Superday kit
Group exercise playbook
What assessors look for, what to avoid and what to say
What assessors look for
How you work with the group usually matters as much as the answer you reach
- Moving the group forwardSuggest a way to tackle the task, and keep bringing the discussion back to the decision
- Listening and buildingRefer to what others said and add to it, rather than waiting for your turn to speak
- Bringing others inNotice who hasn't spoken and ask for their view by name
- Using the briefQuote the figures and limits in the pack, and spot the detail others missed
- Keeping an eye on timeSuggest timings at the start and say when the group needs to decide
- Disagreeing wellChallenge ideas rather than people, and find a way to settle it, such as agreeing criteria
- Reaching a decisionHelp the group commit to a clear answer and sum it up, even when it isn't your idea
What to avoid
- Talking over peopleInterrupting reads as poor listening, however good your point
- Staying quiet for too longAssessors can only mark what they see and hear, so speak in the first few minutes
- Taking a role and nothing elseKeeping time or taking notes helps, but you still need to add ideas
- Arguing to winDigging in on your first idea makes it harder for the group to decide
- Ignoring the briefAn answer that breaks the budget or deadline in the pack shows you didn't read it
- Inventing factsWork with the information given, and say when you are making an assumption
- Taking credit for others' ideasName the person whose point you are building on
Things you can say
- Shall we take two minutes to agree what we need to decide and by when?
- Building on Sam's point, the cost figures in the pack back that up
- Priya, what's your view on this?
- We've got ten minutes left, so shall we choose between these two?
- Can we check that against the budget in the brief?
- So we're agreeing on the second option, with Tom's risk as our main caveat?
A typical shape
- Reading timeRead the brief alone and note the decision, the limits and two or three key figures
- The first few minutesAgree the goal, how long to spend on each part and who will present, if anyone
- The discussionCompare the options against agreed criteria, using evidence from the brief
- The last ten minutesNarrow down, decide and check the answer meets the brief
- Presenting backKeep it short: the decision, the reasons, the main risk and who says what
Formats vary, so follow the instructions on the day
If it runs online
- Show you are listeningKeep your camera on, react to what people say and use their names when you respond
- Take turns cleanlyUse the raise-hand button if the group agrees to it, and keep each point short
- Share the workOffer to keep time or note decisions in the chat, then keep adding ideas
- Plan for glitchesTest your set-up beforehand and keep a phone ready in case your connection drops
When you research a topic first
Some assessment centres send a topic in advance, then run a discussion on it
- The basicsWhat the topic is, why it matters now and the two or three numbers that explain it
- Both sidesThe strongest argument for and against, and who gains or loses
- The link to the firmHow it affects the firm's clients, its business or the wider market
- Your viewAn opinion you can explain in a minute, and what would change your mind
- A good questionOne question to put to the group or the assessor that moves the discussion on