Business School
Mock Assessment Centre Days
We know the importance of ensuring you are one step ahead of the competition when applying for graduate employment. That is why, every year, the Business School runs a ‘Mock Assessment Centre Day’ for all second-year students.
How does this work?
External employers and staff work together to put students through their paces in a variety of activities designed to accurately simulate the environment and challenges of Assessment Centres – a common approach used by graduate employers as part of their recruitment process.
During the mock assessment centre, students participate in Psychometric Tests, Presentations, Unseen Group Tasks, In-Tray exercises and an Online Video Interview. These tests have been sourced through graduate recruiters and employers who support our event. All of the tests are observed and assessed by the external employers and our Business School staff, and students receive feedback after each stage.
“The key purpose of the Mock Assessment Centre Day is to ensure that our students have an experience to build their confidence and competence in transferable skills that graduate recruiters test in assessment centres. By exposing the students to a simulation of the tasks undertaken, they are able to receive feedback on their performance that will prove invaluable when they are required to do the tasks for real.
Dr Helen Eccleston
The event also allows employers to discuss opportunities with students if they feel they have shown the right attributes for their organisation. Among others, the event has previously provided students with opportunities to undertake placements with Lloyds TSB and Matalan. Students have also been able to engage with entrepreneurs about their small business creations.”
Senior Lecturer and Business School Employability Lead
What is the benefit?
Feedback that students receive after the completion of each task allows them to reflect upon their performance in a summative assessment and action plan, considering the next steps to building and improving upon their techniques before applying for ‘real’ graduate roles and completing a ‘real’ assessment centre in the future.
The Mock Assessment Centre Day has been an insightful and beneficial experience especially for future applications for Internships and Graduate roles. The experience has allowed me to focus upon developing weaknesses and I gained feedback from my performances at each stage. I now have a clearer understanding of what employers are looking for and the recruitment process now seems much more feasible.
Olivia Wright, student
May 9, 2022