Prepare. Participate. Show your strengths.
An assessment centre is a recruitment stage where an employer uses a range of activities to explore your skills, strengths and suitability for a role. Activities can take place individually or in groups and may be based on workplace situations.
Assessment centres can vary in format and length, from a few hours to several days.
Common activities
- Psychometric tests: May assess areas such as verbal, numerical or logical reasoning, as well as other skills or preferences.
- Presentations: You may be given a topic in advance or on the day to research and present.
- In-tray exercises: You may need to review information, prioritise tasks and make decisions within a set time.
- Written exercises: You could be asked to analyse information and produce a written response or report.
- Group exercises or role play: These may explore how you communicate, work with others, solve problems and contribute to a team.
Preparing for an assessment centre
- Research the organisation and role so you understand the skills and qualities they may be looking for.
- Review your application and be ready to discuss your experience.
- Practise relevant psychometric tests where appropriate.
- Think about examples that demonstrate your skills, particularly teamwork, communication, organisation and problem-solving.
- Check what activities you’ll be completing and ask the employer if you need any reasonable adjustments.
- Speak to the Careers Service for advice or support with your preparation.
Assessment centres can feel challenging, but preparing in advance can help you feel more comfortable and ready to demonstrate your skills.
Need More Help?
Visit StudentHub and click on ‘Career Tools’ for assessment centre resources.
