1. The Big Four (The Assessment Centre) Page 1
The Assessment Centre
Further assessment may take place in an assessment centre where candidates from different
universities or organizations can meet others for group exercises and panel exercises.
Typical assessment centre activities
 Group Exercise
 Group Discussion
o Case analysis
o Presentation
 Individual Interview
 Manager/Panel Interview
Group exercise
In a typical group exercise, candidates are first assigned to groups of 5 or 6. They may then
select a group leader to help facilitate group transactions. A task will then be assigned to
each group in which group members will have to work together to solve a problem and/or
make a presentation. Behaviours of members and performance of groups will be observed
and evaluated.
• Typical format
 6 students in group.
 Language can be in English, Cantonese, or Putonghua.
 Preparation time 7 mins. Presentation time 3 mins.
 Group leaders are invited to draw three cards randomly. Each card contains a word or
phrase. Group members are asked to compose a story together using the words from
the cards and present it in any format, e.g. Drama.
 Candidates may use any materials available in the room to help with the presentation.
• Group exercise themes
Group exercise theme can be extremely diverse. Here are some examples from past exercises:
Alaska • Winter • Ghost Oil • Disneyland • Rainy Day. You can make some up yourself for
practice.
The Big 4
PwC • Deloitte • KPMG • Ernst & Young
- Recruitment Process 6 -

2. The Big Four (The Assessment Centre) Page 2
• Advice for group exercise
 Be CREATIVE yet LOGICAL―think out of the box.
 AVOID wacky or nonsense ideas.
 PARTICIPATE actively in the group.
 Make use of ANY RESOURCES available in the room.
 Assessors observe INDIVIDUAL BEHAVIOURS rather than the content of the final
story.
Group discussion
In a typical group discussion, participants are assigned into groups of 5-6. They will be given
information of various types, a related discussion topic, and a presentation topic.
Participants are expected to analyze the information or case, discuss on the topic, and
prepare for the presentation. Assessment will be based on communication patterns and
behaviours of the participants.
• Typical format
 Language: English or Cantonese.
 30-45 mins.
 Students are presented with a different information folder.
 Each folder contains different materials.
 Materials can be in the format of text, graphs, tables, charts, floor plan, maps.
 Students are expected to share information for discussion.
 Followed by a presentation (English).
• Discussion topic & presentation
After the group has familiarized itself with the information given, they are usually either
asked to discuss on a topic such as “How to improve the efficiency of a multi-national
company that produces crackers?” And then the group may be asked make a presentation on
a topic such as “Based on the discussion, present the solutions to the Board of Directors.”
• Advice for group discussion
General
 Bring a PEN and a WATCH.
 Analyze issues EMBEDDED in the case study—usually what is important for the
company, for the clients, for the employees, or for the public.
 Analyze the issue from MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES –don’t jump quickly into a
YES or NO conclusion.
 QUICK assimilation of facts and data—treat them methodically.

3. The Big Four (The Assessment Centre) Page 3
 Present arguments basing on FACTS & FIGURES rather than superficial and wishy-
washy observations.
Discussion Performance
 LEAD the discussion.
 Motivate OTHER MEMBERS to participate.
 LISTEN carefully then contribute.
 DO NOT dominate by putting down others.
 Consider ALTERNATIVE solutions.
 Make RECOMMENDATIONS.
 Make decision by DISCUSSION and EXPERTISE, not by voting or power.
 Finish ON TIME.
Presentation
 PLAN and STRUTURE the content.
 Make and maintain good EYE CONTACT.
 Speak CLEARLY and AUDIBLY.
 Use GOOD ENGLISH--content, structure, use of words, grammar and spelling are
important.
 Use AV equipment with SKILL.
 Handle stress –appear SELF-CONFIDENT under stress.
 Finish ON TIME.
 INVITE questions and THANK the audience.
Manager/Panel Interview
These types interviews allows employer to assess the applicants by more than one staff with
different specialties and work experiences. Applicants’ competencies are likely to be assessed
from different work perspectives. It can be a challenge, as one may have to deal with very
diverse concerns of the company. It is also good because one is being evaluated by more than
one individual and from different perspectives. Interviewers are usually managers with 5+
years of work experience.
• Interview Formats
 One-to-one
 Two-to-one
 Three-to-one
 20-30 minutes