Assessment Center – What is it?
To find the right people for apprenticeships, some companies use more extensive testing procedures. The most common is the so-called "assessment center." Sometimes it is also called "applicant day" or "selection round."
This is how you recognize an assessment center:
There are many different tests and test situations.
Some test items require a longer time to complete. Others can be completed in a few minutes. These different tasks are presented in rotation.
Individual and group work are also alternated.
There are different testing methods – for example, written tests, interviews, or short presentations.
Throughout the entire time, trained HR staff observe all applicants: during the test items, upon entering the company, during breaks, and upon departure.
Selection test – why?
Have you applied for an apprenticeship and been invited to a selection or aptitude test? Congratulations! This clears the first hurdle: Your application has been well received by the company, and they are interested in you.
A selection test is used to determine whether applicants are suitable for their desired career. For example, many technical jobs require good spatial awareness. For commercial jobs, very good German skills and a good understanding of numbers are important. The ability to work with concentration and precision under stress is required of all applicants.
Concentrate, combine information, keep a cool head
The following trick will test whether you can handle time pressure:
The time for the selection test is intentionally very short. Don't let that discourage you! Even if you work with full concentration, you may still not be able to complete all the tasks. No one can solve all the tasks without making mistakes in three or four hours. And don't be afraid to leave something out: If you notice that you're stuck on a task, put it aside and work on the others first!
Unusual exam situation
In class tests, you can concentrate on one topic in particular. In the selection test, you have to complete tasks from different areas in a short time.