Assessment centres

Most large graduate recruiters include assessment centres as part of their recruitment process. They typically last between 1/2 day- 1 day.

Assessment centres give the employer the chance to observe you and see what you can do, rather than what you say you can do, in a variety of situations.

They are usually the last stage in a recruitment process. Some companies may ask you for a final interview post-assessment centre with e.g., a senior manager.

 

"The Institute of Student Employers have reported that 95% of employers used assessment centres as part of their selection process in the last year"

RateMyPlacement 

 

What happens at an assessment centre?

Assessment centres can either be in person or take place virtually.

During the assessment centre, you will have to meet and deal with a variety of people, both selectors and other candidates.

You'll work both individually and as part of a group on a variety of exercises, including:

  • tour of the employer's office (or a presentation if online)
  • lunch/coffee breaks, with a chance to meet other employers and graduates (or online networking sessions)
  • written tasks
  • group tasks
  • presentation
  • interview

Here's an example of what an assessment day might look like:

 

Table showing typical timings of exercises in an assessment centre
 Time

 

 Exercise

 

 9:15

  Employer presentation, meet other candidates

 10:00

  Recruitment test

 11:30

  Individual written task

 12:45

   Break for lunch

 13:45

  Group exercise

 14:45

  Individual interview

 16:15

   Individual presentations

 16:45

  Wrap-up questions and end

 

What is being assessed?

Employers could be assessing you against multiple skills and behaviours. The more practical tasks employers could be looking for include:

  • adaptability
  • analytical thinking
  • commercial awareness
  • communication
  • creativity
  • decision-making
  • leadership
  • negotiation
  • organisation
  • persuasion
  • planning
  • teamwork
  • time management

You can usually get an idea of what they will be assessing you for from the job description.

Accessing support 

As with any other part of the recruitment process, you'll need to prepare thoroughly. You can learn more now by reading our guide to assessment centres Links to an external site..

Once you're registered as a student on campus, you can access a range of support to help you prepare, including:

  • booking an appointment via MyCareer to discuss how you can prepare
  • coming to a workshop on how to prepare or even practise a group exercise 
  • accessing online tools like Graduates First to practise recruitment tests and case studies 

 

Click through to the next page to discover resources for international students >