Taking part in an assessment center is a crucial stage in the application process for an apprenticeship. It is a challenge that puts both professional and personal skills to the test. In this article, we want to give you tips on how to prepare effectively for an assessment center. From thorough research and the assessment format to dealing with stressful situations – this article covers all the important aspects.
The following steps are recommended when preparing for an assessment center as part of an apprenticeship:
- Find out about the format: understand what an assessment center involves and what types of tasks and tests may be involved.
- Focus on relevant skills: Depending on the apprenticeship you are aiming for, different skills may be required. It is therefore important to focus on job-specific skills.
- Practicing test tasks: Many assessment centers include standardized tests on logic, language or mathematics. Here you can prepare yourself with exercises.
- Developing soft skills: Assessment centers often also test social skills and the ability to work in a team. Role plays or group discussions can be good practice opportunities here.
- Dealing with stress and time management: Assessment centers can be stressful. Time management and relaxation techniques can help you stay on top of things.
- Obtain feedback: Practicing with friends or family and getting feedback on your own performance.
- Research the company and industry: Gather information about the company and industry so that you are well informed during the assessment.
- Technical preparation: For online assessment centers, it is important to check the technical equipment and make sure that everything works smoothly.
- Own presentation and behavior: Think about how you want to present yourself and make sure you have good manners.
- Maintain calm and concentration: It is important to stay calm, stay focused and not be distracted by other participants.
There are also various websites that aim to prepare you for an assessment center and offer helpful resources and practice opportunities.
- Assessment Center Academy provides free practice exercises for the classic cognitive performance tests in assessment centers. These exercises focus on areas such as logical reasoning, general knowledge, concentration, creativity, analytics and more.
- Planet-Beruf offers various materials for download that can be helpful in preparing for an assessment center. These materials include worksheets, presentations and other resources relevant to career choice and training preparation.
- student careers provides a detailed overview of the various tasks in an assessment center, including individual and group tasks such as self-presentation, mailbox exercises, presentations and interviews. The site gives tips on how to prepare for these tasks and emphasizes the importance of practice and preparation.
- In addition to these test resources, you can find various activities and exercises used in assessment centers on the Experiential Learning website. These activities are designed to test a variety of skills and include, for example, group discussions, presentations, role plays and various scenarios that test specific job-related skills.
These online resources provide a great way to prepare for the different aspects of an assessment center by giving them hands-on experience and allowing them to test and improve their skills in different areas.