Assessment centres
Assessment centres are often the next stage in the selection process following a successful first interview. Read our blog for help preparing for a virtual assessment centre
Graduates First
Free unlimited access to 100+ assessments and tools which are used by over 8,000 of the world’s top employers.
University of Warwick have partnered with Graduates First, granting Warwick students free access to a range of practice psychometric and personality tests commonly used by employers as part of the recruitment and selection process.
These include Numerical Reasoning, Personality Questionnaires, Situational Judgement Tests, Video Interviews, Game-Based assessments, and many more.
Register with Graduates First for freeLink opens in a new window
eCareersGrad ‘Interview Success’ and ‘Master the Commercial & Consulting Case’
The University of Warwick has partnered with eCareersGrad to provide access to these modular, video-based, interactive eLearning courses. (supported by WMG and WBS)
Register with eCareersGrad for freeLink opens in a new window
How are assessment centres structured?
- Normally involve a series of individual and group exercises to assess your skills, competencies, suitability to the role and the employer organisation
- Usually the final stage of the selection procedure, although you may be required to attend a further interview
- For some roles this may include a technical interview e.g. IT, engineering
- Variable in there duration from half a day to 3 days. Employers provide full details of the assessment centre schedule in advance
- Employers assess candidates individually against the competencies of the role and not each other.
The tasks are designed to measure the skills and competencies required to do the job and may include all or a selection of:
- interview
- individual and/or group presentation
- group exercises – e.g. team-building or business case study
- in-tray or e-tray exercise
- aptitude tests, psychometric tests, and personality tests
- social event – drinks/dinner with senior managers
- written exercise – case study or report.
Careers Blog post:
What is the employer expecting?
- Punctuality
- Smart appearance, dressed appropriately
- Respect for the assessors and other candidates (e.g. turn off mobile phones!)
- To be yourself and demonstrate your personality
- To actively engage and participate in organised group exercises. Try to achieve a balance - neither dominating/monopolising or being too quiet and unresponsive during the group exercise(s)
- You are not expected to excel across the entire assessment centre, but evidence of your ability to work in a team, engage with managers, and your personal qualities are crucial to your performance. And ultimate selection.
External links
- Civil Service Fast Stream
- Prospects overview of assessment centresLink opens in a new window
- TARGETjobs guide to assessment centresLink opens in a new window
The case study interview - useful resources
- Ace the CaseLink opens in a new window
- Boston Consulting GroupLink opens in a new window
- Case study preparationLink opens in a new window
- Management Consulted Link opens in a new window
- McKinsey Link opens in a new window
- Oliver Wyman Link opens in a new window
- Target Jobs Link opens in a new window
Assessment Centres playlist: