Practice for your assessment centre

In contrast to what you may think, the term assessment centre does not typically refer to a place but rather refers to an actual process. This process requires job-applicants to undertake multiple psychometric tests and individual/group activities that simulate the job environment and are designed to find out how you relate to others or how you would cope with the tasks and demands of the job you are being considered for.

Assessment centres are reported to be one of the most common approach employers take when there is large number of ‘suitable’ applicants to choose from. Also, assessment centres are one of the most accurate ways to measure job-applicants’ match against a job requirements. There are usually a number of job-applicants assessed at one time by a team of trained assessors, and the process typically to run across two days. Assessment centres are commonly used to identify job applicants’ management potential. Psychometric tests (both aptitude and personality tests) are often used either as part of the actual assessment centre or prior to the assessment centre to identify the ‘most suitable’ applicants who are to participate in the assessment centre. Psychometric tests in assessment centres are used to elicit a variety of information relevant to the job selection criteria. Accordingly, psychometric tests in assessment centres are specific to the job you are applying for.

It has been shown that job-applicants tend to under-perform during assessment centre processes, including on the psychometric test and individual/team simulation. This may be reflective of the nature of the assessment process in assessment centres, whereby trained assessors are observing a group of job-applicants as well as assessing them with techniques such as psychometric tests. Some job-applicants may feel overwhelmed if they are not prepared and have not practiced psychometric tests.

Success in assessment centres, including psychometric tests and simulation exercises, depends on your background knowledge of the sector, the organisation and specific challenges relating to the role you are applying for. Moreover, success is dependent on how well you demonstrate the suitability of your skills and aptitudes to those required to perform the role.  Therefore, it is important that you develop your ability to describe your experience and skills in line with the specific competencies assessed for the job you are applying for prior to undertaking an assessment centre. That is, to ensure that you perform well in your assessment centre, it is important to practice psychometric tests specific to the role you are applying for and practice with professionals some role plays and group discussion simulations.