What Happens at a Graduate Assessment Centre?

An assessment centre is usually the final stage of a graduate application. It is a set of exercises lasting from a few hours to two days, often including a group task, a case study or written exercise, a presentation and an interview. Assessors score you against the skills or strengths the employer is looking for, across all the exercises, so steady performance in every task matters more than one perfect moment.

What is an assessment centre?#

Prospects describes assessment centres as a combination of tasks and activities that test your suitability for a job, often the final stage for large graduate recruiters, hosted over anything from an afternoon to two days. They can be in person or online. Newcastle University reports Institute of Student Employers research finding that 95% of employers used assessment centres in their selection process in the previous year.

What exercises come up?#

The Civil Service Fast Stream is one example. Its assessment centre includes a written exercise giving advice to a senior team, a one-to-one role play with an assessor playing your line manager, and a 30-minute interview.

How are you assessed?#

Prospects explains that assessors, usually a mix of HR staff and line managers, score your actions against competency frameworks and then discuss your performance together. Some employers assess strengths or skills instead. EY, for example, describes a skills-based approach that looks at the strengths you have built and what energises you.

Two points are worth remembering:

• You are measured against a standard, not the other candidates. The Fast Stream guidance says candidates are assessed against an independent standard. Prospects adds that all, several, one or none of the candidates could be successful.
• One weak exercise is not the end. Both sources say you can make up for a weaker performance in one task by doing well in another.

How should you prepare?#

• Reread the job description and list the skills the employer wants. Prepare a STAR example for each.
• Research the organisation and its sector: its services, clients, recent news and competitors.
• Prepare anything you are asked to prepare, such as a presentation, and rehearse it out loud to time.
• Practise a case study under time pressure: read a short pack, pick the key facts and write a one-page recommendation.
• Reflect on your earlier interview and any feedback, as Prospects suggests.

How do you do well on the day?#

• Read every brief carefully and ask if anything is unclear before the exercise starts.
• In group tasks, contribute ideas, bring quieter people in, and keep track of time. Taking over is as unhelpful as saying nothing.
• Watch the clock in timed exercises and leave time to finish.
• If a task goes badly, put it behind you and focus on the next one.
• Stay friendly and professional throughout, including at breaks and meals.

What is different online?#

Newcastle University’s careers service suggests finding a quiet space with a tidy background, testing the platform, camera, speakers and microphone in advance, and looking into the webcam to make eye contact. Online centres often start with everyone together, then move into smaller breakout rooms for group tasks.

What happens afterwards?#

You may hear the same day or within a few days. If you are unsuccessful, ask for feedback. It is the fastest way to improve for your next assessment centre.