Assessment centres give recruiters a chance to see how you work with others and handle tasks. They provide more insight into your skills and abilities than an interview alone.

You’ll complete work-based activities such as report writing, group exercises, and presentations. Not all companies use the same exercises, but they will typically provide advice on what to expect.

You may have an interview with a Senior Manager. Expect questions similar to your first interview, but also more in-depth commercial or business awareness questions. Some interviews might feel less formal as they assess your fit within the team.

Be ready to discuss your interests outside of work and study. Practice your interview on Graduates First. 

• How to get your free access to Graduates First

You might be given a business case to solve in a group. Contribute as much as you can without overshadowing others. You don’t need to adopt a role within the team unless the scenario gives you one. Instead, play to your strengths:

• Lead if you’re a good leader.
• Solve problems if you’re a good problem solver.
• Organise the task if you’re a good organiser.
• Show good teamwork by involving quieter members and acknowledging others’ contributions.

Online tests are usually done earlier but verbal and numerical reasoning may be re-tested under supervision. Practice these tests in advance on our Online Testing web page. 

• Go to Online Testing

E-Tray exercises test your time management, prioritisation, written communication, and analytical skills. 

Typically, you will be given a simulated inbox containing emails and asked to prioritise and respond to them. As you undertake the test, you will receive more emails. 

Alternatively, you may get a series of documents; memos, letters, emails, and reports. Your task will be to respond according to the instructions. 

The Wiki job forum is a good source of information on the exercises used by different companies. 

You can practice E-Tray exercises on Graduates First. 

• How to get your free access to Graduates First

Presentations may be part of the assessment centre. You might get your topic in advance or on the day. Assessors look for both content and delivery, including body language and communication skills. Book a practice presentation with us.

• Book a practice presentation

Role play exercises may involve acting as a Manager with an actor or staff member as a customer or junior colleague. Usually, there is time to read through the scenario and prepare, by understanding the scenario and planning your strategy. 

Knowing the competencies in advance of your assessment centre will give you an understanding of the behaviours the company will expect you to display during the role play.

In a written exercise, you'll analyse information and write a response, such as a report with recommendations. 

Often there is a lot of information to get through. Some of this will be more relevant than the rest. One of your first tasks will be to decide what is essential and what is not. 

Manage your time well to process the information and prepare your report.