives thousands of applications for its roles. To stand out in this competitive process, you must first pass the Primark assessment as part of the recruitment journey. The assessment helps Primark evaluate your suitability for a specific role and ensures they select the best candidates for their team.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Primark assessment, including detailed test descriptions, preparation strategies, and sample questions. With this knowledge, you’ll be fully prepared to tackle each part of the process.
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What is the Primark Assessment?
The Primark assessment is a combination of tests designed to evaluate your skills, personality, and decision-making abilities. These assessments are used to help Primark identify candidates who will best fit their work environment and culture.
The specific tests you take will depend on the position you are applying for. Some common assessments include:
- Situational Judgement Test (SJT): Measures how well you would react to workplace scenarios and whether your decision-making aligns with Primark's ethos.
- Logical Reasoning Test: Assesses your ability to think critically and recognise patterns to solve problems.
- Numerical Reasoning Test: Evaluates your numerical and analytical skills.
- Excel Test: For roles requiring technical knowledge, Primark may test your ability to use Excel for data analysis and basic functions.
- Hogan Personality Test: Measures personal traits like leadership, teamwork, and adaptability, helping Primark assess cultural fit.
Test Breakdown: What is Covered in the Primark Assessment?
Each part of the Primark assessment is designed to test your abilities in a specific area. Here’s a closer look at what you can expect:
1. Numerical Reasoning
This section tests your ability to interpret data and solve basic mathematical problems. You may be shown graphs or tables and asked to answer questions based on the data.
Key skills: Data interpretation, basic numeracy, mental arithmetic.
Primark Assessment – Numerical Reasoning Sample Question
Primark is reviewing the sales of three products in one of its stores for the last month:
- T-shirts: 500 units
- Jeans: 300 units
- Jackets: 200 units
If Primark wants to increase the sales of jeans by 15%, how many jeans will need to be sold next month?
2. Logical Reasoning
This test evaluates your ability to recognise patterns and solve logical problems, often through sequences or series of images.
Key skills: Pattern recognition, problem-solving, logical thinking.
Primark Assessment – – Logical Reasoning Sample Question
Primark is setting up a new store layout and must place the following departments in a specific order based on customer flow:
- Department A: Women’s Clothing
- Department B: Men’s Clothing
- Department C: Shoes
- Department D: Accessories
- Department E: Children’s Clothing
Rules:
- Department A must be next to Department B.
- Department C must be placed before Department D.
- Department E must be placed after Department A.
Which of the following sequences of departments is acceptable?
3. Situational Judgement Test (SJT)
The Situational Judgement Test is designed to assess how you respond to common workplace scenarios. Your answers will help Primark understand how you handle tasks and challenges in a retail environment.
Key skills: Problem-solving, prioritisation, customer service.
Primark Assessment – SJT Sample Question
You are a sales assistant at Primark, and the store is very busy. You notice a customer struggling to find a specific item while your manager asks you to stock an important display.
What would you do?
4. Excel Assessment
The Excel assessment is designed to test your proficiency in using Excel for data analysis and basic functions. You may be asked to perform calculations, use formulas, or interpret data in spreadsheets.
Key skills: Basic Excel functions, Data interpretation, and formula application.
Primark Assessment – Excel Sample Question
| Product | Sales Q1 | Sales Q2 |
| T-shirts | 200 | 250 |
| Jeans | 150 | 180 |
| Jackets | 100 | 120 |
You want to calculate the total sales for each product across both quarters.
Which Excel formula should you use for cell C2 to calculate the total sales for T-shirts?
What to Expect During the Primark Assessment
The Primark assessment can be completed online, and depending on the role, there might also be an assessment centre and an interview. Here’s a breakdown of the typical steps:
- Application: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and tailored to the role you're applying for. Apply online and follow the instructions carefully.
- Online Assessment: After your application, you'll be asked to take the Primark assessment. This is typically a combination of multiple-choice tests like SJT, logical reasoning, and numerical reasoning.
- Assessment Centre: If you pass the online tests, you may be invited to an assessment centre. This day may include group exercises, role-playing scenarios, additional tests, and individual interviews.
- Interview: The final stage of the process typically involves an in-person or virtual interview, during which you'll be asked to demonstrate your skills and experience.
Primark’s Interview Questions
During the interview, the following questions (or similar) could come up:
- Please tell me about your previous experience (We recommend you to focus on experience that is related to retail).
- What interests you in retail, and in working with us in particular?
- Which qualities are you bringing to this role?
- Please tell me about a situation in which you provided good customer service.
To get ready, think of precise answers.
In addition, JobTestPrep’s product includes tools that can help you prepare, such as interview tips.
How to Prepare for the Primark Assessment
Preparation is key to success in the Primark assessment. Here are a few strategies to help you perform your best:
Practice
Use Primark Assessment study materials to familiarise yourself with the test format and practice timed exercises. The more you practice, the better you will perform on the actual tests.
Use Primark Assessment study materials to familiarise yourself with the test format and practice timed exercises. The more you practice, the better you will perform on the actual tests.
Review Primark’s Values
Understand Primark’s core values, such as customer service and teamwork. These will guide you in answering situational judgment questions and align your responses with what Primark values.
Understand Primark’s core values, such as customer service and teamwork. These will guide you in answering situational judgment questions and align your responses with what Primark values.
Brush Up on Key Skills
Practice numerical reasoning, logical thinking, and pattern recognition skills using puzzle books or online resources. This will help improve your cognitive abilities in these areas.
Practice numerical reasoning, logical thinking, and pattern recognition skills using puzzle books or online resources. This will help improve your cognitive abilities in these areas.
FAQs
The Primark assessment can be challenging, but with the proper preparation, you can succeed. Familiarising yourself with the types of questions and practising regularly can make a significant difference.
The number of questions varies depending on the role and the combination of tests required, but you can expect between 30 to 60 questions in total.
If you fail, your application won’t progress. However, you can reapply for other positions at Primark after 180 days.
The Primark assessment usually takes between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the test sections and the number of questions you’re required to complete.
