Tips to prepare your assessment

Preparing for Assessments

It’s right to have a number of questions in preparation for your assessment. Depending on the type of assessment, you can prepare in different ways. For an online assessment, you prepare differently than for a so-called ‘live assessment’.

In this article, I’ll address:

• General questions and considerations
• Preparation for online assessments
• Preparation for live assessments

General Questions and Preparation

When asked to take an assessment, ask yourself the following questions:

1. What kind of assessment am I taking?
2. What can I expect?
3. How can I prepare?
4. How much time will it take?
5. What will be done with the results?
6. Manage your state of mind: be rested – check your travel time in advance – breathing exercises

Preparation for Online Assessments

With an online assessment, you usually receive a link. Open it and then you can answer the questions and/or statements. After that, you’ll either get the result immediately or have a review meeting with the certified consultant, after which the profile is handed over to you.

1. How does this assessment work?
2. What is the purpose of the assessment?
3. How much time does it take to complete?
4. What happens with the results? Will I get the results first?
5. How and when will the report be sent to me and my supervisor?
6. Make sure you’re in the right mood and without interruptions or distractions before you start

Preparation for Live Assessments

These are the assessments that usually take a day and involve multiple tasks.

1. Know the purpose of the assessment. Is it a selection assessment? For example, is it investigating your thinking and working level?
2. Make sure you know what to expect on this day. It’s reassuring to know in advance how long it will take, what type of tasks you’ll get, etc.
3. Find out if you can practice for the different parts. Are there practice materials available? Where can you practice for free?
4. Manage your state of mind. You know best how to start such a day prepared and rested.
5. Consider your agenda. Are you sick or under heavy pressure due to circumstances? Discuss this and explore whether the assessment can be postponed.
6. Plan your trip to the assessment center in advance and arrive early. This way you avoid surprises.
7. Know yourself, be yourself. Always react honestly and openly. The analyses often contain so-called ‘lie scores’ that measure the tendency to deceive.

If you want to know more about how an assessment can be used for you, request a golden strategy session with me.

Want to read more? Then read my book “My Best Team Ever! In 7 steps to Golden Leadership“. Or do you want to know how you can further develop your leadership? Then contact me now!