Assessment centres: what happens and how to prepare

An assessment centre is a half or full day of exercises used by banks, consultancies and large graduate employers such as Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Rothschild & Co and Roland Berger. Several candidates are assessed together by a panel, in person or online.

The exercises

• Group exercise. Four to eight candidates discuss a business problem and agree a recommendation while assessors watch.
• Case study or written exercise. You read a pack of information and write or present a recommendation.
• Presentation. Five to ten minutes, sometimes prepared in advance, followed by questions.
• In-tray or e-tray. A simulated inbox: prioritise and respond under time pressure.
• Interview. Competency and motivation questions, sometimes technical.
• Tests. A repeat of the online numerical or logical test to confirm your earlier score.

How you are scored

Assessors mark each exercise against a list of competencies, typically analysis, communication, teamwork, drive and commercial awareness. You are measured against the standard, not against the other candidates, so several people from one group can receive offers.

The group exercise

What scores well:

• Suggesting a structure and keeping an eye on time.
• Building on others' points by name.
• Bringing in a quiet participant.
• Using numbers from the brief.
• Summarising what the group has agreed.

What scores badly: dominating, interrupting, staying silent, or arguing after the group has decided.

The case study

Spend the first fifth of the time reading and planning. Start your answer with the recommendation, give three reasons with evidence from the pack, name the main risk, and state next steps.

Preparation plan

1. Reread your application and the job description.
2. Prepare six STAR stories. See the STAR method.
3. Practise numerical tests under time pressure.
4. Read about the firm and one recent development in its industry.
5. Rehearse a five-minute presentation with a timer.

On the day

You are being observed during breaks and lunch as well. Be friendly with other candidates and staff.